Seems Just Yesterday that United began their journey for the
20th premier league title and now half the season has gone by. It’s
been nothing short of Eventful this season for the Red devils, a shock
transfer, pile of landmark completed by players and manager and most
importantly the heart stopping, mouth-watering and orgasmic football in display
by the reds of Manchester. Goals have never been shy to come in any of the
matches that United have played in this Season. One side our worst ever defence
has let in an average of 2 goals per game whereas on the other side of the
pitch the best attack in the League has scored at an average of three. Last
season having a better defensive record and having a great attack the red
devils couldn’t manage a single Comeback win or be a force to reckon with.
Maybe that’s why Sir Alex Went for Robin Van Persie and Kagawa to shove some
fear on the face of the opponents. So far it has worked like a charm. The
combination of Rooney and RVP upfront has been a terror for the opponents and
this is proved by the fact that united have the highest number of goals scored
this season and also has had 8 comeback wins. Goals haven’t just been coming
from the attacking half of the Field but from everywhere, Johnny Evans, Patrice
Evra, Rafael all have had really good season with the goals.
United have faced
every opponent in the League in these 19 games except for the high Flying
Albions. Though this season hasn’t been without a defeat it surely has been one
with some really memorable wins. United had the agony of dropping all the three
points this season on three occasions so far and it has been Everton ,
Tottenham and Norwich who have been responsible for it. Two of those Games
United ended up being the only times where United failed to score in a game. On
the contrary, United’s attacking strength and never say die Attitude have
provided some really memorable wins over three of their Arch rivals. Liverpool
at Anfield, Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and Manchester City at Etihad all
watched in bewilderment as United Walked away with three points from their away
games. These wins weren’t just big but they also came in grand style and in the
closing minutes of the game. United also enjoyed a fantastic run and
Qualification at the Champions league and also rejoiced a win over Arsenal at
Old Trafford.
This Good run of form For United has come on the backing of
some brilliant individual Performances by various players in the team. Some of
them have been consistently good and others have been good on occasions. Let’s
take a look on how each of the players has fared in the season so far:
David De Gea – Lot of improvements shown in terms
Communication with teammates during Set Pieces but still has a lot to learn
before being as proficient as Schimichel or Van Der Saar.
Rating: 6.5/10
Lindegaard – Initially the number one choice by Sir Alex
considering the Inconsistency of De Gea but has failed to keep the spot for
long due to injury and a couple of Error prone games. Needs to show more
Confidence in his own ability on the field and he can be number one again.
Rating: 6/10
Smalling – Has been absent for majority of the matches due
to injury and has done well on his return. Easily Rotated between Centre
Defence and Right back roles and has given satisfactory performances at both
places. A few more games and perhaps he would be at his best again.
Rating: 6/10
Rafael – One of the most improved players not just for
United but in the entire league. He has taken the Right back spot for himself
and taken the opponents by storm. He has had a good partnership going with
Valencia and has been awarded with two goals for his effort and brilliant
forward runs.
Rating: 9/10
Phil Jones – Another player who has just begun to gain is
form after a long injury. He has looked ever confident on the pitch and few
more games under his belt is all he needs.
Rating: 6/10
Rio Ferdinand – Even through his long existing back
problems, the 34 year old has been the most consistent of the United Defenders
and given his best every game. His age is giving him a tough time but this guy
just loves to play in the United Colours.
Rating: 7/10
Johnny Evans – Another greatly improved player this season
for united. The mistake prone, un- confident Player of last season is no more
and the fans have been treated with some really calm headed and strong
Defensive performances of Evans this season. Evans also has scored 4 goals this
season, a wonderful achievement for a centre back.
Rating: 8/10
Vidic – Captain Fantastic has not been able to play more
than 3 games due to injury problems on his knees and still on the road of
recovery. Hoping there will be a injury free second half of the season for the
Strong Serbian.
Rating: 5/10
Evra – Forward runs of Evra have been magnificent and he has
been rewarded with 4 goals for the same effort. The Captains Armband and new
competition Alex Buttner have forced him to improve his performances from
previous seasons but still he seems to lose his markers often while defending.
Rating: 7/10
Buttner - The new and young blood of United and this one
looks to be a very good future investment by Sir Alex. He has made a very
positive impression on the fans on his very debut where he was not only good
defensively but capped it with a goal – a solo effort from his own half to the
oppoonents goal post. A Couple of years and he would be United’s number one
left back.
Rating: 6.5/10
Darren Fetcher – Made an incredible return to football after
around 9 months of absence due to Bowel problem and has been gaining in
confidence and form ever since.
Rating: 5.5/10
Paul Scholes – Ginger haired prince has had a pretty good
season so far and has been the game changer on couple of occasions. His passes
have never failed him and his influence on the field has been a huge plus
point.
Rating: 6/10
Nick Powell – Tipped as the next Paul Scholes, Powell has
been impressive in the little cameos he has appeared in the united jersey this
season. Just like Buttner, Powell too opened his account on his debut by
scoring a long range volley – a goal exactly like the ones Scholes is capable
of scoring.
Rating: 5.5/10
Tom Cleverley – England’s and United’s brightest talent in
the making. He has been outstanding in many games this season but lacks a
little in consistency. He alongside carrick is forming a formidable Midfield
pair for the devils.
Rating: 6.5/10
Michael Carrick – the most consistent of all united players
this season and this is proven by the fact that Fergie has trusted him with a
start in every game. He may not have lot of assists to his name but his vision
and pass completion ratio (88%) have been monumental in build to so many goals.
Rating: 7.5/10
Anderson – Lack of matches and fitness kept him from
starting games, but as he got games under his belt he kept getting better and
better. His creativity and pace is factor of worry to any opponents and if not for
his hamstring injury he would by now be starting regularly.
Rating: 6/10
Valencia – This Guy looks a completely different player to
the one who won the Fans player of the year. Down on confidence, he has seldom
got his Crosses right and is ever afraid to take on the Full backs this season.
Doesn’t mean he has been bad all season, he had his good games like the one
with Chelsea but has been below par for most of the games.
Rating: 5/10
Nani – A Rift with Ferguson, Contract rebel, Nani has gone
from being a hero to zero in the eyes of the fans this season. The Off field
incidents have taken a toll on his form and rumors of his exit from United have
become strong.
Rating: 3/10
Ashley Young – Out with injury at the start of the season
and has come back strongly. By far, young has been the best winger for the
devils and in the recent games have been part of almost every attacking move.
Rating: 7/10
Ryan Giggs – Age takes a toll on everybody and evergreen
Ryan Giggs also seems to be facing the same agony. The 39 year old has been
just about okay and seemed to losing a lot of his creativity. Even then he did
have a storming game against Chelsea in the league cup, playing a whole 120
minutes and scoring twice.
Rating: 5/10
Shinji Kagawa – the Japanese international brought in by Sir
Alex in order to answer United’s European woes has yet to fully settle into the
Squad. His vision and one touch passing technique have been excellent but a
little too much for his teammates to understand. His play is different to what
united play and it will take some more time for both Kagawa and rest of squad
to grow fond of each other.
Rating: 5.5/10
Welbeck – Has been part of experiments that Sir Alex been
doing ever since the start of the season. He has been used as a striker and also
Left Winger at times but at both these places his performances have not been up
to the mark. The lad is a tremendously hard working player on the pitch but
lacks the ability to finish and hence puts all that hard work to waste.
Rating: 5/10
Rooney – Everyone involved with Manchester United would have
had this thought of how Rooney and RVP would fare in one line up. But I guess,
Sir Alex knew exactly what he was doing and Rooney – RVP pair upfront has been
nothing short of magical. Yes, it did mean there were some changes in style of
play and did mean Rooney had to shift slightly different position but it was a
very fruitful change. Rooney despite his slow Start to the season has now come
to fully understand his role and with each game has been more and more of a
threat to the opponents. Good times.
Rating: 8/10
Javier Hernandez – Sir Alex hasn’t been shy of Experimenting
and as mentioned above he seems to have a very good purpose in it. Javier
Hernandez seems to be changed into a game changing Super sub role this season
and little pea has taken the responsibility with both legs. Chicharito has been
clinical in his finishing coming late on and has helped United clinch some
wonderful games with his Winner. 7 goals as a substitute is never a bad record
and his comparison to the likes Solsjear may well be true!
Rating: 7.5/10
Robin Van Persie – The Last missing link of Sir Alex’s
puzzle – a complete Striker. Robin Van Persie has fitted into united system
effortlessly since day one and within no time has risen up to be a Fan
Favourite. His top Class Finishing has routed Manchester United out of
difficult times and his partnership with Rooney has been mesmerising. Besides
this, Robin has also brought in his creativity from the Set pieces and this has
been another mighty boost the 19 time champions.
Rating: 9/10
So as it stands, Lessons have been learnt from previous
season and United have looked to be a more brutal and more fluid force to deal
with. The right changes have been made on the attacking front to match the
creativity of those like Manchester City and Chelsea. Maybe losing the title
last time around was a good thing because it has made Sir Alex restless and
forced him to discard his old school style of play and develop and more open
and free flowing game. This has come at the expense of weakening the defence
but that will only be a short time problem. On the long term, this season
United look dangerous and with the mind-set that is etched in their blood
United are looking more and more a team that will the title.
United will go into the Last game of the calendar year
against West Brom with a Seven point lead at the top of the table having
defeated the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City in this
very Entertaining and orgasmic First half of the season 2012 -13.
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