Plenty to ponder for LVG.
Manchester United were beaten 2-1 by Swansea City in Louis van Gaal’s first official game in charge on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Devils fell behind in the first half when Ki Sung-yueng netted from just outside the penalty area.
Captain Wayne Rooney equalised for United after the break, but the Swans nicked all three points when new signing Gylfi Sigurdsson fired home 17 minutes from full time.
Here’s how United’s players rated:
Goalkeeper: David de Gea – 6/10
Very little blame should be attached to De Gea for Swansea’s two goals.
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Centre-back: Tyler Blackett – 5/10
Debutant Blackett did not look overawed by the occasion, but the 20-year-old, who got a yellow card late on, is not quite a Premier League player.
Centre-back: Chris Smalling – 6/10
Playing as the middle man in a central defensive three, Smalling did a good job of coaching Blackett through the game.
Centre-back: Phil Jones – 7/10
Jones made a number of heroic last-ditch tackles, which, unfortunately, were in vain.
Left wing-back: Ashley Young – 5/10
Worked hard and did an ok job filling in at wing-back and then full-back. However, United will not make the top four playing Young in a defensive role all season. Potential liability.
Right wing-back: Jesse Lingard – 6/10
His United debut lasted just 25 minutes before being halted prematurely by injury. Playing out of position, the striker looked spritely and dangerous going forward. However, his lack of defensive knowledge was exposed early on, when Wayne Routledge was allowed in on goal, before De Gea came to the rescue.
Midfield: Darren Fletcher – 5/10
A disciplined defensive display from United’s vice skipper. The Scot’s passing to the side’s more creative players was too slow though, and this made it too easy for Swansea to tame the Red Devils.
Midfield: Ander Herrera – 5/10
Neat and tidy when in possession, but fairly anonymous. Replaced by Marouane Fellaini just after the hour mark.
Attacking midfield: Juan Mata – 6/10
Far from at his best in the first half, but much improved after the break when he was deployed as a second striker in a 4-4-1-1 system. Delivered an excellent corner which led to United’s leveller.
Forward: Wayne Rooney – 7/10
Justified his return to a traditional striking role by scoring United’s equaliser with a brilliant close-range bicycle kick. Looked dangerous every time he got the ball in the final third, crashing the woodwork as hitting the net.
Forward: Javier Hernandez – 5/10
Was starved of service during the first 45 minutes, before being replaced by Nani at the break.
Subs:
Adnan Januzaj – 7/10
Incredibly bright and strong on the ball. Frequently frightened Swansea with his dribbling, but final ball was not good enough.
Nani – 5/10
Had little effect on the game until stoppage time, when his deep cross almost produced a second equaliser, only for Januzaj’s shot to hit Rooney.
Marouane Fellaini – 6/10
Was sent on to add aerial prowess to United’s attack. Won a couple of flick-ons, which, through no fault of his own, led to nothing.
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