1. David De Gea - 7 - Was brave to come off his line and jump on the ball after a tricky cross in from Shevchuk near the start of the second half. Couldn't do anything about the goal and made a terrific save to tip the ball over the top after a nasty deflection off Smalling sent the ball shooting towards the top corner. It could have caught him out but he stayed alert and protected the goal well.
2. Rafael - 6 - Proved again why the right back spot is his with a good performance that did not allow him to get forward as much as he usually does. He did well defensively and made some good tackles to ensure United got the point. Also linked up well with Van Persie to allow the Dutchman a shot that was blocked in the latter stages.
12. Chris Smalling - 7 - Looks far more comfortable in his natural position and this experience will be great for him. Got in some vital headers and survived the pressure late on.
15. Nemanja Vidic - 7 - Was a rock in the defence for 75 minutes until his mistake gifted Taison the ball in the box and allowed Shakhtar to equalise. However, he was one of United's outstanding performers besides this mistake as he made countless important tackles, headers and clearances including one vital one early in the second half when he dispossessed Adriano in a dangerous position in the box.
3. Patrice Evra - 6 - A decent performance by the Frenchman who showed he still has it in him to put in a good defensive shift although he was helped out by the tireless running of Welbeck.
25. Antonio Valencia - 6 - Was involved in the United goal after giving the ball to Fellaini who provided the assist but apart from that was more focused on helping out Rafael than getting forward. Did the job though and tracked back well, more so than if Young or Nani were in his position.
16. Michael Carrick - 6 - Showed his experience as he kept possession and shielded the defence by keeping it tight in front of United's box. One of his better performances so far this season.
31. Marouanne Fellaini - 5 - Got an assist but was quite wasteful in possession and was taken off in the second half as he seemed to be fouling players all the time. Was booked although the ref somehow got him confused with Valencia.
12. Chris Smalling - 7 - Looks far more comfortable in his natural position and this experience will be great for him. Got in some vital headers and survived the pressure late on.
15. Nemanja Vidic - 7 - Was a rock in the defence for 75 minutes until his mistake gifted Taison the ball in the box and allowed Shakhtar to equalise. However, he was one of United's outstanding performers besides this mistake as he made countless important tackles, headers and clearances including one vital one early in the second half when he dispossessed Adriano in a dangerous position in the box.
3. Patrice Evra - 6 - A decent performance by the Frenchman who showed he still has it in him to put in a good defensive shift although he was helped out by the tireless running of Welbeck.
25. Antonio Valencia - 6 - Was involved in the United goal after giving the ball to Fellaini who provided the assist but apart from that was more focused on helping out Rafael than getting forward. Did the job though and tracked back well, more so than if Young or Nani were in his position.
16. Michael Carrick - 6 - Showed his experience as he kept possession and shielded the defence by keeping it tight in front of United's box. One of his better performances so far this season.
31. Marouanne Fellaini - 5 - Got an assist but was quite wasteful in possession and was taken off in the second half as he seemed to be fouling players all the time. Was booked although the ref somehow got him confused with Valencia.
23. Tom Cleverley - 7 - Very assured performance, he injects energy into the midfield and never stopped running and closing down the opposition.
19. Danny Welbeck - 7 - Got the goal United needed with a fearless finish after a brilliant run into the box. He anticipated the mistake that allowed him to slide in and steer the ball in with a typical foward's finish. Apart from the goal he didn't get much chance to work the goalkeeper but he ran tirelessly all game making it hard for Shakhtar and helping Evra out down the left.
20. Robin Van Persie - 6 - Didn't have too many chances and was a bit isolated up front on his own but looked sharp on the ball and did well to turn his defender in the first half and get a shot away and linked up well with Rafael to start a move in the second half that he could have finished had his shot not been blocked. Won some good headers and it was a decent performance overall.
Substitutions-
11. Ryan Giggs - 6 - Replaced Fellaini. Mr Experience. He did his job well coming on for his record 145th Champions League appearance.
4. Phil Jones - N/A - Came on with seconds remaining to wind down the clock so had little chance to do anything.
4. Phil Jones - N/A - Came on with seconds remaining to wind down the clock so had little chance to do anything.
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