Manchester United 3-2 Stoke City: Player Ratings as Carrick helps United pull it back

Javier Hernandez’s 80th minute winner gave Manchester United a win over Stoke City, as United came from 2-1 down to emerge 3-2 victors. Whilst coming 10 minutes before “Fergie time,” David Moyes will be hoping he has discovered his predecessor’s knack of grabbing victory from the jaws of defeat.

David De Gea (-22.79)

Despite a great double save, two goals conceded see the Spaniard notch a negative score.

Chris Smalling (-1.11)

Coming in for Rafael at right back, Smalling was unconvincing. His performance score of -1 means that he has now failed to produce a positive performance score in three of his five appearances this season.

Jonny Evans (-2.11)

Failing to make a single tackle or header, Evans bagged a negative performance score on a day that United conceded two. Evans was involved in Crouch’s opening goal: hitting a clearance that hit the striker and went in.

Phil Jones (32.33)

Partnered with Evans at centre half, Phil Jones made four interceptions for United. His seven clearances ranked as the joint highest of any United player. Jones also completed two tackles but, surprisingly for a centre back, neither was in his own half.

Patrice Evra (34.53)

Evra made seven clearances and provided the crucial ball in for Hernandez’s winner to score a performance score of 35.

Michael Carrick (52.86)

The glue that holds the United midfield together, Carrick made 92% of his passes. Alongside four interceptions, the England midfielder made the most passes of any player on the pitch.

Tom Cleverley (-4.25)

Eclipsed by his central midfield partner, Cleverley had a quiet game. His afternoon ended early, when he was the man to make way for Javier Hernandez’s introduction.

Shinji Kagawa (13.52)

Recalled to the league starting line up, Kagawa produced a tidy performance in which he also made 92% of his passes. The Japan international started from the left, but was given license to roam inside, and frequently linked up and switched positions with Rooney.

Nani (-26.58)

Booed by sections of the home crowd on his departure, Nani endured a torrid afternoon. The winger scored the lowest performance score of any United player, and only made 74% of his passes. His take on success was also low, with two successful from six attempts.

Robin van Persie (67.25)

The Squawka man of the match, Van Persie set United on their way with the Red Devil’s first goal. He then turned provider, setting up strike partner Wayne Rooney for the equaliser.

Wayne Rooney (53.51)

Manchester United’s strikers won them the match, and Rooney was second only to Van Persie in performance score. The England striker’s 80th minute goal was a reward for a performance in which he peppered the Stoke goal with shots. He had five attempts, drawing two saves from Begovic in the Stoke goal.

Subs:

Antonio Valencia (3.14)

A substitute for Chris Smalling, Valencia managed to make a cross and complete a take on during his short time on the pitch.

Javier Hernández (11.57)

Doing what he does best, Hernandez came off the bench to net United’s winner. In truth Hernandez didn’t do a huge amount in his 23 minute cameo appearance, but his goal could prove invaluable to David Moyes.

Adnan Januzaj (18.32)

Dropped to the bench, Januzaj showed his manager what he brings to the team over Nani. He attempted two take ons, two shots and two crosses in his time on the pitch, and was also fouled five times.

Stoke:

Asmir Begovic (-38.11)

The lowest scoring player on the pitch, Begovic made six saves and let in three.

Robert Huth (5.68)

Living up to his freshly shaven head, Rob Huth made a frankly ridiculous 12 clearances. This means that the imposing defender made the most clearances of any player on the pitch.

Ryan Shawcross (4.5)

Returning to his former club, Shawcross completed 82% of his passes and won both of his headed duals. The defender was an injury doubt before the game, but even his fitness couldn’t prevent defeat.

Erik Pieters (3.89)

The left back endured a fairly easy afternoon up against Nani, before the introduction of Adnan Januzaj. He also made six clearances and four tackles. However he was let down by a lowly 69% pass accuracy.

Geoff Cameron (-21.45)

Cameron came in at right back, and scored a performance score of -21. He struggled to deal with Kagawa and Rooney linking up down his side. Kagawa bamboozled Cameron with his movement, drifting across the pitch – shown by the heat map below.

Wilson Palacios (-26.52)

Palacios was chasing shadows when United went forward, and only managed to make one tackle and one interception. He wasn’t much better on the ball, only contributing 18 passes to the cause.

Steven N’Zonzi (7.83)

The pick of Stoke’s central midfield, N’Zonzi made 38 passes, giving him a completion rate of 84%

Jonathan Walters (26.68)

A threat from the right, Walters produced two key passes from the right wing on his way to scoring the second highest score of any Stoke player.

Stephen Ireland (-12.79)

A largely quiet afternoon for the former City player, who made 76% of his passes.

Marko Arnautovic (50.54)

Stoke’s man of the match, the highlight of Arnautovic’s performance was undoubtedly a sublime free kick to put the Potters 2-1 up.

Peter Crouch (11.57)

Bullying Jonny Evans all afternoon, Crouch won nine of 13 headed duals, as well as netting a somewhat fortuitous equaliser at 1-0 down.

Subs:

Glenn Whelan (15.08)

Impressive in his brief cameo, Whelan made 17 of his 18 passes.

Charlie Adam (-10.28)

A late sub, Adam only needed 9 minutes to rack up a performance score of -10.

Marc Wilson(-12.79 )

A 48th minute sub, Wilson made two fouls to one tackle and could only find a teammate with 53% of his passes.