Manchester United: Mid-season report 2014/15

Antonio ValenciaValencia has enjoyed the campaign to date in a wing-back role that benefits from his athleticism. At full-back Valencia is too often caught in the wrong position, although he has performed creditably in the new role this season. The Ecuadorian’s ability to beat his man and deliver a cross has long since disappeared, although there was that one moment against Newcastle United! Van Gaal has plenty of room for upgrade here. 6/10

Ashley YoungYoung’s turnaround is remarkable. So often the butt of supporters’ ire, Young’s persistent mediocrity has been replaced this season by a player reborn at wing-back. Part of this is expectation of course; supporters realise that Young has a dual attacking and defensive role and expect less from each. But the former Aston Villa player has also delivered in both roles and saved his United career in the process. 7/10

Ander HerreraIt has been an unfortunate season for the Basque midfielder. Injury has limited the 24-year-old’s appearances just as the £28 million acquisition looked to be settling in to the team. Neat on the ball, technically sound and a dynamic addition to United’s squad, Herrera offers so much more to the team than, for example, Fellaini. Yet, the Spanish international is often left on the bench when Fellaini is selected. Herrera should ask himself why it is that Van Gaal appears to trust the Belgian more? 5/10

Angel Di MariaAnother player for whom injury has affected the campaign, although the Argentinian has demonstrated enough in 12 games for the club to show just why United paid Real Madrid almost £60 million last August. Di Maria’s drive from a central midfield position is absolutely essential in an otherwise ponderous attacking line-up. Fitness permitting Di Maria should prove he is United’s best player in the months to come. 8/10

Daley BlindLadies favourite Blind settled into a defensive midfield role in Michael Carrick’s absence during the early months of the campaign. Blind’s distribution is sound, if less penetrative than the Englishman’s, and the Dutchman enjoys a strong range of defensive skills. Still, there remains something just a touch lacking in the former Ajax midfielder’s game for the very top level. Can he find before the end of the campaign? 6/10

Marouanne FellainiThat word expectation is relevant once again. Fellaini’s debut season for United was little short of a £27 million disaster. A player without pace, technique or semblance of a sound passing game is of so little use at the very highest level. Yet, some of the Belgian’s performances this season have drawn praise from his manager and supporters alike. The latter expected little and gained more, but the midfielder will surely never become a key part of United’s team. 6/10

Michael CarrickHow Van Gaal missed Carrick through the late summer. The Geordie’s ability to both create and defend is essential to United’s cause and has remained so for almost nine seasons. It is often said that to misunderstand Carrick is a failure to understand football itself. Yet, Van Gaal has no misconception and through the early winter the 33-year-old has done enough to earn a new contract at Old Trafford. An outstanding campaign to date. 8/10

Juan MataUnited’s most creative player has, unfortunately, developed a reputation for performing at home yet missing his mark away from Old Trafford. That is not always a fair assessment, although it is true that the Spaniard struggles to influence the game on the road. In part Mata suffers for Van Gaal’s 3-5-2 system away from home where the former Chelsea player is deployed in a deeper role. Still, rumours that United’s Dutch manager is prepared to offload the £37 million player persist. It would be a genuine mistake. 7/10

Adnan JanuzajWhat next for the ‘boy who can do anything?’ Certainly, the campaign has marked a regression in Januzaj’s standing at United. In part the Belgian has suffered from United’s deployment of wing-backs this eason, but also because of Di Maria’s acquisition. Yet, the teenager is far too good to be released on loan. Can his manager find a role when the team inevitably switches back to a four man defence in the coming weeks? 5/10

Darren FletcherFletch lives, but only just. Out of contract next summer, the campaign to date has demonstrated Fletcher’s enduring combative qualities, but also his permanent physical limitation. No longer able to influence a game for the full 90 minutes, Fletcher is now restricted to a role as a defensive substitute. Likely to leave Old Trafford next year. 5/10

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Robin van PersieThis has not been van Persie’s finest campaign. The Dutchman has rarely touched the level of his freshman year with United. In truth he has been mediocre for much of the past 18 months. Yet, there are signs in recent weeks that the former Arsenal forward’s hunger has returned – a sharpness together with eight goals in the campaign to date. But for injuries elsewhere Van Persie might have lost his place in the team. 6/10

Radamel FalcaoUnited’s ‘shock and awe’ deadline day signing is world class in every department save for the actual performances in a Red shirt. Rumour has it that United will hold off making a final decision on Falcao’s permanent transfer until April. Sound judgement based on the opening five months of the campaign. There is more to come from the Colombian; for the moment injury and a lack of fitness have blunted one of the world’s premier strikers. 5/10

Wayne RooneyAnother strange campaign from Rooney, whose burst of goals in the late autumn brought hope that the Scouser may return to his glorious peak of yesteryear. Yet, in the opening weeks Rooney was poor, starved both of goals and his first touch. Still, the former Evertonian is now rapidly learning a new role as an attacking midfielder. He is no Paul Scholes, but then so few are and Van Gaal was right to ask for a more attacking approach to his game from a deeper role. 7/10

James WilsonThe youngster is United’s long-term striking future, with no guarantee that either Van Persie or Falcao will be at the club beyond next summer. Wilson’s pace is at the top end and so is his finishing, at least a youth and reserve level. He is yet to score this season, but Van Gaal appears to have much faith in the teenager after starting the kid against Liverpool. It was a significant statement. 5/10