Manchester City player ratings vs Sheffield United: Hat-trick hero Riyad Mahrez tears it up as anonymous Erling Haaland has a rare off day

Stefan Ortega (7/10):

Made a big early save to thwart Iliman Ndiaye and was a spectator for the rest of the game.

Kyle Walker (7/10):

His pace ensured the Blades rarely troubled City on the counter.

Manuel Akanji (7/10):

Solid and strong when he needed to be.

Aymeric Laporte (6/10):

Good in possession and rarely tested by Sheffield United's lightweight attack.

Sergio Gomez (6/10):

Pushed into midfield a lot and ensured City controlled the middle.

Ilkay Gundogan (6/10):

Looked a bit rusty but was still a class above his opponents.

Bernardo Silva (7/10):

Not at his brilliant best but his trickery was too much for the Championship side. Won the penalty for City's first goal.

Julian Alvarez (6/10):

Was determined to score but had no tangible impact on the game and his shooting was wayward.

Riyad Mahrez (8/10):

Took his penalty with composure for the first goal, ran all the way from the halfway line to score the second and delivered a ruthless finish for his third, all with his trusted left foot.

Erling Haaland (5/10):

Never really got in the game. Had very little space due to Sheffield United's low block and had only one shot, missing the target, before being taken off.

Jack Grealish (6/10):

Struggled to pierce many holes in the opposing backline until he found Mahrez for the third goal.

Phil Foden (7/10):

Looked lively and sharp in his first appearance since suffering from appendicitis.

Cole Palmer (5/10):

A shame he could not do more in attack in his 23 minutes on the pitch.

Kalvin Phillips (5/10):

The game was already won when he came on in the 75th minute and he had little to do.

Rico Lewis (N/A):

Brought on for the final nine minutes.

Pep Guardiola (7/10):

Managed to rest a few key players while not risking the team's place in the final. After a rough first half his side controlled the second. Bring on Arsenal.