Brilliant Mata – The Best And The Worst Rated Manchester United Players In Their 2-0 Victory Hull City

A 2-nil victory over Hull City in the 1st leg of the EFL Cup semifinal at the Old Trafford on Tuesday evening meant for the first time since February 2009, Manchester United won 9 straight games, and it can’t be argued they aren’t on top form right now.

A barren 1st half against the Tigers had threatened to end the Red Devils’ winning streak, with Marco Silva’s 2nd game in charge looking to showcase the young Portuguese’s brilliant tactics.

But that was soon put to bed 11 minutes after restart with Mata meeting a great Mkhitaryan header at the far post to open the scoring. Hull didn’t give up, and they sought a goal that could serve as cushion ahead of the 2nd leg. A goal finally came, with 4 minutes to time, but it was United’s.

Fellaini put the result beyond doubt with a downward header that sailed past Jakupovic into the net, handing Mourinho’s charges a great advantage ahead of the 2nd leg, and putting the team in fine spirit ahead of Sunday’s cracker against Liverpool.

A look is taken at how the players fared against Hull City.

De Gea

Had very little to do but was left for dead with a Diomande effort that hit the bar but eventually got called wrongly for offside.

Rating: 8/10

Valencia

Was influential in the attack, providing the initial cross that allowed Mkhitaryan find Mata in the box.

Rating: 7/10

Jones

Had very little to do and barely saw much action as the visitors rarely threatened United’s goal.

Rating: 7/10

Smalling

The United centre defence could have as well gone on holiday, but he made vital contributions the few times the visitors broke forward.

Rating: 7/10

Darmian

The Italian had a great game and handled his man with ease.

He was constantly in Hull’s half and did provide a fine assist for Fellaini to wrap the game up.

Rating: 7/10

Herrera

Controlled the midfield and didn’t allow Hull any breathing spaces in yet another impressive performance.

Rating: 7/10

Pogba

Hit the crossbar from a dead ball after Jakupovic had been left glued to the spot.

Was, as usual, attempting long-range efforts and was impressive upon his return to deep midfield.

Rating: 7/10

Mata

Calmed nerves with his goals after a great chance he created for the Armenian was wasted earlier on.

The Spaniard has a knack of popping in important goals.

Rating: 8/10

Rooney

Not his day, with 2 fine chances going begging while he couldn’t have expected an impact on the game.

Rating: 6/10

Mkhitaryan

Wasted a glorious chance to put United ahead in the first half by blasting wide, but did make up for it with an assist Mata couldn’t have missed.

Rating: 7/10

Rashford

Caused the Hull City defence all sorts of problems with his impressive runs all game, and was unlucky to not register his name on the score sheet.

Rating: 7/10

SUBSTITUTES

Martial

His marauding runs amounted to nothing, and he squandered an opportunity to kill the game off.

Rating: 5/10

Lingard

Didn’t have much impact upon his arrival.

Rating: 5/10

Fellaini

The much-maligned midfielder opened his goalscoring account this season with the perfect goal that might have just sent the team to the finals.

Rating: 7/10