Man United player ratings v Liverpool: Kobbie Mainoo stuns, 3/10 must be axed
Man United secured a sensational 4-3 win in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup to rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday evening (17 March).
In one of the FA Cup’s most memorable clashes in recent history, the Red Devil’s unseen star Amad Diallo bagged a very late winner to secure the win after an action-packed extra time.
Scott McTominay, Antony, Marcus Rashford and Diallo all bagged in the thrilling encounter to sink Liverpool’s hopes of a treble and send them to Wembley.
Football Insider’s Man United correspondent has rated players after the high-octane game.
Andre Onana [6]
Onana’s form has improved in recent weeks and he made multiple crucial saves in the first half before the Reds roared to the lead at the stroke of halftime.
Darwin Nunez’s thunderous 63rd-minute attempt was well-saved at the near post by the Ghana international and his side would have been well out of the game without his stops.
He could do little for Eliott’s deflected effort either.
Victor Lindelof [4]
United’s backline looked very strong before their capitulation in the closing moments of the first 45 minutes, but the Swede was the worst of the bunch.
Ten Hag’s centre-backs were not involved in the clash too much with much of Liverpool’s danger coming from out wide.
However, few will care about the defensive lapses after the emphatic win.
Raphael Varane [5]
Bar a few solid headed clearances and passes out of the back, the World Cup winner was a major passenger for his side.
The backline did well to nullify Liverpool’s swathe of chances, but he had no real standout moments.
Diogo Dalot [7]
Dalot’s biggest impact was his attacking output, but he was left wanting at the back on numerous occasions – especially for Salah’s near-opener midway through the first half.
He made a near-fatal error in the 69th minute by failing to clear the ball which offered Liverpool a great chance, but fortunately for tomorrow’s birthday boy, his blushes were saved.
However, his stand-out moment was a last-ditch challenge on Cody Gapko, who would have been one-on-one, in the last minute of extra time.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka [6]
The former Crystal Palace ace gave an uncharacteristically good attacking display and looked typically assured in the backline on his return from injury.
He lost possession far too many times which did afford Jurgen Klopp’s men to take advantage, but three interceptions and two before his 68th-minute substitution for Harry Maguire was admirable.
Scott McTominay [6]
The Scotsman bagged his ninth goal of the season with a poacher’s finish, but fans would be hard-pressed to identify any other impact he had at Old Trafford.
His second most notable moment was a huge chance to clinch the win in the second half of extra time, but between the penalty boxes offers very little. Veers constantly between the good, the bad and the ugly.
Kobbie Mainoo [8]
Regardless of how the season ends for the Red Devils, fans will have solace in the fact that they have a real star in the making on their hands in the form of Mainoo.
He showed why many supporters were furious that he did not get a senior England call-up this week with his outstandingly silky footwork, tempo-impacting play and quality passing.
The 18-year-old’s impact, like all of United’s best performers, dwindled in the second half, but he was integral to much of their positive play. A special and rare talent.
Bruno Fernandes [3]
The controversial United captain was lucky to stay on the field for the whole game and failed to have much of an impact.
His passionate but often ridiculed pleas to the referee were on full display once again, but poor set-piece delivery and multiple off-target long-range efforts were the best he could offer.
He filled in surprisingly well at centre-back in extra-time, but he did not bring his best creative play to the pitch.
Marcus Rashford [7]
Grew into the game after a wonky first hour, and bagged the extra-time equaliser with a great finish to make it 3-3.
During United’s relentless opening stretch of the first half, Rashford was perhaps his side’s most impactful player.
He had the chance to steal a famous win in the closing seconds of full-time but made amends to keep his side in the tie before Diallo’s winner.
Alejandro Garnacho [7]
The Argentine was the most lively United attacker and caused Liverpool’s defence constant problems when his side were putting on the pressure.
He was excellent in attack, linked up exceptionally with his teammates with plenty of defence-stretching passes and even put in a decent defensive shift.
Garnacho’s quality in possession proved crucial for Antony’s late equaliser and he looked electric all game despite playing the full 120 minutes.
Rasmus Hojlund [3]
A day to forget for the £72million man.
The Dane was almost anonymous in the first half having managed no shots before the break, but there was little improvement from then.
He was hauled off before Man United made an unexpected late comeback after looking miles off the pace.
Substitutes
Antony [8] – He did little after he was brought on in the second half, but his well-placed equaliser gave Old Trafford its biggest cheer of the afternoon.
Harry Maguire [6] – Looked assured at the back and kept the backline solid when it looked like United could suffer a regular-time exit.
Christian Eriksen [7] – could have secured a historic assist for Rashford’s missed opportunity if he had been offside and made multiple notable passes which nearly unlocked
Amad Diallo [8] – The former Rangers loanee has been starved of chances since arriving at the club but made an impressive case for himself to earn more minutes for the remainder of the season.
His last-second winner will live long in the memory of United fans and the soon-to-be-out Klopp.
Mason Mount [N/A]
In other news, Senior man rejected Man United offer before Liverpool return – sources.
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