Manchester United: Full Report Card for Every Position for January

Manchester United had a difficult January. 

With the form table reading DWLWDW, Louis van Gaal can be pleased that, as the month ends, United are still in the FA Cup and have bounced back up to third place in the league. 

So, who were the best and worse of the bunch for United during the month? Every player that has appeared will be given a letter grade on the following pages.

Because performances have been so up-and-down, there will not be too many good grades assigned...

All statistics per WhoScored.com

Goalkeeper

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David de Gea: A 

Although not many good grades will be assigned, there is an exception to every rule, and De Gea has been superb. United have only conceded a goal every other game in January, in large part thanks to their outstanding stopper. 

Some criticism could perhaps be levelled at him over Leicester's consolation goal on Saturday, but otherwise he has been pretty much blameless. He must surely be favourite to retain his Manchester United Player-of-the-Year award from last season. 

Full-Backs / Wing-Backs

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Antonio Valencia: C 

Valencia is not a natural full-back, and has done a decent, dutiful job at wing-back, but his lack of attacking spark is a huge problem, especially in games where he sees a lot of the ball. He got an assist against Queens Park Rangers, but otherwise he has been mostly ineffective as an attacking force. When he is out of form, the problems of 3-5-2 are exacerbated.  

Luke Shaw: B 

Shaw has reestablished himself in the side in January, playing some part in five of United's six fixtures. He struggled against Southampton, but he was particularly good against Leicester, with four interceptions, two key passes and a pass completion percentage of 91.1.

Rafael: D

Forty-five minutes against Yeovil Town was the Brazilian's only contribution. He has become a peripheral figure in Van Gaal's squad.

Ashley Young: N/A 

Came off injured against Stoke City and has not featured since. He has been missed more than most would have predicted at the start of the season.

Central Defenders

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Chris Smalling: C

A decent start to the month followed by yet another injury. Since his return from suspension following his mistake against Manchester City earlier in the season, Smalling has generally performed well when called upon. However, his consistent trouble with injuries is a huge knock against his future at the club. He really needs a run in the side. 

Phil Jones: B 

Jones has been an almost ever present in United's defence in January, whatever shape it has taken. Struggled in the first half against Cambridge United, but eventually grew into that game. He had a particularly good game against Queens Park Rangers, making three interceptions and 13 clearances. Oddly, he has been assigned corner-taking duty, although has done little to demonstrate why.

Jonny Evans: C 

Evans has looked like an accident waiting to happen for much of this season. Like Smalling, he has also been repeatedly injured, and got an injury midway through January. Given how shaky his performances were before his injury, he has not been much missed. 

Marcos Rojo: A

Rojo returned from injury for the QPR game and has looked like United's best centre-half ever since. He was outstanding against QPR and again against Leicester, where he made two tackles, an interception and 11 clearances, as well as achieving 91.7 percent accuracy with his 96 passes. 

Patrick McNair: B

McNair's only full game was against Yeovil Town, spending half the game at centre-back and half the game at full-back. He did his job well. He was a late sub against Leicester. 

Tyler Blackett: B

Blackett did well against Yeovil and has not been called upon since, which is appropriate given his status in the squad.

Midfielders

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Michael Carrick: C

Carrick registered a rare assist against Stoke City, but otherwise has had a quiet, and fairly ineffective month. United have struggled for rhythm and fluency for much of the month, which is Carrick's remit. Picked up an injury and was outshone by Daley Blind who filled in for him against Leicester. 

Daley Blind: B

Blind has played at centre-back, wing-back and in midfield in January. His standout performance was against Leicester on Saturday. He provided an assist, completed 94.2 percent of his 104 passes and made three tackles, five interceptions and four clearances. A superb all-round midfield performance. 

Wayne Rooney: C

Rooney has had a poor month. He has seen a lot of the ball (making 107 pass attempts against Leicester, for example), but has not scored or registered an assist all month. His current role in the side simply does not get the best out of him. 

Ander Herrera: B

Herrera's grade is a little tricky to assign, given how little involvement he has had. Whenever he has played, he has done well, scoring a wonder goal to finally break Yeovil's impressive resolve, for example. The mystery of why he is not seeing more action will presumably be answered one day.

Juan Mata: C

Mata has had a difficult month. Like Rooney, he has often played deeper than his natural role. Also like Rooney he has registered neither goal nor assist. The current system does not suit him well, and he was sacrificed for Adnan Januzaj come month's end.  

Marouane Fellaini: C

Fellaini scored a crucial goal coming off the bench against QPR, but otherwise he had a quiet January whenever he played, which was not that often.

Darren Fletcher: D 

Fletcher looked off the pace and struggled to make an impact against Yeovil, his only appearance in January.

Forwards

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Radamel Falcao: C

Topped and tailed the month with goals, but he struggled with a lack of service for much of the rest of the time. Better presumably still lies ahead for the Colombian.

Robin van Persie: C

Missed a lot of January with an injury. Did not score until the final day of the month. Was excellent against Leicester, but poor performances and an injury hold his grade back. 

Angel Di Maria: C 

Used out of position as a centre-forward for much of the month, Di Maria has struggled, scoring only in the dying minutes of the game against Yeovil. Has not provided a single assist during the month. 

Adnan Januzaj: B

Januzaj can celebrate being reintegrated into the team in January. Was a bright spark in an otherwise very poor game against Cambridge, and he did well when given a starting berth against Leicester City, including two successful dribbles, something which he has done much less in general this season. 

James Wilson: C

Scored his first goal of the season against QPR, but struggled to make an impact against Yeovil or Cambridge. The goal against QPR provides much cause for optimism, and showed his natural finishing ability.