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

 

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