Football
Musa Okwonga, ESPN.com writer 6y

Sergio Romero's error, Romelu Lukaku's wastefulness cost Man United vs. Derby

The Carabao Cup saw Manchester United host Derby County, with Jose Mourinho against his former player Frank Lampard -- but, sadly for United, the master succumbed to the apprentice Tuesday. United's loss -- Derby winning 8-7 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in normal time -- was worryingly deserved, with Derby ultimately providing not only much more desire but much more attacking guile than the home side managed to summon. One wonders how Mourinho will react to this outing.

Positives

Anthony Martial was a tireless attacker on his flank, and Diogo Dalot not only defended competently but made a good case to be his team's starting right-back. Juan Mata also looked lively throughout.

Negatives

Sergio Romero picked up a wholly unnecessary red card. Jesse Lingard and Romelu Lukaku again struggled to create much after a very bright start. Ander Herrera seemed a little shackled by his midfield responsibilities, and Eric Bailly looked out of sorts.

Manager rating (out of 10)

5 -- Mourinho's players failed again to assert control of the match after a superb start, and this has happened so often of late that the fault must partially lie with him.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)

GK Sergio Romero, 5 -- Made two fine and vital saves but then lost focus, slashing the ball into the path of onrushing attackers. Placed the greatest blemish on his performance by handling outside his area and receiving a straight red card.

DF Diogo Dalot, 7 -- Solid defensively and provided an excellent assist for Marouane Fellaini in injury time. Looks to be a wonderful prospect in this position.

DF Phil Jones, 6 -- A competent performance, with positioning and passing both reasonable. His decisive penalty miss might attract unfairly harsh headlines.

DF Eric Bailly, 5 -- Some worrying lapses in concentration, as he allowed through balls to elude him or sliced them to waiting attackers. He remains some way below his best.

DF Ashley Young, 6 -- His emphatic penalty in the shootout was that of a true leader. On a night when he was short on attacking flair, he offered a robust defensive performance.

MF Nemanja Matic, 6 -- Fairly solid for the most part, with the odd defensive misstep, but did not do enough to build the play in an assertive fashion.

MF Ander Herrera, 6 -- An oddly muted performance where he worked extremely hard but seemed stymied by his defensive tactical brief.

MF Juan Mata, 7 -- Was unfortunate to be withdrawn for Lee Grant after Romero's red card. He scored a fine opener, prompted most of United's best play, and was consistently one of their best options on the ball in the final third.

FW Jesse Lingard, 5 -- Great involvement in the buildup for Mata's opener but largely ineffectual thereafter, working hard but to little end.

FW Anthony Martial, 7 -- Endlessly inventive, his dribbling led to most of United's best opportunities, and he probably deserved a goal for his efforts.

FW Romelu Lukaku, 5 -- Should have scored at least once, in a performance where he was lacking sharpness. He broke free on one occasion and should have finished, but his technique failed him. A difficult period for him at the moment.

Substitutes

MF Fred, 6 (for Lingard, 63 minutes) -- Worked hard but failed truly to impose himself on proceedings.

MF Marouane Fellaini, 8 (for Herrera, 63 minutes) -- Almost saved United, his passing was perceptive and ambitious and his injury-time header dragged them into a shootout. A vital presence again for the club.

GK Lee Grant, 7 (for Mata, 70 minutes) -- A very good save kept United in the game, though he was defenceless against Derby's superb penalties.

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