Thread by @TheDevilsDNA

[#MUFC Mid-season Player Ratings - THREAD]

With the month-long World Cup break coming up, we're at the halfway point of the club season. I decided to score every Manchester United player for the 22/23 season so far & back up the rating with some stats/logic.
Let's go!
(1/n)

David de Gea: 4/10

Key Stats:
90s played: 20.0
Save %: 67% (15th in EPL)
PSxG - GA per 90: -0.3 (19th in EPL)
Long pass completion: 28% (21st in EPL)
Cross Stop %: 4% (18th in EPL)
Sweeping actions per 90: 0.9 (16th in EPL)
----

Another season, another display of why DDG
(2/n)

is simply not good enough to start for #MUFC. Woeful distribution, claiming & sweeping aside, even his shot-stopping has been poor. New starting GK needed. DDG gets 4 for some big saves.

GK expert @Jhdharrison1 had DDG 2nd last in EPL last month:

https://twitter.com/Jhdharrison1/status/1583782728050221056

(3/n)

Harry Maguire: 3/10

Key Stats:
90s played: 5.7
Progressive passes per 90: 2.1 (13th for MUFC)
Pass %: 88% (2nd for MUFC)
Aerial win %: 50%
----

The comeback season for captain Maguire hasn't gone to plan. Lisandro Martinez has ousted him by merit at LCB & Maguire hasn't
(4/n)

proven he can be molded into a top RCB as of now. His biggest strength, progression, has taken a hit while aerial presence seems weaker too. His box defending isn't as good as Varane. The path to starter feels hard

Detailed thread on Maguire issues:

https://twitter.com/TheDevilsDNA/status/1586967487136296961

(5/n)

Raphael Varane: 7/10

Key stats:
90s played: 8.6
Progressive passes per 90: 1.9 (16th for MUFC)
Pass %: 85% (5th for MUFC)
Aerial win %: 80% (1st for MUFC)
----

Although his difficulties in progression remain obvious Varane's box defending has been excellent & a big reason
(6/n)

MUFC regained defensive stability after a rocky start. Varane has complimented Lisandro well & been aerially dominant. His injury issues & poor build up might still pave the room for a better RCB in future, but at the very least, he's defensively reliable when available.
(7/n)

Victor Lindelof: 6/10

Key stats:
90s played: 9.5
Progressive passes per 90: 3.9 (5th for MUFC)
Pass %: 94% (1st for MUFC)
Aerial Win %: 72% (2nd for MUFC)
----

The perennially underrated Lindelof has once again filled in admirably during Varane's injury & Maguire's form
(8/n)

issues. He's been consistent, progressive, safe & defensively good without being elite at any facet. And that's the problem - he just doesn't feel like a top class CB. Lisandro has shown the levels needed at a top team. Lindelof is a case of 'good but not great' currently.
(9/n)

Lisandro Martinez: 9/10

Key stats:
Pass %: 86% (4th for MUFC)
Aerial Win %: 57% (6th for MUFC)
% of dribblers tackled: 81% (1st for MUFC)
----

The stats don't show Lisandro's proactive defending, elite press-resistance when building from the back & intense pressing.
(10/n)

The questions over his height have been long forgotten by now. He's still not the strongest aerially, but he finds smart ways to disarm his opponent & win the ball. Extremely reliable in build up. A terror for the opposition attackers. #MUFC POTY so far, by a large margin.
(11/n)

Luke Shaw: 7/10

Key stats:
Progressive passes per 90: 4.4 (5th for MUFC)
Passes into pen area per 90: 1.9 (2nd for MUFC)
Live ball touches per 90: 85 (1st for MUFC)
Passes received per 90: 56 (1st for MUFC)
----

'Faced with competition' Shaw is probably the best Shaw.
(12/n)

Had to cut marks for lack of availability at start of season - a consistent issue with Shaw. But his recent run of games have been nothing short of brilliant. Heavy possession involvement, creative passing, strong carrying - Shaw is THE modern fullback. Can he stay fit?
(13/n)

Tyrell Malacia: 6/10

Key stats:
Progressive passes per 90: 2.3 (12th for MUFC)
Passes into pen area per 90: 0.8 (11th for MUFC)
Pass %: 88% (3rd for MUFC)
Tackles won per 90: 2.2 (1st for MUFC)
----

Malacia had a positive start to his MUFC career but has since been
(14/n)

benched by Shaw. He does offer things Shaw doesn't, with his security in possession & defensive intensity. He has 2nd most defensive actions per 90 after Casemiro. His recent cup start vs Villa clearly showed that his technical ceiling isn't low either. Best yet to come.

(15/n)

Diogo Dalot: 8/10

Key stats:
90s played: 18.9
Progressive passes per 90: 3.3 (6th for MUFC)
Crosses into pen area per 90: 0.7 (1st for MUFC)
Key passes per 90: 1.8 (4th for MUFC)
% of dribblers tackled: 72% (2nd for MUFC)
----

Another gunning for MUFC POTY Dalot has been
(16/n)

near perfect in executing ETH's inverted fullback role. Great build up, super progression in midfield, creative in final 3rd & strong defensively on the ground & in the air - it's been a great comeback since the days of being sidelined by Ole. Top team starter RB levels.

(17/n)

Fred: 4/10

Key stats:
90s played: 7.2
Pass %: 82% (8th for MUFC)
Key passes per 90: 2.0 (3rd for MUFC)
Progressive passes per 90: 4.8 (3rd for MUFC)
Dispossessed: 1.2 (3rd worst for MUFC)
Recoveries: 8.2 (1st for MUFC)
----

Fred has suffered the most with Eriksen &
(18/n)

Casemiro arrivals. With the pivot ball-winning role taken away, Fred has often been used as an advanced mid (or 10) who presses high & makes things happen up ahead. The issue is that he isn't creative or safe enough to pull it off. Feels like a misfit in ETH's MUFC.

(19/n)

Scott McTominay: 5/10

90s played: 9.5
Pass %: 82% (9th for MUFC)
Progressive passes per 90: 1.9 (15th for MUFC)
Passes into final 3rd per 90: 2.8 (12th for MUFC)
Tackles won per 90: 2.6 (3rd for MUFC)
----

Scott had an important role to play in the phase when MUFC had to
(20/n)

defend deep & intensely & rely on transitions. He was great at ball-winning & releasing the ball quickly. The tactic suited him but those skills alone can't get you far. Once ETH reverted to a more proactive approach, Scott has been largely sidelined. Unsure where he fits.
(21/n)

Casemiro: 8/10

Key stats:
90s played: 13.0
Pass %: 80% (11th for MUFC)
Progressive passes per 90: 6.0 (1st for MUFC)
Players tackled per 90: 4.3 (1st for MUFC)
----

After a brief settling period, Casemiro has become 1 of the 1st names on the team sheet. He's delivered
(22/n)

what his reputation promised - strong ball-winning & transition defence - which has been a big reason for MUFC strong defence, while being a great progressive passer when facing forwards. Still not a press-resistant retention build up player, but elite at what he does.
(23/n)

Christian Eriksen: 7/10

Key stats:
90s played: 16.6
Pass %: 79% (12th for MUFC)
Progressive passes per 90: 5.4 (2nd for MUFC)
Key passes per 90: 2.1 (2nd for MUFC)
Tackles per 90 0.7 (14th for MUFC)
----

Eriksen has adjusted to a deeper role admirably becoming a link
(24/n)

between defence & attack & progresing well from deep. A strong build up player, a lack of this profile has meant Eriksen has played whenever available. But his low retention & defensive output make it clear that this isn't his ideal role. Still, valuable quality player.
(25/n)

Bruno Fernandes: 7/10

Key stats:
Key Passes per 90: 2.8 (1st for MUFC)
Pass %: 73% (17th for MUFC)
Progressive passes per 90: 4.6 (4th for MUFC)
Shot creating actions per 90: 5.2 (1st for MUFC)

Bruno had a rough 21/22, but has recovered well under ETH. Still an elite
(26/n)

creator & a low pass security player, Bruno has started showing a lot of traits that made him top class under Ole - good high pressing, smart off-the-ball movements, visionary passing to carve open compact defences. He's getting better with every game under ETH. Watch out.
(27/n)

Anthony Martial: 6/10

Key stats:
90s played: 3.3
Goals: 4
Assists: 2
----

It's hard to rate Martial with such less 90s played & that seems to be a big problem with him in recent years. But the fact is that he has had instant impact every minute he has been on the pitch.
(28/n)

6 G+A in ~3 90s is crazy, but it's not just the goal impact. His hold up, passing & movement has also positively helped the ones who play around him. In a fantasy world, a fit consistent Martial could be a starting MUFC CF. Realistically speaking, we might need a new CF.

(29/n)

Antony: 7/10

Key stats:
90s played: 9.2
Shots per 90: 2.9 (3rd for MUFC)
Progressive passes per 90: 2.6 (11th for MUFC)
Dribbles attempted per 90: 4.2 (2nd for MUFC)
----

Everything Antony has brought was something MUFC did not have before - a left-footed right winger
(30/n)

who maintains width, presses intensely & isn't afraid to show some flair. None of United's attackers have what he has. Tactically, he makes the attack work & his recent absence hurt the team. Still needs to progress/create/move better. 3 good goals, hopefully more to come.
(31/n)

Alejandro Garnacho: 7/10

Key stats:
90s played: 3.3
Goals: 2
Assists: 4
----

Like Martial, every time Garnacho has been on the pitch, he has had impact. His fearlessness to take on defenders & always seek the positive option is a breath of fresh air & he fits ETH's
(32/n)

winger profile nicely - an isolation winger who can dribble, create & score when starting from wide areas. His goals resemble the type of goals he has been scoring for the academy for a while, but his assist for McTominay teases that there might be more to come. Exciting.
(33/n)

Anthony Elanga: 4/10

Key stats:
90s played: 5.3
Progressive passes per 90: 0.8 (Last for MUFC)
Successful dribbles per 90: 1.6 (2nd for MUFC)
----

One of the only players who hasn't had as much as fun & importance as the RR era. Elanga has been largely sidelines by ETH
(34/n)

due to chances given to Sancho & Garnacho at LW & Antony being a proper RW. Elanga has been tried on both wings randomly with no consistent pattern of game time. His game vs Sociedad from LW (his natural position) was great, but he just might not get many starts there.
(35/n)

Jadon Sancho: 4/10

Key stats:
90s played: 10.0
Shots per 90: 1.1 (12th for MUFC)
Progressive passes per 90: 3.0 (8th for MUFC)
Passes into pen area per 90: 1.8 (3rd for MUFC)
Dribbles attempted per 90: 2.5 (6th for MUFC)
---

Things are going from bad to worse for Sancho
(36/n)

His profile seems to be a mismatch from what ETH expects from his winger. Sancho isn't a take on isolation expert & his creativity & progression aren't able to come to the fore in the current setup. Rashford & Garnacho have looked better at LW recently. Time's running out.
(37/n)

Marcus Rashford: 7/10

Key stats:
Goals: 8
Assists: 3
Shots per 90: 3.4 (2nd for MUFC)
Successful Dribbles per 90: 1.6 (1st for MUFC)
----

It's been a whirlwind comeback for Rashford after a terrible injury & 21/22 season. He's been the go-to main man thanks to CR form &
(38/n)

Martial injury. He's found his dribbling mojo back. His goal threat has been consistent & he's probably the most dangerous attacker in the league in transition. High reliance on transitions & avg decision-making are the only reasons he loses marks. Maybe better at LW.
(39/n)

Cristiano Ronaldo: 2/10

Key stats:
NP Goals: 2
Assists: 2
Shots per 90: 4.7 (1st for MUFC)
G-xG: -0.31 (Worst for MUFC)
----

Even keeping aside the numerous off-field antics that have disrupted the dressing room & fanbase, on the pitch, CR has been painful to watch.
(40/n)

Easily the most wasteful shooter in the squad, CR has also frustrated with his poor first touch, erratic movement & zero defensive effort. It's hard to think of a single good game from the 37-year-old, esp considering 6 of his 10 starts were in the Europe league. He's done
(41/n)

Phew! That thread took some time & effort to put together. Hope you enjoyed a good read. Feel free to debate/discuss constructively. Remember: these are just my opinions in the end. If you enjoyed this thread, do check out my other articles/viz/threads & spread the word!
(END)

Europa*