Man Utd 3-0 Crystal Palace: Player ratings as Red Devils get Carabao Cup defence off to perfect start
Manchester United’s defence of the Carabao Cup started with a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in the third round.
Both sides rotated pretty heavily for this game, especially with his fixture repeated at the weekend in the Premier League, but Man Utd looked pretty comfortable on the ball.
Alejandro Garnacho and Casemiro put the Red Devils 2-0 up at half-time, before Anthony Martial put the game to bed shortly after half-time.
Here’s how the players rated at Old Trafford:
Manchester United
Andre Onana – 6 – A spectator for most of the game, he won’t have many easier nights at Old Trafford. Did do well to deny Mateta twice in the second half.
Diogo Dalot – 8 – A close contender for player of the match, the Portuguese defender was once again brilliant down the right. Exploited the lack of defensive cover Palace had to play pretty much as a winger at times and made a good run to cut the ball back for the opening goal. In the first half, everything flowed through him.
Harry Maguire – 6 – Made a good block to stop the ball from reaching Mateta in the first half but that was all he really had to do.
Raphael Varane – 6 – Didn’t really have anything to do, untested, a perfect night as he continues his return from injury.
Sofyan Amrabat – 8 – Making his full debut, Amrabat started at left-back with his experience and class helping him get the better of Rak-Sakyi. Moved centrally in the second half and continued to ooze his class.
Casemiro – 8 – He’s really becoming Man Utd’s main attacking threat. On top of what we all know he can do, Casemiro scored yet again with a neat header from a corner. His fourth of the season, no Man Utd player has more goals. He also got an assist with a great ball to the back post for Martial in the second half.
Mason Mount – 7 – A decent 45 minutes with three chances created and one assist, providing a good delivery from a corner for Casemiro’s goal. There was also a nice pass into Pellistri, whose shot was blocked. Just what Mount would have wanted on his return from injury.
Mason Mount has registered his first direct goal involvement in a Manchester United shirt. 🔴 pic.twitter.com/upASyF7GYs
— Play Squawka Selector for Free (@Squawka_Live) September 26, 2023
Facundo Pellistri – 7 – The ball seemed stuck to his foot in the first half, asking questions of the Palace defence with his dribbling. Sometimes he tried a little too much but it was a good performance, with a good pass to Dalot in the build up to the opening goal.
Hannibal Mejbri – 7 – Was everywhere on the pitch in attack, looking to be involved where he could, always showing for the ball. He may not have been decisive, but it was an impressive display.
Alejandro Garnacho – 7 – Produced a good finish under pressure to opening to scoring for Man Utd having had a quiet start to the game. The goal gave him confidence and he grew as the game went on.
Anthony Martial – 6 – Wasn’t really in the game as a goal threat in the first half but made a good run at the back post to score Man Utd’s third. It was a boost of confidence he needed, with Martial stepping up.
Substitutes:
Victor Lindelof (for Mount 45) – 6 – Came on at left-back and looked comfortable.
Jonny Evans (for Varane 60) – 6 – Kept things tight at the back.
Dan Gore (for Amrabat 61) – 6 – Sat in front of the defence well.
Donny van de Beek (for Hannibal 71) – 5 – Wasn’t really involved after coming on but he didn’t need to be.
Rasmus Hojlund (for Martial 75) – 5 – Only had a few touches after coming on.
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Crystal Palace
Dean Henderson – 5 – Making his debut against his former club, Henderson had absolutely nothing to do before having to come off injured inside 20 minutes. Not the return he would have had in mind.
Nathaniel Clyne – 3 – Two of Man Utd’s goals were aided by Clyne’s poor defending. He wasn’t strong enough in the battle against Garnacho for the opening goal and was then unaware of Martial behind him for the third. Take nothing away from Man Utd, but Clyne definitely made himself an easy avenue to target.
Chris Richards – 6 – Produced an absurd tackle to deny Pellistri in the box midway through the first half but the defence eventually gave way.
Rob Holding – 5 – Didn’t look too comfortable at the back on his Palace debut.
Tyrick Mitchell – 5 – Was overworked on his flank, though it wasn’t entirely his fault, given no defensive support. However, he also lost the one-on-one battle with Pellistri constantly. Pushed forward in the second half but offered little there too.
Cheick Doucoure – 5 – His presence wasn’t really noticed in the midfield, which was a shame for Palace.
Jairo Riedewald – 6 – Looked really cool in midfield when he had an opportunity to get on the ball. He needs to start more, but there was another injury worry late in the game.
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi – 4 – Really wasn’t in the game, as Crystal Palace looked to counter predominantly down the other wing. And on the rare occasion he did get an opportunity, he looked a bit too eager to impress which let him down.
Jeffrey Schlupp – 4 – Was poor in trying to mark Casemiro for the second goal and looked a liability at times, not helping in attack either.
Jordan Ayew – 4 – Left Mitchell overworked, failing to track back, which is why Man Utd targeted his flank. Offered nothing in attack.
Jean-Philippe Mateta – 4 – Very quiet and isolated with his only real opportunities coming in the second half. But even then they were way too few and far between.
Substitutes:
Sam Johnstone (for Henderson 19) – 5 – There weren’t any obvious errors for any of the goals, but he didn’t really keep things out until very late on as Man Utd were very economical with their attacks.
Marc Guehi (for Rak-Sakyi 45) – 6 – Came on at half-time to play at left-back and he helped tighten things up a bit.
Eberechi Eze (for Schlupp 60) – 6 – Palace looked a different attacking side with him in the team. There were reasons for him not starting, but he was missed from the off.
Will Hughes (for Doucoure 60) – 5 – Didn’t really make much difference.
David Ozoh (for Riedewald 80) – N/A – A late sub for the injured Riedewald.
