---
title: "PLAYER RATINGS: ASTON VILLA VS MAN UNITED"
canonical: "https://readmanutd.com/2015/08/14/player-ratings-aston-villa-vs-man-united/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
section: "Man Utd Match Reports"
published: "2015-08-14T21:00:28Z"
modified: "2015-08-17T11:22:47Z"
---

# PLAYER RATINGS: ASTON VILLA VS MAN UNITED

**Starting XI**

**Sergio Romero – 7**

Not a busy night for the Argentine, but when he was called upon, he dealt with each situation with ease. Romero was good with his feet, and he only had one save to make, a close-range header from Gabriel Agbonlahor.

**Matteo Darmian – 8**

![Aston Villa v Manchester United - Premier League](https://media.readmanutd.com/readmanutd/2015/08/4840072681.jpg)

After a “man of the match” performance during his debut against Spurs, the Italian continued in similar form with another solid display. He was assured in the tackle, made some precise passes and looked to provide width on the right going forward. Could have been penalised for grabbing Micah Richards, whilst defending a corner kick.

**Chris Smalling – 8**

![Aston Villa v Manchester United - Premier League](https://media.readmanutd.com/readmanutd/2015/08/4840176281.jpg)

From start to finish, Smalling read the game brilliantly, making some top interceptions and was powerful in aerial challenges – especially when it came to battling Rudy Gestede, who entered the match from the substitutes bench. The defensive leader from the back-line.

**Daley Blind – 8**

There have been critics of the Dutchman being played in an unfamiliar centre-back position, but he produced a composed and assured performance at Villa Park. As always, the intelligent 25-year-old made some brilliant passes, starting numerous attacking moves. The real test will come when he faces the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, to see if Blind can continue his career at the heart of the defence.

**Luke Shaw – 7**

A very solid, defensive performance from the 20-year-old. He was strong in tackles and coped well with aerial duels.\
Shaw kept a lot of passes simple, retained possession and started to make more forward, overlapping runs into the second half

**Michael Carrick – 6**

Always looked to drop deep, to offer an option to the defenders whilst they were in possession. Found it difficult at times, with Aston Villa’s pressing game, to impose himself on the game as time on the ball was limited. Was subbed off on the hour.

**Morgan Schneiderlin – 7**

The Frenchman always looked to press opponents, getting tackles in to regain possession. He had a great chance in the first half, but was unable to direct a header goal-wards. I was impressed with how he always looked to support the attack as much as possible.

**Juan Mata – 7**

Mata provided the assist for the only goal of the game, with a great pass to break through the defensive line. The Spaniard continued to cut into a central position, as he wound it difficult to find joy out on the wing. He was often caught out in position and sometimes failed to track back Jordan Amavi. However, he provided another quality pass to put Memphis through into a one-on-one situation with Brad Guzan.

**Adnan Januzaj – 7**

Januzaj has recently been linked with a loan move away from United, but he may have a role under Louis van Gaal, as he featured in the “number 10” position, and got the vital winning goal. He had a nervy start to the game, as he had a few heavy touches and was caught in possession of the ball. But it was him who starting the attacking move, as he drove into space and switched the play to Mata. He then made a run in behind the defence, cuts in on his right foot, and the deflected shot takes it into the bottom corner. Was subbed off on the hour.

**Memphis Depay – 6**

Perhaps not a brilliant performance from the 21-year-old, but still showed promise and potential. Throughout the game, he was making runs in between the right-back and centre-back but never received a pass, until Mata played him in during the second-half. Memphis was unable to score his first competitive goal for United, as he guided the ball just wide of the far post. Was subbed on the 82nd minute.

**Wayne Rooney – 5**

Often struggled with his touch and passing accuracy, when trying to bring in midfielders into the attacking phase of play. Rooney only had one touch in Villa’s 18-yard-box and a couple of offsides given against him in the second-half, which topped off a frustrating night for the United captain.

**Substitutes**

**Bastian Schweinsteiger – 7**

![Aston Villa v Manchester United - Premier League](https://media.readmanutd.com/readmanutd/2015/08/484017460.jpg)

The 60th-minute substitute was brought on to retain and regain possession, as Aston Villa were starting to find their way back into the second-half. He was calm in possession and United were once again in control of the match.

**Ander Herrera – 7**

Herrera was also brought on the 60-minute mark, where he provided a creative spark from midfield, as he had some clever touches and found space to receive the ball. Will be unlucky if he is overlooked to start United’s first-leg Champions League play-off match, against Club Brugge.

**Ashley Young** was the third substitute used but didn’t have enough time to make his mark against his former club.

Unused Subs: Sam Johnstone, Paddy McNair, Antonio Valencia and\
Javier Hernandez