Syed Shaiban
Old Trafford’s buzzing hardly darkens but the belief of the club and it’s supporters always stands at a top level. Manchester United hosted Feyenoord where a defeat would throw them out of the competition but a win would put them on the brink of qualification. The performance from the red devils was laced with passion and flowing football again. Henrikh Mkhitaryan started ahead with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and the central midfield saw veteran Carrick paired with Pogba. Right from the first minute, it was United all the way. Mata, Pogba set the tempo while Mkhitariyan’s pace and sensational link-up play made it a very tough game for Feyenoord defence.
United threatened and threatened until Rooney’s clever run from the left saw him make a pass to Zlatan at the centre and the swede held it well only to glide it in the path of Rooney again and the captain kept his composure to chip the ball over. United had the lead at last! Juan Mata doubled the lead midway with another sublime link up and a Rooney assist. Zlatan got the third while Lingard with finesse got the fourth. Link up play was outstanding throughout the game. The result puts United second in the group with only a draw needed to secure qualification against Zorya in the final game.
Here’s how the Red Devils have been rated :-
GK : Sergio Romero – 7/10
Made a fantastic double save and a reactive outstretched leg kept Feyenoord from scoring. What a reliable backup!
RB : Antonio Valencia – 6.5/10
A decently quite game for Valencia. Still, a clean sheet is a bonus.
CB : Phil Jones – 7/10
Composure, calmness and shouldered the pressure well. Another good performance from Phil Jones that shows what he can do in the coming months if he remains fit.
CB : Daley Blind – 6.5/10
Rotated the ball well and was hardly threatened.
LB : Luke Shaw – 6/10
Needs to step up and impress the manager. Was hardly challenged but he’s still on the road to regain his form.
CM : Michael Carrick – 7.5/10
A performance that speaks volumes again. How tremendously calm and extremely reliable is Michael Carrick! Dictated the tempo and dominated the midfield again.
CM : Paul Labile Pogba – 8/10
Another sensational performance laced with dominance and cruise control. Pogba is a beast in terms of stamina and everything. Dictated tempo and created uncountable chances. Improving day by day surely!
CAM : Wayne Rooney – 8/10
Selfless and extremely efficient. A beautiful goal and a sublime assist. Just shows what Rooney can do on his day.
LW : Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 9/10
Had a lot to prove today and boy did he deliver! A magnificent display and made a monumental impact going forward. Shows just what United need now.
RW : Juan Mata – 8/10
Another selfless and a world class creator. Made a good run to get in the goal and awareness as well as reading of the game was top notch.
ST : Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 7/10
Held the ball well. Got an assist and got the luckiest of goals. Can improve further, though.
