Man United v Everton player ratings: Blind and Martial star

Daley Blind, Anthony Martial and Phil Jagielka caught our eye as Manchester United recorded a narrow 1-0 victory over Everton at Old Trafford.

Manchester United ratings

David De Gea: Another fine game, another clean sheet. Once again did not put a foot wrong and was alert on the few occasions he was called upon. Faultless. 7

Matteo Darmian: Not a bad afternoon’s work for the Italian though was he rarely tested with Everton’s attacking threats few and far between. Was switched to left-back in the second half, but still must prove himself worthy of a long-term stint at Old Trafford. 6

Chris Smalling: Read the game well and looked fairly untroubled throughout. Ever dependable in the heart of the United defence, despite being booked for foul on John Stones. 7

Daley Blind: Defended brilliantly throughout, despite being given the unenviable task of sticking to Lukaku. Also showed his effectiveness at the other end with some excellent corner deliveries. (Subbed for Antonio Valencia on 82) Our man of the match. 8

Marcos Rojo: Found Deulofeu quite hard to handle and was replaced for the younger legs of Timothy Fosu-Mensah at half-time. 6

Morgan Schneiderlin: Started the move which led to United’s winner and was often looking to create attacks with some sweeping passes. Has been criticised of late, but showed no signs of nerves with a decent display in central midfield before fading late on. 7

Michael Carrick: Not at his most influential today, but a solid enough outing in the heart of the midfield and surely must be given another 12-month deal given his bigger realiability than his rivals for the position. (Subbed on 57 for Ander Herrera). 6

Juan Mata: Lively performance from the United No 8 and at the heart of all the good that they did. Proved the link man between midfield and attack, as exemplified by Martial’s opener, and underlined his status as one of United’s best players this term. 7 

Jesse Lingard: Worked hard for the team and rarely wasted possession. Did his best to start attacks, but questions will remain if he’s quite good enough to be a regular starter in the United side. Booked for a trip late on. 6

Anthony Martial: Proved his class with an excellent all-round display and was in the right place at the right time to open the scoring in the 54th-minute. Always looked like the player most likely to prove the difference – and so it proved. 7.5

Marcus Rashford: Again did well ploughing a lone furrow up front, and despite not having a sniff at goal, managed to play a part in the winning goal. 6.5

SUBS:

Timothy Fosu-Mensah (on at 46): Created the winning goal for Martial and also made a telling clearance at the back. Had more of an impact than the man he replaced. 7

Ander Herrera (on at 57): Did little to suggest he should be a starter in the side and struggled to make much of an impression. 6

Antonio Valencia (on 82): Offered width down the right and did OK despite his limited time on the field. 6

Everton player ratings: 

Joel: Might have done better for United’s winner and perhaps could have kicked the ball out had he been more alert. Did OK, otherwise, but he surely won’t start next season as Everton’s No 1? 6

Seamus Coleman: Joined the attack when he could, but given his first job is defending, he’ll be disappointed not to have cut out the cross that led to Martial’s winner. 5.5

John Stones: Goal-saving tackle on Martial in the area was brilliant and he looked rock-solid alongside Jagielka in the heart of the defence. 7

Phil Jagielka: Solid performance in the heart of the defence and unlucky not to score when he saw a diving header strike the crossbar and again when he was denied by De Gea. Probably Everton’s best player. 7

Leighton Baines: Not quite as threatening as he can be going forward, and he’ll need to pull off some eye-catching games if he’s to oust Danny Rose in the England left-back reckoning. He’ll likely go to France however, unless somehow Luke Shaw is passed fit. 6

James McCarthy: Picked up a knock early on but worked hard in midfield and did his best to keep Everton on the front foot. 6

Tom Cleverely: Did quite well on his return to Old Trafford, but most of his better work was done in his own third and his influence on the game was fairly limited. 6.5

Aaron Lennon: Looked menacing in a more central attacking role and linked up well with Lukaku early on, but was unable to keep up his intensity. 6

Ross Barkley: Tried to exert his influence through the middle but faded and gave away possession cheaply at times. (Subbed on 87 for Oumar Niasse) 6

Gerard Deulofeu: Started on the right-side of midfield, and gave Rojo a hard time of it, before switching to the left flank where he enjoyed less success and was then subbed on 62 for Kevin Mirallas) 6.5

Romelu Lukaku: A constant menace throughout and showed why he is a player oozing confidence right now. Well shackled by Blind, but still very much the focal point of everything good that Everton did. 7

SUBS: 

Kevin Mirallas (on at 62): First appearance for a month but unable to influence proceedings. 6

Oumar Niasse (on at 87): Little time to make an impact and if anything, looked a little clumsy. 6

Agree with our ratings? Let us know your thoughts, below….

James Marshment