Manchester United Player Ratings vs Newcastle United: 9/10 duo Rashford, Maguire stand out; Bruno Fernandes among four to get 8

Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire all impressed as Manchester United bounced back with a 4-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday.

Manchester United received an early setback, as a cross by Emil Krafth deflected off Luke Shaw to hand Newcastle United the lead. However, the visitors dominated the proceedings thereafter and thought they had equalised in the 19th minute through Bruno Fernandes’s thumping effort, only for VAR to rule the goal out for offside.

Four minutes later, Manchester United did have their leveller, as Harry Maguire headed in from a Bruno Fernandes corner. Subsequently, both chances had their fair share of chances, with the two goalkeepers David de Gea and Karl Darlow keeping the ball out of their respective nets, including a penalty save by the latter to deny Fernandes; that was until the 86th minute.

Manchester United finally took the lead through Fernandes, who was set up by Marcus Rashford at the end of a fantastic counter-attacking move. Rashford then provided the assist to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who scored from a ferocious shot.

The win was finally sealed when Rashford scored another brilliant counter-attack goal, with Bruno Fernandes setting him up this time. The result still keeps Manchester United in the bottom half, but it ought to be a confidence booster for the Red Devils. The Hard Tackle now runs the rule over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.

David de Gea: 8/10

Unfortunate to concede the goal, having been wrong-footed as Emil Krafth’s attempted low cross was deflected off Luke Shaw. Thereafter, though, de Gea did not put a step wrong, making 4 saves. Two of those stops were right out of the top drawer, with de Gea reacting superbly to deny Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson. Manchester United fans would hope for more of the same.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 6.5/10

A difficult game for the most part for Wan-Bissaka, who had his hands full with Saint-Maximin and he also wasteful on the ball on occasion, losing possession 19 times. The full-back managed to win just 5 of the 12 duels he contested. However, he more than made up for it with his goal, a thumping effort into the roof of the net.

Victor Lindelof: 6/10

Back into the side at the expense of Eric Bailly, Lindelof made a poor start to the game, as he was turned easily by Wilson in the build-up to the Newcastle goal. Did not face a great deal of trouble after that, though, except one moment when he was overpowered by Wilson again. Worked smartly with the ball at his feet.

Harry Maguire: 9/10

The pressure had been mounting on Maguire in the build-up to the game after making a terrible start to the season. The Manchester United captain hit back in emphatic fashion against Newcastle, producing a near-perfect performance. Calm and composed at the back, the English international made 3 clearances and completed 4 interceptions to shut off the Newcastle threat.

In particular, Maguire was imperious in the air, winning 7 of the 8 headed duels that he contested while nodding in the equaliser. Could have had a brace to show for his efforts as well, only for a second header to be cleared off the line by Jonjo Shelvey. Just the performance he needed to get his confidence back.

Luke Shaw: 6/10

This could have easily been another game to forget for Shaw, who saw the ball deflect off him to hand Newcastle the lead. Recovered well to some extent from the early setback, defending strongly from his flank bar a few instances when he did not stop a cross from the wing. A bit hesitant to get forward, which he needs to address in the coming games.

Scott McTominay: 8/10

Back in the starting lineup in a Premier League game for the first time since Manchester United’s opening fixture, McTominay was a little slow off the blocks. However, the young midfielder grew into the game slowly, setting up shop in the middle of the park and forcing Newcastle out wide. The 23-year-old won 6 duels and completed a couple of interceptions while playing 3 key passes as well.

Fred: 6/10

Paul Pogba was relegated to the bench by Solskjaer after a dreadful performance against Tottenham last time out. Fred was the man to replace the Frenchman, but did not prove to be an upgrade. While the Brazilian kept things simple in the middle of the park, he did little to aid Manchester United’s cause during build-up play. Needs to do more.

Juan Mata: 8/10

Making his first Premier League start since February, Mata vindicated Solskjaer’s decision to make use of him in the attack. The Spaniard made a slow start to the game but after he settled in, he seemed to roll back the years in style. Heavily involved in most moves, Mata linked up brilliantly with Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.

Mata found Rashford when Manchester United won the penalty that Fernandes failed to convert before releasing the Englishman once again in the build-up to Fernandes’s goal. Has started the season on a strong note, which bodes well for Solskjaer and Manchester United.

Bruno Fernandes: 8/10

A superb all round performance by Fernandes, who seemed to be in the mood from the get-go. The Portuguese international thought he had scored in the 19th minute, only to be pulled back for Mata being offside. Fernandes then set Maguire for the equaliser before missing the penalty and a chance to hand Manchester United the lead early in the second half.

Fernandes did have his goal late in the game, though, as Rashford found him smartly. Bruno would then set Rashford up for the final goal of the game. His numbers made for great reading too, as the 26-year-old, who created 6 chances, took 5 shots, made 5 recoveries, won 4 tackles and completed 3 interceptions. What a player, only getting 8/10 due to the penalty miss.

Daniel James: 6/10

The only Manchester United attacker who did make a great deal of impact against Newcastle. The Welshman was direct in his approach and even played in 2 key passes. James did not shy away from taking on the defender, but his ideas did not always shine as he lost the ball cheaply a couple of times. Tireless work off the ball helped Shaw, though.

Marcus Rashford: 9/10

The star of the show for Manchester United. Having not really made the brightest of starts to the season, Rashford looked a man on a mission to make the difference on Saturday. The Englishman constantly left the Newcastle defenders back-pedaling and was not shot-shy in the slightest.

In all, Rashford took 7 shots and was denied thrice before he finally found the back of the net with a superb strike. The youngster was also involved in two other goals, setting up Wan-Bissaka and Bruno Fernandes, with the assist for his fellow attacker stealing the show. Worked hard off the ball as well, making 4 recoveries. Slowly getting back to his best.

SUBSTITUTES

Paul Pogba: 6/10

Introduced in place of Fred, Pogba looked purposeful and charged forward whenever given the chance to do so. Even played in a key pass while also winning 4 duels.

Donny van de Beek: 7/10

Expected to start, van de Beek was relegated to the bench once again. After being subbed in, the Dutchman showed why he needs to be trusted more, as he started the move for Bruno Fernandes’s goal after collecting the headed clearance from Maguire. Will hope to start against PSG.

Nemanja Matic: N/A

A late introduction, Matic helped see the game out.