Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool: Player ratings as Bruno Fernandes sends Red Devils to FA Cup 5th round
A free kick from substitute Bruno Fernandes gave Manchester United a 3-2 win over Liverpool on Sunday, with the Red Devils booking their place in the FA Cup fifth round at the expense of their rivals.
After a cagey opening the visitors took the lead when Mohamed Salah finished nicely after a probing through ball from Roberto Firmino.
Soon after, United evened things up through Mason Greenwood. Marcus Rashford pinged an incredible cross-field ball over the top and Greenwood chested it down calmly before powering home.
Minutes after the break, the home side took the lead with Rashford capitalising on Rhys Williams‘ error, before slotting the ball past Alisson. Liverpool then benefitted from an mistake of their own; Edinson Cavani’s pass was picked off by James Milner, who then played a neat exchange with Firmino which allowed Salah to smash in.
The teams continued to trade blows before substitute Bruno Fernandes lashed home a free kick from just outside the box to make it 3-2.
Here are your player ratings from Old Trafford…
Dean Henderson (GK) – 6/10 – Commanded his area well, but perhaps could have done better for both goals.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (RB) – 6/10 – Some good, some bad. Defended pretty well but his contribution in the final third was negligible. His long passing was also wild at times.
Victor Lindelof (CB) – 6/10 – Caused problems by Firmino’s clever movement. Passing lacked composure at times.
Harry Maguire (CB) – 6/10 – Slightly hesitant in his defending early on. Settled as things progressed.
Luke Shaw (LB) – 7/10 – Perhaps could have done more to prevent the opener but recovered very well after that. Drove forward constantly and registered three key passes.
Paul Pogba (CM) – 7/10 – Impressed defensively in the first half – it was his tackle that led to United’s first. Was somewhat trigger happy with his shooting, firing off five shots without hitting the target.
Scott McTominay (CM) – 7/10 – The game passed him by early on but he grew into things. Dominant in the air.
Donny van de Beek (AM) – 5/10 – A much-needed start for the Dutchman but he failed to impress. He drifted into some promising wide positions early on but rarely influenced things.
Mason Greenwood (RW) – 8/10 – Provided a timely reminder of his ruthless streak with a merciless finish. Also assisted Rashford’s goal. Unlucky to be substituted.
Edinson Cavani (ST) – 6/10 – Sloppily gave the ball away to gift Liverpool their second. Worked hard but very little broke for him.
Marcus Rashford (LW) – 8/10 – What. A. Pass. His goal was splendid as well. One of his best performances of the season.
Bruno Fernandes – 8/10 – He’s a match winner. Pure and simple.
Fred – 6/10 – Added some solidity to the United midfield down the home stretch.
Anthony Martial – N/A
Alisson (GK) – 6/10 – Little he could do about United’s clinical finishes.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB) – 5/10 – Only completed five of his 10 long balls and did not produce a single accurate cross. Rashford enjoyed plenty of space in behind him.
Rhys Williams (CB) – 5/10 – Did not look up to this level, to be honest. An early error could have been costly. A second mistake after the break allowed Rashford to score. Maybe sign a centre-back, lads?
Fabinho (CB) – 6/10 – His least accomplished centre-back display so far. Struggled to drag Williams through the match.
Andy Robertson (LB) – 6/10 – 10/10 from trying to put Greenwood off by shouting in his face. His performance did not match though. Looked leggy and only managed two crosses.
Thiago Alcantara (CM) – 7/10 – Solid, shuttling display from the Spaniard. Put himself about and was typically attractive in possession.
James MIlner (CM) – 6/10 – Misjudged Rashford’s pass, which to led United’s first goal. Made up for it by picking off Cavani’s botched ball, before laying it on a plate for Salah to score his second.
Georginio Wijnaldum (CM) – 5/10 – Average. Failed to register a tackle or interception in his 60 minutes on the field. Some loose passing as well.
Mo Salah (RW) – 8/10 – Took his goals exceptionally well. Scoring will come as a big relief after mounting pressure in recent weeks.
Roberto Firmino (ST) – 8/10 – Really nice assist for Salah’s goal and also had a big hand in the second.
Curtis Jones (LW) – 6/10 – Performed doggedly on the left wing but did not get much joy. Looked better after moving into central midfield.
Sadio Mane – 5/10 – Slightly reckless after coming on. He picked up a yellow shortly after his introduction.
Xherdan Shaqiri – 6/10 – Huffed and puffed but created little.
Divock Origi – 6/10 – Often Liverpool’s trump card in games like this, he did not make an impact.