Player Ratings: Manchester United 4-0 Crystal Palace
REUTERS/Darren Staples
Manchester United registered yet another win by defeating the sinking Eagles at Old Trafford. Jose Mourinho’s men were massive favorites for the fixture because of the dismal record of the visitors, who have failed to score a single goal this season.
Juan Mata scored early to give United the advantage, but it was Marouane Fellaini who killed the game with a brace. Romelu Lukaku continued his goalscoring form with yet another goal towards the end of the match to make it 4-0 for the hosts.
Let’s analyze the performances of the two sets of players.
Manchester United:
De Gea: 7
The Spaniard has little to deal against a non-existent attack of the opposition. Dealt well with whatever few chances Crystal Palace could muster.
Valencia: 8
The captain of the team came back from the injury with a typical powerful performance. Ran up and down the pitch the whole game. Made some solid tackles as well.
Smalling: 7.5
The English international was given a rare Premier League start, and he couldn’t have wished for an easier challenge. Showed good concentration to keep the defence organised alongside Phil Jones.
Phil Jones: 8
Jones has hardly put a foot wrong this season. His latest performance was superb again, as he led his defensive line to smother potential attacking threats developed by the opposition.
Ashley Young: 8
Young must be doing something good to keep Daley Blind out of the team. It’s the crosses that he floats in after cutting inside from the left that seem to be doing the damage. Superb assist for Fellaini’s first goal.
Fellaini: 9.5
Reuters/Carl Recine
Attack, defence, winning aerial duels, and scoring goals – all in a day’s work for Fellaini. What a player he has become under Jose Mourinho!
Matic: 7.5
Nothing fancy, the Serbian kept it tidy and simple as he often does. Broke up any developing attack orchestrated by Crystal Palace. Spread the ball around efficiently.
Juan Mata: 8
Got United off to a flyer with a goal in the third minute. The Spanish wizard looked much brighter in this game after a number of average performances, as his passing today was crispier, and looked full of purpose.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 7
It was like Mata and Mkhitaryan switched their respective forms today. The Armenian had an off game, as the assist leader failed to provide that something special in this match.
Marcus Rashford: 9
The youngster hardly fails to impress. Provided two good assists and showed tremendous pace with his blazing runs down the left. A superstar in the making.
Romelu Lukaku: 8
The Belgian striker looked to be having a disappoint game by his high standards, before he got his customary goal in the dying minutes. Prolific.
Subs: Herrera: 6.5, Martial: 7, Lingard: 6
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grRvIcpm6r0
Crystal Palace:
Reuters / Scott Heppell
Hennessey: 6.5
The goalkeeper clearly lacks communication and command in his box to organise a solid defence. Lack of confidence in the team isn’t helping his cause. Let 4 goals past him.
Joel Ward: 6
Showed no belief or purpose in attack or defence on the right wing. Other than a few throw-ins, did nothing noteworthy the whole game.
Sakho: 6
The Liverpool reject isn’t helping his case by letting his team concede so many goals. Rushed into decisions to commit mistakes on many occasions.
Damian Delany: 7
Better of the defensive bunch of the visiting team. Tried his best to contain the physicality of Lukaku, which he almost succeeded in.
Patrick Van Aanholt: 4.5
Certainly the ‘flop of the match’. Did nothing constructive for his team the entire game, and made an error to let Lukaku score towards the end of the match.
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Cabaye: 5.5
The French midfielder is meant to be the creative force behind his team. However, it’s certain that not a great is being created in a team that has failed to score a single goal so far.
Luka Milivojević: 6.5
The Serbian midfielder showed some good defensive work, but did nothing in an attacking sense. Was good in the air and forceful in tackles.
Andros Townsend: 7
The only attacker in his team who became some kind of threat for the opposition. Gave Young a hard time with his tricky runs from the right.
Jason Puncheon: 6
One of the top rated attacking players at his club, but his performances so far this season don’t match the reputation. Uneventful going forward.
Jeffrey Schlupp: 6
The former Leicester player was not in the game for most parts. However, he had a good chance to score a goal for his team late in the match, which he spurned.
Bakary Sako: 6.5
Showed good movement on a couple of occasions to get behind the United defence. Failed to add an end product to anything he was serviced with.
Subs: McArthur: 6, Ladapo: 6, Riedewald: 6
Written by Shorya Panwar 
Has 20+ years of experience managing Schalke in Football Manager 2017. Believes wing-backs are the most complete footballers in the modern/evolved football. Writes weird stuff on his personal blog.