Manchester United Vs Sunderland: Player Ratings

Simon Mignolet - 6

Mignolet won't exactly come away from this one feeling too down beat about anything other than the goals he conceded. None of them were his fault at all, but at the end of the day he was forced to pick the ball out the net much more than he'd have liked and didn't really have all that much to do in between barring a few routine stops.

Carlos Cuellar - 5

Never again should he be pushed out to right-back. Understandably it was worth the risk pre-match as he's played a lot of games there, but he was done up like a kipper most the game by Ashley Young. Needs to be back in the middle with Gardner or Larsson dropping in while Bardsley sits out injured.

John O'Shea - 5

Not a great afternoon for O'Shea on his return to Old Trafford, where his only meaningful contribution to the game was to mis-hit a clearance straight into the path of Van Persie. Overall, he just couldn't follow up his commanding performance against Reading with anything decent.

Titus Bramble - 5

You really worried - as you probably usually do - when Bramble was named in the starting lineup, and the third goal showed exactly why his name is met with such trepidation. Beaten far too easily, and that will over shadow any of the 'alright' work he managed to put in for the rest of the afternoon.

Jack Colback - 6

The best of a bad bunch defensively for us this afternoon. Got his foot in well on most occasions, kept things moving forward as much as possible. Should really have been more alive for Rooney's third goal though.

Adam Johnson - 6

Johnson drifted in and out the game today and was another who couldn't take a good performance against Reading into a more high-profile game. Seemed to have much better luck in the second half however when he was switched to the left of midfield.

Seb Larsson - 7

Unusually for a Seb Larsson Central Midfield Special, I thought he did alright. For the first time in weeks his crossing and set piece play was spot on with nearly every chance he had, and in general he worked very hard in the middle.

Craig Gardner - 6

Given the role of protector in the midfield, he obviously falls way below what Lee Cattermole would give you, but he was ok in this one, if nothing more than that. Wasted a few opportunities to score when set up well by Wickham in the second half.

James McClean - 7

Right, we'll accept he wasted two chances in the first half to get us back into the game, but in the second half he did really, really well and was at the heart of anything good we did. He might not have always made the right decisions today, but at least he put himself about and was a problem for the United defenders.

Stephane Sessegnon - 7

Fairly absent in the first half, but was given a freer role in the second period and seemed to thrive in it. Good ball for Campbell to get on the end of and was a problem for opposing defenders. Few strikes at goal too which on another day would have hit the back of the net.

Steven Fletcher - 5

Rarely involved in the first half and perhaps a little tired after coming back from injury quickly to face Reading last time out. Picked up a worrying knock in the first half wand was forced off at the interval.

Connor Wickham - 7

Was once again outstanding in coming on as a substitute. Held the ball well, and looked very mobile. Perhaps too, unlucky not to get himself on the scoresheet. Certainly got to me asking the question now of O'Neill as to where he fits into our plans as he is warranting a starting berth.

Fraizer Campbell - 6

Came on as sub and at least this time he actually made in impact as with almost his first touch he got on the end of Sessegnon's cross to score. Overall, this was pretty much all he did though in a 20 minute spell.

James McFadden - 5

Well at least we know he's alive. Put in one decent cross during a five minute cameo at the end. Can't see him here beyond January though.

Man Of The Match: Connor Wickham

With no Danny Rose to talk about we'll go to one of our other England youth internationals. Wickham seemed to change the game when he came on and really looked up for this one. Would love to see him start alongside Fletcher if possible soon as he was a nuisance for Ferdinand, Vidic and Smalling this afternoon. Honourable mentions for McClean and Sessegnon too.