Manchester United 2-0 West Bromwich Albion: player ratings

One would hardly have called Manchester United impressive in their win over West Bromwich Albion, but it was a classic case of getting the job done against a very tough team to beat. Here's who did what and how well. Warning: it's an awful lot of average.

David de Gea: 6

He's given a six out of default rather than merit. He quite literally didn't have a save to make (thanks for that, Saido Berahino).

Ashley Young: 5

I am reliably informed that he was on the pitch.

Daley Blind: 6

The release of the teamsheets heralded the frightening prospect of Blind being bullied by Salomón Rondón, though the Venezuelan never appeared to have a run at the Dutchman. He had a fairly easy afternoon, though could've perhaps been better positioned for Berahino's late opportunity.

Chris Smalling: 7

Another perfectly solid defensive display from Smalling, who did a good job at sweeping up West Brom's long balls before Rondón was able to pounce.

Marcos Rojo: 6

A fine performance from Rojo, who had little problem dealing with the potentially tricky threat posed by Stéphane Sessègnon. He also delivered a lethal cross into the six-yard box early in the match, but, as ever, no one was on hand to tuck it home.

Michael Carrick: 6

It's this sort of game in which Carrick can still be of use to United. The overwhelmingly defensive nature of West Brom's strategy meant that his defensive vulnerability was never exposed, and allowed him the time to pick a few impressive passes straight through their defensive banks. However, it never quite came off for Carrick, and a few cheap giveaways also marred his display.

Bastian Schweinsteiger: 6

Tidy, unspectacular.

Juan Mata: 6

Mata worked characteristically hard to find the spaces between West Brom's lines, but there was very little to be found. He should've scored United's only real clear-cut chance of the first half, though redeemed himself by chipping home the late penalty. A quiet performance, but he was only partly to blame.

Wayne Rooney: 6

He actually looked slightly sharper than usual, but that says less about his afternoon's work than his recent performances. Was a delight to see him substituted.

Jesse Lingard: 7

A man of the match display from a player who produced the game's only sparkle. He took his goal superbly, and though he was otherwise erratic, for the time being he doesn't look out of his depth. It's difficult to see Memphis overtaking him in the United pecking order in the near future.

Anthony Martial: 6

Flashes of fancy footwork, though like the rest of United's attackers, he struggled for space and service.

Phil Jones: 5 (on for Young, 62')

Considering Jones is a man who could bump into a lamppost in the Sahara desert, he deserves full credit for lasting half an hour without needing bandages. However, did play like he had smacked into said road furniture, and his clumsiness seems chronic.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson: 6 (on for Rojo, 76')

Looked as terrified as us. Survived.

Ander Herrera: 6 (on for Rooney, 82')

Make this a permanent switch, Louis, and you're on to a winner.

The Busby Babe would like to cordially remind you that taking marks out of ten too seriously can prove deleterious to your health.