Manchester Derby: Player Ratings

MANCHESTER UNITED:

DEFENSE:

David de Gea: 9 – Definitely United’s best player. Made some great saves to deny Aguero, but could do little to stop his goal. Such a far cry from his form when he first joined.

Undoubtedly United’s best player, David de Gea kept his team in the game on more than one occasion.

Antonio Valencia: 5 – You can tell he’s not used to defending, given how much trouble he often found himself in. His inclination to go forward left space for Milner, who bullied the Ecuadorian on City’s left side. He improved as the game went on, but still played behind the pace of the game — funny for someone whose main asset is his pace.

Marcos Rojo: 5 – Like the rest of United’s defense, Rojo looked visibly intimidated by Aguero’s pace and skill, but still performed better than his fellow defenders before being stretchered off after trying a risky challenge.

Chris Smalling: 3 – Epitome of a stupid red card. I’m not complaining about Michael Oliver’s decision to send him off (trust me, that was one of few correct decisions he made), but how silly Smalling was to rack up two yellows which could have been easily avoided. Jumping in front of the keeper? Not worth the punishment.

Luke Shaw: 5.5 – Got burned by Navas a good few times, and didn’t really offer much going forward. Shaw has yet to show signs of justifying his £30 odd million pound price tag.

MIDFIELD:

Marouane Fellaini: 7.5 – Although I think Fellaini is one of the most hateful United players in recent years, his poor sportsmanship did not translate into a poor game. He really exhibited his power and strength on the field, playing an integral part in all of the United attacks which blossomed. Towards the end of the game, United tried to play through him, and he latched onto almost every ball which floated near him (although he did put the most clear cut-header wide, courtesy of his shoulder).

Daley Blind: 7 – Didn’t really make any sort of impact on the game. It’s very easy to play unchallenged passes through the midfield all game, but it won’t benefit your team in any way.

Wayne Rooney: 7.5 – Pretty non-existent for the first half, but came into the game by the second, during which he progressed forward a bit more while spreading the play and trying to pull his team forward with him. Had a great run through City’s midfield and defensive lines, but didn’t pull off a shot. The ball was cleared a few seconds later.

ATTACK:

Adnan Januzaj: 6 – Aside from drifting past Clichy once, I barely remember seeing the youngster play. Was the obvious pick to go off when Smalling got red-carded.

Angel Di Maria: 6.5 – Seems to have had his worst performance in a United shirt, but still managed to create a few good chances. Played in a couple of great crosses, but his corners weren’t up to par. Didn’t trouble Hart with any left footed rockets as United fans would have expected.

Robin Van Persie is more and more becoming a shadow of his former self with mediocre performances up front for United.

Robin Van Persie: 6.5 – Did well to create a chance out of nothing and test Hart in the first half, but apart from that, looked too immobile to trouble City’s defense.

SUBS:

Michael Carrick: 6 / Paddy McNair: 5.5 – Both did their best to perform in an obviously inexperienced defensive set up, and were fortunate enough to see the majority of their time not troubled by a City team who sat back after scoring. McNair should have tracked Aguero’s run for the goal, though.

James Wilson: 6 – His youthful pace and determination threatened to trouble City’s defense, but did little to help United in their pursuit for a goal.