Rating the Defenders

So it's been a few more days than 'tomorrow', but it's definately better than the gaps of months this blog had become. With that said...

Coming into this year, one of the most certain features of this team was its defenders. Despite playing very well for the majority of the season, there were certainly times that tried the patience of both the fans and Sir Alex. Here's a look at how it ranked them.

Gary Neville

Gary came through the season playing consistently both domestically, in Europe, and internationally. Provided great coverage at right back to an often destabilized line. Even scored 2 goals near the end of the season in course of a week having scored only 4 in 430+ appearences for United. Rating: B+

Phil Neville

Phil featured 31 times both in defense and in central midfield in the holding role in place of Keane and/or Butt. His work in midfield actually was far more noticeable than his contributions on the backline given the competition for places there. Rating: B-

Rio Ferdinand

Rio, Rio, Rio...this name was seldomly mentioned in a positive relation to the team this year. Having failed to complete a drug test, Rio managed to get himself suspended for 8 months (people who have failed tests such as Jaap Stam received only a 6 month suspension- how that works I'll never know.) Now he'll miss Euro 2004, and the start of the season, which sucks. Rio did manage to play until the middle of January, so he did get 20 games in. In that time they won 15, tied 2, and lost 3. Had they managed to replicate that performance in the second half of the season they would've retained their position of a year ago.

Anyhow, Rio provided the centre of defense with consistent play, and was a very big help in clearing balls away from new keeper Tim Howard. You could certainly see how United faltered once he was missing. Rating: A for the time he played, C- for the entire season and how he let the team down by not being there in the end.

Wes Brown

The timing couldn't have been any better for Wes' return to the squad, but the results certainly could have. As Rio was on his way out due to the aformentioned suspension. Wes played his only game with Rio January 17, the day they inexplicably lost 1-0 to Wolves away. It is never easy returning from such a long layoff as Wes did, especially given the fact he has been seriously injured in each of the last three seasons now. On the whole Wes showed flashes of his ability, but mixed with the injury and several lapses of judgement in communicating with Howard/Carroll and his other defenders, his performance must improve next season, both in order to keep his place in the team as well as regain a spot in the England squad. Rating: C-

John O'Shea

O'Shea got to play the majority of the season, including 33 Premiership games, to mixed results. He played predominantly at left back, and was noticeably strong up that side with Ryan Giggs going forward. John even put two goals in, which are always a bonus. However, I found that a lot of mix-ups at the back involved him either not marking forwards, or letting players get by him on one-twos or crosses. Not all were his fault, but he was always around the fire. Didn't do anything noticeable in Europe this year either. I like John, he has very good skills, and is only 23 still, however if wants to keep his place next year he's going to have to play much better, especially since Mikael Silvestre is expected to return to left back. Rating: C

Mikael Silvestre

Mikael played alright, which is disappointing considering he was expected to fill a fairly big void when they lost Rio for the year. He got switched back to the left side, and his inconsistent performances have left a question mark on his head for the '04-'05 season. The erratic Euro 2004 performance not to mention Gabriel Heinze's arrival means he'll have to work hard to keep his spot, even after going back to his strongest position Rating: C+

Season's Over

With Manchester United beating Millwall 3-1 last Saturday, the season has come to an end. I wouldn't call this season successful by any means, but you can definately say it has not been a disaster like many have claimed.

To give the season some context, 5 new players were bought for the first team, and 2 of those can now be considered regulars for a place in the squad. With the departure of one key player and two who had worn out their welcome, the chemistry of the squad came under threat for the first time in quite a while. With the core still comprising of many from the Youth team of 92, it was easy to see how it would be difficult to adapt to new players entering the squad with such prominence. For starters, the 5 players who were brought in came from 4 different continents, with a variety of playing styles and backgrounds from which they emerged.

With that said, here's my report card for the season for each member of the first team:

Goalies

Roy Carroll

Roy had a good albeit quiet year. He filled in admirably for Tim Howard while he was struggling, and played a key role in securing United's place in the FA Cup final by holding Arsenal in the semis. B+

Tim Howard

Given that a year ago 99% of United fans had not even heard of Tim, this season has marked a wonderful debut for the American. Although he did stumble at the beginning of the year, Tim did an admirable job of providing quality keeping and assertive leadership from the back. It was quite convincing of him to displace the now departed Fabien Barthez so easily to take the starting role and not relinquish it until late in the campaign. Although it was his blunder that cost United their place in the Champions League (although I think that may even be debatable, the defenders in the area reacted slowly to the rebound and incoming forward), he deserves credit for working hard to regain his place and trust of the manager. A-

Tomorrow I'll cover defenders...