Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Gary Lineker says that Manchester United's Maroaune Fellaini uses his elbows more than any player he has ever seen.
The towering Belgium midfielder escaped punishment during United's 2-0 first leg defeat by Liverpool in the Europa League after appearing to catch Emre Can with a flying elbow. The incident was played down by the Turkish midfielder.
Fellaini then appeared to use his elbow yet again in the second leg last night at Old Trafford, which ended 1-1, firstly catching Dejan Lovren and then catching Roberto Firmino.
Speaking as a pundit on BT Sport, former referee Howard Webb said that Fellaini should have been sent off for his elbow on the defender Lovren. Fellaini was booked for that incident (see below ).
Lineker then added on Twitter last night:
Show all 24 1 /24Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings David de Gea – 7 out of 10 Could he potentially have stood up better for Coutinho’s goal? Maybe but once again, it was his saves and stops which kept it from getting embarrassing.
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Guillermo Varela – 5 out of 10 Tenacity, dynamism but full of defensive lapses. He is like a proto-Rafael and a player that supporters should grow to love, but one that has a lot to learn.
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Chris Smalling – 6 out of 10 Faced little threat in the first half with the onus on his attacking team-mates but looked troubled as the game went on, especially after Origi’s introduction.
2016 Liverpool FC
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Daley Blind – 7 out of 10 Like his defensive partner, benefited from his team needing to attack. Largely solid, distributed well and coped well with Liverpool’s pace in behind.
2016 Manchester United FC
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Marcos Rojo – 6 out of 10 Looked more comfortable with his offensive duties tonight and offered excellent support to Martial, compounding Clyne’s misery. Defensively, still suspect and often switched off.
2016 Manchester United FC
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Michael Carrick – 6 out of 10 Far more comfortable at the base of midfield than the makeshift-sweeper role he took up at Anfield but, judging by his fitness, will not operate at this level much longer.
2016 Manchester United FC
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Marouane Fellaini – 4 out of 10 The most unpopular man in the ground. The jeers may be undeserved but so is his starting place, and he should not have stayed on after his elbow on Lovren.
2016 Manchester United FC
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Jesse Lingard – 5 out of 10 The young winger will feel he could have done better with an early header on goal. Interchanged with the rest of the forward line but offered nothing decisive.
2016 Manchester United FC
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Juan Mata – 5 out of 10 Loose passes early on gave the impression this would be one of the Spaniard’s poorer evenings and a scuffed volley minutes later confirmed as much.
GETTY IMAGES
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Anthony Martial – 8 out of 10 United’s best attacking outlet. He had the beating of his man from the first minute to the last but he cannot do it all himself
2016 Manchester United FC
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Marcus Rashford – 6 out of 10 Seven consecutive starts told on the youngster’s legs. He often lacked the zip required to beat the last man but was adventurous nonetheless.
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings BEST OFF THE BENCH: Bastian Schweinsteiger – 5 out of 10 The German, who looks ‘well wintered’ after his injury break, scuffed a shot and made a silly tackle. Influential on Sunday, anything but here.
Getty
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Simon Mignolet – 6 out of 10 Denied Lingard acrobatically in the first-half when a simpler save may do. The Belgian largely maintained the uncharacteristic composure he’s shown in recent weeks.
2016 Liverpool FC
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings James Milner – 6 out of 10 Filling in at left-back at times seemed a big ask, especially against the adventurous Varela in the first-half, but he slowly grew into the role.
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Dejan Lovren – 7 out of 10 Another to maintain the improved form he’s shown recently, give or take a few shaky moments. a new confidence under Klopp.
2016 Manchester United FC
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Mamadou Sakho – 7 out of 10 Cumbersome, inelegant but at least he can pass a ball. Much of Liverpool’s best attacking play came out of the back through the Frenchman.
2016 Manchester United FC
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Nathaniel Clyne – 4 out of 10 Since joining last summer, the right back has been solid, week in and week out. Tonight was his off-night and Martial made the most of it.
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Philippe Coutinho – 7 out of 10 The Brazilian looked out-of-sorts until his sublime goal, which will go down as one of Liverpool’s best on this ground. Ultimately, a tie-winning performance.
2016 Liverpool FC
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Roberto Firmino – 5 out of 10 Failed to carry his excellent form into this encounter. Instead, he reminded us that he easily drifts out of games and still much to prove.
2016 Getty Images
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Jordan Henderson - 5 out of 10 Liverpool’s captain failed to impose himself on the occasion. The one moment he did, he earned a clear cut chance but could only fire over.
2016 Liverpool FC
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Roberto Firmino – 5 out of 10 Failed to carry his excellent form into this encounter. Instead, he reminded us that he easily drifts out of games and still much to prove.
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Daniel Sturridge – 5 out of 10 Liverpool will be glad they learned how to cope without him during his time out injured. He’s been in a rut since returning and this was no better.
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings Adam Lallana – 5 out of 10 A peripheral figure for much of the match and will be disappointed not to have built on the dynamism he showed at Anfield.
2016 Manchester United FC
Manchester United 1 Liverpool 1 player ratings BEST OFF THE BENCH: Divock Origi – 7 out of 10 An intelligent substitution by Klopp. His pace, strength and drive pushed Liverpool ten yards up the field, keeping United at bay in the closing stages.
Fellaini's United take on rivals Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies