Manchester United: Ranking the Reds' Top 10 Performers so Far This Season

Sir Alex Ferguson will be licking his lips for the foreseeable future. His youthful Manchester United side are on top of the Barclays Premier League table, they look almost unbeatable, and—scarily—they have not been stretched beyond themselves despite already facing two Champions League –worthy sides in their first three games.  

United have not lost a game so far this year, and, despite the youthfulness of the side, are playing some of the best football seen at Old Trafford in quite a few years.

The Reds have destroyed all opposition that have come their way, and here is a look at their top 10 performers so far this season. 

10. Patrice Evra

Acting as deputy captain because of the absence of Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra is again playing his never-changing role of Mr. Dependable. 

The Frenchman's link-up play with Ashley Young is fast approaching the success of the partnership he shared with Cristiano Ronaldo, and the advantages that his experience brings to the table cannot be understated. 

9. Jonny Evans

Jonny Evans has often been derided for not being the flash-and-pizzazz player people desperately want him to be, but Sir Alex Ferguson's insistence in believing in him is finally paying off.

Four games played, none lost. 

8. David De Gea

'nuff said.

7. Tom Cleverley

The smoothness of Tom Cleverley's transition into the Manchester United setup has been amazing.

To relegate both Michael Carrick and Ryan Giggs to the sidelines in one fell swoop is nothing short of sublime. His assists, closing down of oppositions, and link-up play have been instrumental in making United the side they are so far this year, and it's no surprise that Sir Alex's confidence in him has not wavered.

Cleverley has more than deserved his place in the starting 11. 

6. Nani

With hindsight, Nani's input to United performances early this season will probably be seen as the single most important of all of United's players' performances.

The importance of his winning goal against Manchester City in the Community Shield game at the start of the season cannot be over-stressed. Had United not won that game, a lot of the self-belief evident in the players right now would be absent.    

5. Ashley Young

Ashley Young has not been in the Manchester United team for more than 15 minutes, and already he is in the goal-scoring, assist-making form of his Aston Villa days.

Two goals and four assists—not bad, huh?

Surely one of the best signings in the league this summer, Young has been one of United's best performers so far this season, and there's so much more to come.

4. Chris Smalling

Chris Smalling's start to the season could not have begun any better. Not only has he kept Fabio da Silva's behind firmly plastered to the bench, he has managed to tackle his job at right-back in a way that puts shame on the more established right-backs in the league.

Effortless, not prone to silly errors, and displaying impeccable judgement, Smalling has "class act" written all over him. 

3. Anderson

At the beginning of the season, Anderson couldn't have wished for anything better than to start all of Manchester United's games, score a goal or two, and provide some assists.

Well, he's done all that and more.

Sir Alex Ferguson's reluctance in playing the young Brazilian subsided, and a beast has been unleashed. The comfort that Anderson oozes when he's on the ball is hard to describe. In Anderson, a gem has been unearthed and polished in the United way, and the results are magnificent.

Now holding down a place in the starting 11, he is Manchester United's best—however belated—answer to the question of who would replace Paul Scholes.  

2. Danny Welbeck

Danny Welbeck's emergence in the Manchester United setup has been extraordinary.

Loaned to Sunderland last season, many wondered if the England U-21 international would go the same road as former United striker Fraizer Campbell and remain at Sunderland, but Welbeck didn't—and it was the right choice.

The striker has had a starring role for United so far this season. He has scored twice and provided an assist in three games. Injury has unfortunately ruled him out for the next six weeks, but thus far, Welbeck has been brilliant.

Sir Alex Ferguson had this to say about Welbeck's emergence:

"

The horrible part for me now is with having Javier back, what do we do? It is going to be a big problem for me.

"

1. Wayne Rooney

Three games, five goals, one assist, and 17 shots on goal—and that's just the half of Wayne Rooney's input into Manchester United so far this season.

The biggest plus for Manchester United and the fans is that—unlike in the past—Rooney looks comfortable in his own skin.

Anger and the other negative repressed emotions that he often used to drive himself have now been replaced by a calmness and a belief in himself and the team. Things are looking good.