Man Utd Ratings: Viktoria Plzen Game - A Dominant Display
Manchester United secured a comfortable 2-0 victory against Viktoria Plzen in their Europa League group stage match. While the scoreline suggests a straightforward win, the performance offered a mixed bag, with some players shining brightly while others struggled to make a significant impact. Let's delve into the individual player ratings:
Goalkeeper:
Andre Onana (7/10): A relatively quiet night for the Cameroonian international. He commanded his area well, showed good distribution, and dealt confidently with the few shots that came his way. While not heavily tested, his presence was reassuring.
Defenders:
Diogo Dalot (7.5/10): Offered a constant threat down the right flank, delivering dangerous crosses and showing impressive energy throughout the game. His defensive contributions were solid as well.
Raphael Varane (8/10): A commanding performance from the Frenchman. His reading of the game was exceptional, consistently intercepting passes and making crucial clearances. He looked composed and confident throughout.
Lisandro Martinez (7.5/10): Solid as ever. Martinez displayed his usual tenacity and aggression, winning almost every aerial duel and making vital tackles. His passing was accurate, contributing to the team's build-up play.
Tyrell Malacia (7/10): A dependable performance from the left-back. He offered good support in attack while maintaining his defensive responsibilities. Could have been more adventurous going forward at times.
Midfielders:
Casemiro (8/10): The Brazilian maestro controlled the midfield with his typical authority. His defensive work was impeccable, breaking up attacks and shielding the backline effectively. His passing range was also on display.
Christian Eriksen (7/10): Dictated the tempo of the game with his intelligent passing and movement. His creativity contributed significantly to United's attacking play, though he could have been more incisive in the final third.
Bruno Fernandes (7.5/10): Always a threat, Fernandes was involved in many of United's attacking moves. His set-piece delivery was excellent, and his work rate was impressive. Could have added a goal to his performance.
Forwards:
Marcus Rashford (8.5/10): The star of the show. Rashford was a constant menace to the Plzen defense, causing havoc with his pace and direct running. His goal was a deserved reward for his impressive display.
Antony (6.5/10): Showed glimpses of his talent but lacked consistency. He was tricky on the ball but needed to be more decisive in the final third.
Alejandro Garnacho (7/10): Brought energy and dynamism to the attack after coming on as a substitute. His pace and dribbling skills caused problems for the Plzen defenders.
Substitutes:
Scott McTominay (6/10): Offered some defensive solidity after coming on.
Facundo Pellistri (N/A): Didn't play long enough for a rating.
Overall Performance:
Manchester United's performance against Viktoria Plzen was a comfortable win, showcasing their superior quality. While not a flawless display, the team demonstrated good control and created numerous chances. The performance highlighted the importance of key players like Casemiro and Varane, while also giving opportunities for younger players to impress. The victory sets a strong foundation for their upcoming Europa League matches. The overall team performance earns a solid 7.5/10.