Manchester United eased into the group stages of the UEFA Champions League with a dominant 4-0 victory over Belgian outfit Club Brugge.
Here is how we have rated Louis van Gaal’s side against the Belgian outfit as captain Wayne Rooney was the standout player:
GK) Sergio Romero
Produced a moment of brilliance to deny Brugge an equaliser on the stroke of half-time as he smothered the ball at the feet of Abou Diaby to ensure he kept another clean sheet. 7/10.
DR) Matteo Darmian
Slight misjudgment early in the game almost led to a goal for the hosts, but recovered well to produce yet another solid performance. 7/10.
DC) Chris Smalling
Comfortable game for the England international and is showing why he should be the club’s first choice central defender. 7/10.
DC) Daley Blind
Almost put through his own net in the first-half and then his lack of awareness almost cost the team a goal. Improved after the break, but is still not convincing as a centre-back. 6/10.
DL) Luke Shaw
Crucial block in the opening stages to deny Tom De Sutter and produced a good performance.7/10.
CM) Michael Carrick
Quiet yet very disciplined display from the veteran midfielder as he staked his claim to be the club’s first-choice in the engine room. 8/10.
CM) Ander Herrera
Booked early on, but his influence on the game grew after he was pushed into the no.10 role after the break as he set up Rooney to make it 2-0 and then calmly slotted in his first of the season to make it 4-0. 8/10.
AMC) Adnan Januzaj
Very quiet and ineffective display from the young Belgian international and he was hauled off at the break. 5/10.
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RW) Juan Mata
Not the Spaniard’s greatest game in an United shirt, but he was still able to register an assist for Rooney’s hat-trick. 6/10.
LW) Memphis Depay
Brilliant play from the Dutchman to set-up Rooney for the opener, should have netted his third goal of the tie late in the first-half but took one too many touches of the ball. 7/10.
ST) Wayne Rooney
Broke his 10-game goal drought with a composed finish in the 20th minute to effectively end the tie and that seemed to boost his confidence as he scored another just after half-time and completed his hat-trick following a superb pass from Mata. 9/10. MOTM
Substitutes:
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Came on at half-time to help protect the lead, and did exactly that and was also able to create a goal for Herrera with a brilliant pass. 7/10.
Ashley Young
Not much of an impact from the winger, who wasn’t given much time to stake his claim to win his place back in the starting XI. 5/10.
Javier Hernandez
Failed to break United’s penalty jinx late in the game as he failed to hit the target from 12 yards and is unlikely to be taking one anytime soon. 4/10.