Manchester United put in another dismal away performance during their shameful 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. Dirk Kuyt’s scored a hat-trick, the second in as many Premier League North West Derbies, for Liverpool, and a goal deep into stoppage time by Javier Hernandez put some gloss on the scoreline. Like in their previous two losses away from Old Trafford, there were not any standout individual performances, so who was United’s Man of the Match by default?
E. van der Sar – 6
The big Dutchman was left stranded for the first two Liverpool goals, but van der Sar needlessly spilled the ball for Kuyt’s third.
Rafael – 4
After spending the last few matches on the sideline, Rafael did little to prove his exclusions were not justified, but he did show passion by putting in an aggressive challenge that saw him cautioned after Nani’s disturbing leg injury.
Chris Smalling – 4
Has been a revelation in the last couple of matches, but Smalling left was completely clueless on their first goal.
Wes Brown – 5
An emergency stand-in for Nemanja Vidic in the United back-four, and, to his credit, Brown showed glimpses of confidence, but his lack of games was obvious.
Patrice Evra – 5
Put in a few good challenges, but again, Evra was caught ball watching as the opposing Liverpool attackers made countless runs through the space between United defenders.
Nani – 4
Even he will not know what happened with his header for Liverpool’s second goal, but Nani was left with tears flowing down his cheeks after a disgraceful challenge by Jamie Carragher that saw him to be stretchered off.
Michael Carrick – 5
Giving the duty to shadow Steven Gerrard, but failed to track runs of the other two center midfielders.
Paul Scholes – 5
Normally composed and able to pull strings with his precise passing, but both neither of those attributes were existent from Scholes against Liverpool.
Ryan Giggs – 6
On his record-breaking appearance, Giggs had a couple of golden chances to lead the Reds back, but failed to hit the target and challenge Pepe Reina.
Wayne Rooney – 5
Another North West derby where Rooney played the role of a shrinking violet, no industry or finishing touch.
Dimitar Berbatov – 5
Went ever so close to opening the scoring with long-range effort, and had an effort cleared off the line by Raul Meireles, but other than that, Berbatov was unable to get anything going with an inept United midfield.
Substitutes:
Javier Hernandez – 6 (Man of the Match)
Due to lack of supply, Chicharito was unable to sprinkle his magical touch all over the derby, but he did contribute the lone goal
John O’Shea – 5
Brought on as a late substitute for Rafael to combat the introduction of Andy Carroll, but he was untested.
Darren Fletcher – 5
A brief cameo as replaced Scholes late in the match after watching him and Carrick be completely overran in the center of park
Overall – 4
This type of heavy defeat at such a crucial stage of the season could have damaging implications, so it is imperative that Sir Alex Ferguson rallies his Manchester United players quickly.
Submitted by The United Religion
