Monday, November 17, 2008

Ratings: United v Stoke City

Edwin van der Sar
Probably his quietest afternoon of the season as Stoke failed to trouble United's defence.

Patrice Evra
Not much to do at the back, Evra bombed forward in the second half as the visitors tired in the face of United's dominance.

Nemanja Vidic
Stoke's powerful strikers have troubled more than a few Premier League defenders this season, but they've rarely faced a centre-back of Vidic's quality.
 
Jonny Evans
His best performance in a Red shirt. Unflappable alongside Vidic, and not afraid to mix it with Stoke's big forwards. Sir Alex will have been delighted with his confident display.

John O'Shea
Filling in at right-back to help deal with Stoke's aerial threat, Sheasy enjoyed a busy opening 45 minutes more in attack than defence but nearly scored an own goal following Delap's first monster throw-in.

Michael Carrick
Quietly effective first half that burst into life with a clinical left-foot shot to put United two up before the break. Asserted his authority after the interval as he took up more of an attacking remit.

Darren Fletcher
Dominant in midfield, Fletch enjoyed a highly industrious hour on the pitch and thoroughly deserved the standing ovation afforded him by the Stretford End.

Ji-sung Park
A constant menace, Park could have scored towards the end of the first half with a nifty turn and shot. 

Cristiano Ronaldo
His best performance of the season - how much was he inspired by the vocal visiting support? Hammered home 100th and 101st United goals from left-sided free kicks and gave Stoke's bamboozled defenders a nightmare afternoon.

Dimitar Berbatov
Pure quality. The Bulgarian was more than happy to drop deep in the first half as United swarmed over the Potters, and coolly dispatched his sixth goal of the season just after the interval.

Carlos Tevez 
No goals but another all-action display. The Argentinian was involved in the two of the first three goals - fouled by Faye to set up Ronaldo's free kick opener, and teed up Berbatov for the third.
 
Substitutes

Danny Welbeck (on for Park, 63) Remember the name! The 17-year-old announced his Premier League arrival with a thunderous, swerving drive from 25 yards out. A day the Longsight lad will never forget.

Darron Gibson (on for Fletcher, 63) The Irish midfielder will have enjoyed his second Old Trafford appearance in a week, particularly as it marked his Premier League debut.
 
Manucho (on for Tevez, 75) Could have opened his United account minutes after his late introduction, but headed over from six yards.

www.manutd.com

0 comments: