Man Utd Player Ratings: Plzen Game
Manchester United cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory against Viktoria Plzeň in their final Europa League group stage match. While the result was expected, the performance offered a mixed bag. Let's delve into the individual player ratings from the Old Trafford clash.
Goalkeeper
David de Gea (7/10): A relatively quiet night for the Spanish shot-stopper. He commanded his area well and dealt confidently with the few crosses and shots that came his way. A solid, if unspectacular, performance.
Defenders
Diogo Dalot (7.5/10): Offered plenty of attacking impetus down the right flank. His crosses were dangerous, and he showed good defensive awareness when needed. A strong showing.
Victor Lindelöf (7/10): A composed and assured presence at the back. He dealt with Plzeň's attacks effectively and was rarely troubled. A reliable performance from the Swedish international.
Lisandro Martínez (7/10): Continues to impress with his aggressive tackling and reading of the game. While not overly tested, he maintained his high standards.
Tyrell Malacia (6.5/10): Solid defensively, though offered less going forward than Dalot. A dependable display, fulfilling his defensive duties effectively.
Midfielders
Casemiro (8/10): Dominated the midfield battle. His passing was accurate, his tackling decisive, and his overall influence on the game was immense. Man of the Match contender.
Christian Eriksen (7.5/10): Dictated the tempo of the game with his intelligent passing and movement. He created several chances for his teammates and was a key component in United's midfield dominance.
Bruno Fernandes (7/10): A decent performance, though not as spectacular as some of his previous outings. He contributed creatively and showed his work rate. Could have been more impactful in the final third.
Forwards
Marcus Rashford (8/10): A lively performance capped off with a well-taken goal. He caused problems for the Plzeň defense throughout the game with his pace and direct running. A clear threat.
Antony (6.5/10): Showed glimpses of his skill and trickery but lacked the end product at times. Needs to improve his decision-making in the final third. Potential is there, but consistency is key.
Alejandro Garnacho (7/10): A bright spark off the bench. His directness and pace caused problems for the Plzeň defenders and he contributed positively to the attack.
Substitutes
Scott McTominay (N/A): Came on late and didn't have enough time to make a significant impact.
Facundo Pellistri (N/A): Similar to McTominay, too late to warrant a rating.
Overall Team Performance
A comfortable win against a weaker opponent. While the performance wasn't flawless, the result secured top spot in the group, a positive step for the team's confidence. The dominant midfield performance, particularly from Casemiro, and the attacking threat from Rashford were clear highlights. There's still room for improvement from some players, however, especially in the final third. The focus now shifts to the Premier League.
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