Player Ratings: Derby County 1-3 Man United
- Reginaldo Rosario
- @Regi1700
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After a disappointing performance against Southampton last weekend, Manchester United travelled to the Midlands to face Derby County in the FA Cup with the objective of sealing progress to the fifth round.
And they did it in some style after an early wobble. Wayne Rooney opened the scoring for United with a wonderfully curled effort, but George Thorne levelled it up for the Rams on the stroke of half-time after running through on goal.
There may have been worries that United would revert to type in the second half, but they dispelled those doubts with a solid second-half performance and goals from Daley Blind and Juan Mata ensured that the Red Devils will be in the pot for Sunday’s fifth round draw.
There were some standout performances for United, so how did we rate the players?
David de Gea - 7
Had fairly little to do and imposed himself in goal as he always does, claiming catches with ease. Could do nothing for Thorne’s goal.
Guillermo Varela - 7
Looked very composed throughout, as the Uruguayan staked a claim for a first-team spot in the absence of Matteo Darmian and Ashley Young. His pace was on full display as he made a couple of great overlaps in support of Jesse Lingard on the right.
There were rumours before the game that Varela would be loaned out to Italian side Genoa in the coming days, but this performance will have given Louis van Gaal food for thought.
Chris Smalling - 7
The Maidstone Maldini was caught out for Derby’s equaliser, but otherwise had a commanding game at the back, making a vital tackle to deny Chris Martin when the striker was through on goal. Distribution was good as well.
Daley Blind - 7
It was definitely a major shock when Blind put United back in the lead, given that he should have been nowhere near the opposition area, but the Dutchman was rewarded for taking a risk and put the ball away with a striker’s finish.
He may have been caught a bit flat-footed for Derby’s goal, but otherwise he was solid alongside Smalling, distributing the ball well and tackling assuredly.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson - 7
He may not be a spectacular full-back, but Borthwick-Jackson brings solidity beyond his years and the Mancunian once again showcased his talents against the Rams.
The 18-year-old dealt with the threat of Tom Ince well and supported Anthony Martial well going forward. Luke Shaw will definitely reclaim the first-team spot when he recovers from his broken leg, but BoJack could be a solid understudy.
Morgan Schneiderlin - 6
Mixed bag for the Frenchman, whose passing was sloppy and he failed to track Thorne’s run for Derby’s goal. However, he did redeem himself with a couple of crucial interceptions. Seemed to be overworked in midfield at times, with Marouane Fellaini often positioned higher up the pitch.
Marouane Fellaini - 6
The big Belgian remains an enigma – his first touch of the ball went straight out of play, and generally was sloppy going forward.
However, he did put in a good shift and his defending was solid, making the clearances he had to with his head and holding the ball up well when given the chance.
Still, it would best serve United to play Fellaini further up the pitch and bring in an actual midfielder who can provide dynamism to Louis van Gaal’s side.
Jesse Lingard - 6
Very poor in the first half, exemplified by a shot that was sliced so badly it went out for a throw-in, but to his credit he raised his performance levels significantly in the second-half and it was his cross that led to Blind’s goal that put United ahead.
Juan Mata - 7
A bit like Lingard – poor in the first half but improved his levels in the second and was rewarded with a cooly-taken finish in the closing stages of the game.
Mata’s first-half performance was epitomised by the Spaniard getting stripped of the ball on the edge of his own area after dithering, which could have easily led to a Derby goal, but the Special Juan never shied away from receiving the ball and his efforts would pay off in the end.
Anthony Martial - 9
A man of the match performance from Martial, who gave Cyrus Christie the run around on that left-hand side. His directness and drive gave United the impetus and he set up Rooney and Mata with their goals.
At times, his touch was a bit heavy, but he beat Christie time and time again, combining with Rooney beautifully in the process. United will have a world-class player on their books once Martial develops fully.
Wayne Rooney - 8
A superb curler to put United ahead early on and the captain looked sharp all night long, with his touch and movement solid throughout. Led the line effectively and Rooney looks as if he is back in form.
With six goals in six games to start 2016, the England captain has answered his critics with a series of good performances.
Substitutes
Michael Carrick (6) – Came on for Schneiderlin with 15 minutes left and played a typically pinpoint pass in the build-up to Mata’s goal. Showed a bit of rust however and was almost pressed into a mistake on the edge of his own area.
Ander Herrera (N/A) – Replaced Mata with five minutes left and had very little to do with the game wrapped up.