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The English sides have had a torrid start to the Champions League campaign with both Arsenal and Chelsea losing on Tuesday night. However, Manchester United bucked that trend last night with a 2-1 home win over last season’s Bundesliga runners-up. Here are the player ratings from the match.
More: Highlights and 5 Talking Points
Manchester United
David de Gea – 6/10
The Spaniard had little to do all throughout the game but would be disappointed to have conceded a goal early on. His delivery was decent throughout the game as he urged his teammates on to score the winning goal.
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Antonio Valencia – 5.5/10
He was far from his best last night. His runs forward did not yield any results. Further at times, he was troubled by Draxler and Caligiuri who kept switching flanks. Also, some hopeful long balls ahead never bore any fruit. He also played Daniel Caligiuri onside for Wolfsburg’s goal.
Chris Smalling – 8/10
He was superb at the back but the highlight of the game was his calm and composed finish as he put the Red Devils 2-1 ahead. Smalling has had a good start to the season and he continued his good defensive work against Wolfsburg.
Daley Blind – 6/10
The Dutch international was partly to blame for his side conceding so early on. He was caught as Kruse played the ball past him to Caligiuri who calmly converted. Blind put in a man of the match performance against Liverpool but his performance last night left more to be desired.
Matteo Darmian – 7/10
Owing to injuries to Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo, Darmian slotted into the left-back position and would be pleased with his performance. There were times when Draxler went past him but he made up for that by attacking down the left flank and linking up well with Memphis Depay.
Morgan Schneiderlin – 4/10
The Frenchman conceded a few fouls and even got a yellow card in the first half. His passing was far from good and there were quite a few wrong passes while some long balls went unanswered. All in all, a disappointing night for him.
Bastian Schweinsteiger – 4/10
Just like his partner in the middle of the field, Schweinsteiger was disappointing as well. Mispasses were a constant feature as the former Bayern star looked a shadow of his earlier performances this season. He was substituted with Phil Jones coming on.
Juan Mata – 8/10
He won a penalty for a handball in the box and converted it. He then provided a brilliant ball in the second half as Smalling converted to make it 2-1 to the home side. Mata scoring goals has become common for the Red Devils and there is no doubt that he is the most important player for the side.
Wayne Rooney – 5/10
The England captain lacked energy and confidence last night. He missed a sitter in the first half and also let Mata take the penalty. There were some poor passes from him as well.
Memphis Depay – 4/10
The winger had another night to forget as he rarely created any chances. He did go past Trasch on a number of occasions, but nothing really materialized. He got a yellow card and was soon substituted with Perreira coming on.
Anthony Martial – 7/10
The Frenchman was without a doubt Manchester United’s most exciting player last night. He was a constant threat to Dante who had difficulty in handling him. He even created a great opportunity for Rooney who failed to convert.
Substitutes
Andreas Perreira – 6/10
He came on for Depay and was good on the ball. Further, he dropped back a number of times to help out the defence as United tried to see the game out.
Phil Jones – 6.5/10
The Englishman returned from injury and was solid at the back. Immediately after coming on, he intercepted a ball really well. His performance last night will go a long way in cementing his place in the side.
Ashley Young – 6.5/10
He played in the position of the right back and did his job to perfection. United had to defend a lot in the second half and Young helped out his teammates whenever needed.
VfL Wolfsburg
Diego Benaglio – 6/10
Just like his counterpart, Benaglio did not have many saves to make. There was nothing he could have done to prevent the two goals. But the captain would be disappointed to not come away with anything from Manchester.
Christian Trasch – 6/10
He made some good runs ahead but was often caught at the back by Depay. In spite of that, there was nothing to worry about on that flank. His crosses were good but then again, did not yield any result.
Naldo – 5.5/10
The Brazilian played some good long balls forward but will have to take the blame along with Dante for the second goal they conceded. They tried to play the high line, but that backfired as Smalling beat the trap and scored.
Dante – 5.5/10
The former Bayern Munich defender had trouble dealing with Martial who went past him quite a number of times. Further, the high line played by him along with his defensive partner resulted in the second goal.
Ricardo Rodriguez – 6.5/10
He had a freekick just go wide of De Gea’s goal in the 76th minute. He made some threatening forward runs but the results just did not come. He was quite good at the back though, blocking anything that came in from the left side.
Josuha Guilavogui – 6/10
He was decent in midfield providing some key passes for the front men. He also played some good long balls but would certainly be disappointed at not getting anything from the game.
Maximillian Arnold – 6/10
He partnered Guilavogui well but would have loved to have contributed more. He was substituted in the second half with Andre Schurrle coming in his place.
Daniel Caligiuri – 6/10
The rating for this winger would have been more had he not given away a silly penalty. The penalty gave United a way back into the game. His goal early on was very well taken and apart from that, he also made some threatening runs down the wings.
Max Kruse – 5/10
The former Gladbach player provided the assist for Caligiuri’s goal. But after that he was largely inept. He didn’t threaten like he usually does and will surely be disappointed with his performance.
Julian Draxler – 6/10
Wolfsburg’s record signing was possibly the German side’s most hardworking player on the pitch. With the ball at his feet, there was a certain anticipation that something might happen. He linked up well with Schurrle and played well in the second half.
Bas Dost – 4/10
The player from Holland was disappointing once again as questions continue to be raised over his attitude. Dost is nowhere near his prolific goalscoring self last season and will have to raise his performances if Wolfsburg are to do something this season.
Substitutes
Andre Schurrle – 6.5/10
The introduction of the former Chelsea player was crucial for Wolfsburg as he brought some life back into the side. He linked up well with Draxler and Dieter Hecking would be ruing not having introduced him earlier.
Nicklas Bendtner – 4/10
The Dane was hardly visible since his introduction and rarely contributed to his team’s efforts.
Sebastian Jung – 5/10
He came on for Trasch and his performance at best can be termed as okay. He never really had much to do.
