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Manchester United missed out on the chance to qualify at the top of their Champions League group after losing 2-1 against Valencia . Juventus were surprisingly beaten Young Boys, which meant Jose Mourinho ’s side needed to win to advance as group winners.
Carlos Soler opened the scoring with a fine solo finish before Phil Jones gifted the hosts a second moments after the break with a calamitous own goal following a mix-up with goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
United brought on Ashley Young, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard in the second half in an attempt to overturn the scoreline, instead of brining on academy players James Garner or Mason Greenwood as Mourinho previously hinted he might, but they were unable to get back into the game.
They will now travel back to Manchester and begin preparations to face Liverpool on Sunday as they look to close the gap on the top four in the Premier League.
Scroll through the gallery below to see how we rated the players from Mestalla.
Show all 22 1 /22Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Jaume Domenech - 7 He wasn’t really tested but dealt with crosses and the minimal threat United posed very well and made a few good saves.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Cristiano Piccini - 7 Strong performance from the full back, who, like the rest of Valencia’s back line stuck to their task well but weren’t really tested.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Mouctar Diakhaby - 6 Too fast and too strong for Lukaku and beat him to the ball all evening. Really good performance from the centre half.
EPA
Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Ruben Vezo - 6 Played well alongside his dominant partner. Moved to left-back early in the second half as Garay replaced Leto.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Antonio Lato - 7 Suffered from a nasty tackle by Valencia in the first half and got his revenge rather quickly, stopping the Ecuadorian himself. Was otherwise quite good.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Carlos Soler - 8 A cracking finish to open the scoring and more impressive general play with some great crosses and threatening chances. Was neat and tidy and has great technique, too. A good evening for him.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Daniel Parejo - 7 Will be happy with his display and hit some fantastic set pieces, corners that United could really do with, as the majority of them even beat the first man!
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Geoffrey Kondogbia - 7 A good performance from the midfielder with clever play in the middle. Like his midfield partners, he was neat and tidy but he also controlled and dictated the play.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Denis Cheryshev - 7 Was really impressive in the Summer World Cup for Russia, helping guide them to the quarter finals and whilst he hasn’t been able to replicate it all this season, he was good tonight.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Michy Batshuayi - 6 Enthusiastic performance without a doubt but his finishing was off as was his composure and will look back on this game as one that he could have profited from better.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Santi Mina - 7 Played some really neat one-twos with Batshuayi and was better than his partner but still unable to affect proceedings with a goal.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Sergio Romero - 6 Couldn’t really do anything with Valencia’s goal and made a couple of good stops but isn’t going to threaten David De Gea’s place in the first team any time soon, especially if he can’t communicate with his players. The second goal is an embarrassment as Romero doesn’t shout at Jones who just passes the ball beyong him.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Antonio Valencia - 5 Made a pretty nasty tackle early in the game which caused a yellow card. Looked off the pace throughout the 90 minutes and just not where he’s been the last few years.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Phil Jones - 4 Was equally as bad as Bailly during the game but his own goal ensures he comes off even worse. Truly terrible from Jones as he was trying to deal with the danger, he pretty embarrassingly put the ball into his own goal.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Eric Bailly - 5 Not a player with loads of confidence since being dropped from the first team and hasn’t come back since with a great performance, really.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Marcos Rojo - 6 Not as chaotic as his usual performances but still not the defender to help United challenge for the top honours any time soon. Replaced at half time.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Marouane Fellaini - 6 Won a few headers and tried to link up the play. Bit slow and sluggish on the ball but will be content with his contribution.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Fred - 5 Really disappointing from the Brazilian summer signing. He hasn’t been given much of a chance in this United side this season but when he has, he really hasn’t lit the pitch on fire. Even if he did so literally, it would make his performance a bit more interesting. Just offering nothing at the moment.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Paul Pogba - 5 Missed a sitter and gave the ball away, as per usual for the Frenchman. He is just not up to scratch in this Mourinho side despite the Portuguese lauding him pre-game. Pogba either doesn’t look up for the challenge or is perhaps just not as good as everyone makes out. I’m at a loss to explain it. Had a few good shots but gets stroppy when anything he does doesn’t work.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Juan Mata - 6 The Spaniard was a bit peripheral in the game. He got a nice reception from the home crowd and seemed to repay them by doing very little.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Andreas Pereira - 5 Not his finest showing on his return to Mestalla. Was roundly jeered by the supporters but didn’t do enough to affect proceedings. Had one good shot in the second half.
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Valencia vs Manchester United player ratings Romelu Lukaku - 5 Another hopeless performance leading the line from the Belgian. He may well score goals for United but his hold up play and first touch is so appalling I’m not sure how long United can let him lead the line. Things continue to bounce off him and it doesn’t look like getting better any time soon.
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