After waiting for 4 hours and 20 minutes for a goal in the Premier League, it took some delightful finishing by the youngster Jese Lingard to end the barren streak for the Red Devils. The scoreline might not suggest that, but the Red Devils were in cruise control at several patches during the play and should have scored more. As for the traveling West Brom fans, Saido Berahino spurned a brilliant opportunity in the 2nd half when the lead was just of one goal for Manchester United.
Here are the Player Ratings for the Red Devils.
David De Gea – 7
For a goalkeeper who had to deal with just 3 shots on target in the whole game, you could assume that David De Gea was a merely a spectator for the Red Devils today. However, while he was called upon scarcely by West Brom, De Gea was diligent whenever West Brom posed a threat to his clean-sheet today,
Marcos Rojo – 7
For a player who managed a tackle succession rate of 100% today, Rojo was a bit wayward at times during the game. With a live wire in Lingard playing ahead of him, Rojo could have done a little better with his attacking today.
Daley Blind – 7.5
When his name was announced in the team sheet today ahead of the likes of Phil Jones, many Manchester United fans were skeptical of his ability to deal with Rondon. However, despite all of his limitations, Blind did really well to secure the goal for Manchester United.
Chris Smalling – 8
A player whose pedigree was questioned way too many times in the past, this Season is turning out to be the best one for Smalling in Manchester United colors. His performance today was exceptional as he stopped the loan West Brom striker from doing any sort of damage.
Ashley Young – 6
After being handed a daunting task to stop Sessegnon, Young was called upon action way too many times in the first half. Although he didn’t lose his positioning – much to the delight of Louis Van Gaal, he again made a case for the Dutch manager to assemble a proper right back.
Bastian Schweinsteiger – 6.5
For a 31-year old who would have joined Manchester United to stop from the grueling pressing routine that his former boss Pep Guardiola employees at Bayern Munich, Bastian Schweinsteiger has showed thus far that he can accommodate in the Manchester United midfield with ease.
Michael Carrick – 6.5
A player who is often criticized by the Manchester United faithful for his sideways passing, Carrick was once again confident in his role today.
Jese Lingard – 8.5
When his name was announced in the team-sheet ahead of Memphis Depay for the 2nd match running, Manchester United fans might have questioned the logic of his recurring inclusion in the starting 11. However, 90 minutes later, Lingard made sure that nobody inside the Old Trafford would ever doubt his goal-scoring abilities.
Wayne Rooney – 6
While he looked far more assure in his role today, Rooney made some terrible passes that could have turned the game against the Red Devils.
Juan Mata -7
After creating havoc in the Premier League defenses with his early Season performances, last few weeks have seen a dip in the form of Spaniard. Thus, if Manchester United are to turn this unit into the title winners, the current form of Juan Mata might pose them a challenge in the long run.
Anthony Martial – 7
While you don’t always look at these stats for a striker, it deserves a mention that the pass succession rate of the Frenchman was 92% today. You can look at and turn it according to your perspective, however, this stat shows that Louis Van Gaal believes more in teamwork than on one player getting all the headlines.
