MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 16, 2016: Liverpool's Mamadou Sakho celebrates after knocking out Manchester United 3-1 on aggregate (1-1 on the night) during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 2nd Leg match at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Mamadou Sakho the clear 2nd-leg star – Supporters’ Man of the Match vs. Man United

Mamadou Sakho’s phenomenal defensive display helped Liverpool advance to the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday night, at the expense of Man United.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 16, 2016: Liverpool's Mamadou Sakho celebrates after knocking out Manchester United 3-1 on aggregate (1-1 on the night) during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 2nd Leg match at Old Trafford. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Sakho lined up alongside Dejan Lovren in Liverpool’s back four, helping Jurgen Klopp‘s side to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, sealing a 3-1 victory on aggregate.

Anthony Martial’s penalty gave United the lead early on, but a moment of magic from Philippe Coutinho stunned the home side, prompting a dominant second half for the Reds.

Utilising their home advantage, United continued to threaten Simon Mignolet‘s goal, but Sakho held firm at centre-back, earning the plaudits of supporters—and This is Anfield’s Man of the Match award.

Rating the Liverpool players after the game, supporters have so far awarded Sakho with a 9.1, making the Frenchman the only player above a 9.0.

Similarly impressive, Emre Can has been rated at 8.3, while Coutinho (8.0) and Lovren (7.9) both fare well.

Deployed out of position at left-back, James Milner drew praise from supporters, currently rated at 7.0, while a quiet night for Mignolet earns the Belgian a 6.8.

Disappointing on the night, however, Nathaniel Clyne has received the worst rating of Klopp’s selection, with just 4.8.

Jordan Henderson (5.9) and Daniel Sturridge (5.1) also failed to impress.

Sakho’s considerable rating leaves the Frenchman ahead of the leading candidates from the first leg, with Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana both awarded an 8.5 for the win at Anfield.

Klopp’s starting lineup averaged a rating of 7.5 for that clash, but Liverpool’s inconsistency at Old Trafford sees this fall to 6.9.

The German will be pleased with Sakho’s contribution, however, with the centre-back producing a truly encouraging display at the heart of defence.