A big win for Manchester United which keeps us in the hunt for a place in the top four.
With Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal both losing today, the Red Devils took advantage by beating Norwich City 3-2 at Old Trafford thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick.
The race for top four is now wide open but next up for United is a trip to Anfield.
While I would be pleased with a point against Liverpool, we really should be aiming to dent their Premier League chances with a shock win. I have seen stranger things happen in football.
Here’s how we rated each of the players on their performance against the Canaries.
David de Gea – 7
My jaw dropped when he came off his line to stop Pukki in the opening minutes. It was a brilliant save, but not one you see him making very often because he tends to stick to his line.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Ineffective but made some key blocks in the second half.
Harry Maguire – 5
Dragged out of position for Norwich City’s goal before the break.
Victor Lindelof – 5
Made an important interception in the first-half but played Pukki onside for a goal.
Alex Telles – 3
Took the corner for Ronaldo’s second goal but his defending, or lack of, costs us.
Paul Pogba – 4
Plays like a lazy driver who wants to use cruise control 24/7. Booed by the Stretford End when he was substituted.
Bruno Fernandes – 3
Took lots of risks. Nothing came off. Bruno was terrible again.
Jesse Lingard – 5
Rusty. Careless with his passing.
Anthony Elanga – 6
Brilliant assist for Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo – 10
Another hat-trick to win us the game. The 60th of Ronaldo’s incredible career.
Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored 60 hat-tricks in his career, the most of any active player:
🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo (60)
🇦🇷 Lionel Messi (55)37 years young. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/tTrkE9ybPX
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 16, 2022
Jadon Sancho – 5
Got involved but not effective enough.
Subs
Marcus Rashford – 5
Did nothing to note.
Juan Mata – 6
Made a difference after coming on.
Nemanja Matic – 6
Brought some flow to United’s attacking play.
dale – ive written this before and don’t blame you if you don’t have time nor access but i would love you guys to go through bruno fernandes’ ratings since jan 2021 and see the average you give him.
i would be very surprised if it was above 6 tbh.
which player have united just given a bumper new deal to? the one when he arrived or the underperforming whingebag of the last 15 months?
to me it stinks of another de gea situation.
Dixon,
Firstly, thanks for your comment. I try my best to get around to every response but I have obviously missed this. Apologies!
I think Bruno Fernandes has been below average this season – but we will be rating each player on their overall performances at the end of the season, so you might have to wait a bit for the full review 😉
However, while it’s clear to see there has been a dip in form, I wouldn’t write Fernandes off just like that. He’s a risk taker and in the right system he will cause endless problems for the opposition.
I’m intrigued to see how he fits into Erik ten Hag’s system next season.
Thanks again for your comment mate.
thanks for the response mate.
i guess after last night it just keeps getting worse!
I’m not sold on bruno, he needs a top coach who tells him to what to do literally, he loses the ball too much and plays like a kid on a playground, very rarely choosing the easy pass, which usually is the correct one.
oh well mate, take it easy and thanks again for response.
look forward to those end of year ratings – for a laugh i guess!