Player Ratings: Manchester United U21s 1-3 Newcastle United U21s | OneFootball

Manchester United Under-21s failed to take the top spot as they fell to Newcastle United Under-21s in their final regular season match of the campaign.

These are our player ratings for the match. You can read a detailed match report here.

(A score of six is around average.)

Ratings

Will Murdock – 5 – Not a great night for the United keeper, as he got caught in no man’s land and was chipped for their second goal. He made a similar error for the third, rushing out when he had no chance of getting the ball.

Louis Jackson – 3.5 – He has been playing at right-back since returning from his loan, and it is clear that he does not suit the role. From the opening minute, Park Seung-Soo had the run of the wing and Jackson did little to stop him at any point.

Sonny Aljofree – 4.5 – Playing just inside Jackson, he also got beaten far too easily by Park for the first goal and then was also unaware of the runner for the second goal. He improved in the second half but often was not alive to the danger in behind.

Dan Armer – 5 – He really struggled with the pace of Newcastle’s attackers and simply could not keep up as they played balls deep into the channels. He was decent on the ball in the second half as United gained some control, but continued to struggle with the pace of the counter-attacks.

Godwill Kukonki – 6 – A decent but not spectacular performance. He was the best of the backline in the first half as he physically put himself about in challenges and played on the front foot. In possession, he went on one run through the midfield, but his lack of attacking prowess was evident as he failed to cover the ground on the wing and offer the overlap.

Rafe McCormack – 6.5 – Made an important interception in the box and seemed to be the only one capable of getting a foot in to stop Newcastle’s attacks in the first half. He was also good in possession, playing quick, incisive passes into attack.

Finley McAllister – 6 – Created United’s best chance in the first half when he won possession high up, shifted past a defender and then fed the ball to Fletcher in the box. He did well to keep up with the tempo of Newcastle and was comfortable in possession before coming off.

Victor Musa – 6 – Playing on the right wing in the first half, he delivered one dangerous cross but had little impact as he refused to take on his man and instead turned inside to congested areas. Moving to striker in the second half, he was a bit more alive in the box and did well to score a goal.

Jack Fletcher – 5.5 – Had a couple of nice touches in the first half, including a dancing dribble past two defenders into the box, but his moments were fleeting as he struggled to get a grip of the match before going off injured.

Jack Moorhouse – 5.5 – Had some flashes in the second half, but with Newcastle sitting deep he had little space to work with to go on his driving runs.

Chido Obi – 5 – Worked hard out of possession and almost forced a turnover from the keeper, but never really got going in attack.

Substitutes

Jim Thwaites – 7.5 – The clear standout on the night, he was the catalyst to the match turning on its head in the second half. His exquisite delivery found the head of Musa for the goal and he almost scored one himself as his free-kick flashed wide of the post. Beyond his deliveries into the box, his ability to turn under pressure in the midfield allowed United to open up the match and gain control.

Samuel Lusale – 6.5 – A bright spark off the bench, he made an immediate impact with his running and pace down the wing before fizzling out of the match.

James Overy – 6.5 – Also provided energy off the bench and linked well with Lusale down the right wing.

Noah Ajayi– 6.5 – Was a constant threat down the left wing when he came on and should have won a penalty when he was dragged down entering the box.

Featured image James Fearn via Getty Images

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