Manchester United Player Ratings vs Norwich City
Manchester United beat Norwich City 1-0 in a poorly played game of football away from home to keep hopes of the top-four spot this season buzzing. Louis Van Gaal’s men somehow managed to get the three points, thanks to Juan Mata who scored with a decent finish from inside the box from a very well put assist by Rooney.
United were lucky not to concede a goal, given their performance in the beginning of the match.
The team was unlucky to have Martial injured during the warm-up, forcing Memphis to start the game, who by the way, played awful.
David De Gea: 7
Kept his side in the match with the save from Cameron Jerome’s header in the first half. Didn’t get to do much except for that.
Antonio Valencia: 6
The winger-turned-full back has been decent since his return. Didn’t lack composure at the back and moved the ball ahead himself repeatedly as usual.
Matteo Darmian: 5
The Italian couldn’t have his effect on the game as he barely lasted 15 because of the injury after colliding Ivo Pinto.
Chris Smalling: 7
The English defender has been steady and strong throughout the season and that’s how he was against the Canaries. Smalling did however, missed a goalscoring chance from Mata’s corner.
Marcos Rojo: 5
Again a very poor display by the Argentine defender in the first half. Settled a bit better in the latter half.
Michael Carrick: 7
Carrick was put in his usual defensive midfield position to do one job which the English veteran midfielder did quite well. He controlled the tempo of the game well and moved the passes forward recurrently.
Ander Herrera: 6
Herrera was given the strange duty to play on the left flank. The Spaniard still managed to get a few good passes here and there, and did well considering he is a centre midfielder.
Jesse Lingard: 5
A very sloppy performance from Lingard against Norwich. His passing and movement was awful. Got replaced in the second half because of that.
Memphis Depay: 5
Memphis didn’t really woke up on the right side of the bed on Saturday. He was lucky enough to start the game but found himself struggling to get into the game. This was his time to shine against a much weaker team.
Juan Mata: 7
A great finish by the Spanish playmaker gave United the much needed win. He was brilliant throughout with his passes and movements. A great impressive display from Mata which was missing for quite a while.
Wayne Rooney: 8
Rooney reborn? Looks like he is back. Rooney was spot on against Norwich. His assist to Mata and other passes- long and short were incredible. But playing as a striker is no more his thing.
Substitutes
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson: 6 (Darmian, 14’)
The youngster did well in the match. Not one of his best performance though.
Morgain Schneiderlin: 5 (Lingard, 78’)
Timothy Fosu-Mensah: 3 (Carrick, 88’)
