Manchester United cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Sunderland at Old Trafford. Here are our player ratings from the game.
(A score of 6 is around average)
Senne Lammens 8.5 – Stunning debut! He’s had to wait for a chance to make his United bow and he didn’t disappoint. Calm and assured in possession and made a very good save to deny Granit Xhaka just before the break. Commanded his box and never shied away from coming off his line to claim the ball. Big save at the end to keep the clean sheet. Just what United have been missing in a goalkeeper.
Leny Yoro 7.5 – Another assured performance. Didn’t put a foot wrong and demonstrated fantastic resilience to win the throw-in for the second goal.
Matthijs de Ligt 7 – Disciplined and reliable on his return to the middle of the three-man defence.
Luke Shaw 6 – Improvement on recent displays and fulfilled his role well.
Amad 7 – A constant danger down the right flank. Constantly found himself with acres of space and he utilised it well, forming a dangerous partnership with Mbeumo. Unlucky not to get on the score sheet, once from a ferocious attempt that stung the gloves of Robin Roefs and then again when he slightly misjudged his header.
Casemiro 6 – Crucial block to keep a powerful Sunderland shot from causing Lammens to swing into action. More measured and composed with his passing, which helped United have control of the midfield.
Bruno Fernandes 5 – Everywhere on the pitch, yet his influence in attack was below his usual standard.
Diogo Dalot 5 – Nearly cost United early on when he fell asleep at the back post but luckily, Traore didn’t make sufficient contact with the ball. Aside from that, an OK performance.
Bryan Mbeumo 6.5 – Set up Mount’s goal but faded a bit in the second half.
Mason Mount 8 – Took his goal extremely well. Superb touch to bring the ball under his spell and then an equally brilliant shot to beat the Sunderland keeper. Outstanding in the second half as well, producing a number of clever turns and skills to get past his markers.
Benjamin Sesko 8.5 – A masterclass in leading an attack. Excellent instincts to be in the right place to tap the ball into the net. Held up play effectively, linked up well with teammates, and won the ball high up the pitch to launch transitional attacks. Two goals in two for the Slovenian.
Substitutes
Matheus Cunha 6 – One or two driving with the ball and fired a shot, although it didn’t really trouble Roefs.
Patrick Dorgu 5 – Helped United get over the line for their second win of the season.
Kobbie Mainoo 5 – Kept things ticking in the middle of the park.
Harry Maguire 5 – On the pitch for the dying embers of the match
Manuel Ugarte 5 – Same as Maguire.
Featured image Gareth Copley via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!