The international friendlies seemed to have done a load of good for Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United as the Red Devils returned to their Theatre of Dreams to host a resurgent Swansea. A team battling to stay out of relegation usually performs with intent but Manchester United established firm control from the beginning and got a lovely goal from Romelu Lukaku.
It was followed up soon enough from a quality finish from Alexis Sanchez as he netted his second. United were utterly dominant throughout but Swansea still managed to get very few good shots on target which were denied by De Gea.
Here’s how the Manchester United players have been rated:-
GK: David De Gea – 8/10
Produced a world-class save to deny Tammy Abraham and followed that up with a quick low save as well to deny the same player. A clean-sheet is another bonus for the Spaniard who seems to have had a terrific month.
RB: Antonio Valencia – 7.5/10
Patrolled the right with supremacy and he never looked like he would lose his grip on the oppositions coming from that direction.
CB: Victor Lindelof – 7.5/10
Alert and aware of the dangers and very intelligent with the ball at his feet as well. it looks like the Swede has put all of his nervy past behind him and has come back to his own state.
CB: Chris Smalling – 7/10
Complimented Lindelof perfectly and kept his composure.
LB: Ashley Young – 7/10
Much more energetic going forward and contributed to the game a lot of times from that region. It just does not look like Luke Shaw is ever winning back the position from Ashley again.
CDM: Nemanja Matic – 7/10
Looked to be at ease in the middle and did his usual job of screening the defence and passing the ball along.
CM: Paul Pogba – 8.5/10
He had a superb game today. Hardly put a foot wrong and did not look casual at all. His through-balls didn’t get the justice or the acknowledgement they probably deserved and if those had been taken well, he’d have got two assists to his name at the end of the day. Top performance from Pogba and United would only hope that he keeps this up.
LW: Alexis Sanchez – 8.5/10
Much more lively and neat with his football today and he finished excellently when he got the chance. The Chilean is one more player that United would be looking forward to with a few games remaining.
AM: Juan Mata – 7.5/10
Juan Mata is an absolutely impressive engine. His ability to find the pockets of spaces looked mesmerising. The only regret is that one glorious chance he missed from Pogba’s lofted ball. He certainly was one of the most important players on the pitch today.
AM: Jesse Lingard – 9/10
Man of the match without a shadow of a doubt. He has kept the form he gained at the international level and looked a class apart today. He hardly made any error and controlled the ball swiftly on a lot of occasions and played it off smartly whenever he got the chance. If only he could do this every single week!
ST: Romelu Lukaku – 8/10
Calm and assertive enough. Took his chance really well and played his part in the attack throughout the day. Proving his worth week by week and he’s reached a hundred goals as well.
Substitutes:-
AM: Marcus Rashford – N/A
CM: Ander Herrera – N/A
CM: Scott McTominay – N/A
