Man United 1 Tottenham 2: Player ratings

Manchester United

David De Gea Made a good save from Lennon when one-on-one, although it was straight at him, and could not have done anything about the first goal. However, a shot stopper of his class might rue that he did not get a stronger hand to Eriksen’s header. 6/10

Chris Smalling Got forward well, forcing Lloris to make a good save after finding a channel between centre-half and right-back. Perhaps slightly at fault in being beaten in the air by Adebayor for Spurs’ goal. 6

Nemanja Vidic A solid enough presence, but far from looking as rock solid as he did a few years ago with Rio Ferdinand as a partner, as both of them are coming into the twilight of their careers. 6

Jonny Evans Broke forward well early on a few times, and, like Vidic, was not particularly at fault for either of the goals. 6

Patrice Evra It was more through Lennon’s superb performance, but the winger did certainly have the better of Evra – something which is not often the case. 5

Antonio Valencia Was a threatening presence in the first half, linking up with the onrushing Smalling and putting in some teasing balls, but looked slightly out of place when moved to right-back on the hour, losing his man Eriksen for the Spurs’ second goal. 6

Tom Cleverley As is often the case, a bit underwhelming. Did not do anything particularly wrong, apart from maybe not tracking ball for Spurs’ second goal on the counter-attack, but hard to think of much he actually did. 5

Michael Carrick Distributed the ball well enough, as usual, but was not particularly penetrative, in either his passing or running. 6

Adnan Januzaj Flashed hot and cold in the first half, with a lot of industry but his delivery sometimes lacking. Played a perfect through ball to Welbeck for the goal, though, and after that, on the right after a tactical switch, was the man United looked to and their most dangerous player. 7

Danny Welbeck The frontman looked dangerous early on, running into the channels between centre-half and full back and causing Lloris to rush out to avert the danger. He got his reward for his efforts, when a similar run, after a great ball from Januzaj, led to him deftly chipping over the advancing Lloris. Cynical dive in the box, though, which Howard Webb did well to see but should have booked the striker for. 7

Wayne Rooney Dropped deep even before being officially moved into centre midfield on the hour, spreading play wide early on then being more direct after. Did not produce any of his customary magic, though. 6

Substitutes

Javier Hernandez As ever, an energetic presence, and nearly scored from a clever flick at the front post, but his touch eluded him on a couple of occasions. 6

Shinji Kagawa Couldn’t make a telling difference after coming with half an hour left. 6

Ashley Young N/A

Tottenham Hotspur

Hugo Lloris The Frenchman was alert early on to deny Welbeck two goal-scoring opportunities. Continued to be an assertive presence throughout, even clearing one on the edge of the box with a diving header, and made two good saves low to his left and right at the death. He was nearly too assertive, though, when he ran right to the edge of the box to attempt for a ball he was never getting to, and clattered into Young. But the ref presumably deemed that Young had already played the ball. 7

Kyle Walker Did not get forward as he often does, but that meant he did not leave any gaps in defence either, as he defended competently. 6

Michael Dawson His relative lack of pace was slightly exposed early on and he was injured in a foot race with Welbeck which the United man won, but he recovered well to intercept some dangerous crosses and marshall one of Spurs’ strongest defensive performances of the season. 7

Vlad Chiriches (Man of the Match) A very dependable presence at the back, snuffing out many of United’s attacks. His only (slight) mistake all game was letting Welbeck slip for United’s goal. 8

Danny Rose Kept Januzaj fairly quiet in the first half. 7

Etienne Capoue Worked hard in front of back four, meaning United had to go out wide for most of their attacks. 7

Moussa Dembele A strong presence in the middle of the park, laying the foundations for some attacks. 7

Aaron Lennon Posed a big threat down the right with his pace – and also his delivery, which he has often been criticised for, including a strong run and cross which set up the second goal. Should have opened the scoring when he was one-on-one with De Gea, though – only striking straight at the Spanish stopper. 8

Christian Eriksen Very assured on the ball, good cross for the first goal and showed desire to beat Valencia and convert from a diving header. 8

Roberto Soldado The Spaniard is linking up well with Adebayor in their new partnership, but he is not justifying his price-tag and reputation as a razor-sharp marksman – missing a good chance from six yards today. 6

Emmanuel Adebayor Took his goal really well, back-pedalling and directing his header right into the bottom corner. Then showed great strength to hold off his marker and release Lennon, for a cross Soldado should have converted. And in general showed a great appetite to get on the ball – a work-rate the Togolese player has not always displayed. 8

Substitutes

Nabil Bentaleb N/A

Harry Kane N/A

Nacer Chadli N/A