Manchester United were held for a frustrating 0-0 draw against Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon at Old Trafford. The Red Devils failed to score despite dominating possesion and creating numerous chances.
Louis van Gaal suggested that the Old Trafford side played their best football this season but were unfortunate to get result in their favour. Let's have a look on how the players fared in this outing.
Defensive unit solid again
Sergio Romero - 7
The Argentine kept his third consecutive cleansheet in the Premier League as he was hardly tested by the Newcastle forwards. He was able to do well whenever he was called upon. His distribution was better than the earlier games.
Matteo Darmian - 7
Darmian kept on working hard on the right hand side. He made some brilliant runs while going forward but lacked a final ball in the box. Defensively he was solid, he didn’t allow Ayoze Perez to create any solid chances for Newcastle. He was substituted in second half as he was on a yellow card during the game.
Chris Smalling - 8
Smalling yet again showed that he has been the best United defender this season till now. The Englishmen dealt well with every threat that came and was also very good with his distribution. He was close to scoring as he headed well from a corner only for it to be cleared off the line in the last minute.
Daley Blind - 8
The Dutch international continued to impress in the centreback role. His reading of the game helped him in his positioning and didn’t allow Aleksandar Mitrovic to have a go at the goal. He always intercepted key balls and was also good while playing the ball from the back. Another assuring performance in the heart of the defence.
Luke Shaw - 7
Shaw had a decent game as he was a menace on the left flank. He linked up well with Memphis Depay while going forward. He only lacked a good delivery in the box. He almost scored with a decent effort on the goal in the dying minutes of the game. Defensively he was solid as he didn’t allow Gabriel Obertan and Florian Thauvin to get better of him.
Midfield dominated the possesion
Bastian Schweinsteiger - 7
The German captain was handed his first competitive start for Manchester United. He was calm on the ball and kept the play ticking in the middle of the park. The former Bayern Munich midfielder brought the drive in the midfield as he went forward at times. He also made key interceptions and tackled very well.
Morgan Schneiderlin - 7
Anpother tidy performance by the former Saints midfielder. He was impressive with his ball retention but misplaced one or two odd passes. Dealt well with Georginio Wijanldum as he defended well and dropped deep. Not exciting but an effective performance by the Frenchmen.
Adnan Januzaj - 7
The youngster was rewarded with another start after his impressive last two games.He was the main man while going forward as he had some promising interplay with the attacking players.He did well on the right hand side when Mata was coming centrally.A good performance by the Belgian.
Attackers wasted numerous chances
Juan Mata - 8
Possibly United’s best player of the afternoon as he created most chances for the home side. He kept on drifting from right hand side to play more centrally, keeping the ball well and trying to find his teammates with a killer through ball. Forced Tim Krul to make a crucial save as he drilled a low strike in first half. He blazed another one over the bar in the second half.
Wayne Rooney - 6
The captain was not again at his best as he was not able to find the back of the net. He was unlucky to have his goal ruled offside in first half but the Englishmen had numerous efforts on the goal and still didn't get off the mark for this season. Slotted well in the number 10 role when Chicharito was introduced in second half.
Memphis Depay - 6
The winger was not able to follow up his brilliant performance on Tuesday against Club Brugge. He was left frustrated as he was marked tightly. The Dutch winger was poor with his decision making but was again an outlet from where goal could have come for the home side.
Substitutes
Michael Carrick - 7
Javier Hernandez - 6
Antonio Valencia - 6