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Manchester United Under-21s held onto their first-half lead to dispatch rivals Leeds United and go level at the top of the Premier League 2 table with Chelsea.
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 – 6.5 – Made a couple of saves and did well to deal with a number of high deliveries into the box amidst very windy conditions.
Louis Jackson – 5 – Playing out of position at right-back, he didn’t get forward much to contribute in attack. He was solid defensively in the first half but had a bit more trouble in the second.
Sonny Aljofree – 7 – Back from his loan spell at Notts County, his experience shone through as the leader at the back. He took control of playing out from the back and showed a good range of passing, particularly with his ability to pick out Lacey on the right wing. Defensively, he also made some important blocks and clearances.
Tyler Fredricson – 6 – Did his job at the back without really shining on the ball before going off at half-time.
Godwill Kukonki – 7 – Playing a more supporting role in attack, he didn’t bomb forward but always offered an option in possession. Defensively, he made some key headed clearances and won possession a number of times in the middle third, which opened counter-attacking opportunities.
Tyler Fletcher – 6.5 – A strong, dynamic performance with his running in midfield, he covered a lot of ground and provided quality in attack with his set-piece deliveries. A rare lapse of concentration in the second half saw him cough up the ball at the edge of United’s area, which he narrowly got away with as Leeds hit the post from the resulting chance.
Jack Moorhouse – 7 – Impressed as he normally does with his dribbling through the midfield and picked up an assist.
Shea Lacey – 7 – Continuing his return from injury, Lacey was a constant threat with his dribbling, including opening the space initially for United’s second goal. Leeds often had no choice but to foul him as he twisted out of challenges.
Jack Fletcher– 8 – Scored both of United’s goals, with the second being a clinical finish. He was at the heart of the majority of United’s attacks as he linked well with Moorhouse and Lacey and provided some dangerous deliveries into the box.
Victor Musa – 5 – Was inconsistent with his ball control and didn’t offer much threat from the wing.
Chido Obi – 6 – Had a couple of half-chances and forced a decent save but never really got into the game. He worked hard out of possession by leading the press from the front.
Substitutes
Dan Armer – 6.5 – He was busy at the back, making a number of clearances but didn’t get to show his usual composed play as Leeds had him under pressure.
Finley McAllister – 6 – Made an important block near the end of the match and held possession to maintain the lead.
Samuel Lusale – 5.5 – Struggled to get involved after being introduced.
James Overy – N/A – Only on the pitch for a few minutes but almost made an instant impact with a dangerous, driving run.
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