Premier League Player Ratings
Mon 13 December, Kick off: 20:00, Old Trafford, Manchester
Manchester United (4-5-1)
1 – Edwin van der Sar – Wasn’t really stretched by Arsenal at all. 6
5 – Rio Ferdinand – A colossus alongside Vidic won everything he possibly could against the threat of Chamakh. 7
3 – Patrice Evra – Got forward at every available opportunity and delivered some telling crosses. 7
15 – Nemanja Vidic – Never put a foot wrong all night. 7
21 – Rafael da Silva – Got forward well all evening to add extra weight to United’s attacks. 7
16 – Michael Carrick – Did what was asked but struggled to stamp authority on game. 6
24 – Darren Fletcher – Combative won his tackles and distributed well got involved in a few heated exchanges. 7
13 – Ji-Sung Park – Fantastic header covers a pretty average performance, plenty of energy and effort. 6
8 – Anderson – Looks a different player entirely, has found confidence where previously there was none, most productive player for United. 7
10 – Wayne Rooney – Looked much fitter in himself, a terrible penalty miss but caused Arsenals backline problems with his unselfish running. 7
17 – Nani – A great pacey battle with Clichy ended probably even, although Nani got the penalty break he worked so hard for. 8
Subs:
29 – Tomasz Kuszczak
6 – Wes Brown
12 – Chris Smalling
11 – Ryan Giggs – Replaced Anderson, gave United a sturdy presence as Arsenal pushed for the equaliser. 6
9 – Dimitar Berbatov
14 – Javier Hernandez
26 – Gabriel Obertan
Arsenal (4-3-3)
53 – Wojciech Szczesny – A few early nervy kicks, recovered well to make some decent saves, unlucky with Park’s goal. 7
3 – Bacary Sagna – Got forward well to quell the threat of Evra going the other way. 6
18 – Sebastien Squillaci – Really given a stern test by Rooney’s running and pressure. 5
22 – Gael Clichy – A high paced battle with Nani, was guilty of some dodgy decisions at times. 6
17 – Alex Song – Great at winning possession, unfortunately gave it away too much. 5
6 – Laurent Koscielny – Another who was dragged about all evening by Rooney’s clever movement. 6
19 – Jack Wilshere – Distributed well and looked to bring wide players into the game, let down by his team-mates too often. 7
29 – Marouane Chamakh – Not his night, never got any change out of Ferdinand or Vidic. 5
7 – Tomas Rosicky – Looked lost out there tonight, lucky not to have been subbed earlier. 4
8 – Samir Nasri – Not his usual influential self, United had done their homework on the Frenchman. 6
23 – Andrey Arshavin – Got no change from Rafael at all, changed to right but same result with Evra, Replaced for Walcott. 5
Subs:
21 – Lukasz Fabianski
20 – Johan Djourou
4 Cesc Fabregas – Replaced Rosicky as Arsenal looked for equaliser, looks short of match fitness. 5
15 – Denilson
10 – Robin van Persie – Strangely replaced Wilshere couldn’t get into game. 5
52 – Nicklas Bendtner
14 – Theo Walcott – Replaced Arshavin final ball questionable again. 5
Overview:
Arsene Wenger will be kicking himself that his side just didn’t turn up on this big occasion. After Arsenals impressive performances this season and with United’s 13 day Premier League lay off he would have expected a lot more from his young side. Sir Alex on the other hand got his tactics and personnel spot on, nullifying the threat of Nasri all night. United fully deserving the 3 points and will now look to push on against Chelsea next time out.
Follow Steve Featherstone on Twitter @Feathersworld
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