FOOTBALL is a game of two halves – especially when you bring on Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes at half-time.
The pair came off the bench to save the day for Manchester United after a disastrous start against West Ham.
Marcus Rashford led by example after he came on at half-timeCredit: Reuters
United went 1-0 down after Tomas Soucek broke the deadlock in the 38th minute of the tie.
Solskjaer put on Rashford and Fernandes in a desperate bid to get his side back into the game – and they did exactly that.
Paul Pogba, Mason Greenwood and Rashford scored before the clash ended 3-1.
Here’s how SunSport’s Joe Miles rated the United players…
Dean Henderson – 6
The keeper delivered an incredible ball up the pitch to create United’s equaliser.
There was very little he could do about Soucek’s strike in the first half.
West Ham had 18 shots, but only five were on target.
Alex Telles – 4
Telles let Soucek run free in the box before he poked home West Ham’s opener.
The 27-year-old struggled to keep up with the pace of the game – and in particular Jarrod Bowen.
Victor Lindelof – 5
A dodgy display from the Swedish defender, who looked off the pace from the first whistle.
Sebastien Haller got the better off him on way too many occasions.
Harry Maguire – 5
Maguire failed to organise his defence as the Hammers ran riot, particluarly in the first half.
He was too slow when he tried to close players down and his passing was hit and miss.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6
The defender overcomplicated things at the back and continued to turn himself into trouble.
But one encouraging sign is that he linked up well with Greenwood when he pushed up the pitch.
Alex Telles failed to impress against West Ham Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Paul Pogba – 7
The World Cup winner silenced his critics as he bagged the equaliser in the 65th minute.
His first time strike from outside of the box flew past Lukasz Fabianski and into the corner of the net.
Scott McTominay – 5
McTominay looked way out of his depth as he struggled to hold his own in the midfield.
He missed a chance to redeem himself in the second half as he smashed his shot into the side netting.
Anthony Martial – 6
Martial came close to scoring United’s first real chance of the game, but Fabianski parried it away at the near post.
He was forced off the pitch in the 61st minute after he appeared to pick up a knock on his 25th birthday.
Gary Neville claimed Mason Greenwood is the best finisher in the teamCredit: AFP
Donny van de Beek – 5
Offered very little for United in the first half before he was hauled off during the interval.
Bruno Fernandes came on to replace him and instantly made his mark in midfield.
Mason Greenwood – 7
The 19-year-old doubled United’s tally just six minutes after Pogba’s equaliser.
He controlled the ball in the box then struck an impressive left-footed strike into the back of the net.
After he scored, Gary Neville said: “He’s the best finisher in the club”.
Edinson Cavani – 5
He dropped way too deep in the hunt for possession – which left United without a target man up top.
When balls were eventually hit up to him, he was constantly surrounded by a sea of West Ham shirts.
He was rightfully hauled off at half-time in favour of Rashford.
Manchester United escaped an early scare to secure three points Credit: Getty Images – Getty
SUBS
Bruno Fernandes – 8
He was introduced at half-time to replace struggling midfielder Van de Beek.
The Portuguese star proved to be exactly what Manchester United were missing.
Marcus Rashford – 8
The England ace was put on the pitch at half-time to replace Cavani.
Rashford charged through on goal in the 72nd minute, but his strike rebounded off the post.
But he redeemed himself as he scored a cheeky chip just minutes later.
Juan Mata – 7
The 32-year-old was introduced in the 61st minute to replace Martial, who picked up an injury.
He hit the ground running and delivered a brilliant ball through to Rashford for United’s third goal.
Lee Grant – N/A
Axel Tuanzebe – N/A
Brandon Williams – N/A
Nemanja Matic – N/A
⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford
Simon Jordan slams Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and says he should leave Man Utd
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
