clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Player Ratings: Manchester United 0-0 West Ham

How did Manchester United players rate for their performances against West Ham in the Premier League? Guillermo Varela finally made his debut for the side, and Wayne Rooney sat in the stands.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

David de Gea 7

An impressive save from Victor Moses in the first half saved Daley Blind from making a potentially serious error. Apart from that, he had little else to do, given West Ham's best chances were otherwise sent against the post.

Paddy McNair 5

His crossing was largely terrible, as you might expect from a central defender, but he was played at right-back due to injuries. He offered little going forward, and his defending wasn't especially impressive either, but there was no major failing. He was taken off at half-time because of an underwhelming performance.

Matteo Darmian 5

Darmian struggles in attack when on his favoured right side, and his crossing was even worse with his left foot. His return to the side have seen him cope better with defensive responsibilities, but this appears like it will still be a season of adjustment.

Chris Smalling 6

A vital clearance almost became an embarrassing one, as his outstretched leg placed the ball against Mauro Zarate and then the post. Otherwise he was calm in defence but failed to make the most of his chances at the opposite end, even if they were slight.

Daley Blind 6

He lost possession in a dangerous position, as mentioned above, but otherwise was a perfectly competent presence in central defence. It might have helped for him to step up into midfield, but United were consistently open to the counter-attack due to lack of ability.

Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger 6

The same performance as ever from the two, except Schneiderlin was injured shortly before half-time and Schweinsteiger risked a red card when he lashed out at Winston Reid from a set piece, even if it may not have been a deliberate attempt to strike, rather than push, the defender. Schweinsteiger left with 20 minutes left to protect him for the match against Wolfsburg, and United then benefited from Marouane Fellaini being taken out of the attack.

Marouane Fellaini 6

It isn't his fault, but he sticks out when surrounded by better, more adept players. If you want to play to his strengths, fine, but that doesn't happen with Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard alongside him. He produced a couple of handy knockdowns, one of which Anthony Martial almost converted as close range, but he is not the threatening presence his was last season, and should not be used in the side with this current approach. When he moved back into midfield he performed well enough, but by that point West Ham were holding on for a draw.

Juan Mata 6

He wasted one excellent chance, as did plenty of his team-mates, but his approach play with Martial, Lingard, Carrick and Memphis showed United how they should play for the whole match, not only the closing stages.

Jesse Lingard 6

Ran a lot, missed an excellent chance of his own when he flashed wide of the near post, but otherwise it was the usual performance from Lingard. An acceptable part of an attacking side, so let him attack.

Anthony Martial 7

Ran the channels effectively, showed some clever footwork to get into the box, and set up Fellaini with a chance just two yards out which the Belgian was too slow to make the most of. Too much is being expected of the player, and he needs somebody to look up to who isn't Wayne Rooney.

Substitutes

Michael Carrick 7

An improved display from him compared to much of this season. His passes forward into feet during the second half gave United much better positions to attack from as they pressed for another goal, and there's a chance that his best position against teams like this is further forward than in a deep midfield two

Guillermo Varela 6

Finally making his debut after a year at Real Madrid's B side, David Moyes' first Manchester United signing looked nervous, as you might expect, but otherwise he coped well considering his lack of experience and use. Playing a right-back at right-back gave United a far better shape in attack, and he should start ahead of McNair in the next match.

Memphis 6

If not yet the player from his PSV highlights, he was able to attack dangerously down the left wing, and team up with United's forwards. He too should be in the first team, at Fellaini's expense.

In the stands

Wayne Rooney

Eating a big bag of sweets. Not missed.