Sameer Khan
Manchester United player ratings in 4-3 win over Liverpool
Manchester United took on Liverpool in what might’ve been their most important game this season. It was Scott McTominay who got it going for the Red Devils who were very dominant during the first few minutes of the game.
Liverpool were quick to strike back and were level with Manchester United in the first half. It was Alexis Mac Allister and Mo Salah who doubled up the score to put the Reds ahead.
Antony struck back to put the team back on level with Liverpool. Unfortunately for MUFC, Harvey Elliot was the difference maker and put the Reds ahead during extra time.
When everything seemed to be over Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo rose to the occasion and added a goal each to make it 4-3. A thrilling game from start to finish.
Here are WAFU’s ratings of Manchester United players in the game against Liverpool
Andre Onana: 7
Made a few amazing saves to keep Manchester United in the game. However, there wasn’t much that Onana could do to keep the relentless Liverpool offense out tonight.
Diogo Dalot: 6
Had a quiet first half making little to no impact on the game. His second-half performance wasn’t much to talk about either. However, Dalot did a good job of keeping Luis Diaz quiet tonight. Saved the time during extra time by making a crucial tackle on Cody Gakpo.
Raphael Varane: 5
Fell asleep during the closing minutes of the first half which allowed Salah to get on the end of a save made by Andra Onana. Most defenders with Varane’s experience would’ve done better in that situation and made it too easy for Liverpool to get into threatening positions during the second half. Came off in the 85th minute.
Victor Lindelof: 7
Lindelof made some crucial interceptions for United during the first half. However, one of them fell to the feet of Darwin Nunez and eventually led to a goal for Mo Salah. Lindelof couldn’t affect the final outcome despite his best efforts tonight. He also looked helpless against Darwin Nunez at times. Put up an exceptional defensive performance during extra time.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 3
Constantly failed to keep up with Mo Salah and put up a very poor defensive performance. Gave up on a play during the first half which led to Liverpool taking the lead. Poor awareness which is to be expected considering this was Wan-Bissaka’s first game back from injury. Was taken off in the 70th minute.
Kobbie Mainoo: 6
Kobbie Mainoo won all of his duels against Liverpool in the first half. He was a positive sight on attack and was a part of most of United’s offensive moves. However, the young starlet left a lot to be desired with his physicality and defence awareness. However, he did make a spectacular challenge to dispossess Harvey Elliot during the second half. Was subbed off in the 79th minute.
Scott McTominay: 9*
Once again it was Scott McTominay who rose up to the challenge for Manchester United. The Scottish midfielder constantly put the ball forward for United. However, no one apart from him contributed to the goal tally. Disappeared during most of extra time but made a crucial interception to help Rashford score and keep United in the game.
Bruno Fernandes: 2
Liverpool had the lead before halftime and they have the Manchester United skipper, Bruno Fernandes to thank for that. Bruno gave the ball away near his own goal which led to a scintilating shot by Mo Salah who made it 2-1. The Portuguese midfielder created a few chances but ultimately ended up letting his team down, his desperation during the second half was clear to see. Was booked during the first half for his usual shenanigans after a foul.
Alejandro Garnacho: 4
Being wasteful and being a Manchester United winger seems to go hand in hand. Alejandro Garnacho has time and time shown that he lacks the discipline to create scoring opportunities from the wing. He gave away possession in the 85th minute but was lucky that Antony got on the end of it.
Erik ten Hag keeps betting on him despite having both Amad Diallo and Antony who are both hungry for opportunities. Garnacho was throwing tantrums and his desperation was clear to see during the second half. The pressure clearly got to Garnacho who showed poor composure tonight. Assisted Diallo’s winning goal.
Marcus Rashford: 4
Marcus Rashford is Manchester United’s biggest star but was nowhere to be seen for most of tonight’s game. He created four chances during the early minutes of the game and then dropped off the face of the Earth during the second half.
Could’ve won the game during the final minutes of regulation but was wasteful and botched an easy finish. He finally scored during extra time to keep United in the game. Played a beautiful ball to McTominay during the second half of extra time, but Scott couldn’t find the finish. Put the team back in the game, but if he was playing well he could’ve put it to bed a long time ago.
Rasmus Hojlund: 5
It was Rasmus Hojlund’s first game back in almost a month and that much was clear to see. The Dane’s movement looked rusty and the same can be said about his form on the ball. Starting Hojlund in such a big game after just his first game back from injury might not have been the move. Subbed off in the 70th minute.
Substitutes:
Antony: 8
Antony was once again played by Erik ten Hag amid a lacklustre team performance. However, the Brazilian stood up to the challenge tonight and put United on par with Liverpool in the 85th minute. Came on in the 70th minute for Rasmus Hojlund. His liveliness helped United come back.
Harry Maguire: 6
Came on in place of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and did better than the former. Might’ve been a different story if Maguire had started the game for United. Could’ve scored during extra time but put the shot right in Kelleher’s hands.
Christian Eriksen: 7
A solid performance from the Manchester United veteran. Eriksen was easily the team’s most balanced player during the closing minutes. He ran the ball up for the team and was quick to recover on defence. A good substitution for Erik ten Hag. Was unlucky to get the last touch on Liverpool’s winning goal.
Amad Diallo: 3
Did nothing to impact the game despite being United’s most rested player going into extra time. Was booked for delaying a restart. Won the game for Manchester United during the final minute of the game.
Mason Mount: N/A
Did not warrant a rating.
