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Man Utd vs Liverpool, player ratings: Mohamed Salah perfect, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw shocking

Salah led by example as Liverpool's attack shone - REUTERS
Salah led by example as Liverpool's attack shone - REUTERS

Mohamed Salah hit a hat-trick as Liverpool humiliated Manchester United, romping to a stunning 5-0 victory at Old Trafford.

It was a performance that prompted numerous United fans to leave the stadium before even an hour had passed. But which players shone brightest and who had a horror of an afternoon?

Manchester United (4-2-3-1)

David de Gea 6

No chance with the goals and saves from Firmino and Salah before the break delayed his side’s complete humiliation.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka 5

Full-back was pulled out of position way too often, missed tackles and had little to offer in an attacking role.

Victor Lindelof 5

United have looked better with Raphael Varane in the side and his stand-in continued to endure a torrid start to the season. He was simply unable to come with the mobility of Liverpool’s front three.

Harry Maguire 4

Collided with Shaw for the second goal and deflected the ball to Keita in the build-up to the third. Failed to provide the leadership United so badly needed.

Harry Maguire was badly exposed in the United defence - AP
Harry Maguire was badly exposed in the United defence - AP

Luke Shaw 4

Played Liverpool on-side for their opening goal and collided with Maguire to gift them a second. The errors kept coming but at least tried to drag United back into it with a low shot which flew just wide.

Scott McTominay 5

Swamped in midfield and unable to make any sort of impact on proceedings. Not helped by Fred’s poor play but looked well below the necessary standard.

Fred 4

Solskjaer persists with the Brazilian midfielder and questions persist why. His use of the ball was nowhere near good enough and his errors too frequent.

Mason Greenwood 6

Kept battling and running the channels in the hope of receiving the ball - which he rarely did. At least forced Alisson into his first meaningful action before being subbed.

Bruno Fernandes 5

Missed a great early chance, snatching at his shot, and his composure went as the game wore on. Taken off after an hour.

Marcus Rashford 5

Had little or no service and on the odd occasion he had the ball in the opposition area his control or touch let him down.

Cristiano Ronaldo 5

His late first half booking, for kicking the ball aggressively into , summed up a frustrating day which got worse when he had a “goal” ruled out for offside.

Ronaldo, who later had a goal disallowed, enraged the Liverpool players with his tackle on Curtis Jones - AFP
Ronaldo, who later had a goal disallowed, enraged the Liverpool players with his tackle on Curtis Jones - AFP

Substitutes

Paul Pogba for Greenwood, 45 mins, 4 - did not last even 15 minutes.

Edinson Cavani for Fernandes 62 mins, 5 - pointless half hour of chasing shadows.

Diogo Dalot for Rashford 62 mins, 5 - a damage-limitation sub.

Substitutes (not used)

Bailly, Lingard, Dalot, Cavani, Sancho, Henderson, Matic, van de Beek.

Liverpool (4-3-3)

Alisson 7

Made a good first half stop to deny Greenwood but would spend most of the game as a virtual spectator.

Trent Alexander-Arnold 7

Joined in the attacks - of which there were many - to good effect and his cross was turned in by Jota. Might even have scored with a late shot.

Ibrahima Konate 8

Second league start and preferred to Matip. Acquitted himself extremely well although the opposition rarely threatened.

Virgil van Dijk 7

Relatively quiet, given United’s shortcomings, but the Dutchman was unhurried and immaculate in everything he did - the exact opposite of Maguire at the other end.

Andy Robertson 7

Greenwood was, arguably, United’s most dangerous attacker but the full-back did a good job of keeping him quiet and was also involved in the fourth goal.

Naby Keita 8

Superb performance with hands in, arguably, four of the goals. Stretchered off after Pogba’s high foul earned the United man a straight red.

Naby Keita opened the scoring after just five minutes - PA
Naby Keita opened the scoring after just five minutes - PA

Jordan Henderson 7

Quietly efficient as he helped Liverpool strangle the midfield. His brilliant work for the fifth goal summed up a top afternoon’s work.

James Milner 6

Buzzed around nicely and showed composure during the frenetic start but picked up an early injury after slipping as he tried to deal with a Robertson pass and was replaced.

Mohamed Salah 10

Just keeps getting better every week. His peerless hat-trick made it 15 goals in 12 games this season and makes signing him to a new contract a must for Liverpool.

Roberto Firmino 8

Hard-working display and seemed to be at the centre of so many of Liverpool’s best attacking moments. Perfect complement to in-form Salah at the moment.

Diogo Jota 8

Good positioning for his goal and his general threat level in and around the area was high.

Substitutes

Curtis Jones for Milner 26 mins 7 - very busy and effective.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Keita 63 mins 7 - slotted into midfield seamlessly.

Sadio Mane for Firmino 76 mins 6 - early rest for Firmino

Substitutes (not used)

Substitutes (not used): Gomez, Adrian, Minamino, Tsimikas, Origi, Matip.


How do you think United's players fared? Let us know in the comments section below