Player Ratings vs Norwich

Anders Lindegaard: Kicking is still poor but beyond that didn’t really have much to do. Tried to get United going with his throwing but to no avail. 6

Rafael: Showed urgency going forward and always looked to offer an option on the overlap. Decent defensive performance even if Norwich’s goal came down his flank. 6

Patrice Evra: Like Rafael always looked to get forward and contribute, had one of his easier games defensively. 6

Rio Ferdinand: Starting to show his age, as his speed deserts him. Caught on the turn a few times but also made some timely interceptions and aerial challenges. 5

Chris Smalling: Should have done better with Pilkington for the goal, left his man then beaten in the air too but had some bright moments including a last ditch interceptions as well as some impressive footwork in Norwich’s box too. 6

Michael Carrick: Did a decent job with his defence duties but offered nothing in an attacking sense. 6

Ryan Giggs: Questions must be raised as to why Sir Alex persists with Giggs in the middle of the park. The defeat was by no means his fault but United would have been an altogether more threatening outfit with Anderson or Cleverley in beside Carrick. Ball retention was poor with him in there, a lesson we should have learned with Liverpool and Spurs. 5

Antonio Valencia: Incredibly frustrating. When you know a player is capable of what he is, and then he puts in a performance like today’s you want to pull your hair out. His lack of a left foot has gone from painful to infuriating, seems to have lost the ability to beat his man and when he does, his crossing is poor. Needs to pull his socks up quickly. 4

Ashley Young: Looking better as he gets back into the swing of things and tested Ruddy too. Looked much better on the right when United made the change. Perhaps he can occupy that role when United give Valencia what appears to be a much needed rest? 6

Javier Hernandez: Didn’t have much to work with today after his recent goal scoring feats. Hustled around but whilst he can sometimes feed off scraps, barely had those today. Perhaps works better as an impact player? 5

Robin Van Persie: Not his brightest game although he worked from a deeper role. Did decent work around the box and could have done better with a couple of chances where it would have been easier to go with his right than awkwardly with his left. 5

Subs

Danny Welbeck: Worked well around the box trying to hold up the ball and found himself on the end of a few chances but again his finishing comes into question, heading and shooting wide as well as allowing Ruddy to make some routine saves. 5

Paul Scholes: Came on and instantly began spraying passes in the hope to create an opening against a disciplined Norwich side. United began to threaten more with his arrival but sadly to no avail. 6

Anderson: Perhaps should have been introduced way earlier than the 80th minute. Whilst he had too little time to really influence the game almost made the difference with a late shot that Ruddy spilled and only just got to the rebound before Scholes. 6