A highly-anticipated Manchester derby ended in unsurprising disappointment for Manchester United. The Manchester United player ratings below will manifest why it was a difficult match for United fans to sit through. They were clearly humbled by their city rivals Manchester City on Sunday evening at the Etihad Stadium. Despite delivering a decent first-half performance, a lacklustre and apathetic second-half display saw the visitors end up conceding four goals in total, eventually failing to cope with the home side’s superiority on Sunday.
Jadon Sancho’s stunning finish for an equaliser in the first half ensured the Red Devils remained in the game despite conceding two goals heading into the break. However, an unenthusiastic display combined with their collective failure to impose themselves throughout the second half saw United exacerbate their inadequacies, eventually falling short in fulfilling expectations vis-à-vis showing character against their city rivals.
With Arsenal in the hot-seat for top-four, United will be keen on avoiding more dropped points in a bid to remain in the race for Europe until the end of the campaign. However, having failed to gain consistent results despite their improvement in performances over recent months, it remains to be seen if the Red Devils rise through the ashes over the remainder of the campaign.
Let’s have a look at the player ratings of the United players to see how they fared.
Starting XI
David De Gea (GK) – 6/10
Although having conceded four goals, De Gea accounted for a few crucial saves against City on Sunday. He is amongst United’s better players on the evening. The Spaniard will be keen on increasing his tally of clean sheets over the coming season.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB) – 3/10
He was partly at fault for a couple of goals conceded on Sunday. Wan-Bissaka struggled to cope with City’s overloaded attacks through the left-flank. Having failed to deliver a compelling performance, the full-back is unlikely to retain his place in the team’s next outing against Spurs.
Victor Lindelof (RCB) – 2/10
He struggled to cope with City’s fluid transitions, and clearly was not at the same level of City attackers. Although not directly at fault for the goals conceded, he did fail to deliver a decent performance. In fact, the Swede, arguably, delivered his worst performance in recent weeks on Sunday.
Harry Maguire (LCB) – 2/10
He was directly at fault for City’s second goal on the evening. Maguire failed to deliver a much needed captain’s performance on Sunday. He produced a few crucial blocks on the evening. But the Englishman remained largely unnoticeable as he failed to mobilize the team on the pitch throughout the second-half against City. However, with Raphael Varane unlikely to return for the weekend, Maguire is expected to retain his place at the heart of defence next Saturday.
Alex Telles (LB) – 3/10
He slotted into left-back in Luke Shaw’s absence, but failed to grab his opportunity on Sunday. He was at fault for failing to contain City’s attacks down the right-flank. The Brazilian struggled to deliver a notable performance whilst also failing to provide adequate support to Utd’s attack throughout the ninety minutes on Sunday.
Scott McTominay (CDM) – 3/10
Anonymous in midfield, McTominay struggled to stifle City’s movement and transitions into the attacking third on Sunday. Amongst the players struggling to deliver consistent displays, the Scotsman will be hoping to find his best form over the coming weeks.
Fred (RCM) – 3/10
Much like McTominay, the Brazilian too struggled to impose himself in the midfield on Sunday. He failed to deliver an impactful performance, and is unlikely to keep his place in the starting line-up next Saturday. United will be looking to make personnel changes in the midfield over the summer after seeing the gulf in standard between the two teams.
Bruno Fernandes (LCM) – 3/10
Bruno was amongst the team’s most unimpressive players on the pitch against City. He struggled to deliver adequate support to the attackers. At times he was erratic in possession. The midfielder, playing upfront as a makeshift forward, failed to display composure across the attacking third, resulting in poor attacking decisions on Sunday.
Anthony Elanga (RW) – 5/10
Elanga failed to receive adequate service from midfield. He struggled to make the best of his half-chances against City. However, given the balance he offers across the attacking third, the youngster is likely to retain his place in the line-up over the coming weeks.
Jadon Sancho (LW) – 6/10
He was amongst United’s few better outfield players on the evening. A sublime finish saw Sancho deliver the team’s equaliser against City. He was, unfortunately, a victim of the team’s failure to impose themselves on Sunday. Sancho, arguably, emerges as the only outfield player unscathed from the game against City.
Paul Pogba (ST) – 4/10
An underwhelming performance saw Paul Pogba struggle to deliver an impactful performance on Sunday. Deployed in an unusual position from the first whistle, the Frenchman struggled to gain control and impose himself throughout his time on the pitch against City.
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Substitutes
Jesse Lingard (RW) – 5/10
He too failed to make an impact and remained a spectator throughout his cameo on Sunday. With negligible service, the forward struggled to receive the ball on Sunday.
Marcus Rashford (ST) – 5/10
Much like Lingard, Rashford failed to deliver a notable cameo against City. With Anthony Elanga having seemingly taken his starting spot, the winger will be keen on redeeming himself by contributing to the team’s prospects over the remainder of the season.