Goals either side of the break from Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao secured a 2-1 victory for Manchester United over Everton this afternoon.

Those two goals were split by an equaliser from Steven Naismith, while Everton full-back Leighton Baines also saw a first-half penalty saved by David de Gea.

Here, Sports Mole has looked back over the contest to rate the performances of all the players that were on show at Old Trafford.

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Goal

David de Gea: Not only did the Spaniard become the first goalkeeper to save a Baines penalty in the Premier League, he made two stops of the highest quality in stoppage time to preserve the lead. (8/10)

Defence

Luke Shaw: The youngster got forward well, but showed his inexperience when needlessly bringing down Hibbert for the penalty. (6/10)

Marcos Rojo: A relatively solid outing for the summer signing from Sporting Lisbon, who looks much more comfortable at centre-back than he did at left-back. (6/10)

Paddy McNair: The biggest compliment that you can pay the 19-year-old is that he wasn't noticed, which shows that he had a steady defensive game. (7/10)

Rafael da Silva: The full-back was criticised recently for his performance at Leicester City, but this was a much better display. He made numerous clearances and also offered support offensively. (8/10)

Midfield

Daley Blind: He has been neat and tidy since coming into the United midfield and that continued today. Blind always keeps the ball moving and reads the game well. (6/10)

Antonio Valencia: The Ecuador international was asked to play slightly more central today, which doesn't really suit his game. For most of the match he was largely anonymous. (5/10)

Juan Mata: A very positive first-half showing from the playmaker, who set up Di Maria's goal, but he faded in the second half. (6/10)

Angel di Maria: The club's record signing can do no wrong right now it would seem. He opened the scoring with a composed finish and then set up the winning goal, albeit with a touch of fortune. (7/10)

Attack

Robin van Persie: It still isn't quite happening for the Dutchman, who seems to be struggling to find top gear. It was surprise when it was Falcao and not him that was substituted. (6/10)

Radamel Falcao: He kept popping up in good positions, but it didn't look like it was going to be his day until he scored with a real predator's finish. It's a goal that will do wonders for his confidence. (7/10)

Substitutes

Tyler Blackett: Replaced Shaw and did well defensively, with one block to deny Barry deep into stoppage time the major highlight of his performance. (6/10)

James Wilson: The young striker was brought on to also do some defensive work, which he did well. (6/10)

Marouane Fellaini: The former Everton midfielder was not on for long and barley touched the ball. (5/10)

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Goal

Tim Howard: The American made some good stops, although he will be disappointed that he didn't clear the ball out to touch in the build up to United's second goal. (6/10)

Defence

Tony Hibbert: Steady and dependable, you know exactly what you are going to get from Hibbert. He even got forward at one point to win the penalty. (6/10)

John Stones: Another outing in which Stones read the game extremely well. His ankle injury looked a serious one, which if confirmed to be the case, will be a big blow to Everton. (6/10)

Phil Jagielka: Like his partner Stones, Jagielka was solid enough, although there were a couple of occasions when he struggled to contend with Falcao's movement. (6/10)

Leighton Baines: After missing his penalty, Baines could have hid, but to his credit he stood tall and played well in the second half. The full-back sent numerous dangerous crosses into the box. (7/10)

Midfield

Muhamed Besic: Similar to Blind for United, Besic is comfortable on the ball. Having said that, he was quiet for large parts of the game. (6/10)

Gareth Barry: It was a workmanlike performance from Barry, who as you'd expect, put in a decent shift for his team. (6/10)

Steven Pienaar: Back after injury, the South African looked rusty and struggled to strike up his usual good understanding down the left with Baines. (5/10)

Aiden McGeady: There is a belief that McGeady is more effective coming off the bench and that seemed to be the case today. The winger never really imposed himself on the game. (5/10)

Attack

Steven Naismith: The Scot has arguably been Everton's best player this season and he put in another decent showing today. His header left De Gea no chance. (7/10)

Romelu Lukaku: A disappointing afternoon for Lukaku, who failed to cause enough problems to an inexperienced United rearguard. (5/10)

Substitutes

Bryan Ovideo: He must have thought that his great strike in stoppage time was heading for the top corner, but his effort was matched by De Gea. (6/10)

Leon Osman: The midfielder found some spaces in the closing stages and caused problems, as well as having one good chance, but he was denied by De Gea. (6/10)

Tyias Browning: Brought on to offer more of a threat than Hibbert, but the youngster couldn't really get into the game. (6/10)

Written by
Liam Apicella