Manchester United: Mid-season report 2013/14

Ryan Giggs

The Welshman plays on and sporadically provides a reminder of his enduring quality. Giggs’ performance in Leverkusen, for example, could have come at any point over the last 20 years. Too often the veteran is wasteful in possession and a liability in defence. Understandable criticisms given the 40-year-old’s lengthy tenure in the United first team. Remains a key voice in the dressing room. 5/10

Marouanne Fellaini

It is not the Belgian’s fault that United so grossly over-paid, but this is the context in which Fellaini’s performances are judged. The £27 million United laid out should have provided a significant upgrade to the side’s ailing midfield. It has not. After all, for a little more United might have, by way of example, acquired Arturo Vidal or ?lkay Gündo?an. Indeed, Fellaini creates little, is a defensively suspect, seemingly muscled off the ball at will, and has proven to be embarrassingly slow. Strange player, stranger acquisition. 3/10

Tom Cleverley

It is disappointing, but a truism that Cleverley has progressed little over the past two years. It is at least a partial explanation why there has been such a negative supporter reaction to ‘brand Cleverley’. Here is a young man whose football should come first; performances taking primacy over promotions. It doesn’t always feel that way, especially in a campaign where Cleverley’s contribution has been so mixed. 6/10

Michael Carrick

Sir Alex has oft asserted that Carrick starts each campaign slowly, coming into his prime only after the autumn has passed. It’s a claim only partly true, although the Geordie has certainly been blow-par this year. In a campaign where United’s midfield has again struggled to match the mediocre, let alone the best, Moyes needs more from his senior midfielder. 6/10

Shinji Kagawa

The Japanese player’s quality during two years at Borussia Dortmund earned a move to Manchester. His performances in the following 18 months have brought only conjecture. Consigned to the bench, then to the left of midfield, Kagawa’s cause appeared lost during August and September. Yet, injury to Robin van Persie in the autumn afforded Kagawa an opportunity in his favoured role at number 10. Success has been only been partial. There is more to come from Kagawa, but it is not certain that it will be at Old Trafford. 6/10

Adnan Januzaj

Januzaj’s rise from academy, to reserves, and then Moyes’ first team has been rapid, but boy has the Kosovan-Belgian taken his opportunity. There is more than a suspicion of future world star status in the teenager’s performances, which have combined a rare maturity with quality in abundance. Januzaj will surely be a huge factor in the second half of United’s campaign. 7/10

Darren Fletcher

It is more than sentimentality that has brought such warmth with Fletcher’s return to the United team – the Reds need him too. It is probably impossible for the Scot to reach former heights, but for the moment another warm body is truly welcome. n/a

Anderson

The Brazilian is still at Old Trafford, and no this isn’t an April Fools joke. So rarely has a player so expensive contributed so little to United’s cause. It is no different this season where Anderson is little more than red ink on an accountant’s balance sheet. n/a

Robin van Persie

This has largely been a campaign of frustration for the Dutchman, who has scored 10 goals in all competitions at a fair rate, but has spent too long on the treatment table. Has van Persie’s poor record with injury made an untimely return; is Moyes’ training regime simply too tough on the 30-year-old striker? Either way, United needs the Dutchman fit, in form and scoring goals if silverware is to be secured come the season’s end. 7/10

Wayne Rooney

The narrative surrounding Rooney’s campaign masks some truths. Rooney is not the player he once was, although a sound work ethic has replaced some of the star-quality. That said, Rooney’s happiness under Moyes, who is prepared to push obsequious sycophancy to its nauseating limit, is a significant bonus for United. Nine goals and as many assists also represents solid numbers at the half-way point of the campaign. 8/10

Javier Hernández

Ask those in the know and it is clear that Hernández is increasingly frustrated with life on United’s bench. The occasional outspoken comment – or in this case, tweet – offers a glimpse into the Mexican’s state of mind. Hernández is on course to break his nation’s goalscoring record at international level yet is destined to forever be a United reserve. It will surprise few if the 25-year-old leaves in the summer. 5/10

Danny Welbeck

There is so much to admire in the Longsight-born striker, whose all-round game is maturing rapidly. Yet, strikers are always judged on goals and Welbeck’s six in all competitions is light, if an improvement on last season. His manager’s recent assertion that Welbeck should dedicate more time to practice is telling; Welbeck’s casual dismissal of the idea a real concern. Good, but could be so much better. 7/10

* ratings given to players who have made 10 appearances or more in all competitions