Manchester United beat Reading 3 – 1 in the FA Cup fourth round tonight. Here are our player ratings:
(A score of 6 is around average)
David de Gea 6 – did he touch the ball more than twice?
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 9 – Very bright on the ball, great confidence and some nice exchanges with Antony and the midfielders. New lease of life ignited by good coaching – he’s even willing to play forward and as an inverted full-back now!
Harry Maguire 5.5 – solid. Didn’t need to do much and was equipped when called upon, but made some decent tackles which you’d expect. Didn’t pass quickly enough, however, as usual, which really hindered United’s play in first half.
Victor Lindelof 6 – see above. Extra 0.5 for beating Andy Carroll in the air.
Tyrell Malacia 5.5 – struggled to help out Rashford who had seemed to have the whole team marking him. Lacked thought and awareness on occasion both in attack and defence.
Casemiro 10 – the Brazilian Roy Keane.
Christian Eriksen 8 – a great all-round display but really struggled to strike that final pass correctly, which is usually his bread and butter.
Antony 7.5 – didn’t do much wrong – but it’s what he doesn’t do that is the problem. He is still so reluctant to threaten the opposition defence, by dribbling or crossing down the wing. His reverse ball to Casemiro was sublime, though.
Bruno Fernandes 6.5 – as usual, kept things ticking along and had some fantastic touches. Lacked incisiveness, but his pass to Fred displayed the inspired player that he needs to and can consistently be throughout the 90 minutes..
Marcus Rashford 8 – his goal should probably have not been disallowed, but he still showed his magnificent form. Magical feet, even with Reading’s endless stream of players marking him.
Wout Weghorst 5 – great pressing, but was less of a presence compared to previous outings.
Substitutes
Fred 7.5 – a yearly reminder to us all that he is, in fact, Brazilian.
Alejandro Garnacho 6.5 – as usual, direct on the ball.
Facundo Pellistri 6.5 – same as Garnacho.
Anthony Elanga 6 – didn’t do much.
Kobbie Mainoo 6 – rather reserved, but he is a 17 year old thrown in to central midfield to kill off the game, to be fair!
