Express & Star

Manchester United 1 Wolves 1 – player ratings

Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers rates the players a 1-1 draw against Manchester United.

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Rui Patricio

Blameless for the goal which was driven quickly through a crowd of players. Got his Mr Tickle arms out to push a Fred free kick on to the upright at an important juncture in the game and later saved well from a Lingard rasper and a Fellaini header. Conceded only two goals in four games and looks harder to beat than a concrete egg. Distribution has notably improved too. Looks to be a strong early contender for player of the season. 8/10

Ryan Bennett

Week after week he just keeps those standards incredibly high. Nothing was getting past him at Old Trafford and when Alexis Sanchez was substituted it was a reminder to everyone in the stadium that he had been participating in the match, such was the dominance of Bennett and Matt Doherty to keep the Chilean quiet. More clearances (seven) and more interceptions (four) than anyone on the pitch. A colossus. Bennett for England? 9/10

Conor Coady

Another very good day for Coady who kept a very close eye on Romelu Lukaku (who had only one opportunity all match and that was from an offside position). Calm, composed and led the back line with his usual aplomb. Coady for England? 8/10

Willy Boly

Like the team he has made a big improvement in the past few weeks and now looks to be pretty comfortable at this level. Starting to bring it out from the back with the confidence and assuredness he showed week after week last season. Produced a vital late interception to prevent Lukaku from having a free shot just a few yards out. Boly for England? Oh. 8/10

Matt Doherty

Getting back to that metronomic consistency we saw all last season, which won him third place in the player of the year awards. Defensively he was superb, helping quell the threat of Alexis Sanchez and Luke Shaw down that United left. Neither player did anything of note. 8/10

Joao Moutinho

How much? £5million? That wouldn't buy you his nipples if Wolves sold him now. Think Rolls Royce, think Cartier, think Caviar, think Joao Moutinho. He's the kind of guy you'd imagine does his whole food shop at Waitrose, he doesn't just go there for his bits. Poise and finesse seep off his elegant frame like cartoon stink-lines. Has adapted impressively quickly to Premier League life and here he was the best midfielder on the pitch. What a finish for his goal, too. 9/10

Ruben Neves

The Two Ronnies, Batman and Robin, Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons, name a better duo, I'll wait, etc. Another impressive showing from Neves alongside his compatriot Moutinho who can surely be justifiably called one of the best midfield pairings in the Premier League? They certainly were far more effective than Paul Pogba (£90m) yesterday. The defensive side of Neves's game has improved no end and that came in very handy at Old Trafford. 8/10

Jonny Castro Otto

This guy must be so annoying to play against. A relentless bundle of buzzing positivity, humming up and down that left flank all day long. Another all-action display with interceptions, high pressing and some very good defensive work. 7/10

Helder Costa

There's a reason why the club's £18million record signing can't get in the team – and that reason is Helder Costa. Improving week by week and this was his best display so far. Produced a number of darting runs into the heart of the United half with that trademark close control. Looks to be growing in confidence too – he sent Lindelof to Altrincham with one particularly zippy turn of pace. Defended brilliantly from the front, pressed the United back line and played his part in the goal with good persistence to work an angle for a cross. Excellent. 9/10

Raul Jimenez

Led the line superbly from minute one. Strong, powerful, good in the air and an ideal fulcrum in that opposition third of the field. Has a great knack of peeling off his man and finding space. Could have got on the scoresheet with a decent effort on the turn and then he teed up Moutinho's equaliser with a nice lay off. Really impressive, yet again. 8/10

Diogo Jota

Gave the ball away too often in the first half but he grew into the game and began to frighten the life out of the United defenders in the second half, running at them time and again with a direct approach. He's another who's improving week by week. 7/10

Substitutes

Adama Traore (for Costa, 75)

Fashioned a couple of late opportunities on the break, purely from his unbelievable pace, forcing a save from De Gea at his near post and then crashing one wide from range when the better option was to pass to Morgan Gibbs-White. 6/10

Romain Saiss (for Moutinho, 80)

His first appearance of the Premier League season as Nuno tried to shore things up when United were dominating. 6/10

Morgan Gibbs-White (for Jota, 86)

What a show of faith that Nuno sent the 18-year-old on just when Wolves were right under the cosh. N/A

Subs not used: Ruddy, Hause, Vinagre, Bonatini.