MANCHESTER UNITED
Foster - 7- Dealt with some deep crosses expertly but panicked with the ball athis feet in the early stages. Recovered from his bout of jitters tosave brilliantly from Butterfield to protect his clean sheet.
Neville - 5- Red carded for a high lunge on Hammill after winning the ball. Beforethat, was a little bit suspect when asked to deal with his victim'strickery, but got his quota of tackles in.
Brown - 6 - Relished his sparring session with Bogdanovic and was always there to put his foot in. A man to rely on in the United camp.
Jonny Evans - 7- Composure exemplified when asked to bring the ball out from the backand solid when asked to defend. His assured displays are cranking thepressure up on Rio Ferdinand.
Fabio Da Silva - 6- Couldn't repeat his heroics in Moscow but still boosted hisreputation. Not as vibrant going forward as United supporters have tocome expect, though.
Anderson - 7- Looked after Rafael well and spread the ball about at speed. Hisability to cover the blades of grass is a bonus for Sir Alex Ferguson.
Rafael Da Silva - 6- The surprise choice in center-midfield performed well on his returnfrom injury. Happy to put his foot in and did his usual impression of aball of energy. Covered for Neville after his sending off.
Obertan - 8- There are tougher tests ahead but, on tonight's performance, hissigning could be a masterstroke. Barnsley couldn't handle his techniqueand pace. Was denied a debut goal in the first half by an excellentsave from Steele.
Welbeck - 8- The outstanding performer of the match. Dispatched his early headerexpertly, and was a constant thorn in Barnsley's side. Set-up Owen witha sublime pass just before he was taken off with an injury at the startof the second period.
Macheda - 7- Played a series of neat passes to put in his team-mates and was awilling runner throughout. His footwork will have pleased Ferguson.
Owen - 8- Quiet evening until he exploded on to the proceedings with a sublimegoal. Put the ball through Moore's leg before sliding the ball past thekeeper. Hooked after Neville received his marching orders.
Substitutes
Tosic - 7 - Put in a tidy display. Oozed poise and nearly got on the score sheet with a placed shot. Unlucky to be booked.
De Laet - 5 - Caught a number of times on the ball and failed to get a grip on Hammill. |