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| Paul Pogba conceded penalty at Old Trafford but how did we judge him and his teammates in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford |
Manchester United knew that a win against West Ham could have helped them take one big step into guaranteeing Champions League qualification for next season. But they faltered under pressure, playing out a 1-1 draw with the Hammers which sees them move into third place with one game to go, but they need to get a positive result against Leicester City if they hope to compete in Champions League next season. Manchester United were slow and lethargic and yet dominated the first half but all the attention was on Paul Pogba who frankly had an embarrassing moment towards the end, making a blatant handball (albeit arguments could be made that it was reactionary) trying to clear Declan Rice’s shot to award the visitors a penalty. Michael Antonio was never going to miss it and slotted it home. United did show the urgency in second half with Mason Greenwood finishing yet another chance in the 50th minute but both the teams played out a dull game and that puts Red Devils in a spot of bother.
David de Gea -6
De Gea had a point to prove to the United fans and the manager as the noise to replace him was at its peak post the FA Cup Semi-final on Sunday. Made a decent save to deny Antonio in the 43rd minute. Then again pulls off a stunning save in the 62nd minute. A good response from that terrible performance on Sunday.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah – 5
Probably showed why he hasn’t featured for United in last 3 years as he was ineffective in final third. Always caught out of position in defence and rightly booked for a desperate challenge on Antonio. Eventually replaced at half time.
Victor Lindelof – 7
Was forced to cover for Fosu-Mensah on several occasions with Antonio running up and down the wing – handled the task well.
Harry Maguire – 6
Did little wrong defensively as he was hardly tested but could have passed better and helped in getting the ball out in attack.
Brandon Williams -6
The youngster needs to slow down and learn more. Great in going forward and much better than Fosu Mensah and almost created a goal for Mason Greenwood whose shot was eventually blocked. Defensively still looks vulnerable and he needs to improve his awareness.
Nemanja Matic – 6
Tidy and composed on the ball but could have moved it faster. Looked like Matic before the break as he struggled to stomp his authority in the midfield.
Paul Pogba – 5
Looked too relaxed in United’s midfield as if it was a friendly game. His most frustrating moment, of course, was giving away the penalty with a blatant handball. A very shoddy performance by the mercurial Frenchman.
Bruno Fernandes -5
Frustrating outing for the Portuguese Magnifico. Was running here and there with no purpose. Guilty of missing Marcus Rashford’s lob at 0-0 and had he finished it then it would have been a different game.
Mason Greenwood -7
The boy is special and there is no two ways about it. His link up play with Anthony Martial was one of the best moments in United’s attack of last night and scored his 17th goal of the season and become the fourth United teenager to hit the figure in a season after George Best, Brian Kidd, and Wayne Rooney.
Anthony Martial – 6
Moved around really well with the ball and showcased impressive passing ability in tight spaces to assist Greenwood’s goal. Moved to the left flank in the later half of the game and was ineffective from there.
Marcus Rashford – 5
Rashford played a brilliant defence-splitting pass in the 13th minute but Fernandes couldn’t score from it. Stung the goalkeeper with a powerful attempt later on. But he just ran out of energy in the second half and was too sloppy in his play at the final third.
Substitutions
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6
United’s attack looked menacing as soon as he came on in the second half. Needs to improve on his creative side of football specially upfront but a sturdy and stable performance by the English right back. Nothing extra-ordinary.
Odion Ighalo – NA
Used his physicality well but couldn’t really make the impact he’d like to. Had half a chance but the shot was just too wide.
Manager
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – 5
Took far too long to make attacking substitution and nothing else to mention about his impact in the game.
