Phil Hay's rankings

Felix Wiedwald - Must have been tempted to take a seat in the South Stand during the first half. So easy for him there was literally nothing to score him on. 6/10

Luke Ayling - Both of United’s full-backs were aggressive from the start, sensing that they could risk leaving gaps behind them. Burton posed no threat. 8/10

Pontus Jansson - Walked all over Clough’s attack, such as it was, and came close to snatching a goal. A day when every player was looking for one. 8/10

Liam Cooper - An easy day for Cooper but his strength and his reading of the game did not give Burton a sniff. 8/10

Vurnon Anita - Set the right tone immediately with a series of breaks down the left and offered a regular outlet in that area. An enforced substitution at half-time. 7/10

Kalvin Phillips - Another goal for Phillips, taken with a deft finish into the far corner. Smashed up Burton’s midfield, forcing McFadzean’s early substitution. 8/10

Eunan O’Kane - Timed the pass for Lasogga’s first beautifully and gave Christiansen’s front four the licence to run riot. 8/10

Kemar Roofe - Scored one with a cracking finish, created another with a cross for Lasogga and was in the mix for Phillips’ effort as well. 8/10

Samuel Saiz - Between them, he and Hernandez conducted the orchestra from the first whistle. Was involved in everything, as seems to be his way. 9/10

Pablo Hernandez - Hard to single one player out but Hernandez was unplayable. Drifted all over the pitch, passing crisply and creating holes. The Spaniard at his best. 9/10

Pierre-Michel Lasogga - What a debut. Scored two, hit a post, was denied twice more by a fraction and produced some excellent interplay. Looked like the real deal. 9/10

Substitutes:

Stuart Dallas (for Anita, 46) - Came on at left-back at what was the perfect time to experiment. The balance of the game meant he was able to play as a winger too. 7/10

Mateusz Klich (for O’Kane, 56) - Showed a better range of passing than he had previously and kept Burton turning. Promising signs. 7/10

Jay-Roy Grot (for Lasogga, 62) - No doubt that he’s more green than Lasogga but at 19, he’s bound to be. Kept the visitors busy until the end. 6/10

Subs (not used): Andy Lonergan, Conor Shaughnessy, Gjanni Alioski, Pawel Cibicki.

Referee: Oliver Langford (West Midlands) - Seemed certain about the penalty and let the game flow. An easy fixture to manage. 7/10

 

Expecting to see Borthwick Jackson for Anita on Tuesday with Cibicki coming in for Hernandez & Alioski back in for Roofe

 

Agree. Is it me or does Ayling play every game more or less.

 

Did nor expect to see Saiz and Hernandez play in the same team, especially from the start, but they have, and are flying.

 

If Pablo could play like yesterday in every game we win the league. He isnt able to do that every game though so Either Tommy rests him midweek or he plays him until he drops? Either way he will be out every so often so having the new guy Cibicki who can play on the flanks is a bonus as he scores goals too, plus we have Alioski, Roofe & Anita that can fill in too in front of Phillips, O'Kane or Klich

 

Still the best and most hardworking player we have.

 

We have options alright...

 

He certainly puts in a shift. How much did we pay for Ayling, and how much is he worth now?

 

Half right. Love Ayling but hard to say he is our best player from what I saw yesterday

 

Does it game in and game out imo and has since he got here,
If the newbies are still performing as reports suggest they did yesterday in a years time we can have the debate, but will be visiting old toilet and the emirates to watch them.

 

Paid £1 mill including addons iirc ..
Worth north of £5mill now IMO.

 

Not knocking Ayling and not getting into a debate where promotion is the only thing that can prove me right. Happy to have a debate about lack of progress though

 

What the **** do you season ticket holding southerners know

 

Ayling has to be good as he dislodged the clubs best right back in Berardi, which officially makes him the new best right back

 

I know nothing

 

Time will tell on progress. Beating Burton is not a barometer on progress. Second in the table might be.......

 

True dat.

 

But, last season we struggled against these teams.......

 

Is that street talk