Shakhtar Donetsk 1 Man United 1: Player ratings as Welbeck strikes

Shakhtar Donetsk

Andriy Pyatov Had little to do and wasn’t at fault for Welbeck’s goal. 5/10

Darijo Srna Looked to get forward an support Shakthar’s attacks at every available opportunity, pegging Welbeck back. Failed to make the most of a couple of free-kick opportunities. 6

Yaroslav Rakitskiy Awful attempted clearance which led to Welbeck’s opener. Made a
good block to deny Van Persie in the second half. 6

Olexandr Kucher Made some good interceptions to help break up United’s forays into the Pyatov’s area. Could do little about the wnner. 6

Vyacheslav Shevchuk Provided an option down the left wing but struggled to conjure a telling final ball. 7

Tomáš Hübschman Harried United’s midfielders but offered little as Shakhtar pressed for a leveller. 5

Fernando Showed a neat repertoire of skills befitting his Brazilian heritage. 6

Douglas Costa Struggled to make the most of set-piece opportunities. Led Shakhtar’s charge in the second half as United were kept penned in, particularly in the final 10 minutes. 7

Taison Didn’t have too many clear cut opportunities until his special strike. Seized on a poor Vidic touch and rifled his goal past De Gea. Deserved his strike for a tireless display. 8

Alex Teixeira Tame 38th-minute attempt which was right down De Gea’s throat. Was largely ineffective. 5

Luiz Adriano Largely fed of craps as Smalling kept the Brazilian at close quarters. 6

Substitutes

Ilsinho N/A

Bernard N/A

Facundo Ferraya N/A

Manchester United

David de Gea Made a brave save at the feet of Shevchuk early in the second half. The Spaniard was unable to prevent the equaliser but was alert to palm a deflected shot over his crossbar in 87th minute. 7

Rafael Shaky at times, epitomised by a hashed clearance in the 36th minute. Did support Valencia well down the right wing and created an opening for Van Persie with 20 minutes remaining. 6

Patrice Evra Looked solid at left-back as he helped Welbeck counter the threat of Srna. 6

Chris Smalling Performed well on Europe’s biggest stage. Didn’t look out of place alongside the experienced Vidic. 7

Nemanja Vidić Award for most cynical foul of the night goes to the United captain. Earned a booking for a ridiculous foul on Costa. Good performance undone by a poor touch for the home side’s equaliser. 6

Michael Carrick His experience was key at the heart of United’s midfield. Played simple passes, whilst earning cheap free-kicks to take pressure of his defence. 7

Marouane Fellaini Made the first meaningful contribution of his United career as he created Welbeck’s goal – aided by hapless defending. Was booked for a series of infringements. 7

Tom Cleverley Lucky to avoid giving away a first-half penalty for a naïve challenge on Teixeira. Was very quiet. 5

Antonio Valencia Never stopped his trademark bursts down the right wing and also put in a defensive shift when needed. 6

Danny Welbeck Scored his first Champions League goal of the season as he showed great awareness to pounce on a poor clearance. 8

Robin van Persie Ushered into the starting line-up despite thigh concerns after Wayne Rooney’s illness. His experienced showed as he used the ball well. Had a goal-bound effort blocked in the second half. 7

Substitutes

Ryan Giggs Made his 145th Champions League appearance – a new record but did little else. 5

Phil Jones N/A