Manchester United: Full Report Card for Every Position for September
Manchester United have had a very peculiar September. In their two wins and one defeat, United have managed an aggregate score of 9-6.
The month saw a comfortable victory, a freakish, embarrassing defeat, and a hard fought, 10-man, backs-to-the-wall home win. This spread of results and performances makes it quite a challenge to assign letter grades to players who have swung from the sublime to the ridiculous and back again.
It is fair to say that barring the last 30 minutes against Leicester City, some of these players would be a full letter grade higher. That anomaly has a disproportionate effect on the grades given there have only been three games.
I should also note that I am at heart a generous marker, so you may wish to adjust the scores to counteract the red-tinted spectacles through which these scores have been assigned.
All statistics per WhoScored.com.
Goalkeeper
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David de Gea
Grade: B-
David de Gea has had a difficult month. Although not directly at fault for any of the Leicester goals, he nonetheless did little to stop United's collapse.
Against Queens Park Rangers he was relatively untroubled, but did what he needed to. Against West Ham United, he was perhaps somewhat culpable for their goal, but he made up for it with a couple of key saves.
It would be harsh to expect him to have played much better given how unsettled the back four in front of him has been, but there are definitely improvements to be made, in terms of his organisation and distribution in particular.
One positive to note—along with Marcos Rojo and Rafael—De Gea was noticeably helpful and supportive to debutant Paddy McNair during the victory over the Hammers.
Right-Backs
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Rafael
Grade: B
Rafael had a difficult game against Leicester, which is why his mark is not higher. Against both West Ham and Q.P.R. he was outstanding. He was well worth the Man of the Match award he got from the club's official Twitter account after the West Ham game, and he provided a lovely assist for Rooney's opening goal.
It has been a delight to see the young full-back begin to re-emerge after a poor campaign under David Moyes.
Antonio Valencia
Grade: D
Antonio Valencia made two substitute appearances in September, and he impressed in neither.
Against Q.P.R., his introduction caused a noticeable dip in the quality of United's attacking football. Against West Ham, his task was relatively thankless, as by the time he was on the pitch United had essentially given up trying to impose themselves on the game.
Valencia has been out of form for a while, and with Rafael playing so well, it looks likely the Ecuadorian will have to wait for the Brazilian's next injury to garner regular first-team football.
Left-Backs
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Marcos Rojo
Grade: B-
Marcos Rojo is included with the left-backs because he played two of September's three games there. However, his grade includes his impressive performance at centre-back against West Ham.
Rojo made a good start to his United career with a fine performance against Q.P.R., although there were a couple of moments when he found himself misjudging the flight of the ball and getting caught out. Against Leicester, however, he impressed a good deal less, being found out of position a number of times.
In his defence, Louis van Gaal's diamond midfield puts a good degree of onus on his full-backs to attack, but Rojo's defensive responsibilities were not attended too well in that game.
In his one game at centre-back, Rojo was excellent, helping to marshal a defence that had never played together, alongside a 19 year-old debutant, in a team down to 10 men.
He was instrumental in guiding McNair through that match, and demonstrated excellent leadership skills and awareness. Barring Leicester, this score would be higher, and Rojo's first month at the club has shown a good deal of promise.
Luke Shaw
Grade: B
Luke Shaw's debut finally arrived just before the end of September, and his grade is based on that game alone. It was an assured first run-out, both in defensive and attacking contributions. At no point did Shaw look overawed by his move to United, and he should become a superb asset to the club's defence in the weeks, months and years ahead.
Central Defenders
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Jonny Evans
Grade: C+
Jonny Evans' injury during the Leicester game was poorly timed, both in terms of the context of the game itself, and United and Evans' seasons.
As United's most senior centre-half, Evans has more responsibilities on his shoulders this season, and in the Q.P.R. game, he looked to be moving back into a bit of form. He started well against Leicester, but facing yet another injury is seriously bad news for him.
Evans' struggle for fitness is becoming the dominant theme of his United career.
Chris Smalling
Grade: C-
One hour of football in September, during which United conceded five goals, and then yet another injury. The month has not been kind to a player whose long-term prospects at United must surely be in question unless he can rediscover both fitness and form.
Tyler Blackett
Grade: C+
It is very tempting to give Tyler Blackett a better grade based on how new he is to elite-level first-team football, but in truth, the youngster struggled in September. Against Q.P.R., he was probably the least impressive of United's back four, and, of course, the Leicester game proved a tremendous struggle for him.
There is an enormous mitigating circumstance to be considered, in that once Evans was off, Smalling offered little in the way of the leadership Blackett is entitled to expect from his senior partner. Coupled with being on the receiving end of a rollicking from Rooney, Blackett got very little support from players who should have known better.
Missing the West Ham game due to suspension, better lies ahead from a player who has exceeded expectations by being as involved as he has.
Paddy McNair
Grade: B+
A surprise inclusion in United's XI against West Ham, Paddy McNair was instrumental in United's win. Although his distribution was a little wayward, his overall contribution was good. He also made a match-winning defensive header in the six-yard box, clearing the danger with aplomb.
A bright start to his senior career.
Tom Thorpe
Grade: N/A
A brief mention for Tom Thorpe, who played for around a minute at the end of the West Ham game. He may have been ahead of McNair, and even Blackett, in the pecking order at youth level, but Van Gaal has shown himself not to be in thrall to pecking orders. It will be intriguing to see where Thorpe goes from here.
Central Midfielders
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Ander Herrera
Grade: A
Ander Herrera would be my choice for player of the month, ahead of Angel Di Maria and Daley Blind.
He has been superb. With two goals, one assist and a total of 14 tackles in September's three games, Herrera has quickly become vital to United. Fans will be desperately hoping the "weeks" he may miss from his fracture rib, per Jamie Jackson of the Guardian do not drag on.
Herrera's passing has been excellent, and he was perhaps the only player who attempted to assert some calm during the collapse at Leicester, albeit he was unable to do so.
So far, Herrera looks to be a wonderful signing. United seem likely to be a much less effective side without him.
Daley Blind
Grade: B+
Daley Blind was exceptional against Q.P.R., providing metronomic control over possession, with 96 percent accuracy in his 112 passes.
He was hardly put under any pressure by Q.P.R.'s midfield, and it is unlikely that other teams will make the same mistake. He was given much less time on the ball in subsequent games, making 49 and 60 passes against Leicester and West Ham respectively.
Against both, there were also times when the play seemed to bypass him, and there are slight question marks around his speed.
There are no question marks around his speed of thought, however, and his positioning has been superb. He is always in motion when United are in possession, making himself available to receive a pass.
Defensively his contribution has been notable, and his four tackles were the most of any United player against West Ham. He also did a good deal of organising during that game, showing leadership potential, something which United sorely need.
Darren Fletcher
Grade: C
Darren Fletcher appeared as a substitute when United's backs were against the wall versus West Ham. He made one tackle and three effective clearances, which aided the cause, but his limited participation means a higher grade would be misplaced.
Attacking Midfielders
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Angel Di Maria
Grade: B+
Angel Di Maria has made an electrifying start to his United career. With two goals and two assists already, Di Maria's pace and directness have added enormously to United's attacking options.
The reason his grade is only B+, and not an A, is twofold. Firstly, he faded later on in the games against both Q.P.R. and Leicester, resulting in his substitution. Secondly, he was unable to have the impact on the West Ham game he did on the previous two.
It has been a very bright start indeed for the Argentine, and even better is yet to come.
Grade: B-
Giving Wayne Rooney a grade for September is challenging. On one hand he, like Di Maria, has scored twice and provided two assists. However, he is also United's captain and presided over one of the most dramatic collapses in recent memory, then got himself sent off for a poorly executed professional foul in the subsequent game.
His fluffed clearance also lead to Leicester's equaliser, and he responded to that goal with an angry tirade directed at United's defenders.
The jury is most certainly out on Rooney's captaincy and whether it is benefiting his performances. However, his two goals have both been taken superbly, he had a good game against Q.P.R. and his all-round play in the first half against West Ham in particular was excellent.
The B- takes into account the ups and downs, and seems about fair overall.
Grade: C+
Juan Mata has only made one start and one somewhat disastrous substitute appearance in September.
He scored against Q.P.R. and his 43 passes were stunningly accurate with 98 percent pass accuracy, but there were no key passes and 43 is relatively few. He did, however, look comfortable in Van Gaal's diamond system, interchanging positions with Ander Herrera.
However, Mata was sacrificed to allow the front three of Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and Rooney in the two subsequent games, and his only impact of note against Leicester was to cheaply lose possession, which lead directly to Leicester's fourth goal.
Given Rooney is suspended going into October, it should be a better month for Mata.
Adnan Januzaj
Grade: C-
Two relatively ineffective substitute appearances for "the boy who can do anything." Van Gaal's system has no obvious place for Adnan Januzaj, and there are difficulties ahead for the youngster. A switch to an out-and-out 4-3-3 would benefit him enormously, but that remains unlikely while United's superstar centre-forwards are fit and available.
Forwards
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Robin van Persie
Grade: B
Robin van Persie struggled against Q.P.R. His movement looked slightly laboured, and it seemed as if he was returning to fitness. Things got better from there, however, as he scored in both subsequent games. Against West Ham, he took his goal superbly, and his link-up play with Rooney and Falcao was good.
He also provided United's only outlet after Rooney's red card, and he did the job well. Van Persie looks to be on an upward curve again.
Radamel Falcao
Grade: B
Radamel Falcao is yet to score, but his contribution has already been telling. He has provided two assists, including a superbly weighted cross for Van Persie's goal against Leicester.
His all-round play has been magnificent. Against West Ham, there were multiple occasions on which he retained possession in spite of being surrounded by defenders. His first touch is extraordinarily deft.
He has been immediately taken to heart by the Old Trafford crowd, and having hit the bar with a stunning volley against Leicester, goals look certain to arrive.
Once he is at full match sharpness, United's opponents will have much to fear.
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