Week after week fans and detractors alike wonder which Anthony Martial will show up to a given match: The scoring genius who had three goals in his first two games, or the overmatched teenager who can’t find the ball. Against CSKA Moscow, it appeared that both of them showed up for Manchester United.
Martial had a frustrating first half, earning a yellow card that led to a Moscow goal after a penalty kick. But in the second half it was as though the lights turned on and he was finally using his head – literally. At the 65′ mark he knocked the header in to help the Red Devils walk away with a 1-1 draw and a point on the Champions League table.
The French starlet has re-energized a Man United team that has struggled offensively amidst what can only be described as the decline of Wayne Rooney. Time will tell if he can carry this team deep into the tournament.
Here are the Manchester United player ratings from their 1-1 draw with CSKA Moscow:
GK David de Gea – 7/10
Very hard to take too many points away from De Gea for giving up that goal. He defended the penalty kick perfectly, the only problem was, Seydou Doumbia anticipated where the ball would go and capitalized on the Man United defense’s delayed reaction. Other than that one moment, De Gea had a very solid game.
DF Antonio Valencia – 9/10
Drew a foul, cleared the ball a solid three times, made four successful tackles and had the key assist that led to Martial’s goal.
DF Phil Jones – 6/10
Solid, yet unremarkable game for Jones who conceded and drew a foul. It’s clear he missed his partner-in-crime Luke Shaw today.
DF Chris Smalling – 8/10
Stepped his game up at a vital point in the match, covering his opponent like a blanket and preventing a shot despite allowing a Moscow player deep into Man United’s side.
DF Marcos Rojo – 5/10
His slow reaction time off the penalty kick cost them a goal. Rojo played okay, but he could have made a big play and couldn’t when they needed one early.
MF Bastian Schweinsteiger – 6/10
The Champions League veteran was unusually flat today, conceding a foul and finding himself on the bench after the first half. Schweinsteiger still managed to pass the ball nearly 50 times – more than any Moscow midfielder.
MF Morgan Schneiderlin – 8/10
While passing the ball a whopping 127 times – more than any three Moscow midfielders combined – Schneiderlin kept Man United well in the match with time of possession.
MF Jesse Lingard – 4/10
It became very apparent why Louis van Gaal waited so long to give Lingard a place on the starting XI.
MF Ander Herrera – 6/10
He may have been nearly level with Schneiderlin in terms of ball control, but Herrera had numerous bone-headed mistakes that could have cost the team dearly against a better team.
MF Anthony Martial – 7.5/10
A Tale of Two Anthony Martials.
First half: Yellow card, struggled to get the ball, refused to challenge for the ball, off-target on passing and shots.
Second half: Scoring genius with a masterfully executed header and several drawn fouls.
FW Wayne Rooney – 6/10
A frustrating day for Rooney who had just one shot and was forced to pass the ball around too much. His lone shot was avoided with ease.
Substitutions
Marouane Fellaini – 7/10
A solid replacement for an otherwise solid performance from Schweinsteiger, Fellaini did a solid job of distributing the ball and keeping it deep in
Daley Blind – 6/10
Blind did just enough to keep Moscow well away from the goal post.
Memphis Depay – 4/10
Garbage-time sub that barely touched the ball.