United’s win at Villa Park, pretty much carried on from where the Reds left off against Spurs, with a workmanlike efficient display that got the job done rather than excited anyone.
Here’s how the United side fared:
Sergio Romero- Had very little to do but coped with what was sent his way, it’s still impossible to tell the keeper’s real level yet. 7
Luke Shaw- Occasionally wasteful in the final third but on the whole a decent display from a youngster who’s finally justifying his huge fee. 7
Daley Blind- Best game in a United shirt, was assured at the back and carried the ball forward comfortably at times. 8
Chris Smalling- There’s a case to be made that captain’s armband deserves to be on young Mike, sorry Chris’s arm sooner rather than later. Masterful at the back all night. 9
Matteo Darmian- Antonio who? The Italian is everything Valencia isn’t- assured, hard working, rock solid and good on the ball. 8
Morgan Schneiderlin- The shackles are on the Frenchman slightly who seems to be solely concerned with tackling and breaking up the opposition attacks which he did superbly, there’s every reason to think he could be more of an attacking threat too in the future. 7
Michael Carrick- Just like the song says, you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone, United would miss Carrick yet at times he does his job so efficiently you’d be forgive for forgetting he’s there. 7
Juan Mata- Wasted on the right but still manages to influence the game, he just needs a central role. 7
Memphis Depay- Fluffed an easy chance and sent a free kick into Birmingham city centre. He needs some more time to get used to the Premier League. 6
Adnan Januzaj- Surprise starter and was a gamble that paid off, took his goal well and seems more of a man than a boy this season. 7
Wayne Rooney- Arguably his worst game under LvG, awful touch, caught offside nearly constantly and allowed the game to pass him by for large parts of it. He has to start performing at a higher level with so much depending on him. 4
Subs: Ander Herrera- for Adnan Januzaj- Got stuck in and tried to make things happen, it’s going to be interesting to see how many games he gets this season as most fans believe he should be starting. 7
Bastian Schweinsteiger – for Carrick- he’s a leader, a warrior, sublime on the ball and fearless trying to win it back. I love him. 8
Young on- for Depay- boiled some Villa urine by simply coming onto the pitch. Superb stuff from the renaissance man. 7
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