Man Utd ratings: De Gea comes to Red Devils’ rescue yet again against Norwich but Fernandes fails to impose himself
CRISTIANO RONALDO’S second half penalty saw Manchester United scrape a 1-0 win against Norwich at Carrow Road.
The Red Devils were lacklustre for much of the game as David de Gea put in another man of the match display.
But the crucial moment came in the 73rd minute when Ronaldo was hauled down by Canaries defender Max Aarons and the Portuguese sensation made no mistake from the spot.
Here is how SunSport reporter Dylan Terry saw the Man Utd players’ performances.
DAVID DE GEA – 9
His main task in the first half was to try and keep warm as Norwich failed to test the Spanish shot-stopper despite receiving a lot of the ball.
Then in the second half he produced a world class save to deny Pukki, flinging himself to his right to tip away a venomous drive.
De Gea then made yet another stop in injury time even though the Norwich player was offside. Saved everything in his path.
How much more would United be struggling without him? A lot, lot more.
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DIOGO DALOT – 5
Enjoyed the opening 10 minutes and looked as though he was going to be a real threat down the right – but it never materialised.
Was pushed back into his own half by Josh Sargent and Dimitris Giannoulis, limiting his impact on the game.
Had a bit more joy in the second period but his crosses into the box were aimless.
VICTOR LINDELOF- 4
Had a pretty poor afternoon at the back for Rangnick’s side.
Lindelof seems incredibly slow to react to dangerous situations and cannot deal with a striker being physical towards him.
Was spun by Pukki too easily in the lead up to his effort which De Gea brilliantly saved.
But thoughts instantly turned to his health after the Swede was substituted with chest pains putting football into perspective.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 5
Could have broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time with a looping header, but for a superb fingertip save from Tim Krul.
Defensively found himself out of position on a number of occasions as he continues to appear a yard or two off the pace.
ALEX TELLES – 5
Went desperately close to giving United the lead in the first half with a deflected free-kick which clipped the crossbar.
Offered an outlet going forward but looked exposed heading back towards his own goal. Most of Norwich’s joy came down the Man Utd left.
SCOTT MCTOMINAY – 5
Looked well off the pace as Norwich overran him in the middle of the park time and time again.
Lindelof and Maguire were left perilously exposed throughout the first period as the space in front of them – which McTominay and Fred should have been covering – opened up far too often.
FRED – 7
Now looks to be United’s best option in central midfield – constantly nipping at the heels of the Norwich players and winning the ball back to start attacks.
Produced something of a cutting edge in the final third with some confident and assured passing. Was let down by those in front of him and McTominay alongside him.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 5
Linked up with Ronaldo a few times and threatened to deliver the killer pass but it never quite materialised.
Clearly still adjusting to his new position as one of the two behind Ronaldo and Rashford.
JADON SANCHO – 4
You’d be forgiven for not realising he was on the pitch as the game seemed to pass him by.
Sancho sticks out as the one player who clearly does not fit into this system. He is often seen drifting into midfield, meaning he is far too close to his own goal to have any sort of impact in the final third.
Was hooked midway through the second half. Struggling badly.
CRISTIANO RONALDO – 6
Missed a good chance in the first half when he waited too long to hit the target and ended up blasting it more or less straight at Krul.
Did very little in the game but then won the penalty and dispatched it with aplomb. Was quiet but still won the match for his team.
Missed a big chance late on but ultimately it was a typical Ronaldo display.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 8
Looked like Man Utd’s best attacking outlet in the first half, using his trickery and pace to cause problems – particularly through cutting in from the left-hand side.
Went close with a low drive which narrowly whistled past the post and set up Ronaldo for what should have been United’s second goal.
Seems to be thriving in a strike partnership with Ronaldo.
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Subs
MASON GREENWOOD (for Sancho, 67) – 6
Did not make too much of an impact on the game. Was a bit more lively than Sancho – who he replaced.
ERIC BAILLY (for Lindelof, 74) – 5
Did not solidify the United back line at all. Norwich came on stronger when Bailly entered the game.
DONNY VAN DE BEEK (for Fernandes, 88) – 6
Had almost no time to show what he could offer.
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