VILLARREAL 0-2 MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: Jadon Sancho’s Old Trafford career finally has lift-off with strong display in Spain but Donny van de Beek does little to suggest Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was wrong to leave him out in the cold
- Manchester United are through to the Champions League knockout stages
- In their first game since the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, they beat Villarreal
- They left it late, but strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho sealed win
- Jadon Sancho impressed by Donny van de Beek did little to repay the faith
- MATCH REPORT: United reach last 16 as Jadon Sancho finally opens his account
Manchester United secured their spot in the Champions League knockout stages on Tuesday evening with victory over Villarreal.
United had to withstand some heavy pressure from their Spanish hosts, before taking the lead against the run of play through Cristiano Ronaldo.
Jadon Sancho grabbed his first United goal to make the result certain. Here, Sportsmail’s JOE BERNSTEIN rates the players in their first apperarance since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s departure.
DAVID DE GEA 7.5
Manchester United were indebted to him, yet again. Two early saves were decent, the right-handed stretch to keep out Trigueros in the second half at 0-0 was world-class. No manager would leave him out
David de Gea was in sublime form between the sticks as his saves kept Manchester United in it
AARON WAN-BISSAKA 5.5
New regime, but same weakness in possession from United’s right-back. Was lucky not to cost his team when he lost the ball inside his own half. Rightly escaped penalty shout for handball
VICTOR LINDELOF 7
The most reliable defender when United were under the cosh in the opening 30 minutes. Repeatedly blocked and headed away danger and acknowledged a slack pass that almost let Villarreal in
HARRY MAGUIRE 6
A clean sheet will do the United captain a world of good even though he still looked a bit off the pace. It’ll have pleased Carrick that he still tried to build from the back but misses weekend trip to Chelsea
ALEX TELLES 6.5
Showed excellent energy and delivery from set pieces as he deputised for Shaw but made several defensive mistakes including one that set up Trigueros in the first half
Telles (second left) showed excellent energy but was liable for making a few defensive errors
FRED 7
Made up for a few hairy moments by robbing Capoue to set up the opening goal and pressed in the build-up to the second. Roy Keane will never be convinced but the Brazilian will play until United sign someone better
SCOTT McTOMINAY 6
Not in his best form but has a strength of character United need in hard times. Improved as the game went on but one mistimed tackle that set up Parejo underlined he’s not a natural holder
JADON SANCHO 8
United fans finally saw a £73million player. Sancho played as if the shackles had come off, he’d already been foiled once by Villarreal goalie Rulli before firing in his first goal for the club. A change for the good. Substituted
DONNY VAN DE BEEK 5
Ignored by Solskjaer and did little to suggest he can now become a regular. Was on different wavelength to team-mates, a consequence of only four league starts in 14 months. Booked/substituted
Donny van de Beek was given a start by Michael Carrick but did little to suggest he should have
CRISTIANO RONALDO 6.5
Not for the first time, Ronaldo was anonymous for periods but still ended up the match-winner with a fantastic first-time finish. He won’t change whoever is in charge and will score 25+ goals this season. Substituted
Once again, Manchester United needed the heroics of Cristiano Ronaldo to help seal victory
ANTHONY MARTIAL 5
Shifted willingly between centre-forward and left wing but largely ineffective in both positions. One dribble provided a glimpse of his quick feet but ended up losing possession. Substituted
SUBSTITUTES
BRUNO FERNANDES 7
Changed the game when he came on. Great touch to set up Sancho’s goal (Replaced van de Beek 66)
MARCUS RASHFORD 6.5
Rotated with Sancho to confuse Villarreal and played a part in second goal (Replaced Martial 66)
NEMANJA MATIC (Replaced Ronaldo 90)
JUAN MATA (Replaced Sancho 90)
MANAGER
MICHAEL CARRICK 8
Kept it tight for an hour and then made two inspired substitutions, Fernandes and Rashford, to win the game. Not a bad managerial debut!
Michael Carrick’s two substitutions were inspired as United kicked on to win in Spain
