Comments on: Manchester United Mid-Season Squad Assessment

By: drew.dinneen

drew.dinneen — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 23:58:41 +0000

I would love to give Henrik Larsson an A* at the end of the season, and I’m really hoping he will provide the type of quality squad depth that United will need over the busy period into the new year. I think he’s more than capable of scoring the vital goals that United often need to put games to bed.

I agree with everything said about Vidic. I had no idea he would be this good this soon. It was a toss up between him and Ronaldo for the Star Pupil, but as dr said, the things that Ronaldo has had to deal with this season gave him the edge. Plus attacking players always get more credit than defenders!

Thanks for the kind words guys

By: Hasan

Hasan — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 19:47:26 +0000

and Ahmed, you’re dead wrong on Giggs and Scholes. They’ve won well enough in games where everyone else disappeared/wasn’t playing to merit it – on this season alone, of course.

Drew: wouldn’t it be cool if you could give Henrik Larsson an A* at the end of the season?

By: Hasan

Hasan — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 19:34:59 +0000

I’d say Ahmed got it spot on about Roo and Saha, and absolutely right on Vidic. He gets star pupil over Ronaldo, he’s the missing central defender that I’ve been wishing for the longest time for. You know, Silvestre playing there and all that.

Fun post.

By: Azar

Azar — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 17:53:15 +0000

Fun to read DD….. hehe seems like ManU fans hate Smith!!

By: James

James — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 16:52:26 +0000

1. Edwin Van der Sar: A+ – OUTSTANDING FORM!!
2. Gary Neville: A* – DIFFERENT TACTICS, SEEING GOAL MORE!
3. Patrice Evra: A* – FANTASTIC, GREAT BUY
4. Gabriel Heinze: B+ – ALWAYS GREAT! WHEN PLAYING
5. Rio Ferdinand: A – ACTUALLY SCORED AGAIN! CONSISTENT
6. Wes Brown: C – NOT HAD A CHANCE TO GET IN TEAM REALLY
7. Cristiano Ronaldo: A* – BREATH TAKING FOOTBALL
8. Wayne Rooney: A+ – HEART, HONOUR, THE TANK!!!
9. Louis Saha: B+ – ATTITUDE LETTING HIM DOWN A BIT! RUNBOY
11. Ryan Giggs: A* – AS USUAL, SUPERB
13. Ji-Sung Park: C – CAN’T WAIT FOR HIS RETURN!
14. Alan Smith: C – WON’T GET IN THE TEAM NOW, SELL HIM!!
15. Nemanja Vidic: A+ – GREAT BUY, SOLID! AWSOME
16. Michael Carrick: B+ – QUIET BUT DOING WELL
18. Paul Scholes: A+ – THE MASTER, STILL GOT IT
20. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: B- – SUPER SUB!! LEGEND!!
22. John O’Shea: C – LOST PLACE IN THE TEAM!
23. Kieran Richardson: C – TOO GREEDY AT TIMES, ATTITUDE?
24. Darren Fletcher: B+ – OK IN SOME, POOR IN OTHERS
27. Mikael Silvestre: C – LOST PLACE IN THE TEAM
29. Tomasz Kuszczak: B – GREAT PENALTY SAVE, VANS REPLACEMENT IN THE FUTURE!!

FERNANDO TORRES – ADD THIS MAN
JOEY BARTON WOULD BE A GREAT REPLACEMENT FOR KEANE BUT HE’S CITY!!!!

THANKYOU
jAMES

By: Yes Sir

Yes Sir — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 16:50:59 +0000

Well it seemed a bit biased,but of course as a fan,we ought to think United’s done well to be leadin the pack huh..Keep it up Drew

By: dr

dr — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 16:49:02 +0000

Not a bad analysis whatsoever. Have to agree with most of the grades, though reckon the “star pupil” allocation would be the equivalent of a flip of a coin between Ronaldo and Vidic. But yea – if we’re basing it on history, then just because of the manner in which the former has grown against the crap he’s faced all season, reckon Ronaldo it would be.

On a side, good to see Smudger back amongst the goals (albiet for the reserves), and Park making himself known for the better part of 45 minutes.

By: Yes Sir

Yes Sir — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 16:47:58 +0000

Finally A truly perfect assessment…great piece of work Drew…do well to keep it up

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 16:47:38 +0000

Scholes’ A is deserved, he’s absolutely fantastic this season. Gary Neville should get a B+, that’s true but otherwise I completely agree with drew.dinneen. Oh, one thing: I’d not rate Park as he got injured early in the season. He did not write any of the tests

By: Ahmed Bilal

Ahmed Bilal — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 16:37:53 +0000

kick-ass post man.

But as usual, a few that I’d disagree with

2. Gary Neville: Grade: B+ The best ‘regular’ right-back in the Premiership.

8. Wayne Rooney: Grade: A- Not as good as expected.

9. Louis Saha: Grade: A- Misses opportunities.

11. Ryan Giggs: Grade: B+ Good, but not better than Saha this season

14. Alan Smith: Grade: F. It’s not his match-fitness that’s the issue, it’s his attitude that’s lacking (Southend game).

15. Nemanja Vidic: Grade: A* Best United player along with Ronaldo. Deserves player-of-the-season.

18. Paul Scholes: Grade: B+ Same as Giggs

20. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Grade: B- A bit lucky with some of his goals, extraordinary with others.