Opinion: Man United player ratings vs PSG, defensive masterclass from United’s young boys as Fernandes showcases nerves of steel

Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar (C) vies for the ball with Manchester United's Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay (R) during the UEFA Europa League Group H first-leg football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Manchester United at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on October 20, 2020. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United’s young Reds have produced the goods yet again in Paris after beating last season’s finalist 2-1 after a first-half spot kick from Bruno Fernandes and an 87th-minute winner from Marcus Rashford sealed the Parisian’s fate.

In light of United’s brilliant performance, we have rated every United player who featured.



David De Gea

Had a faultless first-half after making a handful of decent stops to keep Paris-Saint Germain’s attacking trio out.

The Spaniard’s best moment came early into the second-half when he made a brilliant diving save to keep Kylian Mbappe off the scoresheet.

De Gea was back to his awe-inspiring best tonight as he continues to repay the faith his manager has shown in him.

Rating: 9/10

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Dealt with Paris-Saint Germain’s wide men superbly front start to finish.

Made a last ditch tackle from an impossible angle on Moise Kean. The defensive full-back reminded fans why he should be considered in the conversation for best full-back in the world currently.

Rating: 9/10

Axel Tuanzebe

Made a wonderful last-ditch tackle on Kylian Mbappe. Didn’t look out of place in United’s back-five and on Europe’s biggest stage one bit.

Marshalled United’s back line faultlessly all night, arguably the best player on the pitch.

Rating: 9/10

Victor Lindelof

Looked very comfortable, one of his best performances in a United shirt (even if it was a zebra one) for a long time, if ever.

Rating: 8/10

Luke Shaw

A left-sided centre-back is Shaw’s new position for me. Looked solid and was complimented excellently by new-signing Alex Telles.

Made a superb recovery run in the 56th-minute to deny Paris-Saint Germain a goal scoring oppotuntity.

Rating: 7/10

Alex Telles

Superb first-half. Created the most chances out of all 22 players on the pitch. Linked up with Bruno Fernandes brilliantly.

Subbed off mid-way through the second-half for Paul Pogba.

Rating: 7/10

Fred

Worked tirelessly all evening, made several vital recovering runs and looked to progress play forward whenever possible.

Thoroughly competent performance from the Brazilian to limit Paris-Saint Germain’s industrious midfield.

Rating 7/10

Scott McTominay

Made Paris-Saint Germain star-attacker Neymar Jnr realise he was in a match from the first minute.

Used his physical stature to match the explosive attacking threat Thomas Tuchel’s men posed.

Very solid performance from the Scotsman.

Rating: 7/10

Bruno Fernandes

Showed nerves of steel during the first-half to successfully convert a re-taken penalty and put in several world-class deliveries into the box.

Worked his socks off all night; a real captain’s performance.

Subbed off in 89th-minute for Donny van de Beek.

Rating: 8/10

Marcus Rashford

Fluffed his lines in the 47th-minute after a simple pass into his strike partner went wayward.

Looked like he never really got going and like tonight was not going to be the Englishman’s greatest showing in a United shirt, however, the 22-year-old popped up with the goods when they mattered.

Rashford was United’s hero in Paris for the second time in as many years after his 87th-minute winner ensured the Reds’ took all three-points from their opening 2020-21 Champions League tie.

Rating: 8/10

Anthony Martial

Horror show early into the second-half resulted in the Frenchman scoring an own goal from a Paris-Saint Germain corner to make the score 1-1.

Similarly to Rashford in the first-half, never got going. Not the Frenchman’s night at all.

Subbed off for Daniel James in the 88th-minute.

Rating: 4/10

Subs:

Paul Pogba

The Frenchman had a solid half an hour, provided necessary cover defensively and added an extra dimension to the Reds’ attacking threat.

Rating: 6/10

Donny van de Beek

Only featured for a few minutes, impossible to judge.

Rating: N/A

Daniel James

Came on at the same time as van de Beek, can’t be judged.

Rating: N/A

Read more: Exclusive: Scout who brought Bruno Fernandes to Sporting Lisbon gives glowing Man United captaincy prediction

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