Manchester United 4 - 1 Fulham: Player Ratings
David De Gea: 6
Barely touched the ball as he didn’t have a save to make, apart from the header by Hughes, which would be asking a bit too much out of him.
Rafael: 7
Continuing his impressive form of late, the right back showed a lot of determination to go forward and worked tirelessly for the team.
Patrice Evra: 6.5
Combined with Giggs well and used his pace (and trickery surprisingly) to get past his man. Could have attacked a little more and taken a few more shots but had a very good match.
Phil Jones: 7.5
Excelled in his natural centre back position. Always came out as the winner in tackles and headers and showed great determination and spirit to get the ball. The future Vidic.
Chris Smalling: 7
Was up against the Fulham talisman Berbatov but had him in his pocket most of the time and forced him back. Won United the penalty as he rose high and forced a handball. Made some hasty clearances and almost gave away a penalty but did very well.
Anderson: 8
Started the game pretty badly, losing the ball and making wayward passes but quickly got into it with his driving runs and movement. Confident and made some really good passes and has been learning from Carrick and Giggs. One of his best games for United.
Ryan Giggs: 7.5
Hardly poot a foot wrong throughout the game with another evergreen performance by the veteran. Made some beautiful cross field balls and whipped the ball in many times. Took his penalty coolly. Came off in the 71st minute.
Michael Carrick: 7.5
Virtuoso performance by the midfielder. Along with his vision and forward passing being exceptional, his defensive cover was brilliant. Was present everywhere, be it in the center, wings or the penalty box. Made the job of the defense so very easy. Was taken off in the 60th minute to preserve United’s go to man.
Nani: 7
Although his performance was fairly decent, especially in the second half, he had so many opportunities to make so much more. He constantly took too long in possession and made bad decisions. Most of his crosses didn’t even beat the first man. Showed more confidence in the second half taking on his man and assisted Hernandez for his first.
Wayne Rooney: 7.5
Had an odd day. Started the game miserably and really frustrated the crowd but burst into life soon, combining with the front 4 well. Took his goal brilliantly as he cut across with his pace and blasted it home. Spread passes well and was the focal point of attack.
Javier Hernández: 8.5
The little Mexican was a livewire in attack as he always played off the last defender and caused all sorts of problem with his pace and positioning. Was in the right place at the right time as usual to slash home his first. Was a little fortunate to get a deflection for his second after some brilliant work to retain the ball.
Subs
Antonio Valencia: 4.5
Came on in the 72nd minute but provided absolutely nothing. Has to really pull up his socks having another shocking game, as he took too long to make his decisions and rarely crossed.
Paul Scholes: 6.5
Had a typical performance – great long balls, intricate and accurate passes and also his customary reckless tackles.
Shinji Kagawa: 6.5
Moved the ball well and ran off it with great pace. Combined with Nani and Rooney and almost scored a goal himself after a flowing move.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 26: John Arne Riise of Fulham tangles with Rafael of Manchester United during the FA Cup with Budweiser Fourth Round match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on January 26, 2013 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Mark Schwarzer: 5.5
Made many good saves and kept them in the game but was really no match in the second half as United were rampant.
John Arne Riise: 4
Nani ran rings around him and was stopped by Rafael whenever he tried going forward. Very slow out of the blocks.
Brede Hangeland: 3
Was always second best against a fast Hernandez and his offside trap never really worked as the little Mexican kept getting past him. If it wasn’t Hernandez, it would be Rooney who outmuscled him.
Chris Baird: 3.5
Didn’t offer much confidence in the defensive side as the midfield easily bypassed him. Was replaced by Karagounis at half time.
Aaron Hughes: 4.5
Was at fault for conceding the penalty early on. Showed some really good movement to lose Rooney to score his header but was a lost cause. Tormented by Rooney most of the time.
Sascha Riether: 4.5
Coming up against a 39 year old shouldn’t have been a problem but Giggs just was having one of those days and easily got past him. His forward runs were nullified easily by Evra.
Steve Sidwell: 5
Caused Carrick some problems early on but faded away as Anderson and Carrick put their foot down on the game. Saw very little of the ball as the game progressed and also made some unruly shots.
Damien Duff: 5.5
Probably Fulham’s only positive influence. Fought for the ball all the time and ran his heart out chasing the ball around the midfield. Was lucky not to give another penalty as the ball clearly hit his arm.
Alexander Kacaniklic: 3.5
Couldn’t move a muscle as Rafael was all over him. Was always in doubt whether to run with the ball or simply pass it.
Dimitar Berbatov: 6
His return to Old Trafford wasn’t one to remember as he was surrounded by players who just wilted away under pressure. Made some clever flicks and dropped deep to help his team out but was always kept in check by Jones and Smalling.
Bryan Ruiz: 5
Should have combined with Berbatov who was in the mood but made really erratic passes and didn’t move around much. Very predictable and didn’t give the United defenders anything to worry about.
Subs
Giorgos Karagounis: 5.5
Came on at half time and was involved in the play initially but just couldn’t keep it up as United started pressing hard.
Ashkan Dejagah: 4
Came on with 20 minutes left but didn’t do anything apart for some shots off target
Hugo Rodallega: 4
Didn’t impress for the 25 minutes he was on. Was always second best against Jones.