Author: James Temlong
The optimism shared by
Manchester United fans after some early summer signings hinted at them showing
an intent to kick on from a fourth place finish in the 2014/2015 season. We’re
half way through the season and that optimism has disappeared with Manchester
United playing lethargic football and failing to get result.
Here is a mid-season
evaluation of our team (F =abysmal, A+ =godly awesome).
Goal Keepers
David De Gea: Fans
were relieved when news of his transfer to Real Madrid breaking down and the
news that he had signed a new contract had fans ecstatic. After missing out on
the first few matches of the season, De Gea has been a mainstay in the side and
has recorded 7 clean sheets and 43 saves in 16 premier league games. His
performances have been a highlight of what can be considered as a dull season.
Verdict: Steady performer that has kept United’s season from falling apart with
repeated spectacular saves. Arguably the best keeper in the premier league.
Grade = A
Sergio Romero: Steady
performances for his country Argentina in their recent run to two international
tournament finals (FIFA World Cup and COPA America). Initial appearances
yielded clean sheets but were punctuated with shaky moments when handling the
ball and poor distribution. Appearances have been limited since the
reintroduction of David De Gea into the first team.
Verdict: Three clean sheets
in four premier league games he has proven he can deputize for DDG only short
term.
Grade: C
Defenders
Matteo Darmian: the
Italian international was signed in the summer as a replacement for Raphael who
LVG apparently had no faith in. After some good performances, he experienced a
dip in form after being torn to shreds by Alexis Sanchez. Since then his form
has been a little bit patchy and he missed a few games due to injury but his
calm defending and versatility has afforded LVG the luxury of playing him at
Left Back to compensate for the injuries in that position. Matteo has shown
great promise in the early part of the season and is a willing runner down the
flanks supporting the attacking players but his crossing leaves much to be
desired.
Verdict: Steady performer who’s will only get better with time.
Grade:
C+
Chris (Mike) Smalling:
In a team devoid of experienced defenders after the departure of Ferdinand,
Vidic, Evra and Evans, Smalling has emerged the leader of this United defence.
His commanding performances have seen him dominate the Premier League’s best
strikers with a 100% success tackle rate in his first four Premier League games.
His defending has been resolute, his distribution and leadership skills have
also improved, making him one of the best defenders in the premier league.
Verdict:
“Mike” the Man is undoubtedly the foundation for Manchester United’s defence.
Candidate for Manchester United player of the season.
Grade: A
Daley Blind: United’s
failure to sign an established centre back saw LVG use Blind and Smalling as
his first choice center back pairing. Blind has flourished in this role with
his passing and distribution from the back being key in LVG possession based
football. Although his defending has been suspect at times, he has filled in at
centre back and recently left back with steady performances chipping in with a
goal and an assist in the League. He also has 2.1 successful tackle rate and
only 0.6 dribbles have passed him.
Verdict: Unsung hero, utility man and
consistent performer.
Grade: B
Luke Shaw: This was
supposed to be Shaw’s break out season but a horrific injury in match day one
of UEFA Champions League prematurely ended his season. It started off well with
him being an attacking outlet as an overlapping fullback on the left wing and a
steady defender. United’s seemed to have suffered since his injury with the
number of chances being created in a game falling from above 5 chances to below
3 after his injury.
Verdict: injury ended his season prematurely but initial
performances were amazing.
Grade: Potential A-
Phil Jones: Sir Alex
once said Phil Jones could be one of his greatest players if not the greatest
and Manchester United fans are still waiting on Jones to realize his potential.
Series of injuries have hindered his season making it hard to find any
consistency or form a reliable partnership with Smalling. He has only started
six premier league games and two in the Champion’s League this season.
Verdict:
The few times he has played he was steady but not spectacular.
Grade: C
Marcos Rojo: With Luke
Shaw injured, he was given a chance to redeem himself after being frozen out of
the first team for not joining up with the preseason tour on time. Unfortunately,
injury has curtailed his season. Rojo’s season has been not been exciting with
mistakes still noticeable in his game like the foul on Igahlo that yielded a
penalty for Watford. To his credit he has a man off the match award, an assist,
a 74.6% pass succession rate, 3.3 successful tackles per game and 3
interceptions per game in the premier league this season.
Verdict: Steady but
not perfect.
Grade: C+
Paddy McNair: After
his break out season where he established himself as a promising young
defender, his sophomore season was always going to be a sterner test of his
ability. With United shipping out Jonathan Evans and failure to recruit an
established centre half, many thought that McNair will feature more in the side
but a combination of Daley Blind’s excellent form an a few injuries has limited
his contribution to 3 starts and 3 substitute appearances in the premier
league. Due to this he is yet to get a run of games to build both form and
fitness but when he plays he goes about his duties diligently.
Verdict: One for
the future if he can stay fit.
Grade: C
Antonio Valencia:
Injury has hindered the Ecuadorian to just five starts in all competitions this
season. Despite he has an assist, 1.7 successful tackles per game and a 0.4
dribbled passed stat per game.
Verdict: Steady performance cut short by
injury.
Grade: C
Ashley Young: The left
winger who was one of LVG’s best players last season has been converted to a
right sided full back this season. He has made 10 starts in the premier league
this season mostly at the right back spot and has registered 2 assists.
Defensively, he has struggled at times but provides width and an attacking outlet
on the right side. His dangerous crosses have created a few chances for the
attackers.
Verdict: Played out of position but has done an admirable job of
filling in wherever he is asked to play.
Grade: B-
Cameron
Borthwick-Jackson: A young player that has been fast tracked into the first
team to deal with the injury crisis at the left back spot. He is young and
still learning his trade but does not seem fazed by the bright lights.
Verdict:
Still has a lot to learn that will come with age and experince but he is one
for the future.
Grade: -
Gullermo Varela: an
injury crisis force LVG to play the young right back. After a start against
Bournemouth and a start against Wolfsburg in the Champions league, his only
other appearance was a half time substitute appearance in a game against
West Ham.
Verdict: Showed his attacking ability but has played too few games to judge.
Grade: -
Midfielders
Michael Carrick: The
veteran midfielder might not have the legs that he used to but his game was
never about pace but intelligent use of the ball, amazing passing and playmaking.
Although he has not contributed in way of goals and assists this season, he has
provided a base for United to play the possession based football that is
employed now. With a pass completion of 88.1 percent he rarely loses the ball
but his occasional lack of urgency slows down United’s play and allows the
opposition to reorganise defensively.
Verdict: Steady but not spectacular on
pen and paper.
Grade: B-
Marouane Fellaini: The
big Belgian seems to be finding it hard to kick on from the form he showed in
the latter half of last season to help secure a top four finish for Manchester
United, instead he seems to be on the decline. With only one goal and no assists
in 11 premier league appearances, it is hard to argue against his decline. A
willing worker who lacks the pace and invention but aerial presence and
excellent hold up play allows him to bring other players into play.
Verdict:
has not done enough to justify a place in the team.
Grade: C-
Ander Herrera: Fan favourite Ander Herrera
has yet to earn the trust of LVG despite being having made valuable
contributions to Manchester United’s season. United’s best attacking
performances usually come when he is present in the team as an attacking
midfielder. With 2 goals and 2 assists in 11 Premier League starts, an 85% pass
completion rate and 54 % tackle succession rate his performances this season
have been generally with the exception of a game or two.
Verdict: Good energy
in midfield contributing to the attack and defence.
Grade: B
Morgan Schneiderlin: Morgan
was bought to add some steel to the United midfield. He is a tough tackler who
also knows how to pass the ball. With a goal in 15 Premier league starts, 75%
tackle success rate, 90.6% pass success rate and 2.1 interceptions per games he
has been a good form this season.
Verdict: Adds solidity to the United midfield
allowing the flank players to push higher up the field.
Grade: B
Bastian
Schweinsteiger: the World Cup wining German captain came in with loads of
experience and title winning credentials when he signed from FC Bayern in the
summer. Like Carrick he brings a sense of composure and fines to United’s
midfield. Performances have been steady with the occasional one off but the
level of commitment he plays with should be an example to younger players around
him. He has contributed to the team’s effort this season with a vital
equalizing goal against Leicester. With an 86.2% pass success rate and box to
box style of play, he and Morgan Schneiderlin have formed a partnership which
boast of an 87% winning rate.
Verdict: Unspectacular but committed and
effective.
Grade: B-
Nick Powell: After his
return from Injury LVG saw it fit to thrust him back into the first team to try
and rescue the team in two losing situations. Positive performances for the
under 21’s have showcase his abilities and eye for goal.
Verdict: Too few games to judge impact.
Grade: -
Andreas Pereira: One
of the young players that LVG has given opportunity to and he has failed to
disappoint. He announced himself to the United faithful by scoring a fantastic
free kick against Ipswich town in the League cup. Although his first team
chances to 2 League cup starts, a substitute appearance in the FA cup and 3
substitute appearances in the league, his dribbling and direct play has shown
the United fans glimpses of his potential.
Verdict: A player for the future who
is keen to take his chance at first team football.
Grade: B
Juan Mata: The Spanish
Maestro started the season in a rich vein of form but his performances have
been relatively low for his standards. The attacking midfielder scored 4 goals
and registered four assists in his first 10 games of the season but has only
registered a goal and an assist since then in all competitions. Being the
attacking player who sees most of the ball, United need him to be back to his
brilliant best to get the season back on track. Verdict: Started strong but
recent performances have been poor.
Grade: B-
Jesse Lingard: Jesse
is a player who has great energy, pace and is direct with his play. Lingard has
risen through the ranks at United and has displaced Memphis Depay in the
starting lineup. United’s best games this season have come with him on the
pitch. Injury kept him out for the festive period but he marked his return with
a fine performance against Newcastle. The young winger has 2 goals in 5 premier
league starts.
Verdict: Still has some work to do with his final product but
very exciting to watch.
Grade: B
Forwards
Wayne Rooney: it seems
like decades ago when the mercurial Wayne Rooney was considered as one of the
best players in world football. The Manchester United captain can still boast
about being one of the best paid players in the world. But this season Rooney
has struggled to score goals and drive his team to perform better. Rooney is a
shadow of the player he once was with an abysmal return of 5 goals in 1455
premier league minutes and 2 assists to his name. His overall play has been
flat line with a poor first touch and poor choices of passes during counter
attacks becoming the norm in his game. A superb showing against Newcastle
United showed Rooney at his best.
Verdict: Has not yet justified his huge
salary or captaincy so far this season.
Grade: C-
Anthony Martial: a
relatively unknown player when he made his big money move from Ligue 1, Anthony
Martial shocked the world with an exciting winner against Liverpool. Since then
he has score 8 goals and has provided 2 assists in all competitions. His speed,
dribbling and direct play has made him United’s most exciting player. To
accommodate Rooney, LVG has often played him down the wings which has
contributed to his scoring rate from 1.3 goals per game early in the season to
0.3 per game.
Verdict: The most exciting attacking player for united who has
singlehandedly carried United’s attack on occasion.
Grade: B
Memphis Depay: The
diminutive Dutch star came into the side with such promise after winning the
golden boot award in the Erdivise last season but he has failed to replicate
the form that prompted United to sign him from PSV. He has shown glimpses of
his ability and talent on occasion but has performed too in consistently to
demand a spot in the starting 11. With 2 goals and no assist in the league, he
has failed to produce on a consistent basis. Verdict: Needs to find form and consistency in the second
half of the season.
Grade: C-
