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Man Utd player ratings: Anthony Martial a constant thorn in Leicester’s side as Nemanja Matic steadies ship


MANCHESTER United secured their Champions League berth thanks to a final-day victory over Leicester in their Euro battle.

Anthony Martial put in a menacing display and won a second-half penalty that Bruno Fernandes converted at King Power Stadium.

Manchester United beat Leicester to secure their Champions League spotCredit: AP:Associated Press

Bruno Fernandes scored a second-half penalty in a a 2-0 victoryCredit: Reuters

And Jesse Lingard’s injury-time strike sealed the deal to put the Red Devils back among Europe’s elite next season.

Here’s how the Red Devils rated on Sunday afternoon.

David De Gea – 6

Didn’t have a whole lot to do, but on the occasions he did the Manchester United goalkeeper looked far from convincing.

He spilled Kelechi Iheanacho’s shot in the first half straight into the path of Jamie Vardy, but was relieved to see the offside flag go up.

Still, a clean sheet is a clean sheet.

David De Gea clashes with Jamie Vardy after spilling a shot into his pathCredit: Reuters

Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6

Strong defensive showing from the right-back after returning to the side.

Not much joy for Leicester as an attacking threat down his flank.

Victor Lindelof – 7

Manchester United’s best defender today. He did a very good job keeping Vardy and Iheanacho at bay.

Picked up a silly booking midway through the second half but an otherwise confident and assured display.

Harry Maguire – 6

Did very well to stay on the pitch having been booked inside 10 minutes.

A strong defensive showing against a lively front pairing of Vardy and Iheanacho.

Harry Maguire shakes hands with Leicester manager Brendan RodgersCredit: AFP

Brandon Williams – 7

Impressive show from the young full-back at both ends of the pitch.

He looked solid at the back and wasn’t shy to venture forward.

Nemanja Matic – 7

A nervy start, giving the ball away multiple times but he soon settled down and steadied the ship.

With the playmakers around him struggling, Matic was the calming influence his side needed to steady the ship on a tough away day.

Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic celebrate Man Utd’s winCredit: Getty

Paul Pogba – 6

A few glimpses that he might take the game by the scruff of the neck, but he seemed to play within himself.

There were few moments when he ventured forward, perhaps under instruction not to leave spaces in behind.

Bruno Fernandes – 5

A poor outing by his high standards.

He’s been an inspired January signing but just looked tired and jaded in the last few weeks and struggled to make an impact.

Having said that, he still scored a crucial goal from the penalty spot.

Bruno Fernandes had a tough afternoonCredit: AP:Associated Press

Mason Greenwood – 6

Had a few moments but nowhere near as threatening as he’s been in the past.

Not helped by Manchester United’s tentative style for a lot of the game.

Anthony Martial – 8

The brightest spark among the potent front three today.

He almost got in behind so many times and on the occasion he did, it proved fatal for Leicester.

He won the penalty that really sealed this for Man Utd because it was very nervy up until then.

Anthony Martial won the penalty that broke the deadlockCredit: EPA

Marcus Rashford – 5

Not his best outing in a Manchester United shirt – a frustrating day.

For one of few times this season he went missing for large parts of the game.

Subs: Romero, Bailly, Fosu-Mensah (Martial 90), Fred, James, Lingard (Greenwood 77), Mata, McTominay (Fernandes 85), Ighalo (Rashford 90).


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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