Man Utd Player Grades: Post-City Game

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Post on Dec 16, 2024

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Man Utd Player Grades: Post-City Game

Manchester United's latest encounter with Manchester City provided a compelling, if ultimately frustrating, spectacle for the Red Devils faithful. While the final scoreline might suggest a comfortable City victory, the game itself was a far more nuanced affair. Let's delve into individual player performances and assign grades based on their contributions.

Goalkeeper:

Andre Onana (7.5/10)

Onana delivered a strong performance, showcasing his agility and shot-stopping abilities. He made several crucial saves, preventing the scoreline from becoming even more lopsided. While he couldn't prevent all goals, his commanding presence in the box was undeniable. He showed excellent distribution, initiating attacks from the back with his confident passing. A solid debut overall.

Defenders:

Diogo Dalot (6.5/10)

Dalot offered a decent defensive display, but struggled at times against City's fluid attack. His attacking contributions were limited. He showed commitment but lacked the precision needed to contain City's wide players consistently.

Lisandro Martínez (7/10)

Martinez, as usual, was a fiery presence in the heart of the defense. He made some vital tackles and interceptions, displaying his characteristic tenacity and aggression. While he couldn't completely nullify City's attack, his performance was a highlight in an otherwise tough game.

Victor Lindelöf (6/10)

Lindelöf had a relatively quiet game, neither particularly outstanding nor disastrous. He completed his defensive duties adequately but lacked the impact of Martinez. There’s room for improvement in his positioning and anticipation.

Luke Shaw (6/10)

Shaw's performance was a mixed bag. He showed some positive moments going forward but was defensively exposed on several occasions, highlighting the significant challenge posed by City's wingers. He needs to improve his consistency.

Midfielders:

Casemiro (7/10)

Casemiro was arguably United's best midfielder, providing his usual grit and determination. He won back possession several times and displayed his impeccable defensive positioning. His passing, however, could have been sharper at times.

Mason Mount (6/10)

Mount put in a hardworking shift, showing his tireless energy and tracking back diligently. However, his final ball was often lacking, preventing him from truly impacting the game. His impact needs to be more decisive.

Bruno Fernandes (6.5/10)

Fernandes, despite his usual creative flair, struggled to unlock City's defense effectively. He showed glimpses of brilliance but lacked the clinical edge in the final third. His leadership qualities on the pitch remained a constant.

Forwards:

Marcus Rashford (6/10)

Rashford's pace and direct running caused City problems at times. However, he was unable to consistently find the back of the net. His finishing needs to be more clinical to maximize his impact.

Antony (5.5/10)

Antony's performance was largely underwhelming. He failed to impact the game decisively, showcasing a lack of effectiveness in the final third. His decision-making needs improvement.

Rasmus Højlund (6/10)

Playing in his first league start, Højlund displayed some promising signs. His hold-up play was decent and he showed a willingness to get involved. He’ll improve with game time and integration into the team.

Substitutes:

Limited game time prevented detailed assessment of substitutes.

Overall:

The game highlighted the significant gulf in class between the two Manchester clubs. While individual performances were commendable in parts, Manchester United needs to improve their collective cohesion and precision to consistently challenge teams at the top. The team showed flashes of brilliance, but ultimately, consistency is key to closing the gap. This analysis provides a starting point for further discussion and future improvement.