United v Valencia: Player ratings

August 05, 2009

Michael Owen: Missed a catalogue of chances

Foster: The England man finally had the chance to prove he is United’s number one, with Edwin van der Sar ruled out for two months. Barely tested before being replaced by Kuszczak at half time. 6

De Laet: Showed great willingness to support Valencia on the right – his early cross to Rooney deserved a better finish from the England striker. 7

Ferdinand: Helped nurse De Laet through his big night. Dominant in the air and perfect timing as ever on the ground. 8

Evans: Will hope to build on his outstanding breakthrough season last year – and with the continued absence of Nemanja Vidic, could find himself partnering Ferdinand at the start of the campaign. 7

Evra: Took every opportunity to get forward and as effective as ever at the back. 7

Valencia: Much is expected of the Ecuadorian and he didn’t disappoint with a superb run and cross for Rooney to open the scoring. 8

Fletcher: How he was missed against Barcelona in the Champions League final and he showed that he will be pivotal to United’s plans this season with a typically industrious display. 8

Carrick: The England man’s creativity will come under increased scrutiny this season. On plenty of occasions he showed his eye for a pass, with a raking cross-field pass to Tosic early on, a perfect example of his accuracy. 7

Tosic: Still slight in frame, there are doubts as to whether he is ready for the rigours of the Premier League, but there is no doubting his technical ability – showing an impressive range of tricks on the left. 7

Rooney: Expected to take over the mantle as United’s talisman in the absence of Ronaldo and produced a sumptuous display of long and short range passing. Scored a brilliant header as well as presenting Owen with a golden opportunity in the first half. 9

Owen: Missed a catalogue of chances, but neither Ferguson nor Capello could have failed to notice how time and again his runs tore Valencia to shreds. 7

Substitutes:

Kuszckak (for Foster 45) Had more to do than Foster and produced a stunning save just moments after coming on at half time. 8

O’Shea (for Evans 45) Mr Versatile came on at centre back, but could well start the season at right back. Assured as ever. 7

Cleverley (for Tosic 45) A big night for the youngster and he showed some good touches including a well-taken goal. 7

Berbatov (for Rooney 63) 6

Anderson (for Carrick 63) 6

Gibson (for Fletcher 63) 7

Macheda (for Owen 63) 7

Fabio (for De Laet 63) 6

Nani (for Valencia 80) 6

Att: 74,311

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redfred, manchester (05/08/2009 at 23:33)

valencia will be a big hit at old trafford really liked him tonight

Eric7, Salford (05/08/2009 at 23:40)

Valencia was outstanding, his pace is electric! Cleverly looked good i think he could develop into a similar player to Gerrard is now - ie attacking midfielder linking play, getting in the box and pressuring the defence. De Laet attacked very well his defending needs some work a loan move would do him good, Gibsons long range strikes reminded me of Scholes that could be a valuabled weapon this season

charbel (06/08/2009 at 01:16)

Fletcher = colossus

Gerry, Glastonbury (06/08/2009 at 07:04)

How are Vidic & Wes doing? Great crowd for a friendly. that must be a record? Sunday will be a proper test and it'll be interesting to see the starting line up.

Sparky, Salford (06/08/2009 at 07:56)

The squad looks outstanding. It is fully stocked with top, experienced players and a depth of quality youngsters that is greater than at any time in the recent past. Exciting times. I thought David Silva was quality but i'd resist buying him given what we already have at the club. I don't think there will be too many reasons to spend a lot of money over the next 2-3 years given the depth we have. i'd keep the money for when the next Fernando Torres or the next Michael Essien emerges and make sure we get them. Who can forget Essien's performances for Lyon against us. There before our eyes was the man to replace Roy Keane.

Gilly, Belgium (06/08/2009 at 09:16)

Well done united, valencia played well !

danny, WILMSLOW (06/08/2009 at 09:59)

Did anybody miss Park, Scholes,or Giggs or Neville! this should be the way forward from now on.
I thought Richie De Laet and Cleverley were both 8,s and Carrick 6 Owen 6 as he did not manage to put 1 chance to bed and that his job.

Alias Smith, over the moon (06/08/2009 at 10:24)

"Assured as ever" - funny how those words can now appear in relation to JOS without some serious eyelid battering!

Roy (06/08/2009 at 10:45)

Michael Owen - if he stays fit and gets chances like last night he will get goals. And the more goals he gets the more confident his finishing will be.

If last night's chances are anything to go by, he will get 20 league goals and 30 overall. (Ok, he didnt score but when did Rooney or Berbatov had 4 such chances in ne game? Also Im encouraged by the 2 passes from Rooney and Fletch - just the sort of feeds Owen thrives on.)

I hope he is not chosen for England just yet a) to avoid game overload and b) all the while he is not in the team and with the World Cup looming, he will simply try harder.

Joe Whittaker (06/08/2009 at 11:26)

For all you Bitter vermin scum just look at the crowd for a Friendly!!
It's this as well as the fact everybody knows UNITED are the Manchester club with the majority of Mancunians that really sticks in your throat!!
oh wait I forgot they put extra trains on from Euston and it was a free ride!!

Always in UNITEDS shadows!!
Our Failure is your Success

UNITED=IS LIFE

UNITED=BLACKLEY M9.

tripone, canada (06/08/2009 at 12:41)

Few notes:
1-De Laet is better than the brazillians at RB/ 2nd after Brown
2-Why did we buy that little guy Tosic(3rd time i see him + also with Serbia U21, and the Q still, WHY, and for 8m !? another Nani?
3-I thought Valencia (the team) were better than us with the ball but we were more direct.
4-Valencia (our guy) is excellent
4-We still 1 player short and I thought Silva looked good (never rated him before).
5-Evans passing sucked
6-for my "English friends", Kuszckak is better than Foster, who is also good, Kuszckak should practice kicking more.

Fergie hasn't a CLUE, Madoc Ontario Canada (06/08/2009 at 13:31)

Agree pretty much with the ratings with the exception of Carrick. For every pass he put on target four went to the opposition. The future looks great as long as his nibs doesn't insist on playing dad's army all the time and gives the youngsters a chance. Dalaet took the eye and so did Tosic, who was not afraid to track back. Valencia was a revelation and Rio was very solid at the back. Owen will get a hatfull this season I am sure. Very entertaining game.

Gerry. 91,000 in LA last week to watch the Galaxy against Milan.

Elb Owdeep (06/08/2009 at 13:50)

tripone, canada
6/08/2009 at 12:41 - No one gives a monkeys what you think

Elb Owdeep (06/08/2009 at 13:51)

Gilly, Belgium
6/08/2009 at 09:16 - were you there last night Gilly or watching on MUTV?

Britt/Canada (06/08/2009 at 14:20)

Eric7, Salford

What did De Laet do wrong that you believe warrents a loan period,he is 20 years old looks outstanding,and needs to be with the world class club and players that signed him.
That game may have been a flash in the pan or it could be the start of a great career,yes maybe we send him to Stoke or Wigan,,,No direspect to these clubs,but loan him out,forget it.

brokeback monton (06/08/2009 at 14:35)

I am not worried that Owen missed a couple of chances, he just didn't have his shooting boots on, i would be worried if he wasn't getting the chances.

Gilly, Belgium (06/08/2009 at 15:02)

ELB Owdeep

i watched the game via the pc
unfortunately it was not shown on yahoo or bbc and thats all i can get , maybe i have to subscribe to Man U, in order to watch ALL the games

i love the game and the great Manchester United !

Drago 34 (06/08/2009 at 15:50)

tripone canada:

You really do no NOTHING about FOOTBALL "DUDE".

Kuszaczk is NOT better than Foster, De Laet is NOT better than Rafael & Fabio and Valencia (team) were NOT better than United.Christ all mighty.Give me strength.

Lou Blaze, Atlanta, GA (06/08/2009 at 16:29)

Tripone how many times have you actually watched De Laet to conclude that he is better than the twins? And you seem to think they both play as right backs! Ill informed you are!

I need to go on a Penelope Cruz, Fleet, Hants (06/08/2009 at 17:10)

Well, I have de Laet as a proper Wes-type, put you in the stands defender - I just wish I knew how to pronounce his name.

Happy Valley Barry, San Francisco, California (06/08/2009 at 19:11)

Valencia are no push over so it was great to see United put on such a
nice display. Valencia on the wing was terrific! Owen found himself in
great positions all night long, once he gets his finishing boots on the
entire Prem could be in for a big surprise!
Up the Reds

tripone, canada (06/08/2009 at 21:07)

Lou Blaze, Atlanta, GA
How many times I saw De Leat play,/ twice
Ill informed !? Fabio played twice at that position at
least twice Hell he played 3-4 times alltogether so how
certain R U, where he plays!? Ralfeal is not a right back..
he attacks so much and when comes back to defend he is
a step behind so either he loses or he ends up commiting a foul
and we lose. He is a good prospect, but not at right back.

now to the teenager "Drago 34"
"You really do no NOTHING about FOOTBALL "DUDE". "
Just because i have my opinion that Kuszaczk is better than
Foster "dude" I do know nothing about football !? or is it
because i admitted that Valencia were better with the
ball (they passed better) but we were the more direct team?
which opinion is it that got your tiny brain to freeze !?
tripone, canada 6/08/2009 at 12:41 - "No one gives a monkeys what you think "
From your name I take it, that U know about monkeys more than me, so
no Comment / very mature indeed.

RemiMoses, Ireland (07/08/2009 at 06:46)

Indeed Owens movement was gr8.......Rooney, Fletcher (worker), Valencia, and the young De Leat "really" impressed me, he is very quick too, Oh.... and Kit-Kat made a superb point-blank save as soon as he came on!!!!!!!

danny, WILMSLOW (07/08/2009 at 08:58)

Fabio has played a blinder at Right back which is normally his brothers position.
However Richie de Laet is no flash in the pan and should along with Cleverly been in the first team you would not get many better performances from either.
I would like to see Carrick Scholes and Giggs loaned out til January.

danny, WILMSLOW (07/08/2009 at 09:01)

Tripone Kussak is a top keeper and did well in pre season and we know who Fergie will choose!Foster I don,t think so.either way I think they both will do a good job.

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