Manchester United hosted Slavan Bilic’s West Brom in this evening’s late Premier League kick-off. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer watched on as his Reds bagged their first home win of the season in a 1-0 victory, thanks to yet another Bruno Fernandes spot-kick.
Coming into tonight’s game, the Red Devils were sat in 14th place in the table knowing nothing less than all three-points would satisfy the United faithful.
Having failed to win a single home game so far this season, the pressure was on but after a decent 3-1 victory over Everton at Goodison Park last time out, Solskjaer guided his side into this evening’s game in good spirits.
In light of the Reds’ performance this evening, we have rated every United player who featured.
David De Gea
United’s number-one made a superb finger-tip save during the first-half to deny West Brom a shock opener.
Crossbar came to the Spaniard’s rescue mid-way through the second-half but when called upon, United’s number-one didn’t disappoint.
Rating: 7/10
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Looked comfortable during the game, nothing major to report.
United’s right-back is slowly beginning to find himself higher up the pitch more often as his wide link-up play continues to improve.
Rating: 6/10
Victor Lindelof
United’s best defender during tonight’s match.
The Swede had an okay second-half, but it must be said, none of the United back-line looked that impressive.
Rating: 6/10
Harry Maguire
His first-half highlight came when he smashed a loose ball into the face of West Brom centre-back Kyle Bartley, other than that, the United captain didn’t do much to impress during the first 45-minutes.
Some questionable defending just shy of the break almost allowed Bartley to get his revenge from a West Brom set-piece. The United defender could have considered himself lucky not to have been subject to a VAR review.
Shocking throughout the second-half as his defensive frailties were glaringly obvious during West Brom’s awarded penalty, despite it eventually being overturned.
Rating: 3/10
Alex Telles
The Brazilian made his long-awaited Premier League debut, but unfortunately offered very little down the left-hand side during the opening 45-minutes.
Grew into the game more during the second-half but the Brazilian will definitely have better games for his new side.
Rating: 6/10
Nemanja Matic
Stepped in, in place of Scott McTominay, did okay and played some decent long-range passes during the opening 45-minutes.
Going into the second-half, Matic, who was brought in for his experience did a good job in United’s midfield. The Serbian’s defensive work allowed team-mate Fred to roam a little more freely. Matic was definitely not the worst player on the pitch.
Rating: 6/10
Fred
United’s best player during the first-half and is arguably the first name on Solskjaer’s team-sheet at the moment. The Brazilian continued to work tirelessly throughout the first 45-minutes and ensured the Reds retained possession where ever possible.
Second-half was very similar to the first for Fred, had a great game but no doubt his best work will go unnoticed.
Made way in a like-for-like switch for McTominay during the 83rd-minute.
Rating: 8/10
Juan Mata
Had a quiet first-half and should have got on the end of a superb long-range pass from team-mate Matic.
Eventually subbed off after 62-minutes for Edinson Cavani.
Rating: 4/10
Bruno Fernandes
Like team-mate Fred, Fernandes had a very good first 45-minutes with his highlight being an absolutely ridiculous outside-of-the-boot ball into the box. The Portuguese midfielder was unlucky to be denied another assist.
VAR drama at the mid-way point in the second-half saw the Portuguese star giveaway a penalty only for it to be overturned and moments later Fernandes found himself taking one up the other end.
The 26-year-old missed United’s penalty but upon closer inspection it became clear that keeper Sam Johnstone had come way off line, forcing a re-take which Fernandes did eventually score to give his side the lead.
Rating: 7/10
Anthony Martial
Becoming ghost-like. You won’t ever convince me Martial is an outright number-nine.
The Frenchman did okay in the first-half, but by no means set the game alight as he is clearly struggling for confidence.
Coming into the second-half, Martial would have known he needed to offer more, the introduction of Edinson Cavani at the hour-mark helped, but ultimately United’s number-nine had a poor game.
Rating: 4/10
Marcus Rashford
Poor first-half, nothing went the young Englishman’s way. Didn’t link-up well with left-sided team-mate Telles either.
Should have doubled United’s lead mid-way through the second-half had it not have been for an amazing Sam Johnstone save.
Eventually subbed off for Donny van de Beek after 79-minutes.
Rating: 5/10
Subs:
Edinson Cavani
Came on for Juan Mata in the 62nd-minute.
Cavani’s elite level movement was clear to see from the moment he stepped onto the pitch. Unlucky not to bag his second of his United career but the South American did look a constant threat.
Rating: 6/10
Donny van de Beek
Came on for Rashford in the 79th-minute.
The Dutch midfielder got just over 10-minutes on the pitch, can’t rate but did look lively throughout. It almost feels like you know exactly what you’re going to get from the former Ajax man.
Rating: N/A
Scott McTominay
On the pitch for less than 10-minutes after coming on in place of Fred. Impossible to rate.
Rating: N/A
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