Manchester United: Full Report Card for Every Position for November
Manchester United and Louis van Gaal started to turn things around in November.
After a disappointing defeat to Manchester City in the derby, they won three in a row against Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Hull to end the month in the top four.
It's the first time United have won three games in a row since December 2013, more than 11 months ago. And it's helped them build a bit of momentum ahead of the busy festive fixture list.
Here's a rundown of how each member of the United squad got on in November.
Goalkeeper
1 of 6
David De Gea
David De Gea conceded twice in November, against Manchester City and Arsenal, but he couldn't do anything about either. In fact, he was outstanding in both games, as he has been for much of the season so far.
Grade: A
Right-Back
2 of 6
Antonio Valencia
Antonio Valencia struggled when he was asked to play at right-back last season. But he hasn't done much wrong after stepping in for Rafael this season. He looked most comfortable playing as a wing-back against Arsenal. And it was his fierce cross that led to the opening goal at the Emirates.
Grade: B
Left-Back
3 of 6
Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw was starting to show why United had spent £27 million on him in the summer with his performances against Manchester City and Crystal Palace. But any progress he was making was halted against Arsenal, when he limped off in the first-half with an ankle injury.
Grade: B
Ashley Young
There will have been groans from some fans when they saw Ashley Young preparing to take Shaw's place at Arsenal. But after slotting in at left wing-back, he had one of his best games of the season. Asked to play left-back in a back four against Hull, he was rarely tested.
Grade: B
Centre-Back
4 of 6
Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling had a personal disaster against Manchester City, getting himself sent off in the most needless way. But back in the team against Arsenal, he helped hold together a makeshift defence playing in an unfamiliar system. Van Gaal couldn't have asked for a better response from the 25-year-old.
Grade: B
Marcos Rojo
The most impressive part of Marcos Rojo's month was that he was able to recover so quickly from the dislocated shoulder he suffered against Manchester City. He returned to the team against Hull, but Steve Bruce's side never created enough to test whether he had fully recovered.
Grade: B
Paddy McNair
The 19-year-old looked comfortable when he came on against Manchester City, and in keeping a clean sheet against Crystal Palace. He got his first experience in Van Gaal's three-man defence at Arsenal, but he didn't look fazed at all.
Grade: B
Tyler Blackett
Tyler Blackett made one appearance in November, against Arsenal at the Emirates. It was his first start since the 5-3 defeat at Leicester in September, and it showed. Playing on the left of the back three, he looked uncomfortable with his positioning, especially during a nervous first half.
Grade: C
Midfield
5 of 6
Daley Blind
Injured while on international duty with Holland, Daley Blind played twice in November, against Manchester City and Crystal Palace. Against Palace, he started at centre-half alongside Paddy McNair, but Neil Warnock's side never gave him any trouble.
Grade: C
The Belgian midfielder has gone from laughing stock to first-team regular in just a few weeks. He never looked suited to the holding role he was given under David Moyes. But Louis van Gaal has found a way to play to his strengths his season and he's looked like a different player.
Grade: B
It's no coincidence that the three games Michael Carrick has started this season have all ended in United wins. They've looked a lot more solid since he returned from injury and he's slowly curing United's soft centre.
Grade: B
Angel Di Maria
After a blistering start to his career at Old Trafford, Angel Di Maria's form has dipped slightly. He's not had the same influence on games as he was having earlier in the season, although he was bright against Arsenal, especially when United were running riot on the break.
Grade: C
Juan Mata has been visibly frustrated this season. You could see it in the way he celebrated his winner against Crystal Palace. He looked to be returning to something like his best against Hull, but he still faces a fight to hold on to a regular place in the team.
Grade: B
Ander Herrera
Ander Herrera's performance as a first-half substitute for Angel Di Maria against Hull was a timely reminder of what the Spanish midfielder is capable of. He hadn't been seen since coming off at half-time against West Brom. But his display against Hull should be enough to force his way back into Van Gaal's plans.
Grade: B
Adnan Januzaj
Adnan Januzaj was sacrificed against Manchester City after Chris Smalling's red card and lasted just over an hour against Crystal Palace. He's shown flashes of his pace and skill but not enough to make himself a fixture in Van Gaal's team.
Grade: C
Strikers
6 of 6
Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie's November has been in-keeping with the rest of his season. Ordinary. He struggled to have any influence at all against Manchester City and Arsenal and was replaced by teenager James Wilson on both occasions. But his fantastic goal against Hull proved that the Dutch striker hasn't turned into a bad player overnight. Van Gaal will hope he can show it more often during the rest of the season.
Grade: B
Wayne Rooney has been consistent, if unspectacular throughout November. Playing in a variety of different positions, from centre-forward to midfielder, hasn't helped, but you can't fault his energy, work rate and industry. His highlight was a fabulous finish against Arsenal to wrap up a wonderful counter-attack.
Grade: B
Radamel Falcao
The former Monaco striker made his comeback from injury as a second-half substitute against Hull. But he missed a golden chance and, understandably, looked off the pace. He's in desperate need of match fitness if he's to recreate his best form at Old Trafford.
Grade: C
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