Player Ratings: Manchester United 3

It was certainly a game of two halves as they say. With the game promising much, and expectations running sky high, people would have been forgiven for expecting a game with exciting end-to-end football from the get-go, with the intensity that is usually associated with arguably the biggest rivalry in world football, as United hosted the reds at Old Trafford.

But by the time half time rolled around, with the scoresheets still remaining unchanged, the game was looking to have all the excitement of a damp firecracker. Liverpool seemed to be playing for a goalless draw, and United seemed to have nothing going for them in the creativity department.

The second half changed all that. Daley Blind opened the scoring from a set-piece that seemed right off the training ground to spark the game to life. Ander Herrera then doubled the lead from the spot, after being brought down in the area after being sent through by Carrick. Liverpool seemed to realize the urgency to hit back, and the game was back on with Benteke scoring an incredible overhead volley, surely a candidate for goal of the season, to get Liverpool of the mark.

Moments later United’s latest signing, Anthony Martial showed Old Trafford exactly what all the hype was about, cutting past three defenders and curling a shot past Mignolet into the bottom right corner.

The game might not rank among the best games between these two Premier League giants, but certainly will leave memories that will long be remembered. Four goals, two of which shall certainly shall go down in derby folklore.

The result means United for now, sit on the second position in the Premier League Table, with Liverpool on 9th. United next travel to the Netherlands to meet PSV in the Champions league, while Liverpool face off against Bordeaux in the Europa League.

Here are the player ratings for the latest edition of the greatest rivalry in English football:

Manchester United

David De Gea- 7/10:

Almost a spectator throughout the first half, and nearly costing united with a poor clearance, that set Ings through on goal, but redeemed himself with a save, and later showed United exactly what they were missing when he flew through the air to stop Ibe from scoring. He could do nothing about Benteke’s shot but will be disappointed to not keep a clean sheet.

Matteo Darmian- 6.5/10:

Eager to support the attack, thus drawing Ings further back. Created a few chances up front, and got back well to cover the Liverpool attack. Effectively reduced the supply to Benteke, and even got back once to deny the Belgian after playing him on-side. Booked for a poor tackle.

Chris Smalling- 7/10:

Continues his good form at the back for United, as he marshalled the defense well and dealt with the physicality of Benteke well to keep his influence down to a minimum.

Luke Shaw- 7.5/10:

Shut down Firmino at the back, and looked to be United’s most lively threat up front on the left throughout the first half. His runs up the left meant, that Firmino and later Ibe were mostly forced to play within their own half. A decent showing.

Marouane Fellaini- 5/10:

Anonymous for the first half after being played up front. Wasted a golden chance after a poor clearance from Mignolet, and then his poor touch let him down a couple of times. Came into the game after dropping into midfield after the introduction of Martial

Bastian Schweinsteiger- 7.5/10:

Along with Carrick, dominated the midfield, dictating the tempo of the game for most of the first half, often taking the initiative to push forward, but to no effect. After United went ahead, he adopted a more wary approach. Well suited to Van Gaal’s philosophy.

Juan Mata- 7/10:

Was at the heart of most of his side’s creative displays, and cleanly set up Blind from a clearly rehearsed set-piece. Surprisingly withdrawn for Martial shortly after the hour mark.

Ander Herrera- 6.5/10:

Looked dull in the first half, showing nothing of the creativity that United have grown to expect from him. Grew into the game in the second half, earning and dispatching a penalty to perfection.

Daley Blind- 8.5/10:

An all-round match-winning performance from the Dutchman. Dealing effectively with the threat of Benteke initially, before arriving to drive home the opener. Managed to get back to somehow clear a certain goal, off the line, and marshalled the defense well with Smalling. The best player of the night.

Michael Carrick- 7/10:

A typical Michael Carrick display, hardly ever putting a pass wrong, but guilty of slowing down the tempo of an already dragging game in the first half. Sent in a few wonderful cross field passes, and his through ball earned Herrera the penalty.

Memphis Depay- 5.5/10:

Ineffective. He tried to use his pace to get past the Liverpool backline, but couldn't create the chances that are expected of him. Substituted at half-time for Young.

Subs

Ashley Young – 7/10:

Surprisingly brought on for Depay at half time, and injected much-needed life into the game. Earned the free-kick that led to the opener, and provided more effective supply to the Red Devils’ forward line.

Anthony Martial – 7.5/10

Brought on for his United debut in the place of Mata, shortly after the hour mark. Seemed to struggle with the physicality of the game early on, only for him to cut past three Liverpool defenders, nutmegging Skrtel on the way, to score a beauty of a goal. United fans will be salivating at the prospect of this lad.

Morgan Schneiderlin - 6/10

Brought on for defensive cover late on and did his job satisfactorily.

Liverpool

Simon Mignolet- 5/10:

A poor clearance nearly cost them a goal, only for Fellaini to scuff his chance. Looked out of depth whenever the ball was at his feet, and despite pulling off few clearances, looked shaky at best. Had no chance for either Blind’s goal or with the penalty, but was ruthlessly exposed by Martial.

Dejan Lovren- 5/10:

Tried to impose his physicality on the United forwards, but to poor effect. Lucky to escape a booking. Made a few clearances late on to deny United another goal.

Martin Skrtel- 6/10:

The United attack looked to exploit his lack of pace and often succeeded. Had a good headed effort cleared off the line by Blind. Embarassingly nutmegged by Martial, as he wrapped up the game.

Nathaniel Clyne- 5.5/10:

Seemed panicked at the beginning, needlessly conceding a corner. Grew into the game to deal effectively with Depay. Much better going forward in the second half, his through balls and crosses creating a couple of half-chances. Should’ve dropped down more often to provide support to his central defensive partners.

Joe Gomez- 6/10:

Seemed one of Liverpool's few bright sparks in the first half, creating chances from the left side early on, and often outmuscling the opposition attack to recover possession. His inexperience showed when he undid his good work by conceding the penalty with a clumsy challenge.

James Milner- 4.5/10:

Took too long on the ball, often being dispossessed. Tried to create some chances from long passes to the front, but largely ineffective. Very poor defensive cover.

Lucas Leiva- 4.5/10:

Let the game pass by him, having almost no say in the proceedings. His misplaced passes within his own half set United on the counter a few times.

Emre Can- 5.5/10:

Tried to create something for Liverpool, but guilty of a few poor passes, particularly a risky one back to Mignolet. Often found out of position.

Roberto Firmino- 5/10:

Rarely troubled the United defenders, putting up an anonymous display for most of the first half. Tried to press forward after the Reds fell behind, but to no avail. Replaced by Ibe.

Danny Ings- 5.5/10:

Unable to create any decent chances for Benteke despite working hard on the left. Took a decent shot but was thwarted by De Gea. Was largely shut out of the game by Darmian.

Christian Benteke- 7.5/10

Lacked any supply for most of the first half and was restricted to some hold-up play, but was poorly supported by the Liverpool attack. Guilty of a lack of pace at times, but looked dangerous whenever he had the ball. Scored a spectacular overhead volley to keep the reds in the game. A certain contender for goal-of-the-season.

Subs

Jordon Ibe – 6/10

Replaced Firmino and seemed to provide much more of a threat down the right flank. Did well to get past the home side’s defence and get off a good shot, but couldn't get past De Gea.

Divock Origi – 5.5/10

Came on late for Danny Ings, but couldn't contribute much more to the game than the former Burnley man.

Alberto Moreno – NA

Came on too late to have any impact on the game.