Manchester United 3-2 Southampton: Player Ratings From The EFL Cup Final
Reuters / Carl Recine
Manchester United have beaten the Saints to win their second silverware of the season, in what was a thrilling cup final. Goals from Jesse Lingard and Zlatan Ibrahimovic helped cancel Gabbiadini’s brace to help the Red Devils beat Southampton 3-2.
Here’s how Jose Mourinho’s men fared in the game:
DAVID DE GEA – 6
Was helpless whilst conceding two great goals, but made some crucial saves to keep United in the game.
ANTONIO VALENCIA – 6
Struggled at right-back, and wasn’t as effective going forward in the first half as he usually is.
ERIC BAILLY – 6
Was poor as compared to his usual standards on the night, but his pace and agility helped on several occasions.
CHRIS SMALLING – 5.5
Had a poor game. Failed to contain Gabbiadini.
MARCOS ROJO – 5.5
Had a nightmare at LB, and almost conceded a penalty, but his unsuccessful tackle eventually led to Southampton’s cancelled goal. Did provide an assist for Lingard’s goal.
ANDER HERRERA – 8
Eager and energetic in the middle of the park. Did pick up a yellow, but his superb cross was headed in by Zlatan to score the winner.
Reuters / Carl Recine
PAUL POGBA – 6
Looked fatigued, and not as effective as usual, but his impressive footwork and dribbling skills definitely helped.
JUAN MATA – 5
Couldn’t cope with the pace of the game, and was subbed off at the break.
JESSE LINGARD – 6.5
Continued his goalscoring form at Wembley, but should have converted another easy chance. Was lucky not to pick up a second yellow.
ANTHONY MARTIAL – 6
His pace troubled the Southampton defenders at times. Was much more involved defensively in the second half. Decent performance.
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC – 9
Opener the scoring with a sensational freekick, and won the game with a delightful header. Man of the Match.
Reuters / Carl Recine
SUBSTITUTES:
MICHAEL CARRICK – 7
Came on in the second half and calmed the game down in United’s favour.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 6
Decent cameo. Tested Forster.
MAROUANE FELLAINI – NA
Was sent on too late to utilise his physical presence for protecting the lead.
SOUTHAMPTON PLAYER RATINGS:
Reuters / Eddie Keogh
FORSTER – 5
Could have done better in preventing Zlatan’s free-kick from finding the back of the net.
CEDRIC – 7
Was an attacking threat down the right, and his crosses terrorized the United defence.
YOSHIDA – 7
A rock at the back. Made an outstanding slide tackle on Jesse Lingard.
STEPHENS – 6
Got booked, but could have easily been a red for his studs up challenge on Anthony Martial.
BERTRAND – 7
Superb on the left, both in defence and on the offence.
ROMEU – 7
Picked up an early yellow. Came close to scoring, but his header hit the post.
DAVIS – 7
Worked hard in midfield, and provided the assist for the second goal.
WARD-PROWSE – 7
Another brilliant midfield display from the Englishman. Delivered excellent set pieces, and bagged an assist.
TADIC – 6
Was a threat going forward.
REDMOND – 8
Did get booked, but was otherwise excellent for the Saints. His pace consistently troubled United.
GABBIADINI – 8.5
Could’ve scored a hattrick, but his first strike was wrongly disallowed for offside. Was shockingly subbed off late in the game.
SUBSTITUTES:
BOUFAL – NA
LONG – NA
RODRIGUEZ – NA