FA Cup Semifinal vs. Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings

Manchester United defeated Tottenham Hostspur 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday to reach their 2nd FA Cup Final in 3 years.

Although Spurs have been playing at Wembley all season, this did not feel like an away match for Manchester United. With Jose Mourinho seeking to be third manager to win an FA Cup with two clubs, the squad played well enough to keep Spurs in a title drought. The Red Devils play Chelsea in the final, after Chelsea defeated Southampton on Sunday.

STARTING XI

GK- David De Gea (8/10)

Other than Alli’s goal, which he stood little  chance of stopping, De Gea did get seriously contested the majority of the match. The PFA Goalkeeper of the Year lucked out as he watched Alli’s deflected shot hit the outside of the post in extra time in the first half. He made only one save, but Spurs had just two shots reach target. Much credit is due to the back line’s spectacular holding posture, not giving Tottenham easy looks to goal.

RB- Antonio Valencia (7/10)

Tasked with holding Dele Alli sneakily all-around talented Son Heung-Min in his pocket, Valencia held his own for 80 minutes. Though Son did not impact much of the game, Alli gave the United captain problems. Valencia committed two blatant fouls on him, one of which he received a yellow card for in the 27th minute. He was subsititued in the 80th minute for Matteo Darmian when he began to experience cramping in his calf.

CB- Phil Jones  (7/10)

Jones continued brutal style of play to win challenges across the backline as Tottenham attempted to hit United on the counterattack. Though caught out of position during Spurs’ only goal, his defensive work ethic came to light during Tottenham’s late siege.

CB- Chris Smalling  (6/10)

Hung out to dry during the conceded goal by not picking Alli up as he crashed the box, Smalling looked shaky when brought up to task in the opening half. However, he did well to recover when he block a shot from Harry Kane early in the second half. Credit him and the rest of the back four for not giving Kane a chance to claim another goal today.

LB- Ashley Young  (6/10)

Young got caught way out of position during Eriksen’s run, who crossed the ball into Dele Alli for the first goal in the 11th minute. However, he was solid  against Tottenham’s wingers and full-backs the defensive third of the pitch. He received a yellow card in 71st minute and given the captain’s arm band once Valencia was taken off.

CM- Nemanja Matic  (6/10)

Not much to say about Matic today as his name did not get called much at all. He did a fine job in marking his zone and making wise passes as the fulcrum of United’s transition between offense and defense.

CM- Ander Herrera  (9/10)

Physical challenges were key for the Spanish international today, stopping Tottenham from creating chances just outside of the defensive box. His powerful strike in 62nd minute  through the legs of Ben Davies and under diving Michel Vorm’s right side put the Red Devils ahead 2-1 in what turned out to be the decisive goal in the match. Though, shown yellow card in 90th minute for foul on Lucas Moura, Herrera’s physical play proved instrumental in victory.

CM- Paul Pogba  (9/10)

Early in this game, Pogba faced isolation in double or tirple coverage when moving forward with the ball. Despite a lackluster season, teams respect Pogba’s talent with all the attention he gets when he is on the ball, but he is struggling to overcome the abilities of Premier League defenders. He lost and failed to keep up with Christian Eriksen during Spurs’ one scoring play, but he later showed several signs of breaking through on the attack. He displayed amazing strength to muscle Moussa Dembele off the ball, which he followed up with a pinpoint cross to the head of Alexis Sanchez for United’s first goal. Outside of the assist, he had two amazing shots from distance that called for Vorm to get his hands on.

RW- Jesse Lingard  (9/10)

Lingard provided dangerous runs with pace down right flank, trying his little heart out as always  does. Using sheer grit to rise to the occasion, Lingard found himself in the right position to catch Romelu Lukaku’s deflection that led to Herrera’s goal. He was substituted in 83rd minute for Marcus Rashford to take his place.

LW- Alexis Sanchez  (9/10)

In the 24th minute, Sanchez rose up for amazing header to even the score at 1-1. Although only his 3rd goal in a Manchester United uniform, the goal was his 5th in his last 6 FA Cup matches at Wembley. The Chilean sure does enjoy himself in these big FA Cup games. Further, he displayed marking and tackling skills as he put in an excellent defensive effort, especially for attacking player of his stature. His excellent run and vision to move the ball across the box also set up United’s second goal. Mourinho pulled Sanchez late in stoppage time for Marouane Fellani.

CF– Romelu Lukaku  (8/10)

Lukaku used his pace and crossing abilities to create chances, but nothing came of it. However, his small touch, whether intentional or unintentional, did prove vital in the go-ahead goal. His flick directed the ball to Jesse Lingard, who set up Ander Herrera’s strike. He also sent Marcus Rashford a one-on-one chance in stoppage after a supreme surprise tackle in the defensive third.  This excellent play is a testament to Mourinho’s ability to have everyone buy into his defensive style.

SUBSTITUTES

RB- Matteo Darmian (6/10)

Unlike Valencia, Darmian did not face an onslaught from Tottenham’s wingers as Spurs attempted to move through the middle of the field at late stages in the game. His solid marking skills make his case as a decent option from the bench.

RW- Marcus Rashford (6/10)

Shown a yellow card for simulation in 85th minute, Rashford did not have much time to impact the game. He did have one breakaway on a counterattack in extra time, but solid defending from Eric Dier locked down his prospects of scoring.

CM- Marouane Fellani  (7/10)

In typical Mourinho fashion, Fellani came on in 90th minute stoppage time. Only on for seconds, he made his presence with a defensive header in Tottenham’s last push towards an equalizer. Though heavily rumored to be heading for the exit this summer, Fellani and his heading abilities always seem to come in clutch.

Next: Nemanja Matic a necessary start against Arsenal

In the end, Manchester United got the job done. Alexis Sanchez was impressive for United, and the Red Devils immediately received a reward for their win: a ticket to the FA Cup final. United will face off against Chelsea later in May.