Juan Mata stars with goal and assist as Manchester United come from behind to beat Wolfsburg - PLAYER RATINGS 

By Joe Bernstein for MailOnline

Published: 15:46 EST, 30 September 2015 | Updated: 07:36 EST, 1 October 2015

Having been defeated by PSV Eindhoven 2-1 away from home a fortnight ago, Manchester United got off the mark in the Champions League on Wednesday night as they beat Wolfsburg 2-1.

The Red Devils defeated the Bundesliga side at Old Trafford thanks to goals from Juan Mata and Chris Smalling.

Here, Sportsmail's Joe Bernstein rates the players from both sides at Old Trafford...

 

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1)

David de Gea 6 – Got his gloves close to Caligiuri's goal but was beaten by the power. Didn't have an awful lot to do after that – Wolfsburg only had one other shot on target.

David de Gea grimaces after a missed chance for his Manchester United side in the first half

David de Gea grimaces after a missed chance for his Manchester United side in the first half

Antonio Valencia 5.5 – Out of sync with the rest of his team-mates as he stayed back and played Daniel Caligiuri onside for the opening goal. He never looked comfortable at right back and was replaced by Ashley Young at half-time.

Chris Smalling 6.5 – Distribution, normally one of his strongest points, was a bit wayward as he was temporarily rattled by conceding an early goal. But he recovered his composure to calmly steer home Mata's flick to put United ahead.

Centre half Chris Smalling (second left) gave the Red Devils the lead in the 53rd minute at Old Trafford

Centre half Chris Smalling (second left) gave the Red Devils the lead in the 53rd minute at Old Trafford

Daley Blind 6 – Everyone thinks he should be a weak spot in United's defence but nobody can exploit it, a bit like Javier Mascherano at Barcelona.

Matteo Darmian 6.5 – Filling in at left back to cover for injuries, the Italian did well going forward and set up Juan Mata with one expert cross. Going the other way he found Julian Draxler tougher than anyone he's faced in the Premier League but stuck to his task gamely.

Morgan Schneiderlin 6 – Restricted to a supporting role compared to with the marauding Schweinsteiger next to him. Booked for clipping Arnold and maybe fortunate not to get a second yellow for a late foul.

Bastian Schweinsteiger 7 – Belongs on the big Champions League stage. Sprayed the ball about and moved forward at the right time. Once the red shirts around him are fully on his wavelength, he'll be a real force.

Juan Mata 8 – Scored United's equaliser from the penalty spot and then set up Chris Smalling with a brilliant backheel to put them 2-1 up. United's danger-man throughout and he won their penalty when Daniel Caligiuri handled his cross. Scored eight goals in his last 21 matches, not bad for a No 10 being played 'out of position' on the right.

Juan Mata, who also set-up Smalling's goal in the second period, makes no mistake from the penalty spot

Juan Mata, who also set-up Smalling's goal in the second period, makes no mistake from the penalty spot

Wayne Rooney 6 – Skied a relatively easy finish from eight yards when virtually set up on a plate by Martial after 25 minutes. Louis van Gaal was probably relieved he didn't step up when United were awarded a penalty. His most important contribution was a late clearance from inside his own penalty area from Draxler.

Memphis Depay 6 – Wandered inside after early struggles on the left wing and nearly levelled with a header when he flung himself at Mata's cross. A fitful performance though, good touch, bad touch and he eventually made way after an hour.

Memphis Depay (right) causes Wolfsburg's Christian Trasch (left) problems down the left flank

Memphis Depay (right) causes Wolfsburg's Christian Trasch (left) problems down the left flank

Anthony Martial 6.5 – Looks one of the most exciting teenagers the Premier League has seen. The way he burst between two defenders before firing in a shot is what they expect at the Theatre of Dreams. He also set up Rooney with a neat dragback.

 

Substitutes:

Ashley Young (for Valencia 45) 5.5 - Took one for the team at right back. A long way removed from his best position, left wing, but did his best.

Andreas Pereira (for Depay 62) 5.5 – One for the future but found the Bundesliga side tough opposition in which to make an impact. 

Phil Jones (for Schweinsteiger 72) 6.5 – Slotted into the back-four alongside Chris Smalling, allowing Daley Blind to move up into midfield.

Unused subs: Romero (Gk), McNair, Fellaini, Wilson.

Goals: Mata pen 34, Smalling.

Booked: Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Depay, Young.

 

WOLFSBURG (4-1-4-1): Benaglio 6; Trasch 6.5 (Jung 77), Naldo 6.5, Dante 7, Rodriguez 6; Guilavogui 6.5; Draxler 6, Arnold 7 (Schurrle 70 6.5), Kruse 6, Caligiuri 6.5; Dost 6 (Bendtner 70 6).

Unused subs: Grun (Gk), Schafer, Klose, Senguin.

Goal: Caligiuri 4. 

Booked: Caligiuri.

Wolfsburg's Swiss goalkeeper Diego Benaglio (right) could do nothing to prevent Smalling's neat finish

Wolfsburg's Swiss goalkeeper Diego Benaglio (right) could do nothing to prevent Smalling's neat finish

Midfielder Daniel Caligiuri (right) gave his visiting German outfit a surprise lead in the fourth minute

Midfielder Daniel Caligiuri (right) gave his visiting German outfit a surprise lead in the fourth minute

 

Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary) 6.5.

Man of the Match: Mata (Manchester United).

 

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