Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City secured their progress into yet another Carabao cup final this season, after beating Manchester United by a 3-2 aggregate score. Although the Red Devils picked up the 1-0 victory on the night thanks to a goal from Nemanja Matic, there’s no denying that the end result is somewhat bittersweet and that it was probably not what the gaffer was expecting to achieve when they set out on the short trip across Manchester tonight.
Here are the Manchester United players rated in their win over Man City.
David De Gea – 9
The Spanish shot-stopper was a brick wall in front of the Red Devils’ goal tonight. Without him, this rampant City side would’ve been well clear of United within the opening ten minutes of the fixture.
Victor Lindelof – 6.5
The centre-half made a couple of extremely loose passes in the first half and didn’t improve too much in that regard in the second period either. Put his body on the line while defending though.
Harry Maguire – 6.5
Like his central defensive partner, the big Englishman was careless in possession at times and could’ve cost United the game on multiple instances. Held his position well and was strong dealing with crosses.
Luke Shaw – 7
The English speedster showed a touch of invention and finesse about his game today, but wasn’t allowed a moment’s peace owing to the relentless Manchester City pressure down that side.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6.5
The youngster was up against one of the deadliest wingers in Europe in Raheem Sterling but defensively held his own. Got forward well, but was let down by the final ball on multiple occasions.
Fred – 6.5
The Brazilian held the ball up well in the middle of the park and tried to bring the attackers into the game as well. Began to slowly fade away in the second half as United pushed for an aggregate equaliser.
Nemanja Matic – 8.5
The Serbian international looked like he belonged in the centre of that Manchester United midfield the way he was moving the ball. Scored a belter of a goal, but unnecessarily got himself sent off.
Brandon Williams – 6.5
The youngster worked extremely hard down the flank but was forced to do a lot of defending due to United’s fragility down that end. Wasn’t allowed to get forward as much as usual.
Jesse Lingard – 5
The midfielder was extremely poor all through the first half as he seemed to give the ball away every time he tried to make a pass. Didn’t offer any quality in and around the box either.
Mason Greenwood – 5.5
Despite some strong efforts to try and have an impact, the youngster was barely able to scratch the surface of the City defence in the first half and was hence subbed off at the interval.
Anthony Martial – 4
The Frenchman was undoubtedly United’s worst player on the pitch as he seemed to be aimlessly loitering the final third. Couldn’t produce anything meaningful going forward and looked lost for ideas.
Substitutes
Daniel James – 5
Made some strong runs down the right flank but just doesn’t have the conviction he did when he first joined. Needs to work on decision making in the final third.
Andreas Pereira – 4
Brought into the centre of midfield as Ole pushed for a winner, but failed to make any impact whatsoever. Misplaced a couple of simple passes as well.
Juan Mata – NA
Didn’t have time to make an impact.
