Manchester United 4-0 AZ Alkmaar: Manchester United Player Ratings | UEFA Europa League 2019-20

Greenwood was in fine form tonight
Greenwood was in fine form tonight

Manchester United trounced Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar 4-0 at Old Trafford to confirm top spot in Group L, with a brace from Mason Greenwood and goals from Ashley Young, and Juan Mata giving them all three points.

Both sides came into the fixture safe with the knowledge of their qualification to the Round-of-32 and this was reflected in a rather lethargic first half that was devoid of much entertainment.

The hosts, however, sprung into life at the restart and scored four goals in the space of 12 minutes, with captain Ashley Young getting them on their way in the 53th minute, while Mason Greenwood was the star of the show, scoring a brace and winning the penalty for Juan Mata to make it 3-0.

The result capped up a fine run of performances that has seen the Red Devils defeat both Tottenham and Manchester City over the last eight days and this would give them much-needed confidence heading into their weekend Premier League clash against a managerless Everton.

A number of players stepped up to the plate and ensured Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men got the victory and here, we shall be giving the player ratings from the Europa League clash at Old Trafford.


GK - Sergio Romero: 7/10

Sergio Romero's status as backup to David de Gea is not in doubt and the Argentine international has been utilized as Manchester United's option in goal for cup competitions throughout his stay at Old Trafford.

The 32-year-old was started in goal for the clash against his former side and this was his fourth appearance in the competition.

Romero was largely untested for most of the match, especially in the second half as Manchester United were on the attack. He was forced into making three saves over the 90 minutes.

Also check out: Champions League Schedule Champions League table Champions league top scorers

LB - Brandon Williams: 7/10

Brandon Williams
Brandon Williams

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has trusted youth for most of this Europa League campaign and he once again handed a start to 19-year-old left-back Brandon Williams in what was his 10th appearance in all competitions.

He starred in his role and played a part in keeping Yukinari Sugawara quiet on the right of AZ's attack, Williams also made two interceptions and one clearance, while he also completed one dribble and his pass accuracy of 95% was pretty impressive.

CB - Harry Maguire: 6/10

Manchester United's dominance meant that the world's most expensive defender Harry Maguire was largely untroubled and he was substituted after 67 minutes having been a passenger for most of the game.

CB - Axel Tuanzebe: 7/10

Like his defensive partner, Axel Tuanzebe did not have much to do but he played a role in thwarting the AZ attack on few occasions when they threatened to create something particularly in the first half.

The 22-year-old completed three clearances and made one interception while he also posted a pass accuracy of 90.6%

RB - Ashley Young: 8/10

Manchester United v AZ Alkmaar: Group L - UEFA Europa League
Manchester United v AZ Alkmaar: Group L - UEFA Europa League

Many people believe Ashley Young's time at the top-level is finished and fans of the club would rather see the back of him.

The 34-year-old, however, has a contract with the club until the end of the season and was deployed on the right flank of defence.

Young set Manchester United on their way to the emphatic victory when he scored a rare goal in the 54th minute when he found the roof of the net from a brilliant Nemanja Matic cutback.

He was substituted soon after but even though critics would say it came against inferior opposition, Ashley Young discharged his duties effectively.

DMF- Nemanja Matic: 7.5/10

Matic slowly grew into the match
Matic slowly grew into the match

Once upon a time, Nemanja Matic was one of the standout holding midfielders in the world but the former Chelsea man has seen a drop in his performances of late.

Like Young, many opine that he should be discarded and the 31-year-old has seen a reduction in his playing time of late.

The game against AZ was only his sixth appearance of the season but despite some shaky, pedestrian, and unconvincing displays early in the game, the Serbian international slowly grew into the match.

Matic played for the full 90 minutes and had a pass accuracy of 92%.

DMF - James Garner: 6/10

James Garner was handed his fifth appearance of the season and fourth in the Europa League against AZ but the 18-year-old did not do too much to stake a claim for a regular spot in the Premier League.

Garner is one of the highest-rated midfielders in the United youth ranks and big things are expected from him but the game against AZ largely flew past him.

AMF - Juan Mata: 8/10

Manchester United v AZ Alkmaar: Group L - UEFA Europa League
Manchester United v AZ Alkmaar: Group L - UEFA Europa League

Juan Mata is far from the height of his powers from some years back but he still displayed flashes of his brilliance in what was a solid performance against AZ Alkmaar.

The 31-year-old was deployed at the tip of midfield and from there, he influenced proceedings and ended the night with two assists for each of Greenwood's goals, while he also converted the penalty to make it 3-0 in the 62nd minute.

Mata completed 92.7% of his passes.

RWF - Mason Greenwood: 9.5/10

Manchester United v AZ Alkmaar: Group L - UEFA Europa League
Manchester United v AZ Alkmaar: Group L - UEFA Europa League

Earlier in the season, Ole Gunner Solskjaer described Mason Greenwood as one of the best finishers he had seen, which is saying something considering the Norwegian's pedigree as well as the calibre of players he shared the dressing room with.

Against Alkmaar, the 18-year-old went some way to justifying the hype and showed why he is regarded as one of the best young players in the world.

After a quiet first-half, the England U-21 international exploded to life in the second half and ended the night with two goals while he also won the penalty converted by Mata.

His first goal of the night saw him expertly finish from the edge of the box, while his second came after he daintily skipped past Stijn Wuytens and lashed in at the near post.

CF- Anthony Martial: 6/10

Manchester United v AZ Alkmaar: Group L - UEFA Europa League
Manchester United v AZ Alkmaar: Group L - UEFA Europa League

Having scored a well-taken goal in United's last fixture against Manchester City, Anthony Martial was started as the central striker but he wasn't at his best against AZ.

He wasted a good chance, blazing high and over when he was set up by Greenwood and was substituted after 58 minutes having failed to hit the target.

LWF - Andreas Pereira: 7.5/10

Pereira is one of the most divisive Manchester United figures and he is as capable of brilliance and lethargic play in almost equal measure.

The former happened to be the case in the game and he was a constant menace to Jonas Svensson on the left of AZ's defence.

Pereira forced Marco Bizot into a smart save at his near post early in the game and was an instigator of United's opening goal when he dribbled to find space on the left before combining with Mata and Matic to tee Young up.

The 23-year-old ended the night with five shots, two on target, while he also made one key pass.

Substitutes

Tahith Chong: 6.5/10

Phil Jones: 6/10

Ethan Laird: 6/10

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Edited by Alan John
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