Player Ratings: Manchester United 3-1 Huddersfield Town
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first Old Trafford game as manager of Manchester United was a resounding success.
A first-half goal from Nemanja Matic and a second-half brace from Paul Pogba proved enough to gift the Red Devils three points on Boxing Day.
Here’s how the home side fared during the encounter against Huddersfield Town:
David De Gea – 8.0
Multiple solid saves from the Spaniard who was cruelly denied his cleansheet late into the game.
Diogo Dalot- 7.0
Blistering pace and brilliant vision from the youngster. It is easy to see why he may don the spot for quite a few more years to come.
RELATED:
https:/2018/12/25/what-ed-woodward-will-do-if-solskjaer-manages-to-secure-top-4-finish/
Phil Jones- 7.1
Not the best defensive display but was good enough to stop a reinvigorated Huddersfield on many occasions during the second-half. His mistake may have cost United the lone goal.
Victor Lindelof- 7.5
Yet another solid showing at the back, but more importantly, his forward runs were a sight to savor. More of the same, please.
Luke Shaw- 7.0
Good stuff from the youngster who seems more suited to playing a slightly forward fullback role, akin to a true winger.
Fred- 6.9
Arguably his best showing as a Red Devil, but he certainly needs to put in more work in order to justify his sizable price-tag.
Nemanja Matic- 8.1
A beautiful game from the Serb who was in the right place at the right time. May play more minutes than initially expected when Mourinho was sacked.
Paul Pogba- 9.0
Easy pick for the man of the match. With two goals to his name and a solid bout with creative moments, Pogba is transforming into the heart of United’s forward runs.
RELATED:
https:/2018/12/26/solskjaer-explains-why-anthony-martial-is-not-playing-vs-huddersfield/
Jesse Lingard- 7.5
Wasn’t able to follow up on his brace against Cardiff but was a reliable presence up-front. Provided the assist to Pogba’s second goal.
Marcus Rashford- 7.0
Confident, but unable to find the back of the net, the youngster needs to put in more effort in order to be assured of regular starts.
Juan Mata- 7.1
While he didn’t bring to the game what Anthony Martial was certain to, the Spaniard maintained impeccable vision and a trusty presence; just not attacking enough.
Substitutes
Ashley Young- 6.4
Didn’t make that much of a difference to the game but was a reliable change for the tiring Dalot.
Ander Herrera- 6.7
Delivered the crucial assist to Pogba’s first goal.
Angel Gomes- 6.0
The pacey youngster wasn’t given that many minutes to truly deliver the sort of damage he has been capable of inflicting with the youth side.