Olympique Marseille versus Manchester United – UEFA Champions League Player Ratings (Part 3)
In the second part of this features series, we discussed player ratings for Marseille’s attacking lineup and midfield personnel. Now it is time to shed some light on Manchester United’s defensive line which was water tight against Marseille at Stade Vélodrome
on Wednesday night.
Manchester United
Edwin Van Der Sar
United’s veteran goalkeeper was impervious on the night but he was helped by the fact that Marseille didn’t really test him to the fullest extent possible. Most of what Van Der Sar had to do on the night revolved around helping his center backs retain the
possession of the ball, something that the Dutchman did with steady feet at the back. His only moment of concern came in the first half when Ayew’s shot whistled past his goal, other than that the ex-Juventus shot stopper could’ve had a late supper in goal
such was the dearth of goalmouth action at Stade Vélodrome. Rating: 7.5/10
John O’Shea
Ferguson’s utility man didn’t disappoint on the night on his return to the right back spot for Manchester United. He was exceptionally solid in defense but in a match where Manchester United needed an away goal to give them a cushion for the home leg, John
O’Shea lacked pace and imagination in the final third of the field. Nonetheless, in the second half, it was O’Shea’s cross down the right hand side which wrecked havoc inside Marseille’s penalty area. Nonetheless, it was a typically reliable performance by
the Irishman in general. Rating: 7/10
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chris-c9006 Smalling
Smalling has really come of age for Manchester United this season. Signed by the Red Devils for a mere 8 million pounds in the 2009 January transfer window, United’s young defender deputized for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rio-Ferdinand-c31173 against Marseille and did fantastically well.
He dealt with the pace of Remy and also covered exceptionally for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nemanja-Vidic-c27550. If Ferdinand is not fit enough for the return leg on 16th of March, then Manchester United have a stable replacement in Smalling already.
Rating: 8/10
Nemanja Vidic
United’s captain was his dominant best against Marseille. He led his troops with authority and effectiveness, traits which have made him into one of the best defenders in the world. The Serbian center back was calm on the ball as well as Manchester United
tried to build up play from the back. Vidic also did well to deal with the crosses that were thrown into United’s danger area. All in all, a captain’s performance from the Serb.
Rating: 8.5/10
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Patrice-Evra-c29231
On his return to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899, Evra was considered as a weak targetable link in Manchester United’s defensive armor by Didier Deschamps. However, the experienced full back quelled this belief as soon as the match started. Not only was he able to subdue the speedy
Ayew but the ex-Monaco defender also joined in on Manchester United attack. It was no doubt another responsible display by the Frenchman who will be an automatic selection for the second leg at Old Trafford for Manchester United.
Rating: 8/10
In the fourth and final part of this player ratings series, we will take an analytical look at the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-Carrick-c25282 who made up Manchester United’s midfield and attacking formation against Marseille.
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