Manchester United v Fulham Player Ratings

Manchester United survived a far more nervier finish than they would have liked as David De Gea struggles continued.  RVP popped up for a trademark classy goal, but did precious little else, and Wayne Rooney picked up a bizzare gash which will somehow keep him out for a month, and the best player on the field was not wearing a red shirt.



Manchester United

De Gea- 4 - The inconsistency continues. He seems a bit skinny for a keeper, doesn't he? And if you can't grow a full beard, then just keep the peach fuzz at home, (speaking from experience here)

Rafael- 5 - For all that he offered going forward, he was equally a defensive liability.  Showed his inexperience again by committing two inexcusable fouls in the dying moments.

Carrick- 4 - Some defensive midfielders make great center backs, some do not.

Vidic- 6 - Hardly called on to defend, classy own goal.

Evra- 6.5 - The type of performance we've come to expect from Patrice. Always offering that out ball for his midfielders.

Cleverley- 7.5 - Took advantage of the acres of space given to him. Distributed nicely. Not as much a defensive liability as Scholes either.

Anderson- 3.5 - Looked tired after 30 minutes, couldn't believe Fergface left him in as long as he did.  Not sure if God himself could have stopped Dembele today, but didn't do himself any favors for repeatedly diving in.

Valencia- 9 - The rating is as much a reflection of Briggs poor afternoon, but you can't ask anything more from your winger than to consistently deliver inviting balls which is exactly what he did.

Kagawa- 8 - No problems adapting to the prem so far, he's been given the keys to the offense.

Young- 5 - Excellent chipped cross to set up third goal, but that was one of the few highlights in what was otherwise a fairly forgetful afternoon.

van Persie- 6 - Brilliant goal, otherwise a peripheral figure. Never really linked up with Kagawa.

Fulham

Schwarzer- 5.5 - Could have done better to prevent the rebound leading to the second goal.

Riether - 7 - In the right place at the right time every time, brilliant last ditch defending.

Hughes - 6 - Mostly reliable, a few miscommunications with his partner.

Hangeland- 6.5 - Has grown accustomed to life in the Premiership, provides a great calming influence on his teammates, and isn't bad on the ball either.

Briggs- 3 - Yes Valencia is a handful, but continually allowing him to fizz balls in cannot be your strategy, simply over-matched.

Duff- 6 - Great goal, was the benefactor of an awesome deadball routine which I wish we saw more of.

Diarra- 5 -Useful in a tackle, but sub-par on the ball

Dembele- 10 - The kind of player that shows you a glimmer of the ball, and then takes it away, must have evaded 20 challenges using the same trick. But what earns him the rating is how many times he won the ball back for his team. Strong, pacy, just outstanding.

Kacaniklic- 6.5 - Got the better of Rafael more than once. Wish we'd seen more of him on the ball.

Ruiz- 5 - Doesn't quite have the physicality for these types of games. Clever player, but needs to work harder on defense as well.

Petric- 6.5 - Made the most of what limited service he had, and won the free kick for the first goal.

Man of the Match - Dembele
Flop of the Match - Anderson