Man United Beat Luton 3-0 in Carabao Cup: Player Ratings, Bailly and Rashford Shine

Manchester United went to Luton Town in the Carabao Cup third round and came away with their first win of the season, 3-0, with goals from Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood. The Manchester Evening News rated the players afterwards, and the marks tell a fairly clear story of who helped themselves and who did not.

The highest mark, an 8, went to goalkeeper Dean Henderson. He was confident throughout, and the report singles out an effortless pass to Brandon Williams as a showcase for his distribution. He was also described as much more vocal than David de Gea, and he made a fine save late on to protect the clean sheet.

At the other end of the scale was Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who got a 5. The coaching staff had to tell him to get forward time and again, and the verdict was that he needs reminding he is no longer at Crystal Palace. Odion Ighalo also received a 5. He was a passenger at times and rarely threatened Luton in the first half, though he was livelier after the break.

In defence, Eric Bailly earned a 7. There were a few erratic moments, but he was relatively steady in what the report calls an audition to replace Victor Lindelof for the trip to Brighton. Harry Maguire got a 6: he could have used the ball better from the back at times, but he led confidently and helped keep the clean sheet. Williams, also a 6, began unsteadily, recovered, and burst forward to win the penalty late in the first half. He was much improved in the second.

That penalty was converted by Mata, who put United 1-0 up just before half-time. The goal made him the only player to have scored in every post-Ferguson season at the club. He was rated 6. In midfield, Nemanja Matic scored a 7: he used the ball well, and his intelligence helped United through some tricky spells in the first half. The report says he has to be a contender to start at Brighton. Fred, on his first appearance of the season, was tidy on the ball without properly affecting the play, a useful workout and a 6. Donny van de Beek, also a 6, was encouraging with and without the ball. He selflessly created a chance for Mata and had an effort of his own stopped by James Shea.

Jesse Lingard earned a 7. He showed some purpose, the report says, despite fluttering his eyelashes at an uninterested Tottenham, and he came close to scoring.

The substitutes made the difference. Bruno Fernandes almost scored and claimed an assist, earning a 7. Rashford scored to kill the game, also a 7, and Greenwood scored off the bench for another 7.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was given a 7 as well. The report argues he was well within his rights to pick a strong side aiming to win a trophy at the earliest possible stage, and that he showed intent by bringing on Greenwood, Rashford and Fernandes. Next up is Brighton, where the questions will be whether Bailly and Matic have done enough to start, and how Wan-Bissaka responds to the criticism.