Liverpool vs. Manchester United: Player ratings

David de Gea 8

Blameless for the goal and made no other mistakes otherwise. Had no real big saves to make but had to be alert to mop up defensive errors more than once. Solid.

Phil Jones 5

Looked like he wasn't about to have a great game before being substituted off through injury, but nobody was playing well in the first half. Difficult to judge.

Antonio Valencia 6

The decision to keep Phil Jones at right-back appears to be a poor one after Valencia, despite his poor form, managed to give United some of the drive they've badly missed in Rafael's absence. Lacking in end product, however.

Nemanja Vidic 6

A couple of uncharacteristic errors, but otherwise did his job well enough.

Rio Ferdinand 7

As above, without the errors.

Patrice Evra 6

Slightly disappointing in his forward efforts and with a couple more minor defensive mistakes than usual. Not one of his best performances.

Ashley Young 4

Looked a potential source of creativity after a couple of decent balls, but were mostly undone by a generally poor performance all-round. Also offered little defensively, and was poor in possession.

Michael Carrick 3

Beyond abysmal in the first half, as he typically is in these kind of frantic encounters. Was fortunate with a few needless giveaways and also picked up a silly card as the game completely passed him by. Was no more than functional in the second half when Liverpool faded badly, one good pass to Ashley Young aside. One wonders if David Moyes is as convinced of his greatness as certain pundits if he plans to buy three midfielders.

Ryan Giggs 4

A generally poor performance from Giggs, who was too deep most of the game to do any damage, and could not seem to influence the game.

Tom Cleverley 5

The best of United's midfielders, which says very little. Some decent touches to keep the ball in possession but once again offered far too little in the final third at either end.

Danny Welbeck 7

A good performance from Welbeck overall, although slightly withdrawn. Our most creative player by a distance, however, and was generally intelligent in his play, although wasted a late chance for an equaliser by turning and finding a teammate rather than attempting a volley.

Robin van Persie 6

Neither here nor there - was often isolated, and saw a couple of efforts blocked. Could perhaps have done better with the late chance which was hit into the side-netting. This was the sort of game we needed a superhuman performance from him, but unfortunately we didn't get it.

David Moyes 7

We will work from the assumption that Shinji Kagawa and Wilfried Zaha are not fit to play (although this is highly questionable in the latter's case.) Starting Ashley Young was silly because there were better alternatives. Starting Giggs was not because there weren't. United were vastly improved after half-time, which is a promising sign from his point of view at least.