Top 5 under-performers for Manchester United in 2013/14

With only a quarter of season left reigning English champions Manchester United face an impending disappointment of missing out on Champions league qualification .11 points adrift the last champions league spot, United need to pull a rabbit out of a hat to finish in top 4.There are inevitable angry rants From fans after every game . Here we look at 5 worst performers this season:-

1. TOM CLEVERLEY

He might consider himself to be a scapegoat for United’s Midfield woes but actually he has been the most under performing player this season. Cleverly has lacked the exuberance of a youthful player on field .In his 19 appearances for club this season he has created mere 10 chances and scored one goal. His sluggish movement on field, poor passing and defensive errors and an absolute lack of creativity have made him fans no.1 target. His best performance this season is in a losing effort against arch rivals city back in September. After the draw against Fulham, Cleverly had to shut-down his twitter account due to abuse from fans.

Tom Cleverley

2. ANTONIO VALENCIA

Once the holder of the sacred no.7 shirt for a season, Antonia Valencia today has the worst successful crossing rate in EPL .On a number of occasions he has been pushed back to play as a right back but his defensive errors have conceded goals. The Ecuadorian has also been short on pass accuracy this season with only 81% pass accuracy. The 28-year old winger has also had an affinity for cards this season with 8 yellow and 1 red cards. With only 44% of his attempted shots on target, He has been the poorest forward in Man United jersey this season.

Antonio Valencia

3. ASHLEY YOUNG

The winger has been in the news often for the wrong reasons such as his diving instincts rather than his on-field performances. The winger has acquired a talent for cards due to his play-acting and is the favorite target of fans and experts alike. Though the player has redeemed himself with a few good performances off-late and two exquisite goals, he has fallen down the pecking order behind Adnan Januzaj-the teenage starlet from Belgium. With an 80% pass accuracy and 56% shot accuracy, Ashley Young still makes it to my list.

Ashley Young

4. MAROUANE FELLAINI

United’s only summer signing this season has had a turbulent start to life at Old Trafford .In his first season with the Red Devils with his former Everton Manager, Fellaini has been slow and sluggish and a little clumsy on the field .With less than one goal-scoring chance created per three games , he is experiencing the worst slump of his career. With less than 50% shots on target and 80% passing accuracy he has not contributed effectively to solve United’s midfield woes.

The most disappointing stat is the fact that he has won only 50% of the aerial duels, an area considered to be his forte. The only silver lining so far have been the Afro wigs, modeled on his hair style.

Marouane Fellaini

5. SHINJI KAGAWA

While many would be surprised at his inclusion in the top 5 under-performers’ list and would argue that the Japanese has had few chances this season, I believe Kagawa has under performed and has not delivered in all the chances he has been given this season. With less than one chance created per two games played, he has been far from his creative best this season. He is weak defensively and has lacked clinical finishing .With the arrival of Juan Mata, Kagawa is likely to get even fewer chances and might have to move to a new destination to get regular football.

Shinji Kagawa