Home » Player Ratings: Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace

Player Ratings: Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace

by Tom Parker

David de Gea 6: A quiet outing for Manchester United’s number one. Made one vital contribution with his speed off the line causing Dwight Gayle to blaze wide when in on goal. Kicking was excellent too.

Fabio da Silva 7: Provided the balance United had lacked on the right hand side in recent weeks and attacked well, forming a threatening partnership with Antonio Valencia. Untested defensively.

Rio Ferdinand 6: At times, the 35-year-old appeared to struggle with the pace of Dwight Gayle who should have scored thanks to a defensive error. Made a good tackle to deny Guedioura late on.

Nemanja Vidic 7: United’s skipper was excellent at dealing with Marouane Chamakh in a battle which he would have relished. Looked a threat from set-pieces too.

Patrice Evra 7: With his place seemingly under threat, Evra again showed David Moyes exactly what he can do, posing an almost constant threat. Could have had a penalty as he rampaged into the box in the first half and he carved out plenty of chances for United’s forwards with his crosses.

Antonio Valencia 6: A quiet outing for the winger. He provided an outlet from the right and linked well with Fabio but looked reluctant to run at his very average opponent at full-back.

Michael Carrick 8: Virtuoso performance from the 32-year-old. Tested Speroni with a piledriver early on and his clever interceptions often put United on the front foot. Pressed high and was strong in the tackle. Some wayward passes though.

Anderson 5: Aside from one laser-guided pass to Ashley Young, it was another disappointing display from the Brazilian. Found to be ponderous in possession and sloppy in the final third.

Ashley Young 7: Gave makeshift full-back Adrian Mariappa a nightmare afternoon. Always looked to beat a defender and put in plenty of crosses. Won the penalty but was rightly booked for a dive in the first period.

Wayne Rooney 8: United’s creative heartbeat who provided an effective link between defence and midfield. A beautiful pass to van Persie was reminiscent of Villa at home last season. Perfectly executed free-kick capped a great performance.

Robin van Persie 7: A little quiet in the opening stages, van Persie grew into the game and had numerous opportunities before and after his goal. Afforded good services and nearly made it count, hitting the cross-bar after a sumptuous link-up with Rooney. Cool as ice from the spot

Substitutes

Marouane Fellaini 7: Replaced Anderson on the hour mark and looked neat and tidy in possession against Palace’s ten men. Almost scored a fabulous half volley on his debut and looked a huge threat from set-pieces. Encouraging.

Adnan Januzaj 7: A debut almost reminiscent of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo’s, Januzaj was excellent in his 25 minute cameo. Tested Mariappa continually and almost scored from a long-range effort. Gem of a footballer.

Javier Hernandez 5: A late change for van Persie, he had little impact on preceding’s apart from creating a half chance for Rooney in the dying embers of the contest.

Image: Twitter/ManUtd

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