PLAYER RATINGS: Manchester United V Stoke City

Here are the ratings for last nights game against Stoke City. Let's get to it!

A score of 1 being the lowest (Sebastian Savic standard), 10 being the highest (Messi like) A score of 6 will be standard, 7 is solid, a very good game will get an 8, 9 is good for outstanding and 10 is unplayable. 10's will be very rare. Not only will they have to play the game of their life, but it will usually come against a team of good quality or in a big match (FInals, championship deciding game's etc.)

Ben Amos - Didn't have a lot to do. Claimed a few crosses well and got down smartly to stop a header in the second half. Dealt with everything rather comfortably, but as there was a lack of action, I can't rate him too high. 6.5/10

Chris Smalling - Defended solidly. Not a great player to have at right back though when the opposition is pinned back on row Z though. He is quite uncertain on the ball at times and lacks crossing ability. I would rather have a Jones or a Rafael, who are much more ambitious when going forward. Still. He was solid. Didn't let the team down. 6.5/10

Rio Ferdinand - Looked assured in his latest comeback. Covered well. His positional play is a joy to behold. He has a knack of seeing things before they happen. Didn't really give Crouch and Jones a sniff of a mistake to capitalise on. Distributed the ball well, as has become the norm. 7/10

Jonny Evans - At the risk of repeating myself, just a good solid performance. Maybe didn't win as many aerial battles as he would have liked, but when up against that beanpole, who could blame him! Got forward with the ball well and assisted the midfielders in giving us a man extra when is possession. 6.5/10

Patrice Evra - Added some much needed width down the left as Park was forever drifting inwards. Delivery was far from great. Ermmm... Thats all I have on him. Distinctly average! 6/10

Antonio Valencia - In the form of his life. Nothing flashy about his wing play, but still very hard to stop him. His agility and balance is great, and allows him to change direction when dribbling sharply. Once he has a yard his delivery is very good. Won the penalty and he done well to cut across his man, who was always going to bring him down. 7.5/10

Micheal Carrick - Him and Paul Scholes both played over 100 passes. Combine their total's and Stoke's whole pass count couldn't match their exploits. Just dominated the game with his midfield partner. Should have scored, but the fact he got himself into the goalscoring position was pleasing. He has done that a lot more recently, and his performances are all the better for it. 8/10

Paul Scholes - How does he do it? The way he can dictate the game is incredible. You would never have known he has been away from the first team for 6 months would you. Showing the untrained observer why Zidane thought he was the best midfield player in the world back in the day. Went narrowly wide with a half volley that the whole of Old Traffod would have been willing in. 8.5/10

Ji Sung Park - Another industrious performance. His runs are so hard to track, and he has a way of making space for himself to receive the ball. If only he had a little more technical ability on the ball..... Won the first penalty to cap another good performance, following his goal at the weekend. 7.5/10

Chicharito - He battled well, and I remember him linking up quite beautifully with Valencia on the right in the second half. But his game is all about goals. Got one with the peno and he will look to kick on now when given a chance. Subbed for Pogba 6.5/10

Dimitar Berbatov - Played well, better than his strike partner. Was a lot more industrious than his last start (Newcastle) where he was quite shocking in my opinion. Held the ball up well and his silky touches were to be admired. Slotted home the second Peno well. 7/10

Subs

Paul Pogba - Probably the most intriguing performance of the night. The young powerhouse took hold of the game and displayed his strong running along with his technical ability. Played some teasing balls into the box as well. More of the same please! 7/10

Annnnnd......

Darren Gibson - 10/10! Had to be done.....

As always please share your thoughts. Who played well? Who sucked? Thoughts on Pogba's brilliant cameo?

Further reading

Tactical Review

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