Manchester United 3-0 Aston Villa - Player Ratings

Manchester United came into this game, knowing that 3 points would all but guarantee them the tag of ‘Champions’. Win they had to, and win they did! The game was touted to be a spicy affair as Villa-United games of the past have seen the goal bulged by the ball on quite a few occasions, with the last meeting ending 3-2 in United’s favour, via a Hernandez brace. The game ended 3-0 in the favour of the table-toppers, who reclaimed the Premier League championship in some style. Let’s find out how each player that took part to make the night special, fared on this eventful night.

MANCHESTER UNITED:

David de Gea: 7/10

Didn’t have much to do on the night, was up to the task when called upon. His handling of crosses has definitely improved and that is a sign of better things to come from the young Spaniard. Tested twice by Benteke and El Ahmadi and responded with smart saves. This season has been a good one for the Manchester United #1, and with positive performances like these, his hold on the starting spot has certainly become stronger!

Rafael: 7/10

Rafael’s cross led to Manchester United’s opening goal. A smart cross dinked in by the Brazilian aimed at the back post, smartly taken by Ryan Giggs who then crossed in to Robin van Persie, for whom the width of the gaping space almost made it improbable for a player of his calibre to miss. He could have had his name on the goal-sheets with a thunderous shot that cannoned off the cross bar minutes later. Didn’t have much to do defensively, fended off Agbonlahor and Delph.

Phil Jones: 8/10

Yet another commanding performance at the back from the young centre-back. His versatility is vital to Manchester United, and he certainly did revel in last night’s role. Apart from the early chance that fell for Benteke, he didn’t put a foot wrong. A possible successor to Nemanja Vidic?

Jonny Evans: 7/10

He and Jones formed a commanding back line. He was at the heart of a formidable defence that seemed hard to beat. Did well to block an N’zogbia effort in the first half, and could have very well scored a goal in the second. Both Evans and Jones nullified the Benteke-Weimann partnership that has been the only glimmer of hope in an otherwise dismal campaign for Aston Villa.

Patrice Evra: 6.5/10

Probably a shade of luck shadowed the Frenchman after his tackle on Matthew Lowton. Seemed out of position on a couple of occasions, otherwise a solid performance from the Frenchman.

Michael Carrick: 8/10

Another mercurial night at the centre of the park for the current fan favourite. He handled the ball with grace and sprayed passes all around the park. Shielded the defence by dousing the Villa attacks and set United on most of their barrages on the Villa goal.

Wayne Rooney: 7/10

He held the position of an attacking midfielder, but he seemed to drift deep into midfield to help United in keeping possession. His 40-yard pass for Robin van Persie’s second on the night was reminiscent of Alex Song’s assist that was converted by van Persie. The pass and his vision was world-class, but being a Manchester United fan, you’d rather want him to be at the end of those passes.

Ryan Giggs: 8/10

It was like rolling back the years, Giggs was as instrumental as ever, setting up Robin’s first and third. 13 Premier League titles speak volumes about this man. He was like a kid at the park, contesting for every half tackle and chasing down loose balls.

Shinji Kagawa: 8/10

His pass to Giggs led to van Persie’s hat-trick. This was another tantalizing glimpse of the Japanese playmaker’s balance and vision. Manchester United fans will want more of the same from their Samurai. He had a miss that he’ll want to forget though.

Antonio Valencia: 7.5/10

Showed signs of the player that won the Manchester United’s Player of the Year award last season. Hugged the touchline on numerous occasions and gave in challenging balls for van Persie and co. to contest.

Robin van Persie : 9/10

Easily the Man of the Match and also the season for Manchester United. United responded to last season’s disappointing and bitter end by signing van Persie and here we are today. Three well taken goals,a clearance off the line and ultimately, the difference in the title race.

SUBSTITUTES:

Dannie Welbeck: 6/10

Added pace and energy to the game, but came in too late and couldn’t really influence the scoreline.

ASTON VILLA:

Bradley Guzan: 5/10

Wasn’t at fault for any of the goals, and at times demands sympathy for guarding the goal behind a very sloppy Aston Villa defence.

Ron Vlaar: 3/10

He was meant to provide the much needed experience at the heart of Aston Villa’s young defence but crumbled along with them as a pack of cards. Lacked commitment and never really rallied his fellow team-mates after conceding a goal. Made his night comical with a 40 yard effort on goal, aimed at row-Z.

Nathan Baker: 4/10

Had a dismal night at the back and was found wanting during Manchester United attacks. His only significant contribution was a header cleared off the line by van Persie.

Joseph Bennet: 5/10

Delivered some decent crosses into the box, all in vain as the end product was what it lacked. Had a torrid time with Antonio Valencia though.

Matthew Lowton: 5/10

An Aston Villa fan favourite after his wonder-goal against Stoke, and was full of enthusiasm and purpose but was often outsmarted by Ryan Giggs. The only dwindling hope in an otherwise lacklustre Villa back-four.

Charles N’Zogbia: 4.5/10

Had two sniffs at goal, was criticised for delaying his shot that was eventually blocked, a lacklustre performance by the ex-Wigan elite, was subbed off at half-time.

Ashley Westwood: 5/10

Had some neat passes in the centre of midfield, but was overpowered by the experience of Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs.

Fabian Delph: 4/10

Was never in the game. He was the physical presence in midfield who had the job of breaking down their passing, but failed miserably.

Gabriel Agbonlahor: 6/10

Had one shot on goal, resulting from a neat turn, but had an otherwise quiet night. He seemed to be involved in very little, probably Villa should play the ball through him more often.

Christian Benteke: 7/10

A constant threat up-front for any defence in the Premier League, but seemed out of sorts with Evans and Jones rallying on his back. Had an easy attempt blazed over the cross-bar, but had shut-up shop on the night.

Andreas Weimann: 7.5/10

Aston Villa’s best player on the night, his forward drives seemed more purposeful. The only Villa player that had the desire of giving a fight to the League Champions. Fed Benteke with a neat pass right after falling behind early in the game, only to watch him make mess of his good work.

SUBSTITUTES:

Ciaran Clark: 4/10

Introduced after the game was done and dusted, didn’t really have much time to influence the game.

Karim El Ahmadi: 7.5/10

Came in at half-time for N’Zogbia, only for good cause. He gave the much needed stability to the midfield. Tested de Gea with a long ranger which required a finger-tip save from the Spaniard.