Full Time: Manchester United 1-1 Swansea City
Manchester United let go of a great opportunity to enter into the top-four positions when they were held to a 1-1 draw by relegation-threatened Swansea City at the Old Trafford on Sunday noon.
It was a scrappy affair for most of the first half, with the visitors taking the game to United, but as it would happen, the Red Devils would break the deadlock in the injury time through a Wayne Rooney penalty.
Chances continued to come few and far in between for either teams in the second period, but the Swans came back into the game when Gylfi Sigurdsson equalized with a stunning free-kick in the 78th minute. United lacked the penetration in the final-third as they chased a winner in the late stages and came out of the game with just a point.
The result sees United stay in their fifth place in the standings, level on points with neighbours Manchester City, who will be playing later in the day. In what was another disappointing result at home for Mourinho’s men, here’s how they fared on the day:
Manchester United Player Ratings
David De Gea – 5/10
Looked nervy in the first-half and made some uncharacteristic errors. Seemed to have lost his focus. Rooted to his spot for Sigurdsson’s equalizer, but he could not have done anything to stop it.
Ashley Young – 6/10
Started the game on the right-side of the defence, but found himself on the left-flank after Luke Shaw’s substitution. Was a constant outlet with his forward runs, but his end product let United down.
Eric Bailly – 7/10
Another rock solid display from the Ivorian. Dealt extremely well with the physicality of Fernando Llorente and was on hand to make several important interventions. Seemed to have injured his ankle badly and was taken off. Another serious concern for United.
Daley Blind – 7/10
The Dutchman put in another impressive display at the back after the derby. He made quite a few important blocks and clearances with one vital stop in the first-half with the scoreline at 0-0 particularly standing out.
Luke Shaw – NA
Subbed off in the 9th minute due to a groin injury.
Michael Carrick – 6/10
Not his assured self in the middle of the park. The veteran midfielder made a few mistakes in the first period, was tidy in possession, but seemed to slow down the tempo of the game.
Ander Herrera – 6/10
Hasn’t been able to reach the heights of his performance against Chelsea. Often played it a little too safe in the middle of the park.
Jesse Lingard – 5/10
Another poor game for the Englishman. Struggled to get into the game and was booked in the first-half for a bad challenge.
Wayne Rooney – 4/10
Dispatched the penalty with great composure, but apart from that he did not contribute much to his team’s cause. Gave away the free-kick from which Swansea scored. Ineffective.
Anthony Martial – 5/10
A few dangerous runs down the left-flank aside, the Frenchman found it hard to impose himself on the game. Came in the way of a certain Wayne Rooney goal. Poor touches, decision-making not always great.
Marcus Rashford – 5/10
Offered a lively presence at the top for United with his pace and running, but clearly dived for the penalty.
Substitutes
Antonio Valencia – 6/10
Replaced Luke Shaw on the 9th minute. Solid as ever, threatened on a few occasions going forward and forced a save from Lukasz Fabianski.
Matteo Darmian – 6/10
Came on for the injured Bailly in the second period. Did decently in an unfamiliar centre-half role.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – NA
Replaced Rooney for the last ten minutes. Mourinho left it a little too late to bring him on.