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Manchester United u21s completed another incredible comeback in the EFL Trophy to snatch two points with a victory in penalties over Doncaster Rovers. Here are our player ratings for the match.
Read the detailed match report of all the action here.
(A score of 6 is around average)
Dermot Mee – 6 – A match of highs and lows, he struggled a bit with the task of playing out from the back. A poor pass gave Doncaster their third goal. But he made up for it with his involvement in Jackson’s goal and ultimately earned United the win in penalties as he denied George Broadbent from the spot.
Habeeb Ogunneye – 6.5 – Safe in possession he was a good outlet when playing out of the back, but didn’t venture too far forward to contribute in attack.
Jack Kingdon – 6.5 – An unfortunate deflection off of him gave Doncaster their opener but it didn’t affect Kingdon as he played a composed game and cleared United’s box well.
Tommy Rowe – 5 – A poor match from the former Doncaster man, whose failed clearances led to Doncaster’s first two goals. Despite his elder statesmen role in the side, he also looked more panicked in possession at times than the youngsters.
Harry Amass – 7 – A good if unspectacular performance from Amass, such are the high standards that he has brought. As always he was incredible safe in possession as he played out of pressure with extreme composure but he could have made a more threatening impact in the final third. He was strong defensively as well, making six ball recoveries. Dispatched his penalty perfectly into the top right corner.
Jacob Devaney – 7.5 – Arguably the man of the match after Ennis, Devaney was key to much of United’s impressive play. Tasked with sitting in front of the backline, Devaney often had to take possession under heavy pressure to play through the lines and break Doncaster’s press, which he did almost effortlessly. Despite being put in some precarious positions, he rarely lost the ball. Defensively he also denied a couple of fledgling Doncaster counters that could have proved dangerous.
Dan Gore – 6.5 – A decent performance on his return, wasn’t involved as much as Devaney but was smart on the ball when he saw it, moving it quick and precisely. Despite just returning from a long injury lay off, he wasn’t afraid to get involved in some tussles either, drawing three fouls and brushing off what could have been a couple more.
Ethan Ennis – 8 – He doesn’t get involved in the passing build up much but he was a constant menace on the right wing. He created the match’s opening goal with a sensation 50 yard run from United’s half. He then scored United’s second with good positioning in the box before being subbed off late on. As hard as he works in attack, he matches it tracking back as well, making a great tackle towards the end of the first half.
Jack Fletcher – 6 – Not his best match, with some sloppy passing and failing to carve any clear openings. But his talent still shone through at times with good ball control and took his penalty well.
Sam Mather – 7.5 – A man of key moments, applied a very good finish for United’s opener before working hard to win possession high up and supply the assist for Ennis’ goal. He also stepped up to score the first in the penalty shootout. Despite the clear talent, it is hard not to be left wanting more though as he drifts in and out of the match.
Ethan Wheatley – 5 – Largely a night to forget for the striker, little came off for him. Struggled to hold up play or get involved in any link up as the ball bounced off of him and was pushed around by the defenders. Did well with his pressing for United’s second goal and despite the disappointing night, he still stepped up and slotted away his penalty as top strikers do.
Substitutes
Louis Jackson – 7 – Came in and slotted in alright at the back, but really made his impact with the last-second equaliser in dramatic fashion. Did extremely well to control the ball down as it bounced at an awkward height before firing home.
Finley McAllister – 6.5 – As always, brings high energy and fight to the game which is so important in the team’s late comebacks. Filled in at right back and did a fine job playing out from the back, rarely making a wrong pass.
Ashton Missin – 6 – Not on for long but offered an option on the right wing.
Gabriele Biancheri – 6 – Didn’t have much of an influence in the final minutes of regular time but scored the winning penalty with a fantastic effort.
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