Villarreal v Manchester United ratings: Rulli 5, Danjuma 4; De Gea 8, Ronaldo 7

Caretaker boss Michael Carrick watches United qualify for knockout stages of Champions League

VILLARREAL RATINGS: Geronimo Rulli, 5 - Looked in control until a sloppy pass and poor positioning led to United making it 1-0 - and the rest, as they say, is history. PA

Juan Foyth, 6 - Was a fantastic aerial presence for Villarreal but let himself down by giving the ball away in the lead-up to the second goal. AP

Raul Albiol, 6 - The experience was on full display in what proved to be a relatively solid night at the office. Getty

Pau Torres, 6 - Was dragged across for the goal that killed off the game, although his overall composure was still impressive. AFP

Pervis Estupinan, 6 - Made good runs and showed good physicality, even if he couldn’t put in that final ball needed to unlock United’s defence. AFP

Daniel Parejo, 6 - Showed good instincts when darting into the final third but couldn’t string together consistent, successful passes. EPA

Etienne Capoue, 7 - Dictated the pace in the middle of the park but fell away as the game went on and could have done better for the opener. AFP

Manuel Trigueros, 6 - Only had a few moments to make an impact and still managed to force a great save from de Gea in the 59th minute. AFP

Moi Gomez, 7 - Opened up space, ran through the heart of Manchester United’s midfield at will and generally ran the show for Villarreal. AFP

Yeremi Pino, 6 - Had some nice build-up play throughout but let himself down with the end product time and time again. AFP

Arnaut Danjuma, 4 - Couldn’t get the service he needed and looked completely off his game whenever he found himself in space. EPA

SUBS: Alberto Moreno, N/A - Was left helpless and overrun as the Red Devils scored their second and sealed all three points. EPA

Samuel Chukwueze, N/A - Looked energetic even though the tempo was gone from Villarreal’s play by the time he was introduced. AFP

Dani Raba, N/A - Made a brief cameo that involved a few touches and a lot of ball-watching as United took over the game. Boulaye Dia, N/A -- Barely got a touch of the ball and wasn’t able to influence the play for his side. AFP

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David De Gea 8 - Busy first half with two decent saves. Best save was after 27 minutes, but that was nothing compared to a diving save from Trigueros on 58. Those saves kept his team in the game. Reuters

Alex Telles 6 - Excellent cross towards McTominay from a free-kick after three minutes. Ball sailed over his head from goalkeeper Rulli on 27 and led to a Villarreal shot on target. Then he turned and crossed a beautiful ball to Ronaldo on 30. Losing possession and positioning led to another attack on 31. Getty

Harry Maguire 7 - Better than recently, which isn’t saying much, but steady under pressure which came halfway through the second half. Nice ball towards Rashford, which was offside. Right to lead his players to the away fans at the end. Getty

Victor Lindelof 7 - Headed an 11th minute in swinging corer away as Pino came behind him. Clattered to the ground after winning the ball against Danjuma on 38. United’s defensive shape was tighter as they tried to stop leaking so many goals and it worked. AP

Aaron Wan-Bissaka 6 - Backed off in a move which led to Villarreal’s first shot on goal. Villareal had the run of the left wing, just as they’d had at Old Trafford, though he cut out a pass from Gomez. Lost possession on 44 which led to another chance. Still nowhere near the level he should be at, but better towards the end. EPA

Fred 8 - Quiet first half, more influence in the second. Shot on target after 55, but it was a limp effort. Got a foot in to break up a Villarreal attack a minute later. Excellent ball to Rashford on 74 and was alert to Rulli’s poor ball out to set up Ronaldo. Got the move going for the second, too. Fred

Scott McTominay 7 - Headed wide after three minutes. Ran the ball away from goal on 27 and did that well. Worked hard and fine pass around the corner towards Rashford leading to the second. Getty

Anthony Martial 5 - Surprise start. Started on the middle with Ronaldo to his left. Did little in a tough first half for his team. Taken off. Getty

Donny van de Beek 6 - Rewarded with a start after a decent cameo at Watford but couldn’t match that impact. Booked stretching for the ball on 41. Pushed hard, ran to enforce a press. Off for Fernandes. PA

Jadon Sancho 8 - Super cross after 28, then dribbled his way into losing the ball 10 minutes later from his position on the right. That was when he was more advanced, which he wasn’t enough. Grew with his team late on and scored his first United goal, a stunning strike. EPA

Cristiano Ronaldo 7 - Started on the left. Frustrated when Van De Beek couldn’t read his 23rd minute pass. Weak header on target after 30, but in the air was where he found space. Scored the key goal, a lofted finish, and another winner against Villarreal. Almost scored another on 84. Getty

SUBS: Bruno Fernandes 8 - On for Van de Beek. He was a surprise omission from the starting XI, but Bruno has been poor by his usual standards. Changed the game from Villarreal being on top to United being on top. Shot on target deflected by Pau Torres on 85. Reuters

Marcus Rashford 7 - On for Martial in a double substitution which Carrick had to make as Villarreal pushed towards a goal. It worked as he played off the shoulder of defender Estupinan. Trickery and a shot on target after 84. Getty

Nemanja Matic N/A - On for Ronaldo after 90 minutes to use some seconds up and defend the lead. EPA

Juan Mata N/A - On for Sancho. EPA

Managerless Manchester United booked their place in the knockout stage of the Champions League with a 2-0 win at Villarreal.

Caretaker boss Michael Carrick took charge at El Madrigal following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and was indebted to goalkeeper David De Gea for some fine saves before they eventually broke the deadlock with 12 minutes left though Cristiano Ronaldo’s instinctive lob from the edge of the penalty area.

Jadon Sancho added a second during stoppage time, crashing the ball in off the crossbar after a swift counter-attack for his first United goal.

The victory put United through to the knockout stage with a game to spare.

You can see the player ratings from the game in the gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.