PLAYER RATINGS vs Real Madrid: De Gea, Jones & Welbeck Shine In Spain

David De Gea: For anyone that has ever question the goalkeeper or thought he wasn’t good enough to be at a club of this size, tonight’s performance is all that need to be said in reply.

Kept Real at bay on the occasion that they found their way past the defence. An awesome fingertips save onto the post from a Coentrao shot set the tone early on. He shut the door in Ozil’s face, made a remarkable reactionary save to keep Coentrao out again and denied Khedira, simply frustrating Mourinh0’s men. 10

Rafael: After a huge game against Everton, for the first 45 minutes Real Madrid gave him hell and he struggled. Ozil and Coentrao tried their best to test him out and found a reasonable amount of joy. Picked up an early yellow that set alarm bells off but in the second composed himself and dealt with the threat down his flank a lot better. 6.5

Patrice Evra: Didn’t bother challenge Ronaldo for Real Madrid’s equaliser and if we’re honest even if he did it wouldn’t have made a difference (Sir Alex asked Patrice about it at half time, then after seeing the goal agreed he had no chance), even a giraffe wouldn’t have beaten him in the air for it! Kept penned back in the first half as he focused on defending and in one instance tracked Di Maria to the opposite flank to keep him from influencing the game.

In the second half he got forward a lot more and was felled by Varane whilst through on goal, a certain red card for the young French man but nothing was given. 6.5

Rio Ferdinand & Jonny Evans: The pair worked extremely well this evening and continued to block and clear Real Madrid’s efforts. Ferdinand’s weak clearance in the first 5 minutes forced De Gea into making that marvellous save but he made up for it late on when he brilliantly blocked a Ronaldo attempt when the Portuguese attacker thought he had stolen a march on the defender at the near post. Evans’ reading was as good as ever, constantly stepping in to nip situations in the bud before they were allowed to build. 8

Phil Jones: It was assumed he would have an important role to play tonight and he did. perhaps just not the one we thought. Tonight Jones marauded around the pitch putting out fires and snuffing out threats. In the game’s final moment came his most important contribution, nicking the ball away from Cristiano Ronaldo before the striker could turn the ball in. 8.5

Michael Carrick: Calm and composed in possession no matter what was going on around him. Never allowed himself to be hassled and usually found the right pass when playing it. 8

Shinji Kagawa: Didn’t see enough of the ball to make a difference early on, but was more effective in the second half. When he did get the ball he kept it well especially under pressure. 6.5

Wayne Rooney: The biggest disappointment of the night for me and after the harsh criticism from Marca he wilted.

After his corner was headed in by Danny Welbeck, he should have shut down the cross for Real’s equaliser. Quiet at times and although tracked back wasn’t especially good in defence as he lost Coentrao for an effort that saw De Gea pull off an unorthodox save with his feet.

Just before going off showed that he will alway pose a threat even if playing poorly, with his pass to Robin Van Persie leading to the Dutchman hitting the woodwork. 6

Robin Van Persie: Held up the ball brilliantly as United came under intense pressure in the first half. In the second, as United came into the game more so did he. First saw an effort hit the woodwork, then seconds later assuming he was offside tamely volleyed a shot goal wards. He wasn’t, and Xabi Alonso cleared the ball off the line. Also saw a late effort pushed out for a corner by Lopez. 7

Danny Welbeck: Very much the man for the occasion as he put in a real shift in his time on the pitch. Ran himself into the ground so it’s no surprise that he was struck down with cramp moments before going off (Rio gave him a gentle punt and told him get up there’s still a job to do!) . Gave Madrid’s back line nightmares as he showed a willingness to put himself about and run in behind. Out muscled Ramos for United’s vital away goal. 9

Subs

Ryan Giggs: Could have given United the lead but dawdled on the ball and saw his effort cleared but at the other end made an important tackle on Mesut Ozil then proceeded to break forward. 6

Antonio Valencia: Unfortunate to get a yellow for tickling Ramos’ moustache with his elbow. N/A

Anderson: Caught in possession almost lead to an opening for the home side. N/A