Man Utd Player Ratings: PAOK Match Review - A Night of Frustration and Flashes of Brilliance
Man United limped through their Europa League clash against PAOK, securing a narrow 3-0 victory but leaving fans feeling far from satisfied. The Red Devils' performance was a mixed bag, with some players shining while others seemed lost in the Greek sunshine.
Let's dive into the player ratings:
David de Gea (7/10): Our trusty shot-stopper was a calm presence in goal, making a couple of crucial saves to keep the clean sheet intact. He even pulled off a cheeky "sweeper-keeper" moment that would make Alisson proud.
Diogo Dalot (6/10): The Portuguese fullback was a whirlwind down the right flank, offering plenty of attacking thrust and a few dangerous crosses. However, he was also caught out defensively a couple of times, nearly gifting PAOK a chance.
Victor Lindelof (7/10): Back from injury, the Swede looked confident and composed. He dealt with the PAOK attackers with ease, displaying the kind of defensive solidity that has been missing from United's backline this season.
Harry Maguire (6/10): Another solid performance from the captain, who seems to be finally finding his feet after a shaky start to the season. He was solid in the air and tackled with conviction.
Luke Shaw (5/10): A frustrating night for the left-back. He struggled to create any real danger going forward and looked uncomfortable defensively. He needs to step up his game if he wants to cement his place in the starting eleven.
Scott McTominay (7/10): The midfield engine room! McTominay was everywhere, winning tackles, intercepting passes, and providing crucial cover for the backline. He's quickly becoming a key player for United.
Fred (6/10): A tidy performance from the Brazilian, who controlled the midfield with his usual energy and passing range. He lacked a bit of creativity going forward, but his defensive work was solid.
Bruno Fernandes (8/10): The Portuguese maestro was the creative spark that United needed. His passing was accurate and incisive, and he provided the assist for Martial's opener. He even managed to score a penalty with a cheeky panenka.
Anthony Martial (7/10): The Frenchman looked sharp and dangerous, proving a constant threat to the PAOK defense. He deservedly scored the opening goal with a well-taken finish.
Mason Greenwood (6/10): The youngster showed glimpses of his potential, running at the PAOK defenders and creating a couple of chances. However, he was a little wasteful in front of goal, failing to find the back of the net.
Substitutes:
Marcus Rashford (6/10): Added some pace and directness to the attack after coming on, but failed to make a real impact.
Donny van de Beek (6/10): Came on to add some creativity to the midfield, but lacked the time to truly influence the game.
Overall:
This was a performance that left fans feeling a little deflated. While United secured the win, they were far from convincing. They struggled to break down a stubborn PAOK defense and looked sluggish and uninspired at times. Despite the underwhelming display, there were some positives, like the performances of McTominay and Fernandes. Hopefully, this win will give United the confidence to build on and improve their form in the coming weeks.