Manchester United 2011: Grading the United Players in the Champions League
In 1974, Manchester United were relegated from the first division, and lost Denis Law, Bobby Charlton and George Best. Since 1974, Manchester United have won 30 trophies.
1,974 days ago, Manchester United failed to progress past the UEFA Champions League group stages, having lost 2-1 to Benfica. Last night, Manchester United progressed to their third Champions League final in four seasons.
This slideshow will grade Manchester United* players on their contributions during the Champions League.
* Only Manchester United players who have played five or more Champions Leagues matches this season will be graded.
Nani
1 of 18For whatever reason, his excellent form in the English Premier League has not translated into the UEFA Champions League.
One goal and zero assists in 11 Champions League games, has no comparison to his nine goals and 14 assists in 31 Premier League games.
Grade: D
Paul Scholes
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Has only averaged 59 minutes in the UEFA Champions League, and has seen his role taken over by Michael Carrick.
The question has to be asked: will Scholes be a liability against Barcelona?
If the answer is "yes", then he shouldn’t play any part especially with the theatrics of David Villa, Javier Mascherano, Pedro and Sergio Busquets.
Grade: D
Dimitar Berbatov
3 of 18Until yesterday, he had no impact in Manchester United’s UEFA Champions League campaign. Now Dimitar Berbatov has a solitary assist in seven Champions League games.
Like Juan Román Riquelme, everything has to go through Berbatov, in order for him to have an impact.
Louis van Gaal never found a position for Riquelme, and Sir Alex Ferguson sees the same situation in Berbatov.
It is likely that a substitute role beckons for Berbatov in the Champions League final.
Grade: D
Darren Fletcher
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A much underrated player whose constant dissent towards referees have become a footnote in his career.
That being said, Darren Fletcher has increased his offensive efficiency in the English Premier League this season, with two goals and six assists in 25 games.
This efficiency has not been demonstrated in the UEFA Champions League, as injury has taken its toll in the latter stages of the Champions League.
One assumes he’ll be fit to take part in the Champions League final. He will be pivotal in attempting to obstruct the likes of Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Xavi in the centre.
Grade: C
Patrice Evra
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At 29 years of age, Patrice Evra’s time at Manchester United is up. After a calamitous FIFA World Cup with France on and off the pitch, he just doesn’t seem to be the Evra of old.
He’s been pretty average, boarding on below par in the Champions League, and has contributed nothing in offense (zero goals or assists in eight games), whilst becoming a liability in defence.
With the emergence of Fabio, it would be wise for Manchester United to cash in on Evra.
Grade: C
John O'Shea
6 of 18John O'Shea has played as a defender, a midfielder, a forward and even a goalkeeper. Yes that’s right, a goalkeeper; where he memorably denied Robbie Keane in a one-on-one situation.
O'Shea may lack the dribbling ability of Denilson, the razor-sharp pace of Dennis Rommedahl and the vision of Álvaro Recoba, but O'Shea’s versatility, his durability and his loyalty are reasons why he’s still playing at a major club, whereas the aforementioned three are not.
At best, he’s a handy role player; at worst, he’s a liability in defence, especially at full back.
Grade: C+
Antonio Valencia
7 of 18Antonio Valencia is a throwback to old fashioned wingers, and Sir Alex Ferguson should be thanking Steve Bruce for finding such a talent.
Valencia is so quick that he’ll generally always beat his defender, go right and deliver in a cross—rinse and repeat.
Then you factor in his work ethic, his strength on the ball, the no-nonsense style of football he plays unlike the likes of Nani; Valencia is one handy player.
Hasn’t had a major impact in the UEFA Champions League, but will be a trump card for Ferguson against Barcelona.
Grade: C+
Fábio and Rafael
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Fábio and Rafael are twins in every sense; they look the same, play the same and act the same. The da Silva twins have speed, bravery, skill and grittiness; thus it would be logical to assume both are destined to become world class wingbacks.
Rafael’s needless red cards against Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur, indicate temperamental issues. Whilst Fábio hasn’t received any red cards yet, some of his challenges are pointless, and his dissent towards referees is disappointing.
It seems the da Silva twins have picked up the worse traits from Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes. From Fletcher, they’ve acquired a constant knack for showing clear dissent towards the referee. From Scholes, they’ve acquired his Achilles heel; dangerous tackling.
Hopefully these traits do not undermine the da Silva twins’ career, because their performances in the UEFA Champions League suggest both will have lengthy careers at Old Trafford.
Grade: B
Park Ji-Sung
9 of 18Park Ji-Sung’s return rate in the English Premier League has been unexpectedly efficient; four goals and one assist in 13 games.
In the UEFA Champions League, Park has scored one goal and provided an assist. That one goal came with his only shot of the match against Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-finals.
It’s not the first time that Park has shown the capacity to score in big games; games against Arsenal and A.C. Milan come to mind.
Grade: B
Michael Carrick
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With an £18.6 million price tag and a playing style which doesn’t directly influence the game, Michael Carrick is a polarising figure.
What people fail to notice is his ability to control the tempo like Juan Román Riquelme, spread the play like Andrea Pirlo, yet at the same time, Carrick doesn’t have the influence that Xavi has on Barcelona.
Why? Because Carrick isn’t a world class player like Xavi, and perhaps that is the reason why Manchester United fans scapegoat Carrick.
Grade: B
Rio Ferdinand
11 of 18
Calmness, clean tackling and leadership is epitomised in the statistics of no yellow cards and three fouls in six games for Rio Ferdinand.
During these six games, Manchester United have won four and conceded two goals.
His chronic back injuries may lead to his undoing as a Manchester United player.
Grade: B+
Chris Smalling
12 of 18Chris Smalling’s assured performances in the UEFA Champions League have marginalised Johnny Evans, who a few seasons ago, looked the heir apparent to Rio Ferdinand.
With Ferdinand’s chronic back injuries, Smalling may be the heir apparent.
Grade: B+
Anderson
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Three goals in six UEFA Champions League games is a strike rate of .500, and over 128 games, would be considered value for €30 million.
Therein lies the problem, Anderson has only scored four goals in 128 games at .031, which is not good enough. Even goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni has a better strike rate at .105 with 100 goals in 950 games.
Why pay €30 million for a creative midfielder, only to convert him into a box to box midfielder, who scores once every blue moon, and doesn’t provide enough assists?
Anderson must have been watching Lilian Thuram’s two goals in the 1998 FIFA World Cup semi-finals (his only two goals), because last night Anderson not only managed to score once, but twice!
That being said, Anderson is a mercurial player, and at times you’re left in awe at how precise his trivela pass is and how much running and power he brings to the midfield, and other times you suddenly think, "wait isn’t he on the pitch?"
Grade: B+
Nemanja Vidić
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Surprisingly Nemanja Vidić has had a disciplined UEFA Champions League season, with only one yellow card in eight appearances.
Vidić has been the heart and soul of Manchester United this season, and will be pivotal against Barcelona.
Manchester United fans will be hoping Lionel Messi’s presence in the centre, won’t force a red card out of Vidić.
Grade: A
Javier Hernández
15 of 18Chicharito bears some parallels with Pedro; both are technically solid but not particularly flashy, both track back, and both are goal poachers.
As a result of being more complete, Chicharito has frozen out Federico Macheda (on loan at Sampdoria), and Pedro has frozen out Bojan Krkić.
Chicharito’s pace will be invaluable to Manchester United on the counter attack against Barcelona.
Grade: A
Wayne Rooney
16 of 18Given his selflessness on field, it was uncharacteristic to see Wayne Rooney and his agent Paul Stretford, hold the Glazers to ransom.
Whether it’s the impeccable 40-50 meter passes, the amazing overhead kick against Manchester City or just his tracking back, Rooney offers as near as a complete game any footballer can offer in world football.
Three goals and two assists in eight Champions League games is good, but he should be scoring more goals.
Grade: A
Edwin Van Der Sar
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Much like when Mark Bosnich was signed as the successor to Peter Schmeichel, ever reliable Edwin van der Sar will leave an unenviable task for his successor to fill.
Bosnich never fulfilled his vast potential, as drugs ruined his career, however he has found life after football, as a sharp football analyst.
Van der Sar has kept six clean sheets out in nine Champions League games, and was all class when he pulled off a one-on-one save against Klaas-Jan Huntelaar last night.
Grade: A
Ryan Giggs
18 of 18That goal against Arsenal solidified Ryan Giggs’ status as a Welsh wizard.
Skill and an abundance of pace was the hallmark of his playing style, however as the years have gone by, he has adapted and evolved into a shrewd central midfielder.
At 37 years of age, he has still scored a goal and provided four assists in seven UEFA Champions League games.
It would be his 21st season if he continues to play next season; Paolo Maldini played 25 seasons for A.C. Milan.
Grade: A
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