Louis van Gaal’s side produced an underwhelming performance during their 1-1 draw at Sunderland.
David de Gea – 6/10
The goalkeeper lacked command of his penalty area – but wasn’t helped by a weak back five.
Tyler Blackett – 6.5/10
One of the very few players to show promise for Manchester United at the Stadium of Light.
Phil Jones – 6.5/10
Has been criticised recently by Paul Scholes and, although he wasn’t as bad as some of his team-mates, Jones didn’t exactly lead his defence with that much authority. Like Blackett, however, showed glimpses of promise.
Chris Smalling
Was hauled off early in the first half.
Ashley Young – 4/10
The ‘wing-back’ looked lost all game and hardly produced a cross of note. Young was also booked for diving in the second half, to cap another embarrassing performance in a United shirt.
Antonio Valencia – 7/10
Looked much better than Young and deserves a seven simply because his cross into the area provided Juan Mata’s goal. If it wasn’t for that, United wouldn’t have had anything to show for a drab performance overall.
Tom Cleverley – 3/10
Many may consider a three generous – why is Cleverley still in the Man United starting XI? The midfielder misplaced pass after pass and, once again, didn’t bother to look forward once.
Darren Fletcher – 6/10
Didn’t exactly make the difference for his side but was at least twice the player of Cleverley. Made the odd intricate pass that could have created a chance were his team-mates in better form up front.
Juan Mata – 7/10
The only player with enough initiative to get himself into a goalscoring position. That alone makes him one of United’s best players on the day.
Wayne Rooney – 6/10
Rooney didn’t offer much of note today and it is times like this when his qualities as a captain will be tested. Is he leadership material?
Robin van Persie – 6/10
A bland return for the ‘Flying Dutchman,’ who only really made one noteworthy surge into the penalty area, when he was brought to a halt by Sunderland defenders.
Substitute
Michael Keane – 6.5/10
Another United youngster to come out of today with, at least, a small amount of credit.
Adnan Januzaj – 5/10
Didn’t make the impact his manager would have hoped and almost gave a goal away after losing the ball carelessly in the middle of the pitch.
Danny Welbeck – 6/10
Another forward who made minimal impact, although he could have done with some help from his team-mates.
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