Manchester United turn the year leading the Premier League, comfortably qualified for the Champions League knock-out stages and unbeaten – at least in the competitions that matter. On the surface Sir Alex Ferguson’s side reaches the mid-point of the season in prime place to challenge on three fronts come the spring.
But United’s story is just a little more nuanced than that of course.
The Reds’ single defeat this season, in the Carling Cup quarter-final to West Ham United last month, was no disaster; seven draws in the Premier League could have been. Fortunately United’s domestic inconsistency, especially away from home, is matched elsewhere, with Chelsea blowing a five point lead six weeks ago, Arsenal brittle and Manchester City far too conservative.
Tougher tests will follow though, with United yet to visit Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur in the league and the fragile nature of United’s midfield still potentially exposed.
In Europe, United drew arguably the easiest of first round groups, with Rangers and Bursaspor two of the weakest teams in the competition and Valencia a shadow of the side that almost threatened Real Madrid and Barcelona’s domestic hegemony. Certainly Marseille, whom beat Chelsea in the group stages, will offer a stern although not insurmountable challenge in the first knockout round. The Spanish giants are palpably better than United though and a quarter-final date with either will surely spell United’s demise.
Aside from an annoying habit of shipping late goals, the side’s real problem – the one identified by almost every fan, pundit and media outlet at the season’s start – is the lack of creativity at the heart of central midfield. Call it Glazernomics, call it lack of value in the market, call it poor planning but the decision not to strengthen may well come back to bite come the season’s end. 7/10
Sir Alex Ferguson
Entering his 70th year, with more than 24 years at United’s helm, Ferguson still has the strength of will and desire to drive the club forward even in times of economic uncertainty. Arguably, the Scot has the weakest squad at his disposal in the past five years – off-the-field distractions and injuries to key players have hardly helped either. But Ferguson has consistently generated more than the sum of this squad’s parts and proven a tactical innovator. This is no vintage United side but it is hard to beat. 7/10Edwin van der Sar
The great Dutchman just keeps on going despite passing 40 years of age. Retirement may well come in June, although there seems little physical impeding van der Sar from continuing should he choose to do so. Mistakes have crept into his game at times, although very rarely as catastrophic as the one which gifted West Bromwich Albion at goal at Old Trafford in October. 6/10Tomasz Kuszczak
The Pole in Goal will surely move on, if not this January, then in the summer following Anders Lindegaard’s acquisition. Rarely a disaster but very obviously not of United quality either. Kuszczak’s five appearances this season have offered little more than van der Sar some rest. 5/10Rafael da Silva
Inconsistency and injury dogged the Brazilian youngster’s first two seasons at the club, with the disastrous red card against Bayern Munich last season almost certainly costing United a place in the Champions League semi-final. But the 20-year-old’s game has rapidly progressed during the autumn months to the extent that Rafael is now Ferguson’s first choice at right-back. Now one for the present not just the future. 7/10Gary Neville
Nothing will take away Neville’s 600-plus games for United but there is little more depressing in sport than seeing a former great clearly beyond his best. Neville’s legs are shot and retirement is surely just months away. Cruel it may be but Neville’s four appearances this season are probably a quartet too many. 3/10Rio Ferdinand
The England captain has seemingly overcome the persistent back and groin injuries that threatened the 32-year-old’s career at Old Trafford. United is much the better for Ferdinand’s involvement, whose performances have been consistent and calming. Ferdinand remains absolutely central to United’s success or failure this season. 7/10Nemanja Vidic
With a new contract signed, fitness assured and the Serbian installed as team captain Vidic has produced the series of outstanding performances that place the 29-year-old among the very best central defenders in the world. Vidic’s form and especially his fitness will be essential to United’s progress at home and abroad. For now, Vidic has been outstanding. 9/10Chris Smalling
The former Fulham defender has made a solid, if unspectacular start to his United career after the £10 million summer transfer. Appearances in both the Champions League and Carling Cup have shown the promise of a player who has plenty of pace, a strong touch and potentially outstanding passing skills. 5/10Jonny Evans
What the Northern Irishman would do for a decent performance, perhaps even a partially incompetent one, such has been the defender’s form. Repeatedly out-muscled and often targeted, Evans has suffered the worst season in his short career with United. All is not lost but for now Evans might even benefit from a loan spell away from Old Trafford. 4/10Patrice Evra
Such are the defender’s impeccably high standards that Evra fell some way short in the early weeks of the season. Put it down to a World Cup hangover, or fatigue after a 55 game season and a summer in South Africa, but Evra is finally rediscovering the form that placed the left-back among the very best in his position. 6/10John O’Shea
Many is the time that supporters have wondered what the point of John O’Shea is. Not in some notional sense but in a very real, tangible, waste-of-oxygen kind of way. The Irishman has done little to change that feeling in another average campaign. Yet, Ferguson trusts the 29-year-old implicitly, proffering O’Shea with 14 outings this season and a rumoured £80,000 per week contract offer. 5/10Antonio Valencia
It is hard to feel anything but sympathy for the Ecuadorian winger who broke his ankle so traumatically early in the season. Valencia will return in the spring and could offer United vital creativity as the season draws to a close. n/aNani
The Portuguese winger has come out of Cristiano Ronaldo’s shadow to produce a consistent, sometimes outstanding season. Frequently United’s primary creative outlet, Nani cannot emulate his compatriot for sheer destructive power but has become a vital cog in Ferguson’s machine. Getting better by the match, adding both more assists and more goals this season. 8/10Paul Scholes
Outstanding in early season fixtures but found out when the opposition targets the 36-year-old for special treatment. Scholes still possesses all the skills of old but is a liability against more physical opposition. Still United’s most creative midfielder though and a vital part of the squad until injury struck in November. 6/10Michael Carrick
Briefly, for about seven or eight games during the late autumn, Carrick emerged from an 18-month rut that marked the Geordie down for an Old Trafford exit. The former Spurs midfielder’s ability to recycle or retain possession is potentially central to United’s cause. Yet there is still the nagging feeling that Carrick is a long way short of his best. 5/10Anderson
The Brazilian is perhaps, just perhaps, coming into his own more than three years into his Old Trafford career. Recent performances have demonstrated what Anderson can be – powerful, aggressive, with a burst of pace that can change games. Yet, Anderson is still wasteful in possession – giving away a quarter of attempted passes – and offers far too little end product in terms of assists or goals. 6/10Darren Fletcher
After two years of outstanding displays Fletcher’s performances have been far more muted this season, to the extend that the Scot is not always an automatic first team pick. Yet, Fletcher will certainly be chosen for the biggest games and against Arsenal proved just why the 26-year-old has gone from Old Trafford pariah to Ferguson’s most important midfielder. 6/10Darron Gibson
The Derry Dynamo is neither dynamic nor making any progress at Old Trafford. Now 23-years-old, Gibson possesses an outstanding long-range shot but little else that marks the Irishman out as a potential United star. Wasteful in possession, with a poor first touch and s l o w, why is Gibson still at the club? 4/10Ryan Giggs
More than 800 games into his United career and the Welshman is still a valuable part of United’s squad. Injury aside, Giggs will play perhaps one in three United games. It might well be enough to earn the 37-year-old a final season at Old Trafford in 2011/12. 5/10Gabriel Obertan
Now 18 months into a spell at Old Trafford and fans know little more than the day Obertan joined the club. The Frenchman has decent feet but seemingly little understanding of the game. Rarely used and 22-years-old in February, now is the time for Obertan to break through or move on. 4/10Park Ji-Sung
Such is the South Korean’s enigma that a string of poor passes and lost possession is invariably followed by a crucial goal. Objectively Park simply doesn’t have enough talent to make it at United. Nearly 200 games for the club and six goals this season might say otherwise. Certainly Park offers more from a central position than wide. The problem is that he’s invariably wide left – the coward’s winger. 6/10Bébé
The Portuguese forward is far from ready for regular first team action and a long way off justifying the £8.3 million it cost United to bring him to the club. But Bébé has shown glimpses of talent – pace, strength and finishing skills, although his best position is still to be determined. Remains the strangest transfer of the Ferguson era. 4/10Wayne Rooney
The former Evertonian described 2010 as a “nightmare” – if only that were true. Sadly, Rooney’s terrible form is very real; the worst year of his career to date. Moreover, the striker’s off-the-field behaviour – drinking, smoking, hookers and contract ‘negotiations’ – have left a very sour taste in many supporters mouths. Needs a big 2011 to go along with the massive contract. 3/10Dimitar Berbatov
How fickle is the nature of form. Berbatov would almost certainly have left in the summer had a suitable buyer been found. Today, United’s season rests on the Bulgarian striker’s goals, with 14 plundered to date. Yet, after a burst of seven goals in as many games at the season’s start, Berbatov went more than 10 without a goal. Eight have followed in the last four games. Consistency is now the key to the striker’s season. 8/10Javier Hernández
The Mexican’s eight goals in all competitions do not tell the story. Hernández’ start to his United career and supporters’ reaction have both been positive. The question now is whether the 22-year-old can step up to the next level and cement a place in Ferguson’s starting XI. 6/10Federico Macheda
The Italian teenager certainly has talent and a penchant for a brilliant finish – supporters have just seen too little of him. There’s little doubt Macheda has the raw ingredients to make a fine number nine. Now a spell away from Old Trafford could make or break his United career. 4/10Michael Owen
Still living off that goal against Manchester City last season. In truth Owen has offered very little to United save for the odd Carling Cup goal and a rash of medical bills. Almost certain to depart when his contract runs out in June. 4/10
Mid-season report 2010/11
(49 posts) (12 voices)-
Editor & Moderator at http://www.unitedrant.co.ukPosted 2 years ago #
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Anonymous
Unregistered
spot on
Posted 2 years ago # -
Ted
Member
captainhormone said:
ridiculously harsh in some instances... i mean the fact you have given o'shea a 5 proves ita 2 would have been sufficient
========================================================================================And gives no mark Carrick a 5, embarrassing mistake Owen 4, yet Sir Wayne of Rooneyshire only got a 3. Our only world class player that works his bollocks off, gets shuffled from position to position by our tactically inept manager and never complains, carried the whole club single handedly all of last season, and he only gets a 3?
It must be April the 1st already.
"NOT MANY MANAGERS CAN SAY THEY'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN A NINE GOAL THRILLER AGAINST THE CHAMPIONS".
Forest manager Ron Atkinson after they'd just lost 8-1 at home to Manchester United.Posted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered Bebe was a strange transfer, but he needs to play more games in the reserves in different positions. With his speed and pace, he could be tried as a striker in a 4-5-1 formation or 4-4-2 or as an attacking midfielder. But do all this experimenting with him in the reserve team and once his best position is sorted out, you can try him again in the Premier team. No sense wasting 8 million.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered Whats also a concern to is Arsenal have beaten all the lower teams except Wigan away from home and they have more home games to play this half then they do away games. United have a hell a lot of away games to play, including the two make up games. United will have to work hard to pull this off. Man City are about to make two big signings this month, so its going to be a hot title race.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered Very good summary; I am pretty much in agreement with your player assessments, but there is one I’d rather not let go: “The Portuguese winger has come out of Cristiano Ronaldo’s shadow to produce a consistent, sometimes outstanding season.”
I would change that to read: The Portuguese winger is emerging from Cristiano Ronaldo’s shadow and, so far this season, has played with more consistency – delivering the odd, outstanding performance. 7/10
Never mind Ronaldo, I would still prefer David Beckham at the same age to Nani. I think you (and others) are tempted to overrate Nani’s performances based on his importance to the current side, which is not the same thing as his objective value as a player.
Oh, and Neville and O’Shea share the 5/10 (as in 2.5/10 each).
Posted 2 years ago # -
There is a complete misjudgement on Rio - the moment he is not in any team, Vida and VDS drop down two notches in terms of overall performance.
Park is underated and O'Shea and Anderson are both grossly overrated.
Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.
Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice - Steven JobsPosted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered I disagree with your assessment of hernandez… To come on and score some vital goals as he has, and with such a high goals to minutes ratio, is deeply impressive
Posted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered If we can put a good 5 goals past Stoke, those rival managers would be sick! I read their comments, they think United is a struggling team, especially Mancini and Wenger. But if we give Stoke a good beating, that would quickly shot them up.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered 7 for Rio? Bit low, I think. And I think 6 is a bit harsh on chicharito too.
Posted 2 years ago # -
bman
Member
sidney said:
According to someone on the Caf, if we beat Stoke on Tuesday we will be 1 point better off than last seasonChelsea are 11 points worse off
I keep a chart of this stuff, we're basically doing the same as the last time we won, 08-09, right now, 41 points after 19 games. We got 90 in the end that season. The Chavs are 10 points behind their points this time last season. We are the only team that has anything close to a champions points total compared to the past four seasons. After 19 games in the past four seasons, the champions had 47 (utd), 45 (utd), 41 (utd), 42 (Chavs), so at 41 points right now we are at the bottom end of a champions-level performance right now.
Statistically speaking, our opponents don't look very likely to win, since after matches they had 34 (chavs), 35 (bitters) and 36 (arsenal) points, which is a good bit below the low-end of champions-worthy performance. But since they are all about 2 wins of the top, anything is possible, especially given generally crap level of performance on the pitch this season.
Posted 2 years ago # -
bman
Member Let's say 85 is enough to win the league this year. To reach that, the Bitters need 44 points from a possible 51 (17 matches), which is a lot to ask for. That would be one point better than us in 08-09, when we only lost 2 and drew 1 and won 14 from out last 17, which was amazing. The Chavs need 50 from a possible 54 to reach 85, which just isn't happening, fork 'em they're done. Arsenal needs 46 from 54, which I could see them doing if Nasri and Cesc are fit and in form.
City are sure to buy some useful talent, probably Dzeko, but they are also effectively in third place and still have to visit Arsenal, us, Chavs, Birmingham, Villa, Liverpool, Everton etc. Several draws are likely there, hopefully against Arsenal next week! On the other hand, no CL distractions for them.
Arsenal have a very cushy fixture list for the second half of the season.
Our fixture list is definitely worse, visiting nearly all the top teams.
I think we'll just pip Arsenal to the title, but I don't feel very confident about it. City to come third. Chavs battling Spurs for fourth place, which isn't good for us because we now have to face the chavs twice at the end of the season.
Posted 2 years ago # -
bman
Member It's actually very frustrating to think that with just one extra top-class player, we'd have won the league last year and be walking away with it this year. Say someone like Sneijder, could easily have gotten us an extra 2 points last season, and could have turned a few of our away draws this season into wins, putting us out of sight.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered A bit of a miserable analysis! If some of these players are 4/10 where does it leave the players at the the premier league bottom feeders? 1/10!?
You would have thought that we were in line for relegation! SAF should be higher considering he has got this squad to the top of the table. I agree its our worst squad on paper for 5 years though.
Hernandez definitely marked too low. 8 goals in mainly sub appearances in his first season is a fine return. Several of them – Stoke, WBA, Valencia, Wolves game winners too.
Posted 2 years ago # -
han
Member
Unregistered User said:
If we can put a good 5 goals past Stoke, those rival managers would be sick! I read their comments, they think United is a struggling team, especially Mancini and Wenger. But if we give Stoke a good beating, that would quickly shot them up.aye
and if ur uncle had a fanny he'd be a tranny........Posted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered Ok Monsieur Hormone, do you have any constructive comments to make with some logical arguments to back it up. Or just the usual hormonal ranting
Posted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered With other teams faltering we will have a great shout for the league. I was sceptical at the start of the season too, but Chelsea have blown themselves up and the others just don’t have the mentality to handle the run in.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Alfonso Bedoya
Moderator
captainhormone said:
we have been/are shit, in a shit league....this is the poorest utd side in nearly 20 years......ed is being to generous in most instancesbill, you are too optimistic, reality is we are in a false dawn
He's right though Cap... we might not have a team to wank over right now... but we've a hell of a chance to win number 19... that's well fuckin good, if you ask me... and then we can hope for improvements come summer, or complain that we didn't get them. But at the moment it's all relatively good... this team maybe poor compared to better United teams from the past, but it's leading the league, scoring more goals than the rest and is once again the envy of England...
If we're a top team , then we're an attractive destination to world talent... if we get rid of the Glazers, then we might actually chase some of them, if we get some of the worlds top players, then we might again have a dream team... plus there's the obvious improvements in the likes of Rafa, Fabio, Cleverly, Welbeck, Smalling, and perhaps Chico and Anderson will become the players we hope for.
Our defense has the potential to be sound for a few years... with Nani, Rooney, Welbeck, Chico, Cleverly, Anderson, there is some nailed on talent and some real promising potential... we really only need a couple of top players... probably in the midfield, and a keeper, to be an excellent team again...
That's not a "false dawn".
And in the meantime... I'll be happy as fuck with a 19th title.
"Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don't need badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching' tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you."Posted 2 years ago # -
Alfonso Bedoya
Moderator uncleknobheadforfucksake said:
who says we do, we bottled it from a leading position last yearFor fuck sake Knobby... you sound like we've never been in a title scrap before... and no, we can't win them all... so we lost last year... we've won other years, and we've a good chance to win this year.
I'm in total agreement that this isn't a "great United" squad... but that doesn't change the fact, that we're top of the league and fighting for title number 19... fuckin hell man, it's not "all" grim and miserable.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregistered Fergie has an ordinary team.But he has sure used it in an extraordinary manner !!
Posted 2 years ago #
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