Manchester United thumped three goals past Brighton and Hove Albion, as they move towards the quarter-final stage of the Carabao Cup. Mata, McTominay and Pogba were on the score-sheet for the Red Devils but there were other good performances in the United side as well. The Red Devils dominated for the entire game and deservedly won the game with ease.
Let us have a look at the player ratings for Manchester United against Brighton and Hove Albion last night.
DEAN HENDERSON – 8
Dean Henderson has once again proven that he is ready to be United’s No.1, and replace De Gea. Though he didn’t have to do a lot in the game, he came up with a point-blank save to keep United in the game when the score was 0-1.
DIOGO DALOT – 5
To everyone’s surprise, Dalot was given a start in last night’s game but failed to impress and have a poor game. He was good and comfortable going forward but lacked the passing abilities and defensive position awareness in the defensive third.
ERIC BAILLY – 8
Eric Bailly had another stellar game, making him favourite to start along with Maguire on Sunday in the Premier League. Bailly was solid defensively and constantly saved the likes of Dalot and Lindelof from blushes with his last-ditch tackles. He stopped a couple of counter-attacks and was dominant in the air throughout the game.
VICTOR LINDELOF – 6
Lindelof had a rather easy game than what he had in the weekend, partly because his mistakes were covered up by Bailly. The Swedish centre-back failed to give reasons for his starting spot and lost the ball in crucial areas, even failing to clear his lines sometimes.
BRANDON WILLIAMS – 6
The right-footed Brandon Williams looks visibly uncomfortable on the left-back spot and hardly provided anything going forward. Every time he gets the ball he is very predictable but still created one big chance, with his pass to Mata, which Ighalo later spurned wide.
FRED – 7
Fred looked good for the entirety of the game even though he gave a few wayward passes here and there. He looks comfortable in the defensive midfield role and his form and confidence will be a great boost to Solskjaer.
SCOTT MCTOMINAY – 6
McTominay opened the scoring for Manchester United but didn’t do anything else to stamp his authority in the game. His position is an area of concern for Solskjaer as he looks uncomfortable with the defensive role.
DONNY VAN DE BEEK – 8
Van de Beek was superb once again and started to come to life only after the 70th minute after quality players came on for United. The Dutchman’s intelligence was on show in Mata’s goal, as Van de Beek flicked the ball cleverly into Mata’s path. Van de Beek will give Solskjaer a hard time in getting his starting XI ready in the near future, because if his good performances.
DAN JAMES – 5
Dan James was given one more chance to prove his mettle but once again failed to perform. He had no impact on the game and seemed to be lost in the left-wing, which is reportedly his preferred position.
JUAN MATA – 9
Juan Mata was the best player in the pitch last night and deservedly won the man of the match award. The Spaniard’s creativity was on show last night against a Brighton side which found it difficult to cope with Mata’s passes. With a goal and an assist, Mata has proven he still has it in him, at least against weaker oppositions.
ODION IGHALO – 5
For the second game running, Ighalo looked out of sorts and even failed to hold the ball up, which used to be his strength. He missed a golden chance to finally end his goal drought but scuffed his kick to put the ball wide of the target from five yards.
SUBSTITUTES
PAUL POGBA – 8
Paul Pogba opened his account for his season with the free-kick, which was United’s third goal. He looked fitter and sharper last night and looks to be ready for the Sunday game against Tottenham in the Premier League.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 7
Marcus Rashford looks to be at it again this season and looks much better than what he was at the end of last season. The Englishman seems determined to get to his best this season.
JESSE LINGARD – N/A
It is a surprise not to see Lingard in the starting XI, after his good performance last time around in the cup. He came on very late in the game, but had one good chance of scoring but curled his shot wide.
