United player ratings

Given 6.
No chance with the goal and otherwise wasn't tested really. Looked a bit uncomfortable on some crosses, but his distribution was a let down - likes to persevere with the measured kick (which is usually mismeasured) instead of a simple throw.

Onuoha 7.
Given the nod ahead of a returning Zabaleta and justified his place. Reluctant to get forward as much as he did last week, but defensively he was very solid - keeping Giggs fairly quiet.

Toure 8.
Very good from Kolo. His experience shone through as Kompany showed a few early jitters. Quick, alert and well positioned. Covered well early on.

Kompany 7.
Managed to look both nervous of and in control of Rooney. Shook the nerves as the game went on. Made sure Rooney knew he was there and got very close to him.

Bridge 6.
A good return from Bridge. Not everyone's favourite but he managed to keep Valencia quiet - sticking close to him on every opportunity.

de Jong 8.
"Unleashed", he fought for every tackle and even used the ball to good effect too. A typically battling display.

Barry 8.
Continued his quietly impressive form. Some intelligent passing to add to some top defensive work. Him and de Jong took on Scholes, Fletcher and Gibson and, despite the numerical deficit, competed admirably for an hour.

Johnson 5.
Didn't get much joy against Evra, had limited success and his final deliveries weren't up to his usual standard either.

Bellamy 6.
Was where the threat was going to come from with his pace advantage against Neville, but when he got into good positions he made the wrong decisions.

Tevez 6.
Apparently took some painkillers midmatch to get through the pain barrier and whilst not being as prominent as he would have liked, he was still the source of most of our attacks.

Adebayor 6.
Linked well without ever really threatening the United defence. Worked hard again and put in some important work defensively too.

Substitutes:

Vieira (on for Johnson, 65mins) 6.
Needed an extra body in midfield. Same problems: intelligent but slow. Helped restore a bit of control to the midfield though.

Wright-Phillips (on for Adebayor, 74mins) 7.
Had some joy against Evra and worked hard to take the game to the United defence.

Ireland (on for de Jong, 78mins) 4.
Frustrating. Replaced de Jong but showed the polar-opposite in terms of commitment and work-rate. More in my match report.

Man of the Match: Nigel de Jong.