Marcos Rojo Is the Unsung Hero for Manchester United so Far in 2014/15 Season

Manchester United's summer transfer activity saw the arrival of some very high-profile talent, but Marcos Rojo did not quite fit into that category.

Although the Argentine had played very well at the World Cup, his signing received a more muted reaction than that of, say, his compatriot Angel Di Maria.

However, he has bedded in well at the club and, perhaps partly because of the scale of United's defensive injury crisis, has become a key player for Louis van Gaal.

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When selecting an unsung hero, there are, of course, two criteria to be met. There have been plenty of players who have put in good, or even excellent, performances for United, but most of those have garnered plenty of attention.

Candidates for unsung hero could perhaps have included Rafael Da Silva, who has been outstanding in three of United's past four games. However, his Man of the Match award from the club's Twitter following the win over West Ham United on 27 September makes him a little too sung to claim the prize.

"

Thanks for voting for today's Man of the Match. Rafael wins it with 63.5%, ahead of Shaw (18.5%) and Blind (18%). pic.twitter.com/IB0iyB71CX

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 27, 2014"

Similarly, I have written about the good performances of Ander Herrera, Daley Blind and Tyler Blackett, ruling them out for contention. Phil Jones may have been worthy of consideration, but although his personal form was good, he has not played a part in a winning United performance so far this season.

Rojo, on the other hand, has been an ever present since his paperwork was finally sorted out and he was allowed to play for the club. He played twice at left-back, to good effect against Queens Park Rangers and to markedly lesser effect against Leicester. Since his switch to centre-back, United have won two hard-fought home games.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Playing alongside Paddy McNair, Rojo has taken on the mantle of senior figure in United's defence. At the age of 24, he has been the oldest member of United's back five, being a few months older than Rafael and David De Gea.

He has risen to the task, chatting with McNair, congratulating him after good work, encouraging him and helping to guide his positioning. He has also been committed to, and invested in, the spirit of the side, celebrating Angel Di Maria's goal against Everton with David De Gea, the only two players left in United's half during those celebrations.

However, his contribution has certainly been more than just symbolic, and he has made an important difference at key moments.

During the thoroughly backs-to-the-wall win over West Ham, Rojo made 10 clearances, more than anyone other than McNair. He added to that a tackle and four interceptions. Against Everton he was quietly effective, and his five clearances were crucial.

His performance at left-back against Leicester was a contributory factor in United's calamitous collapse, but he had shown his attacking qualities as a full-back against QPR.

Jon Super/Associated Press

His passing was tidy and effective in that game, and he was very involved, completing 91.8 percent of his 85 passes. However, that performance may have been something of an anomaly, given how much time QPR allowed United's players to have on the ball.

It is much too soon to say what Rojo's United career holds for him. However, it is clear that for a young man, playing in a new league, in a new country, he has settled in well.

When that is added to the fact that his third and fourth games for the club saw him thrust into the role of leader, alongside an inexperienced youngster, and that United won both of those games, there is plenty of cause to hail him an unsung hero.

If his performances stay at this level, or indeed improve—as they certainly have not been perfect—it will not be long before he gains further acclaim, and a new candidate for unsung hero will have to be found. For now, though, Rojo fits the bill.

All statistics per WhoScored.com