Manchester United vs. Liverpool: Rating the United Players in 2-1 Win

Manchester United defeated Liverpool 2-1 on Saturday in a Barclays Premier League match overshadowed by events before the first whistle.

Before the first whistle, Liverpool's Luis Suarez snubbed Manchester United captain Patrice Evra as the teams lined up for pre-match handshakes. Suarez and Evra, you'll recall, have been embroiled in a bitter racism controversy that resulted in an eight-match ban for Suarez.

Saturday's match was Suarez' second overall and first start since returning from the ban, and his presence at Old Trafford clearly contributed to an already-heated rivalry atmosphere. United secured the points with Wayne Rooney's brace early in the second half.

In general, the Red Devils performed well, as Sir Alex Ferguson's lack of substitutions would suggest. United's player ratings appear below.

Goalkeeper

David de Gea: 7.0

There was little to quibble about this time. de Gea was largely untroubled, and he really can't be held responsible for Liverpool's goal. He did well to tip over Glen Johnson's powerful drive late in the second half. The ball could have flown over, onto or under the bar, and de Gea couldn't have known which was the case.

Defenders

Rafael: 7.0

The Brazilian youngster put in a solid performance on United's right side. He defended well and got forward into the space left untended by Liverpool's Stewart Downing. His shot in the first half was more dangerous than it looked.

Rio Ferdinand: 5.5

Depending on which team you support, Ferdinand's challenge on Suarez late in the first half was either a red card offense or a brilliantly timed saving tackle. For neutrals it looked suspicious at best and red-card worthy at worst. Regardless, Ferdinand was clearly responsible for Liverpool's goal. His obvious steadying affect on Evra aside, Ferdinand wasn't on his best game.

Jonathan Evans: 7.5

Evans served as a towering presence for United in the air, easily dealing with any lofted ball that entered his area. All in all, Evans played very well.

Patrice Evra: 6.0

Evra allowed Glen Johnson the space he needed for a dangerous shot early in the first half, and the incident suggested that Evra's nerves were getting the best of him up to that point. That was understandable, considering Suarez' snub. Evra calmed down, however, defending well and getting forward when possible.

Midfielders

Paul Scholes: 7.0

Scholes gave away a pass in the midfield in the 12th minute, and that was pretty much the only thing he did wrong all day. He broke up Liverpool attacks and started several for United. He nearly even scored with a header in the 31st minute after a sweeping United move.

Michael Carrick: 7.0

Carrick did exactly what a good holding midfielder should do. He did his business quietly but effectively. Liverpool struggled to connect passes through the midfield all day, and Carrick was a big reason why.

Ryan Giggs: 6.5

Giggs lined up wide but tended to drift into the middle in the first half, giving Liverpool too much space down United's left side. He remedied that in the second half and supplied plenty of excellent passes throughout the match. Saturday represented another excellent performance for United's (other) ageless midfielder.

Antonio Valencia: 8.0

Valencia may have been United's most active player Saturday. A live wire down the right flank from start to finish, Valencia won possession and played a perfect final ball to set up Rooney's second (and winning) goal. If not for Rooney's own outstanding day, Valencia would have been United's man of the match.

Forwards

Wayne Rooney: 8.5 (Man of the Match)

Rooney's work rate was immense. His finishing was lethal. His passing, link-up play and combinations were creative and efficient.

Danny Welbeck: 6.5

Welbeck combined well with Rooney throughout the 90 minutes, but he didn't actually present much of a threat to score. His best chance ended with a shot launched into Row Z, but that didn't overshadow a strong overall performance.

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