Manchester United responded well to their Anfield embarrassment with a commanding victory over Real Betis, but dropped more Premier League points against Southampton in a weekend draw.
Erik ten Hag's side are well positioned to advance to the Europa League quarter-finals after a 4-1 first leg victory at Old Trafford last Thursday, but could not make it back-to-back home wins on Sunday. Relegation-threatened Southampton picked up a precious point on their travels against a United side that played with 10 men for almost an hour after Casemiro saw red.
The Manchester Evening News United power rankings factor all this in, and there is plenty of movement to reflect a mixed week on the pitch. Here's the countdown.
READ MORE: Player ratings vs Southampton as Lisandro Martinez good and Wout Weghorst poor
Last week's ranking: 7
Stats: 29 appearances, four goals, five assists
Somewhat surprisingly did not feature against Betis. Ten Hag entrusted the teenager to unsettle the Southampton backline as a substitute and he had plenty of opportunities to do so before picking up an injury which he'll hope is not a serious one.
9. Fred
Last week's ranking: 6
Stats: 39 appearances, six goals, four assists
After coming out of Anfield with a smidge of credit, Fred saw a lot of the evaporate early in the Betis game due to his wastefulness with the ball. There was improvement in the second half, especially off the ball, as the team as a whole improved, but it was not surprising to see him on the bench for the visit of Southampton. Had little time to change that narrative in added time after replacing the injured Garnacho.
Last week's ranking: 5
Stats: 14 appearances, one goal, three assists
A first Old Trafford goal was an obvious highlight for the centre-forward this week when adding the fourth late on against Betis. This goalscoring form didn't translate to the Premier League, though, as a headed chance was missed against the Saints before Casemiro's sending-off necessitated the striker being substituted early for the third straight weekend.
7. David de Gea
Last week's ranking: 4
Stats: 40 appearances, 45 goals conceded, 17 clean sheets
A mixed week for the United goalkeeper. As is becoming a common occurrence, De Gea's distribution left a lot to be desired in midweek, and could have easily cost a goal had Betis not hit the post instead. But the weekend saw his shot-stopping come to the fore to keep out Theo Walcott twice and preserve a 17th clean sheet of the season.
6. Casemiro
Last week's ranking: 2
Stats: 37 appearances, five goals, five assists
For as much as he brings to this team on the pitch, his red card against Southampton must be a turning point in terms of discipline. He is now facing a third suspension of the season and will have missed eight matches by the time he returns. United rely on the 31-year-old to hold their midfield together, but they need to be able to rely on him to stay on the pitch. Against Betis he put a bad performance at Anfield behind him and showed a creative side to carve open the opposition's backline.
Last week's ranking: 10
Stats: 42 appearances, eight goals, 12 assists
Responded ideally to the criticism that came his way after those antics at Anfield with a goal and assist for Anthony against Betis in a much-improved second half showing. Fernandes could not quite hit those heights again versus Southampton albeit he was not helped by Casemiro's early exit necessitating a move into central midfield. Playing deeper, he did create a chance for Rashford and tested the opposition goalkeeper with an effort of his own.
4. Luke Shaw
Last week's ranking: 9
Stats: 34 appearances, one goal, five assists
Improved gradually as the week went on after a mixed night against Betis when his attacking qualities were highlighted by setting up Fernandes' goal, but being culpable for the Betis equaliser. Against Southampton, he was the most effective attacking outlet on the pitch with his deliveries from wide.
Last week's ranking: 8
Stats: 27 appearances, zero goals, zero assists
The veteran defender bounced back impressively against Betis and was composure personified against familiar foes. Varane kept his calm during a far-from-straightforward first half to give United a platform for the goals to finally flow from after the break. In the Southampton match, he made one crucial block and almost capped an impressive first-half showing with a goal at the other end.
Last week's ranking: 1
Stats: 42 appearances, 25 goals, nine assists
Ended a relative goal drought by his high standards with the opener against Betis inside six minutes. Aside from that finish, Rashford flattered to deceive this week, particularly, during the Southampton draw, as two presentable chances were squandered inside the opening half hour.
Last week's ranking: 3
Stats: 39 appearances, one goal, zero assists
In a much improved week of defensive performances from United, Martinez was the standout defender across both matches at Old Trafford. Heresponded exactly how Ten Hag would have hoped after being substituted at Anfield. Improved immeasurably against Betis before impressing after the team went down to 10 men versus Southampton.
The next five:
11. Antony (29 appearances, seven goals, one assist)
12. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (20 appearances, zero goals, one assist)
13. Jadon Sancho (23 appearances, five goals, one assist)
14. Scott McTominay (31 appearances, two goals, one assist)
15. Facundo Pellistri (Six appearances, zero goals, one assist)
READ NEXT:READ NEXT:
