EPL 2016/17: Manchester United 4-1 Leicester City - Player Ratings
Manchester United ran riot in the first half and gave a commanding performance with goals from Chris Smalling, Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford and world record signing Paul Pogba.
Leicester City will be really disappointed with themselves as they allowed United to dictate and never got into the game in the first half. In the second half, they started well, with Gray scoring a superb goal giving David de Gea no chance of stopping it; the only consolation for Leicester City.
Jose Mourinho will be happy with his side’s dominant performance, and he will hope that his side does this consistently and not step off the gas in the second half.
Manchester United
David de Gea ( 6.5/10)
It was an easy game for De Gea and had very little to do. He had one sloppy kick out but apart from that, he was tidy. He couldn’t have done anything about the goal that was scored against him, but a made a very good save against Demarai Gray late on.
Antonio Valencia (7/10)
Valencia defensive skills are improving and he had a decent game. His defensive positioning was questionable at times, but going forward he was very good. He had a lot of good exchanges and tried to get to the byline and cross the ball often.
Eric Bailly (7.5/10)
Bailly sometimes lunges into tackles but today when he did, he won the ball. He is improving steadily and gives United a much needed strong presence at the back. Tidy in possession, the Ivorian looks to be gelling along well with defensive partner Chris Smalling.
Chris Smalling (8/10)
Captain for the day, Smalling led by example. After a relatively breezy first 22 minutes, he met with Daley Blind’s brilliant corner to give United the lead.
Good in possession, he did not take unnecessary risks which he sometimes tends to do. He commanded the back line well and Jose Mourinho will be happy to see his centre-backs maturing together.
Daley Blind (8/10)
After 2 bad games in defense, Blind returned in place of Luke Shaw at left back, and had a superb game. The Dutchman provided two assists from corners and didn’t give Mahrez a look in at all.
He ran past Mahrez and played some delicious balls forward.
Ander Herrera (8.5/10)
If this performance doesn’t prove his importance to the United midfield at the moment to Mourinho, then nothing will. He was everywhere; shielded the back four when Pogba and Mata drifted away and he attacked with precision.
He was pressing the opponents, as usual, and that made the entire team follow suit. This performance would have helped his chances of securing the midfield spot beside Pogba.
Paul Pogba (9/10)
A man of the match performance from the ‘Prodigal Son’. Pogba didn’t resort to trying taking on 4-5 players but did the simple things right. His teammates playing fluidly in and around him made things easier. He put in 2 pin-point balls over the top balls for Zlatan which the big Swede couldn’t convert.
The Frenchman scored his first goal for Manchester United which will give him supreme confidence.
Jesse Lingard (6/10)
After this derby debacle, he returned to the starting line-up much to the surprise of many. But his willingness to get forward and his speed in doing so caused problems for the Leicester City midfield.
Like many, he needs a few more games to prove his consistency. His deft flick led to Mata’s goal. Lingard needs to be stronger in defense, as was in evidence today when he was easily shrugged off by Gray for his goal.
He was substituted in the 78th minute.
Juan Mata (8/10)
Mata gave an excellent performance in his favoured position behind the striker.
He ran his heart out and clocked over 11 kms throughout his 87 minutes on the pitch. He took his goal brilliantly and was the catalyst of many United attacks.
Mata drifted all over the pitch but was willing to defend, too, which should impress his manager. Rashford’s goal was also made by Blind and Mata’s quick thinking around the box.
Was substituted in the 83rd minute.
Marcus Rashford (7.5/10)
As always with Marcus Rashford, he went in, ran, caused issues and ended up with a goal. Simple as that. He made some impressive dashes with the ball but still needs to learn to make the most of some promising situations and improve ball control which will come with time. He is still living the dream! Came off in the 87th minute.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (8/10)
Despite not scoring a goal, Zlatan played the role of a number 9 and 10 both perfectly.
In his short Manchester United career so far, he has been mostly doing his best work while showing his back to goal.
But today, he ran in behind the rather slow centre-backs of Leicester and brought others into the game. He did have a couple of chances and on another day he would have put them in the back of the net.
Substitutes
Michael Carrick (6.5/10)
Came on in the 78th minute and did what was required – steady the ship. Leicester were building some pressure and he helped keep the ball and gave the calming presence that he can provide to any midfield.
Wayne Rooney (6/10)
He came on in the 83rd minute and, while he didn’t do anything too bad, he didn’t do anything too good as well. Did his part as the damage was already done. Does he start the next game?
Ashley Young – NA
Came on in the 87th minute and didn’t do enough to warrant a rating.