Ander Herrera’s brace has helped Manchester United move to third in the Premier League, defeating Aston Villa 3-1 at Old Trafford.
Manchester United
David De Gea – 5: Should have done better with the concession of Aston Villa’s goal. Had little to do otherwise while distribution was typically reliable.
Antonio Valencia – 7: Structurally sound in defence, if unspectacular going forward. His work-rate helped Mata dictate from his false right-wing role.
Marcos Rojo – 6: Arrived too late for Benteke’s consolation goal. Otherwise, was quite comfortable in his return to the starting line up.
Phil Jones – 7: Dealt with the physicality of Villa’s front line relatively comfortably. Remained wary of any passes in behind United’s defence throughout.
Daley Blind – 8: Another excellent display at full-back. Often bombed beyond Ashley Young, most telling when the Dutchman created Ander Herrera’s opener with a smart reverse.
Michael Carrick – 6: Started brightly, but as United laboured in attack before the second goal Carrick did too. Helped his team attain 76% possession.
Marouane Fellaini – 7: Enjoyed the lack of pressure put onto him by the Villa midfield. Drifted into dangerous pockets and showed continued improvement with clever ball retention.
Ander Herrera – 9: Opened and closed the scoring with aplomb and combined well with Mata and Valencia throughout.
Ashley Young – 8: Showed his former club what they have been missing. United’s best player in the first-half.
Juan Mata – 7: Reinvented as a narrow right winger. Contributed the assist for Herrera’s second.
Wayne Rooney – 8: Added another goal to the post-retirement highlight reel.
Substitutes
Angel Di Maria – 6: Started the late onslaught with the assist for Rooney’s goal and showed good energy.
Radamel Falcao – N/A
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Aston Villa
Brad Guzan – 6: Called into question for Herrera’s opener, but was solid otherwise. Denied Fellaini from point-blank range as United pressed for a second goal.
Alan Hutton – 3: Substituted at half time due to inury. Was given a torrid time by Young and Blind.
Ciaran Clark – 4: Lucky to escape the concession of a penalty and likely expulsion for a tug on Rooney in the early stages. Struggled similarly throughout
Jores Okore – 7: Excellent in the air against Fellaini and Rooney.
Matt Lowton – 6: Enjoyed little freedom with Mata and Valencia allowed to create overloads. Dealt relatively well in tough working conditions.
Carlos Sanchez – 4: Completed a mere 77% of his passes and no successful tackles as United’s midfield dominated.
Fabian Delph – 5: Energetic as usual, but lacked his usual creative spark in attack.
Andreas Weimann – 6: Threatened at times but struggled with limited service.
Charles N’Zogbia – 4: Contributed little to Villa’s sporadic attacks. Substituted after 61 minutes for Nathan Baker.
Gabriel Agbonlahor – 5: Anonymous display. The veteran was well marshalled by Rojo and Jones.
Christian Benteke – 7: Scored his fourth goal in as many games. His form will be crucial to Villa’s chances of Premier League survival.
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Substitutes
Leandro Bacuna – 5: Brought on to give Villa a greater attacking spark but was pinned back by Blind.
Nathan Baker – 5: Provided energy on the left but little else as his team tired.
Joe Cole – N/A
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