Progress Report on Manchester United's Squad Entering March International Break
Louis van Gaal's Manchester United side have finally rediscovered some of their swagger. They are on a four-match winning streak in the Premier League—though that was broken up by an FA Cup defeat to Arsenal.
The most significant aspect of that run has been the two most recent games. In taking three points off both Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, United have put themselves in a superb position to qualify for next season's Champions League.
In the manner of those two victories, United may have put a marker down for even better things to come.
After the Spurs game, Gary Neville described the performance as United's best of the season by "head and shoulders" on Sky Sports. During his co-commentary on the Liverpool game, the former Red Devil was similarly effusive, describing the first 15 minutes of the game as the best he could recall from a United side at Anfield.
Thus, the progress report for the United squad is significantly more positive than it would have been in the immediate aftermath of the defeat to Arsenal. It is too soon to definitively say that United are "back," but at least we are closer to understanding what Van Gaal's side will look like on a good day.
All statistics per WhoScored.com.
Goalkeepers
1 of 6
Something remarkable is going to have to happen for David De Gea not to earn back-to-back Player of the Year awards from both United's fans and players.
The Spanish stopper was partially culpable for Liverpool's goal at Anfield last Sunday, but it is hard to draw to mind another goal conceded all season which he could have done much more to prevent. He has been very important to United, earning his side plenty of points.
Van Gaal has not looked to his understudies at all—De Gea has started 100 percent of United's games this season. When Victor Valdes was brought in as a back-up, it seemed logical that he might play in some FA Cup matches, but that has not happened.
This season, De Gea has proven to be one of the world's best keepers. He has been astonishingly consistent, often playing behind a permeable defence, making spectacular save after spectacular save.
Fans will be hoping he is between United's posts for many years to come, and fearing that he will not.
Full-Backs
2 of 6
Antonio Valencia has done a reasonable job at right-back, but there have been several occasions when his lack of defensive experience has been displayed. He made mistakes for both of Arsenal's goals in United's FA Cup loss at Old Trafford, including an egregious error for Danny Welbeck's winner.
Playing in defence has minimised his attacking contribution—he has no goals and just two assists all season. However, it is clear Van Gaal prefers him to Rafael, who has been out in the cold since his return from injury. This looks to be a position United need to strengthen in the summer.
At left-back, United have plenty of options. Luke Shaw has had an injury-hit first season at the club. His lack of consistent fitness has made it difficult to assess his contribution, although what is certain is that he will need to improve his attacking contribution. A total of zero assists all season is not good enough. He has looked solid defensively when called upon, though, and there is time for him to grow into the role.
Marcos Rojo has often been used as left-back cover, although his best performances have probably come at centre-back.
Daley Blind has excelled at left-back in the past two games, forming a crucial part of the axis on the left-hand side of the pitch with Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young. His six tackles against Liverpool were the second most among United players behind only Ander Herrera.
Van Gaal has a genuine selection dilemma in this position.
Centre-Backs
3 of 6
United's centre-backs have received plenty of criticism this season, and much of it has been deserved. However, in the past few weeks, they have generally done well.
Phil Jones' rashness has gotten United in trouble a few times. It was his pass to Valencia that forced the Ecuadorian into a hurried back-pass that ended up in Welbeck's path against Arsenal. Against Spurs, he overhit a back pass toward De Gea, forcing the goalkeeper into a dramatic save.
However, he has also been important to the side. Against Spurs, after a shaky start, he made three tackles, four interceptions and eight clearances (the latter being the most of any United defender).
He has played the past couple of games alongside Chris Smalling. Smalling was roundly criticised for his dismissal against Manchester City back in November, but since then, he has been nearly error-free. His distribution has been good too, with 88.5 percent of his passes successfully completed, despite approximately 10 percent of his passes being long balls.
Jonny Evans has endured a difficult season, starting just 13 games—the fewest of any of United's senior centre-backs. He has rarely impressed, though he managed an above-average performance against Newcastle United. His 11 clearances were crucial in that game, and the total was far above his average of 4.8 per game.
Marcos Rojo's first season with United has been promising. Among a string of impressive performances in his all-action aggressive style, one moment in particular stands out in his season. Way back in September 2014, at the height of United's defensive injury crisis, Rojo played alongside Patrick McNair in the youngster's debut.
Rojo talked McNair through that game, encouraging and supporting his young colleague, whose spectacular headed clearance late on ended up being crucial to United's victory. It was an example of Rojo's leadership abilities, which are much needed in United's back four.
Speaking of McNair, his involvement in the season has petered out of late, which is understandable, given the return to fitness of United's more experienced defenders. He and Tyler Blackett have both done well when called upon, though, especially given their inexperience.
Midfielders
4 of 6
The past two games have been something of a masterclass from United's midfielders. A new system—the 4-3-3 that many expected Van Gaal to bring to the club—has seen Michael Carrick sitting deep with Herrera ahead of him to his right and Fellaini ahead of him to his left.
Carrick made a key error against Liverpool on Sunday, giving the ball away for the move which led to the goal United conceded. However, his one-year contract extension has been well earned by his contributions this season. He is the club's vice-captain now, and even managed a goal in the Spurs game.
Van Gaal seems to have found the ideal role for Fellaini, who has been playing as an attacking midfielder when United have possession, then dropping deeper when they lose the ball. He has been an outlet for long passes (sometimes to a fault), but his burst of pace and goal against Tottenham seemed to help his confidence, and the past two games have probably been his best in a red shirt.
There are technical limitations to his game, which mean he may not be the long-term answer for United's midfield, but for now, he is playing well.
Herrera has been a revelation since regaining his place in the side. His absence for long stretches of the season was hard to understand while it was happening and is even harder to comprehend in retrospect, given his inclusion has had such a dramatic impact.
Linking beautifully with Juan Mata on the right side of the pitch, Herrera's through ball for his friend's first goal against Liverpool was a perfect illustration of his abilities. Equally telling were the seven tackles he made in that game. Herrera is an elegant player in possession, but he appears equally happy when scrapping to win back the ball.
Blind is currently filling in at left-back, but when played in midfield, he has been superb for United in games they have dominated—like Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers at home, for example. His relative lack of pace has caused problems when he has been playing in defensive midfield in games which United have found tougher going.
He is a determined player, though, and his average of 2.4 tackles per game is in the top five of United's squad.
Wide/Attacking Midfielders
5 of 6
Juan Mata's stunning Man of the Match performance at Anfield has presumably put him in the box seat for selection in the wide-right berth. Van Gaal described Mata's role as a "false right-winger" in his post-match press conference (h/t 101 Great Goals).
Mata's season as a whole has been challenging, as he has spent far more time on the sidelines than can be comfortable for him, but as Ryan Grant of ManUtd.com pointed out on Twitter, Mata now has a better goals-to-games ratio for United than any midfielder other than Cristiano Ronaldo.
His two goals at Anfield will see him immortalised among the United faithful, regardless of what happens from now on. The quality of his performances in the past two games, should also see him retain his place for the rest of the season.
Angel Di Maria may miss out on game time because of that. The Argentinean has not lived up to expectations—or his enormous transfer fee—so far this season, but has nonetheless been one of United's most prolific creators. His nine assists betters every player in the Premier League bar Cesc Fabregas.
His average of 2.2 key passes per game is considerably better than any other United player—Wayne Rooney is in second place with 1.5 key passes per game. Although his first season in England has presented challenges, Di Maria has shown glimpses of what could lie ahead if he truly beds in at United.
Adnan Januzaj has had limited involvement this season, and thus has only sporadically been able to display the enormous promise on show last season. It will be intriguing to see how Van Gaal handles his development from here, and whether the youngster has done enough to convince the Dutchman he deserves a place in the squad.
A player who has surely convinced Van Gaal of his worth is Ashley Young, who is in many ways the surprise success of United's season. Young has played in every position available on the left-flank this season, and he has done so with competence and occasional aplomb.
His pace and drive have been difficult for opposing defenders to deal with, and while his one goal and one assist are disappointing, his all-round contribution has been significant. He has always shown willingness at United, but this season, he has shown quality too.
Forwards
6 of 6
United's forwards are not having the best of times.
At the beginning of the season, United appeared to have an embarrassment of riches up front, but injury and poor form have seen them nudge closer to just an embarrassment.
The numbers have not been good enough.
Radamel Falcao has four goals and four assists, and the Colombian's woes have been well documented. It is hard to imagine United investing heavily in securing him to a long-term future with the club after his struggles this season.
Robin van Persie has a more acceptable 10 goals, but he has endured lengthy dry spells. Indeed, five of those 10 goals came in a six-game burst in November and December. The rest of the season has seen him struggle for form. His style of leading the line seemed to hinder some of United's creative players during the run in which he saw very little service.
I covered the statistics in depth here. The precis of them, though, is that he had very few shots in the run of games in which he did not score. That is partially down to the creative players whose job it is to provide him with service, but it is hard not to assign some blame to Van Persie's apparent lack of mobility.
James Wilson has one league goal and one FA Cup goal. He has looked bright during his cameo appearances and has been deployed strategically by Van Gaal to add pace to United's attack. There should be more to come from the youngster.
Wayne Rooney has, in recent weeks, shown himself to be United's best choice as a line-leading centre-forward.
While his performance at Anfield was poor—his only shot on target was the penalty Simon Mignolet saved—he is on a run, with five goals in the past seven games.
All in all, attack might just be the area of the pitch in which United have most underperformed. There are signs of improvement, but investment will probably be needed in summer.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
