Syed Shaiban
Manchester United coming after a derby win hosted a Burnley squad known to work as an oiled unit and known to work their socks off. An evening with Old Trafford lights beaming on saw United got off to a slow start and trying to get a grip on the proceedings but soon the chances kept penetrating Burnley and the clash became heavily one-sided as expected. One man stood up commendably and that was Tom Heaton, who’s constant resistance and magnificent saves kept United at bay and their poor finishing cost them very dearly. Over 36 chances were created by the home side but they did everything except for scoring. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s constant misses made it a frustrating night for the side as they dropped two vital points.
Here’s how the United players have been rated :-
GK : David De Gea – 6/10
De Gea had very very little to do at goal. While the result is a disappointment it’s a clean-sheet for the Spaniard.
RB : Matteo Darmian – 6.5/10
Valencia’s injury means Darmian getting more opportunities and he looks like a player gaining confidence under Mourinho. He deserved penalty after being brought down in the box. United fans will expect similar performances from the Italian.
CB : Daley Blind – 7/10
A decent performance at the back and kept Vokes silent. Good game for Blind.
CB : Marcos Rojo – 7/10
The Argentinian is stepping up at the right moment. Rojo has a lot to prove but he put in a good shift again at the back with Bailly being absent due to injury. Should be a confidence booster having kept two clean sheets in a week.
LB : Luke Shaw – 7/10
Luke tracked back superbly to make a brilliant challenge on Gray preventing him from creating any scoring opportunity. Should have impressed the manager surely.
CM : Ander Herrera – 5/10
The Spaniard was harshly sent off after a slip cost him and he received a second yellow and marching orders from Clattenberg. He had a mediocre game.
CM : Paul Pogba – 7/10
Probably Pogba’s best performance in a United shirt so far. He played a part in almost every attack launched forward from the midfield and kept creating chances. It just wasn’t United’s day. Deserved to get an assist to his name.
CAM : Juan Mata – 7.5/10
Another wonderful performance from Mata who’s passes kept opening Burnley at the back. Deserved to get an assist or a goal at least.
RW : Jesse Lingard – 5/10
Had a very poor start to the game and kept giving possession away. Headed a ball solidly afterward which was saved by Heaton. Second half saw him shift centrally but nothing extraordinary from the rising talent, who played his 50th game for the Devils.
LW : Marcus Rashford – 5/10
Looked to be trying something but didn’t contribute much like he usually does. Much to improve upon.
ST : Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 4.5/10
For a player of his caliber, it was an outrageous performance where he kept squandering chances. Has to live up to the expectations soon enough.
