CaughtOffside rates the Man United players for their performances against Man…
Manchester City 1-0 Manchester United – Sergio Aguero’s tenth goal of the season proved the difference in a hard fought Manchester derby, with Chris Smalling’s first-half red card ultimately costing the visitors.
SEE MORE:
Smalling red card – United defender stupidly dismissed
Sergio Aguero goal: Manchester City take the lead
Read the full Manchester United ratings below:
GK) David de Gea – 8
Made several good saves when City were on top, and did brilliantly to keep out Aguero in the first-half.
RB) Antonio Valencia – 7
Made several excellent interventions, and looks a far better option in this position than the struggling Rafael.
LB) Luke Shaw – 7
His best performance in a Manchester United shirt, leading an inexperienced defence after Rojo’s injury.
CB) Chris Smalling – 3
Stupid red card for two avoidable yellow cards, his actions ultimately cost United the game.
CB) Marcos Rojo – 6
Stretchered off ten minutes into the second-half, with City scoring soon after. United will hope it wasn’t as bad as it looked.
CM) Daley Blind – 7
Excellent on and off the ball, worked hard for team and kept City’s midfield arsenal quiet for much of the game.
CM) Marouane Fellaini – 6
A decent performance from the big Belgian, who is continuing to improve after last season’s struggles.
RW) Adnan Januzaj – 5
Withdrawn before half-time following Smalling’s red card, it had been a quiet afternoon for the teenager, who was the obvious choice to be sacrificed.
LW) Angel di Maria – 6
A disappointing day for the talented Argentine, whose woeful corner taking summed up his difficult day.
AM) Wayne Rooney – 7
Worked extremely hard on his return to the team, and led from the front as he attempted to drag United back into the game.
ST) Robin van Persie – 5
Looks a shadow of the player that was so deadly in the 2012-13 season, and was replaced by a teenager in the closing stages.
Manager: Louis van Gaal – 7
Has every right to be proud of his team for the way they responded to Smalling’s red card, but the result was inevitable from that point on.
Subs:
1) Michael Carrick – 6 – A decent showing on his first appearance of the season, especially playing out of position.
2) Paddy McNair – 6 – Another impressive showing from the youngster, who did not flinch facing the likes of Sergio Aguero.
3) James Wilson – 5 – The youngster was thrown on late on as United searched for a goal.
SEE ALSO: Best Premier League players 2014/15