Man Utd 4-0 AC Milan, Champions League: Player Ratings

Chris Wright

11th, March 2010

9 Comments

By Chris Wright

PA-8496010

Manchester United advanced into the quarter finals of the Champions League last night after disassembling AC Milan over the course of the two legs.

United came into the tie last night with a 3-2 aggregate lead over Milan and many were predicting a tight affair, but the game was fairly open until yet another Wayne Rooney header set his team on course for a 4-0 mauling of the Serie A giants – a second from Rooney, an angled finish from Park Ji-Sung and a close range header from Darren Fletcher completing the rout.

The Red Devils travel through to the last 16 with a comfortable 7-2 aggregate win. Here’s how I thought they rated on the night…

MANCHESTER UNITED

Van Der Sar Coped well with what little he had to do. 6

G Neville Kept Ronaldinho quiet with his constant harrying. Brilliant delivery for Rooney’s first goal but his crossing thereafter was terrible. Nearly scored with a dipping left foot effort. 7.5

Ferdinand Looks infinitely more comfortable when paired with Vidic. Provided a solid aerial presence all night. 7

Vidic May have broken his nose during clash with Flamini but it’s hard to tell with the big Serb. Dealt well with a poor Milan strikeforce. 7

Evra Subdued performance attacking-wise from the Frenchman. Was offered little in the way of defensive help from Nani, and was exposed a couple of times as a result. 6

Fletcher Ran his socks off again. Keeps pulling out commanding performances in the big games. Rounded off the rout with a cheeky header at the far post but his goal celebration needs work. 8

Park Tirelessly hassled Pirlo out of the game. It was Park and Fletcher’s combined industry that won the midfield battle for United. Took his goal well but still needs to be more decisive in the final third. 7.5

Scholes Getting noticeably slower. Just about coped with the pace of the game, but was overshadowed by his midfield cohorts. Came off for Darron Gibson after 70 mins. 6

Valencia Really impressive. Never stopped tracking back and cut out countless crosses in-and-around his own box. Had the better of Jankulovski and used the ball well throughout. 8

Nani Wonderfully measured through ball for Rooney’s second goal and carved out some decent crosses from the left. However, was caught out on numerous occasions by his lack of natural defensive instincts. Marked down for a woeful dive in the first half. 6

Rooney Same old same old for Rooney at the moment. Scared the life out of the Milan defence with his direct running and took his season’s goal tally to 30 after netting a brace. Did it all inside an hour too! 8.5 MAN OF THE MATCH

Subs:

Rafael Came on for Neville on the hour mark. Delivered a perfect ball for Fletcher to head home late on. 6.5

Berbatov We got the usual from the Bulgarian when he replaced Rooney for the last half an hour – deft touches and control but no sight of goal to speak of. 6.5

Gibson Came on for Scholes and made little impression in the 20 minutes he was given. Should have scored but smashed his effort high over the bar. 5.5

AC MILAN

Abbiati Not at fault for any of the goals but his kicking and distribution was woeful at times. 5

Abate Bombed forward with gusto but his final ball was left wanting. Came off for Beckham after an hour or so. 6

Bonera Pretty dire performance. Looked uncomfortable – understandable as he was played out of position – and charged with marking an in-form Wayne Rooney. 3

Thaigo Silva Failed to cover his struggling defensive partner. Marked up for a couple of superb long-range passes. 5.5

Jankulovski Couldn’t keep up with Valencia. Struggled to make an impression at both ends of the pitch. 5

Flamini Battled away valiantly but his efforts were ultimately in vain. Shifted to right back during the second half. 6

Pirlo Looked composed for the first 15 minutes but became a peripheral figure soon after due to constant harassment from Park. 4.5

Ambrosini Didn’t do anything particularly well. His passing was short and functional but offered little in the way of creativity or destruction. 4.5

Ronaldinho Looked like he might run the show for the first ten minutes but some great deliveries and wing play soon gave way to sheer laziness. Couldn’t outpace a 35-year-old Gary Neville. 4

Huntelaar Cripplingly short on confidence. Miscontrolled when presented with Milan’s best chance to score. Was nowhere near the play in the second half. 3

Borriello Head went down early on after getting bundled over by Vidic. Moodily struggled on but had no sight of goal. Made way for Pippo Inzaghi on the 70-minute mark. 5

Subs:

Seedorf Came on at half-time for a beleaguered Bonera. A few cute passes but little else. 5

Beckham Easily Milan’s best player when he came on. Obviously buoyed by the reception he received. His delivery was first rate and he nearly topped off his night with a thundering volley that Van Der Sar managed to deflect over the bar. 7

Inzaghi Managed to get called offside about four times in 20 minutes. Should have scored from Beckham’s pinpoint cross but could only shin it wide. 5

Right, there you go. Agree/Disagree? Let’s hear it…

Posted in Champions League, Featured, Man Utd, Serie A

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9 Comments

  1. Ollie says:

    Good ratings, Chris. I’d give Park an 8 maybe (what an engine!), and 5 is a tad generous for Abbiati – he looked terribly unconvincing and I thought he should have been much quicker off his line for Rooney’s second goal.

  2. Ollie says:

    Oh, and I’d give Seedorf a 6. He tried to make things happen and worked pretty hard.

  3. inusa enoch says:

    rooney was the manof the match

  4. syndex says:

    radio 5 spent most of the second half talking the mick out of Abbiati’s weight and coined the term Age Concern Milan. I feel Bolton and Hull and any of the promoted clubs may be seeing a few of milans players next year.

  5. Chringle says:

    Ollie – After some intense reflection (and a little time spent away from the game) I’ll agree on a 6 for Seedorf. I think a 5 may be a little harsh on the lad.

  6. name says:

    Van Der Sar should get a 7.5…didn’t have to deal with a lot of shots but he dealt with some hard ones that not many keepers can save

  7. kritter says:

    I’ll bet flamini wished he had stayed in london.

  8. kyle says:

    i think van der sar’s rating was fair but maybe he should have recieved a 5.5 instead. he gave milan some chances that they shouldnt have had such as when pirlo had a hard shot slightly to the right of van der sar, that van der sar failed to get his body behind and was lucky that the ball didnt end up in the back of the net

  9. mizman says:

    couldn’t out-pace a 35-year old Gary Neville… Brilliant

Leave a Reply to Ollie