Player Ratings: Manchester United 4-0 West Ham

Manchester United dispatched West Ham United to the tune of four unanswered goals to kick off the Premier League season in style. These are our highly scientific player performance ratings, on a scale of 1 to 10.

David de Gea: 6.5

Truly, West Ham never really bothered De Gea’s goal that much, aside from one header that beat him (but not the crossbar). Still, he stood around looking reassuring and not making a mess of anything. Still not sure about that haircut.

Antonio Valencia: 7

Marauding. Valencia may be United’s most consistent source of width in the team, which is concerning given that he’s meant to be a defender. But he won most of his battles in defense, and bombed forward at will.

Phil Jones: 7

Defended well, in the Phil Jones way, which means that it always felt like he was one ill-advised header attempt away from hurting himself.

Eric Bailly: 7

Got booked for a late tackle, but was otherwise solid as ever. Had a late wobble at the end of last season, but looked back to his dominant, dependable best.

Daley Blind: 7

After some appalling pre-season displays, Blind had a surprisingly good game at left-back. West Ham weren’t able to isolate him, and he was constant contributor to the attack.

Nemanja Matić: 9

We don’t want to get too carried away, but Nemanja Matić might be the best player in the world.

Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Paul Pogba: 8

Imagine not rating Pogba. Imagine. Class from start to finish, and a lovely goal to cap it off.

Juan Mata: 7

Mata was his usual clever self; probing space, eluding defenders, and elevating United’s attack to a level of slickness that it just doesn’t reach when he’s not in the team.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 8

Two assists, and a dynamic all-around performance. Mkhi can be effective coming in from a wide area, but he’s far more impactful when he gets to start in a central role.

Marcus Rashford: 8

Rashford should have scored himself on a couple of occasions, but he set up the opener with a clever pass after a scintillating run. He looks like a man who should be starting every week.

Romelu Lukaku: 8.5

Goals that go in off the inside of the post should count double, so we’re counting this as a moral hat-trick. Finishing, pace, power, link-up play: we’ve got ourselves a serious no. 9 here.

Marouane Fellaini (Sub, 76’): 7

Was competent. Didn’t elbow anyone.

Anthony Martial (Sub, 80’): 8

A goal and assist in 10 hair-raising minutes is certainly one way of making an impression on the manager. Woof.

Jesse Lingard (Sub, 88’): N/A

Was on just long enough to encourage complaints that he continues to get playing time ahead of more deserving players.