Alex’s Player Ratings: Fulham (A)
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Manchester United’s incredible run of form continued on a brisk afternoon beside the River Thames, as goals from Paul Pogba’s double and Anthony Martial earnt three comfortable points against relegation-doomed Fulham.
A ferocious Pogba finish and Martial’s brilliant solo effort put the visitors in cruise control at half-time, before the former added his 11th league goal of the campaign from the penalty spot.
The victory extends the Red Devils’ unbeaten run since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took charge to 11 matches (11 wins, one draw) going into a huge two weeks with clashes against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Liverpool next up.
Solskjaer took a risk by making wholesale changes to his side, six to be precise, with the likes of Diogo Dalot, Chris Smalling and Juan Mata coming in and January Player of the Month Marcus Rashford benched.
It paid off in style though as United put on another fine performance, and here are my player ratings.
GK: David de Gea -7
Clean sheets have been rare this season but this was as easy as they come against a toothless attack.
RB: Diogo Dalot - 7
Right game to rotate Young out and the 22-year-old took his chance well against the unpredictable Ryan Babel.
CB: Phil Jones - 7
Did well in the large footsteps of Lindelof and nearly scored a stunner to celebrate his new long-term deal.
CB: Chris Smalling - 6
Was indecisive at times, as usual, but performed admirably considering it was his first appearance in two months.
LB: Luke Shaw - 6
Started slowly but improved over time and offered himself going forward in most attacks.
CDM: Nemanja Matic - 6
Helped Herrera and Pogba be more proactive by providing balance for the midfield. Has improved massively under Solskjaer.
CM: Ander Herrera - 6
Looked really poor at the start and nearly cost United a goal early on but showed plenty of leadership once again.
CM: Paul Pogba - 9
Man of the Match.
Another two goals, 11 in the league this season now which makes it his highest-scoring season, and used the ball really smartly all over the pitch. Another professional performance.
RW: Juan Mata - 6
United need to stop utilising Mata on the wing. Ineffective, just like against Burnley, and doesn’t really fit into Solskjaer’s system.
LW: Anthony Martial - 8
His goal was one of United’s best this season and demonstrated his pace and power perfectly. MUST start against Paris Saint-Germain.
ST: Romelu Lukaku - 6
Lukaku will be back on the bench on Tuesday. A lethargic display which included him complaining to Pogba after the Frenchman’s excellent opener.
SUB: Alexis Sanchez (69') - 5
Needed to score the chance he got shortly after replacing Martial but hit a weak effort straight at the ‘keeper. The clock’s ticking on his United career.
SUB: Scott McTominay (74') - 5
Did a solid job in the short time he was on the pitch but like Alexis, had a good chance to improve the scoreline.
SUB: Eric Bailly (85') - 5
A late introduction.
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