Manchester United 2-0 Wigan: Player ratings and Man of the Match

David de Gea: 6

Had basically nothing to do all game in any department, so almost impossible to gauge his performance. Seemed to be correctly positioned and comfortable on the ball, as always.

Rafael: 7

Looked excellent as ever going forward until injury forced him off early, at which point United visibly lost some drive and purpose.

Nemanja Vidic:8

Snuffed out most of the dangers before they became a problem, and showed why he is still a key player for United. Keeping fit all season would be a huge boost to United's chances.

Phil Jones: 4

Failed to be of use when switched to right-back, costing United much of their forward impetus and misplacing some simple passes with alarming regularity. Cause for concern.

Chris Smalling: 5

Had little to do, but was caught under the high ball and beaten by James McClean too easily for what ought to have been a Wigan equaliser.

Patrice Evra: 7

As consistent as ever from Evra, who showed plenty of penetration getting forward with his runs, even if his final ball was lacklustre at times. A fine cross for the opener, too.

Michael Carrick: 6

Was asked very little by Wigan as they completely failed to put any pressure on him. Kept things ticking over but did nothing spectacular.

Tom Cleverley: 4

Provided little in the way of control, drive, or composure, and woefully mishit one excellent chance. If United do spend on the midfield this season then his time at the club must be called into question if he cannot improve.

Ryan Giggs: 6

Did OK with his control and passing, but faded as the game went on, as thirty-nine year olds are wont to do.

Wilfried Zaha: 6

Should probably have done better against an opponent of such inferiority as Stephen Crainey, and although he was lively, he's shown much better form in pre-season.

Danny Welbeck: 8 (Man of the Match)

Ran the show in United's attack, involved in almost every decent passage of play shown by the Reds. He can be inconsistent from one minute to the next with his touch and passing, but at times his speed of thought and invention is remarkable, as it frequently was today.

Robin van Persie: 8

One magnificent header and a lucky deflection gave him a brace to start the season off, but his all-round play was typically excellent too. Linked up well with Danny Welbeck and Wilfried Zaha, which is highly promising.

Antonio Valencia: 6

Looked reasonably lively and energeting when coming on, but struggled to replicate the delivery that was once so key down United's right flank.

Anderson: 6

Showed better ideas than Cleverley, but could not live up to them with the execution and failed to really impose himself in the brief cameo he made.