Man Utd Player Ratings After 1-2 Loss To Arsenal: Valencia And Di Maria Have Nightmare Games

Bernard Thompson

10 years ago

Manchester United player ratings after a poor defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup at Old Trafford.

David De Gea: 8/10

David De Gea is the best Manchester United performer in most matches, and this was no exception. The Spaniard made sensational saves from Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez the standout moments.

Antonio Valencia: 2/10

Antonio Valencia was chiefly at fault for both goals, failing to track Nacho Monreal’s run for the first and playing a shockingly poor back pass for the second. Deserves to be dropped after this game.

Chris Smalling: 5/10

Chris Smalling has the physical qualities to be a top class centre half, and perhaps even the technical assets, but mentally he does not seem up to the job. Naively abandoned his defensive line to close down Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and was often caught under the ball or on his heels throughout.

Marcos Rojo: 5/10

Marcos Rojo hasn’t yet found his position at Old Trafford. He’s fine on the left of a back three, but the rest of the team aren’t used to the formation. As one of a centre back pair or as a left back, he’s unconvincing. Lucky to have stayed on the pitch after hauling back Welbeck to deny the former United man a goal scoring opportunity, but the referee waved play on.

Luke Shaw: 5/10

It’s safe to say that Luke Shaw is still struggling to live up to his £30m price tag. Hauled off at half time, and replaced by Phil Jones.

Daley Blind: 4/10

Jack of all trades? Certainly master of none this evening.

Marouane Fellaini: 6/10

Marouane Fellaini made eight fouls against Arsenal, only receiving a booking after his seventh offence an hour in. That near-immunity from officialdom aside, he was a great physical presence, and rarely lost an aerial duel.

Ander Herrera: 6/10

Ander Herrera seems to be the player Louis Van Gaal takes off by default when Man Utd aren’t playing well, but he appeared something of a scapegoat here, and the Red Devils were devoid of creativity upon his substitution.

Angel Di Maria: 4/10

Angel Di Maria was having a fine game in the first half, regularly finding space down the right flank, and his brilliant cross for Wayne Rooney levelled the scoring. After – quite rightly – being booked for diving, the Argentine had his moment of madness, pulling Michael Oliver’s shirt to leave the referee with no choice but to show a second yellow.

Ashley Young: 6/10

Ashley Young remains Manchester United’s most consistently decent performer under Louis Van Gaal. However, his peaks remain some way short of the inspiration United require, and it certainly wasn’t enough against Arsenal.

Wayne Rooney: 7/10

Wayne Rooney is Manchester United’s talisman, but you can sense his frustration at the team’s playing style – and his own isolation up front. Scored a wonderful header from Di Maria’s inswinging cross.

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