United's Season: Player Ratings - The Attack
United scored 100 goals in the Premier League and the Champions League - and 82 of them were registered by the four gentlemen rated below.
Cristiano Ronaldo: He is a winger, I know, but his position is flexible, he's playing a free role these days and he's our main attacker. 42 goals, some of them spectacular, some of them lucky, some of them were poacher's effort but the fact is that even when he's got an off-day, Ronaldo can be expected to pop up and score - the measure of the great player. Brilliant and probably unbeatable season. A little blot is the penalty miss in the Champions League final but he played very well in the game itself and scored a fabulous goal so we forgive that one. Best player in the world, obviously. 10
Wayne Rooney: Got a lot of unjust criticism this season. He had a lot of injury problems, missed large chunks of the season and often had to play on his own up front which is not his favourite position but where he performed very well. He scored 12 goals and notched up 13 assists in 26 starts in the Premier League and scored four goals in the Champions League. Apart from the injuries, his one deficiency was that he squandered way too many chances: he could have easily got 20 league goals if his finishing had been anywhere near Ronaldo's level. The heartbeat of the team so often, his passing and vision is brilliant. Signing a proper centre-forward would take a lot of pressure off him. 7
Carlos Tevez: Great debut season. All the ownership wrangling threatened to jeopardise his move to Old Trafford but it happened in the end and though he was struggling early on, not scoring until the Chelsea game at the end of September, he became a lucky charm for United, scoring vital goals (against Chelsea, at Liverpool, Spurs, Lyon, Blackburn). His finishing was often erratic but forged a great partnership with Rooney and should only get better next season. Converted his penalty confidently in the Champions League final. 8
Louis Saha: His 5 goals make him United's fourth highest top scorer but his frustrating glass legs prevented him from playing a major part in our successes. A disappointment: I still rate him as a very fine striker when he's fit and on form but these occasions have been frustratingly rare during his time at Old Trafford which is surely over now. 5
Fraizer Campbell did very well at Hull but played only two games at United whereas Dong Fangzhuo got two opportunities to show his value - neither did enough to be rated.
United's Season: Player Ratings - The Midfield
Here is the second part of our series. Now we analyse the midfielders' displays, have a look at how the biggest department of United's squad performed this season. Please note: Ronaldo is not in this section.
Paul Scholes: The Ginger Ninja enjoyed a mixed season. He was solid but unspectacular until his injury that ruled him out for three months. He returned with a bang against Portsmouth, and produced more masterclasses, especially against Liverpool home and Roma away. But at times he was bypassed when pacy and strong midfielders took the game to United. But he fired United into the Champions League final and though he did not play particularly well there, he picked up the medal he craved since 1999. 8
Michael Carrick: A bit disappointing and injury-ravaged autumn but made up for it during the spring when he became a cornerstone of the team again. He had outstanding games against Liverpool and Arsenal at Old Trafford - and I've already praised his passing and his reading of the game. Huge defensive work combined with pulling the strings when needed. Should score more goals. 8
Owen Hargreaves: A difficult season. He was struggling with tendonitis problem and missed a lot of games. At times he was played as an emergency right-back so he did not really exert his influence on his favoured position in central midfield. Yet when he got the chance there he did not let us down. Hopefully he'll manage to stay injury-free next season and could become a vital member of the first XI. 7
Anderson: The surprise of the season. His tenacity, graft and bite amazed everyone and he's got a remarkable passing ability and good pace as well. He became a bit-part player at the end of the season after going off the boil a little, sometimes obviously lacking maturity but rammed home the penalty at the Luzhniki. Best displays were against Arsenal and Liverpool. Another one who'll surely play a much more prominent role next season, especially as Scholes will be phased out, according to Fergie. 7
Darren Fletcher: A big-game player though very few people give him credit for it. The season was difficult for him, given the embarassment of riches in his position but did remarkably well when called upon, especially against Arsenal in the FA Cup and Lyon in the Champions League. He was one of our best players at Stamford Bridge, too. His passing is still rough at times and lacks the technique to become a key player but hopefully he won't leave Old Trafford. 6
Ryan Giggs: His decline was obvious and rapid. Had great moments but this season was a story of inconsistency for Giggs. It was glorious in the end: decisive goal at Wigan, United's winning penalty against Chelsea in the European Cup final, lifting it for the second time in his illustrious career. But he will be a squad player at best next season. 6
Ji-sung Park: Missed the first half of the season through injury and though looked a bit blunt at first after his comeback he played a big part in the end. His contribution to our Champions League triumph must not be understated as he did a huge job against Roma and Barcelona. 6
Luis Nani: All in all, better than what I expected. Scored some great goals and showed he can destroy teams when he's on form but very inconsistent and lacking maturity and tactical awareness. There is plenty of room for improvement but his debut season was a highly encouraging one. 7
United's Season: Player Ratings - The Defence
Edwin van der Sar: United's number one enjoyed a solid season. He committed very few mistakes and though the rock solid defence made his job a lot more easier, he made some great saves - his performance at Middlesbrough and against Arsenal was key to our title win and of course his penalty save from Nicolas Anelka sealed Champions League glory for the Reds. 8
Tomasz Kuszczak: He is an understudy, no more, no less. As such he did well. Played in 8 Premiership games and he was involved in the Champions League, too. His best game was against Roma at Old Trafford (in the group stages) where he kept out a lively side with good saves. 7
Ben Foster: He won't get a rating but his single appearance, at Derby, was highly encouraging.
Wes Brown: Played more games than anyone in United's squad. On occasions he was poor - most notably against Liverpool at Anfield and against Arsenal at Old Trafford - but he was outstanding against Barcelona and Chelsea in the Champions League. Pacy wingers often troubled him but his crossing was improving steadily as the season went on and was rarely beaten in the air. 7
Rio Ferdinand: As close to perfection as you can get. Masterful throughout the campaign, he had the likes of Fernando Torres and Samuel Eto'o in his pocket for entire games. His best display was probably against Barcelona at Old Trafford where he produced an absolutely commanding masterpiece alongside Wes Brown. Problems with concentration and attitude are forgotten. 9
Nemanja Vidic: Outstanding all season, his partnership with Rio is flourishing. Missed some important games through injury but returned for the crucial matches against Wigan and Chelsea. Named as the weak link in the United defence by Salomon Kalou, he went on to have a blinder of a game. A bit disappointing was that he scored only one goal all season, back in September at Goodison Park. 8
Patrice Evra: Best left-back in the world right now. He had trouble with those wingers who like to dribble to the outside of the defender but in the end coped reasonably well with all, with the one notable exception of Aaron Lennon. But he dealt very well with Lionel Messi, supported the attacks brilliantly all season - though looked a bit tired at times during the spring. 8
John O'Shea: The big Irishman did not have a defining moment like last season's goal at Liverpool but provided good cover when called upon. Uncomfortable in the middle against Middlesbrough, he was usually reliable on the flanks. 6
Gerard Pique: Committed a crucial mistake at Bolton by misjudging his header but scored two goals in the Champions League and had very good games when Vidic was absent - he was very confident against Arsenal though that was a very important and very difficult game. 6
Mikael Silvestre: Played two games (and two minutes against Barcelona) after suffering cruciate ligament injury at Everton in September. Neither Roma nor Chelsea could find a way past him, he was brilliant in both games. Still, he didn't play enough to be rated.
Gary Neville: Got a hero's welcome against Roma but ten minutes in midfield isn't enough for a rating.
Jonny Evans: Had all the trouble in the world containing Michael Mifsud in the Carling Cup against Coventry. Played as a substitute against Dynamo Kiev and as a starter at AS Roma in the Champions League group stages.
