Manchester United Player Ratings vs Valencia

Valencia provided a stern test for the reds at Old Trafford a week from the start of the premier league.The match ended 2-1 in favour of united with Rodrigo scoring for Valencia and Fletcher and Fellaini scoring for United.

Manchester United

David de Gea(7.5) – Good distribution, calm on the ball. Did well whenever he was called upon.

Chris Smalling(6.5) – Had an uneventful game at the back, which can never be a bad thing for a defender.

Phil Jones(6.5) – A rare mistake to let Rodrigo through on goal in the second half, but a strong defensive performance overall ,

Tyler Blackett(8-man of the match) – The youngster look right at home playing in a three man defence.Some excellent interceptions and good passing.Provided the assist for the winner in the last minute of the game.

Reece James(7.5) – Given the nod at left wingback, made a few good surging runs and was good defensively as well.Took his chance to impress.

Ashley Young(8) – Starting at right wingback, sent in dangerous crosses throughout with one of them playing a part in the build up to the penalty.Set Rooney through with a good through ball in the second half and is proving a versatile player in the squad.

Ander Herrera(6.5) – Had a steady game in midfield and always looked to be up for a tackle.

Darren Fletcher(7.5) – Had another good game in the middle of the park.A great ball over the top in the first half setting Rooney through on goal only for his first touch to let him down.Fired in the first goal of the game fro the edge of the 18 yard box.

Juan Mata(5.5) – Constantly buzzing around the 18 yard box with some neat passing, but was unable to influence the game as much as in previous games.

Wayne Rooney(5.5) – Missed a first half penalty hitting the frame of the goal and miscontrolled a great ball from Fletcher through on goal, not a great game overall considering his high standards this pre season.

Javier Hernandez(6) – Worked hard throughout the game and cleared not one but two attempts off the line.

Subs :

Tom Cleverley – Came on for Fletcher, and a poor clearance from him resulted in Rodrigo scoring the equaliser.

Michael Keane – Replaced Smalling at center back.

Jesse Lingard – Replaced Ashley Young at right wingback

Shinji Kagawa – Came on for Mata.

Marouane Fellaini – Made some good challenges after coming on for Herrera and scored the winner with the last kick of the game.

Adnan Januzaj – Looked dangerous after coming on for Hernandez.

Valencia

Diego Alves(4) – Guessed the right way for Rooney’s penalty but saw it crashing off the woodwork anyway.Definitely culpable for the last minute winner by coming for the ball and getting nothing on it

Antonio Barragan(5) – Fouled Rooney to concede a penalty in the first half, but in hindsight he was rather unfortunate. Struggled to contain James’s overlapped runs at times.

Ruben Vezo(6) – Defended well enough, keeping Hernandez and Rooney relatively quiet.

Nicolas Otamendi(6) – Had a good game at the center of defence.

Jose Gaya(5) – Failed to deal with Ashley Young oin many occasions, with one such cross leading to the penalty.

Daniel Parejo(5.5) – Looked to attack whenever he could, but was kept quiet by the United defenders.

Javi Fuego(5) – Kept the game ticking in midfield.

Andre Gomes(5) – kept things simple in midfield.

Sofiane Feghouli(6.5) – Looked the most threatening of the Valencia attackers.

Paco Alcacer(4) – Rather anonymous up front.

Rodrigo(6.5) – Sent through on goal after beating Jones in the second half, only for Jones to recover well.Scored the equaliser with a neat finish.

Subs:

Pablo Piatti(N/A) – Looked lively after coming on,

Rodrigo De Paul(N/A) – Made a neat turn leaving Herrera for dead, but shooting high and wide into the stands.Looked to add something different to the attack.