Manchester United's midfielders: How have they performed?

Manchester United’s midfield has been heavily criticized in the past for lack of creativity and also for their lack of steel. For me, personally, the midfield has given some positive signs. Players have definitely improved, let’s see how all of them have fared.

As far as the central midfielders are considered, United have plenty of options with them. The fact that the duo of Carrick and Cleverley has started to tick for United is a big plus. In Carrick, they have one of the classiest of midfielders and is one of the most consistent performers who is showing his true colours this season and I don’t think he gets the praise he deserves. He tidies up, covers the back four and in Cleverley they have a dynamic midfielder who is always willing to go and compete for ball. He is a tireless runner, gives United drive and tempo which provides United the pace it needs for its game. He can play the delightful one –two’s with his teammates and is always a threat from the attacking positions. This duo didn’t gel as much at the starting of the season but after their inspirational performance in the Manchester Derby which saw them shut out the danger of Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry, they seem to be more comfortable now together. Carrick’s long balls have been a trouble for the teams, specially when United have someone like Chicharito in their ranks whose movement is a joy to watch and creates havoc in the opposition’s box. For Anderson, you really have to feel this season, as when he got fit, he was absolutely sensational. He was dictating play, he was giving those Hollywood cross field passes, scoring goals – he simply changed the game for United against Arsenal but unfortunately got a hamstring injury in the match against Reading. Hard luck for the Brazilian who was looking very promising this season.

Then we also have the luxury of the services of the legendary Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs who still can pull the strings in the midfield at times. Even today, we need Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs to keep more possession of the ball and see off some tight games. Then we have some fantastic emerging talents in Nick Powell, who has a knack of scoring those jaw dropping screamers and is touted to replace the legendary Paul Scholes and we also have Ryan Tunnicliffe in our ranks who is a very promising player, one who reminds everyone of Roy Keane with his tough tackling style of play.

Coming to the new boy Shinji Kagawa, his performances have been decent, neither extraordinary nor too impressive. More is expected from the Japanese international but it is his first season and he needs some time to adapt to the Premier League.

He needs to bulk up a bit and be a little adventurous with his passing and movement. For the amount of time he has played, I have observed that he is playing quite safe here, not going for the delicious through balls, rather opting for the short pass. He is just back from his injury, and his performance against West Brom was encouraging. He undoubtedly is a master at retaining the ball and possession, but for now the fans just need to be patient with the boy. He will surely improve and live up to the expectations.

Coming to the wingers, the wing trio of Valencia, Young and Nani simply terrorized the full backs of the Premier League the previous season and as the tradition goes, are the fulcrum of any of United’s attack. But this season, something has gone wrong with them, they have simply failed to live up to the expectations. Starting with Nani, Nani in the 2010-11 season was sensational for United. But over the last two seasons, he has lost his consistency. The fans and the manager are becoming frustrated with his performances. Very often Nani takes a lot of time to beat his marker or trick past him, which slows down the tempo of the attack and also his trickery doesn’t always beat his marker, so this style of play is simply frustrating. Neither his crosses nor his decision making this season have pleased the gaffer. His current injury, the manager blaming him for the loss against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup tie and his training ground scuffle with young Petrucci have added to his woes. The future of Nani is bleak and one must not be surprised if he leaves United this January.

Coming to Ashley Young, he has blown hot and cold for United. At times he has been a joy to watch but at times he has been very frustrating for the fans to watch. He doesn’t have a number of tricks to beat his man and this season his crossing has also been very disappointing. His start to the season was interrupted by a number of injuries and since his return he has not been impressive. He has had a couple of really good matches like the ones against Man City and West Brom, but still that consistency has been missing.

Valencia has been simply fantastic for United. He has always troubled the full backs of the league (ask Ashley Cole). He and Rafael on the right wing have simply been deadly for United. A lot of United’s attacks have come down the right wing. I might be sounding very critical here, but Antonio Valencia’s game is too one dimensional. The full backs of the league are now able to track his game. He either outmuscles his opponents and drills that low powerful cross or either waits for Rafael for the overlap run. Undoubtedly he is one of the strongest wingers who can very easily outmuscle his opponent, but the fact that we have not seen much of a variation in his game is a worrying sign for any United fan. As seen in the last couple of matches,Valencia hasn’t had much of an impact. Fans have not seen much tricks from Valencia. Fans have seen legendary wingers like Beckham, Ronaldo and Giggs over the years so that simply increases the expectations from our no.7 and hence Valencia needs to improve his game in terms of creativity, craft and variation.

But I am quite optimistic because Valencia is a hardworking lad, he will definitely improve his game. But this doesn’t mean that the squad doesn’t need any addition in this department. Yes, Manchester united do need a winger, a young, promising winger who not only will act as a cover for Valencia but also give United’s wingers good competition. So to sum up I would just say that the midfielders have been impressive for United, there are positive signs but still there is a need for a young winger.