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Manchester United logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Sep 30, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Wolfsburg

2-1

Mata (34' pen.), Smalling (53')
FT(HT: 1-1)

Player Ratings: Manchester United 2-1 Wolfsburg

Sports Mole looks at who impressed during Manchester United's 2-1 victory over Wolfsburg in their Champions League Group B clash at Old Trafford.

Manchester United picked up their first win of the Champions League group stages by coming from behind to beat Wolfsburg at Old Trafford this evening.

The visitors took the lead after just four minutes when Daniel Caligiuri stroked home, but Juan Mata levelled things up from the spot before half time.

Mata then turned provider for the winning goal eight minutes after the interval as his inventive flick over the top allowed Chris Smalling to poke the ball home from close range.

Here, Sports Mole rates all of the players involved as United marked the return of the group stages to Old Trafford in victorious fashion.


Manchester United's English forward Wayne Rooney (front row C) poses with teammates ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group B football match between Manchester United and VfL Wolfsburg at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 30, 2© Getty Images

MAN UTD

Goal

David de Gea: Nothing he could have done about the goal and only had one other save to make - a smart low stop to deny Caligiuri. (6/10)

Defence

Antonio Valencia: Was a good five yards behind the rest of his defence to play Caligiuri onside for the early goal. Certainly not a natural right-back, and was taken off at half time. (5/10)

Chris Smalling: One of the best players on the park yet again. A little shaky early on, but grew into the match and marked another commanding performance with the winning goal. (8/10)

Daley Blind: Chased after the ball on two occasions in the build-up to the opening goal, being dragged away from where he should have been. Solid from then on, however, and helped to mark Dost out of the game. (6/10)

Matteo Darmian: Some good, some bad from the full-back. Looks equally at home on the left as he does on the right, but was up against a few tricky wingers who kept switching flanks this evening. (6/10)

Midfield

Bastian Schweinsteiger: Controlled much of the game from midfield during his time on the pitch. Was not always given enough options in front of him, but always looked capable of playing a killer pass. (7/10)

Morgan Schneiderlin: Another who should shoulder a portion of the blame for the goal, and was perhaps fortunate not to be shown a second yellow card for a trip on Draxler in the second half. All in all a decent display up against some difficult players, though. (6/10)

Juan Mata: United's most instrumental player, and not for the first time this season. Saw one effort brilliantly denied by Dante before he did eventually get his goal from the spot having won the penalty himself. Also provided the assist for the winner with a magical flick over the top. Man of the match. (8/10)

Wayne Rooney: Spurned his only real chance of the match by firing over when he really should have scored. Made one important block in his own penalty area, but a quiet evening for the skipper overall. (5/10)

Memphis Depay: Showed glimpses of his ability, but he was not consistent enough down the left and struggled to have a big impact on the match. (6/10)

Attack

Anthony Martial: Like Memphis, he showed flashes of what he can do, although the youngster was a more constant threat. His pace and skill kept the Wolfsburg defenders on their toes, and he should have had an assist when Rooney blazed his cut-back over. (7/10)

Substitutes

Ashley Young: Replaced Valencia at half time and put in a good shift down the right flank, looking solid defensively and asking questions going forward as well. (7/10)

Andreas Pereira: Brought on for the final half an hour or so but couldn't make a major impression during his time on the field, sending a late free kick into the wall. (6/10)

Phil Jones: Replaced Schweinsteiger in a move that sent Blind into midfield and helped United to see off some late Wolfsburg pressure. (6/10)


Daniel Caligiuri of VfL Wolfsburg (L) celebrates with Bas Dost as he scores their first goal during the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Manchester United FC and VfL Wolfsburg at Old Trafford on September 30, 2015© Getty Images

WOLFSBURG

Goal

Diego Benaglio: Not much he could have done about either goal in truth and made one or two good stops to keep his side in it until the end. (6/10)

Defence

Christian Trasch: Caught out of position on a couple of occasions as a result of his eagerness to get forward, although he did provide good support down the right. (6/10)

Naldo: Relatively solid for the most part, just about managing to deal with Martial's trickery and pace. Was left outclassed by Mata's flick for the winner, though. (6/10)

Dante: Denied Mata what looked to be a certain goal with a quite brilliant headed clearance as the ball looked destined for the top corner. Brought experience and knowhow to the Wolfsburg defence. (7/10)

Ricardo Rodriguez: Came close with a free kick but defensively was given a real test by Mata's guile and was beaten all ends up by Martial on one occasion. Unable to have his usual impact going forward. (5/10)

Midfield

Julian Draxler: Was quiet for much of the game but grew into the second half especially and looked like Wolfsburg's most dangerous player once Schurrle had come on to free up some space. (7/10)

Josua Guilavogui: Not the best in possession, but gave his defence some decent protection and limited the influence of Rooney. (6/10)

Max Kruse: Looked to have that touch of class capable of picking open defences. Provided the assist for the opening goal and sent a few other quality passes through to create decent positions for his side. (7/10)

Maximilian Arnold: Not a bad performance by any stretch of the imagination from the youngster. Held his own in the middle of the park and did not make things easy for the much more experienced Schweinsteiger. (6/10)

Daniel Caligiuri: Got the opening goal with a smart finish inside the box, having earlier shown good intent to cut in from the flank. Popped up all over the place throughout the course of the match, and nearly got another when his low drive was saved by De Gea. However, he also gave away the penalty for a handball on an eventful night. (7/10)

Attack

Bas Dost: Was never really able to get into the match and was starved of clear goalscoring chances. His hold-up play and link-up play was good enough, but he was denied any real sights of goal. (6/10)

Substitutes

Nicklas Bendtner: Replaced Dost for the final 20 minutes but the former Arsenal man fared no better, mis-kicking one difficult chance and just failing to get on the end of a couple of crosses. (6/10)

Andre Schurrle: Came on at the same time as Bendtner and made a difference down the flank, sending one shot just wide and asking questions of Darmian. (6/10)

Sebastian Jung: Introduced with 13 minutes remaining but couldn't help his side find an equaliser. (6/10)


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Louis van Gaal manager of Manchester United celebrates victory with winning goalscorer Chris Smalling in the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Manchester United FC and VfL Wolfsburg at Old Trafford on September 30, 2015
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