Thread by @TheDevilsDNA

[#MUFC 22/23 Season Player Ratings - MEGA THREAD]

As the dust settles on a decently successful season consdering it was Erik Ten Hag's 1st year, I'm going to rate every regular squad member in this big thread along with their data (individual pizza charts for most). Let's go!
1/

David de Gea: 3/10

Let's be clear. It was a really poor season from DDG. When compared to the standards of other UCL clubs, he's quite far off & the reality is that it's been this way for a while. DDG ranks very poorly for sweeping, claiming & distribution stats while his
2/

shot-stopping was below avg. The random last-ditch saves just don't make up for the inferior overall package. Even in terms of intangibles, his poor passing puts pressure on the team, forces us to lose the ball & invites pressure + his big-game errors are damning.
Weak link.
3/

Lisandro Martinez: 9/10

All the media hype around LM's height & how Brentford targeted him in GW2 seems like a long-distant memory after ~38 90s of largely solid performances. Making up for his height with proactive tackles & pressures, he's been an insurmountable wall.
4/

But it's on the ball where he really bailed out United under pressure. His passing range, movement & ability to solve problems in possession have been invaluable to a team that has a glaring build up gap. It's no surprise that when he didn't start, we had issues.
Dominant.
5/

Raphael Varane: 6/10

RV had a torrid time under Rangnick, but this year was a step up from that nightmare. His greatest asset was his box defending where countless tackles, headers & blocks contributed to the clean sheet record. Was unshakable from RCB all season. But...
6/

In possession, RV was wanting, often contributing to the build up gap with his poor progression & technicals. Coupled with his unreliable fitness (didn't manage even 30 90s again), it looks like United need to dip into the CB market again with a view to upgrading RV.
Decent.
7/

Luke Shaw: 8/10

The consistency & reliability in a profile we knew was talented is starting to show every year. Whether at LCB or LB, Shaw was great in build up, progressed consistently & displayed reliable defending & positioning traits. Being trusted at LCB ahead of our
8/

previous CB starters is testament to Shaw's growth. He is now a key player at his peak & after last year's injury-laden season, he crossed 40 90s this year. Closing season with 6A even after playing CB is good. Hopefully a full season at LB cements him as best LB itw.
Massive.
9/

Diogo Dalot: 6.5/10

Dalot was 1 of the few who impressed under Rangnick last year & I predicted that with ETH preferring inverted FBs, he could do well this year. His season 1st half was incredible & he was def in our top 3 performers till the halfway mark. Although he did
10/

drop off in latter half, the drop is exaggerated due to a few high-profile away losses. He had some good games from LB (when AWB played RB) & even RB (like vs Brentford) in the 2nd half too. Renewal shows ETH faith in him but DD has to step up consistency & fitness.
Rising.
11/

Casemiro: 8/10

United's issue of defending transitions has been consistent for a few years & peaked last year as the defence were battered without protection. Casemiro is the biggest reason for tha gap being successfully plugged. We don't look as vulnerable in transition.
12/

While his ball-winning & shielding were massive, his progression when driving forward is understated. 7G 6A for a DM is great & he was often starting counters & switching play from deep. Sure, he's not a build up monster & he faded towards season end. But all in all,
Crucial.
13/

Christian Eriksen: 6.5/10

Not many would have guessed when CE was signed for free that he'd end up being so important to our build up & play 34 90s this year. A big reason for us getting out of our half & progressing through the middle, on the ball Eriksen was a godsend.
14/

But, there were issues off the ball. CE's defending & workrate were exposed in many games while his fitness issues often left ETH experimenting with inferior build up options. By season end, you almost felt sorry for a clearly worn down CE. Needs to drop to rotation.
Helpful.
15/

Bruno Fernandes: 9/10

Another year, another season of BF smashing almost every creative passing metric. But in addition to him being a mega chance creating engine, he displayed great versatility & intelligence when played as RW & build up CM in absence of CE.
16/

With 57 90s, BF was the outfielder with most mins played among all UCL & UEL teams this year. Unlucky to not have more assists, it was another year of growth for BF as he proved he is well-rounded enough for multiple roles & styles of play. Shooting improvement next.
Maestro.
17/

Antony: 6/10

It was a mixed bag debut season for AS. On the one hand, his intense pressing, aware defending, progressive carrying & ability to retain the ball & stretch the pitch, ensure that he made us better when he was on the pitch. Tactically, clear positive.
18/

On the other hand, his wasteful shooting, inability to dribble past or create at volume & start-stop run due to injuries, fall below the expectations ETH & fans have from him. There's a good player there somewhere & he kept improving the more he played. Next year key.
Raw.
19/

Jadon Sancho: 5/10

Another tough one to rate, JS underlying numbers look good & there have been games where his retention, progression & link-up have helped the team in tough moments. He adds a dimension of playmaking & passing threat that no one else in the squad has.
20/

But this is far from what we know he can do. His overtly cautious dribbling & shooting severly limit the impact he has on the game while his defending is far below avg. Coupled with fitness issues, it feels like the 'low confidence' JS has dragged for 2 years now.
Concerning.
21/

Marcus Rashford: 8.5/10

Easily the player with the biggest turnaround, MR put behind an absolutely wretched season to give us an absolutely sublime season. With no scorer in the team, ETH relied on MR's off-ball movement & ball-striking to use him as a low touch outlet.
22/

30G 9A in 48 90s later, it's proven it's worth. MR has shown consistent threat & turned up when we needed it. Much less patchy, much more decisive, MR is hitting his peak. How he's used from here & how he can hit 40G mark ETH has laid out, will be interesting to see.
Stellar.
23/

Tyrell Malacia: 5/10

Much like Antony, it was a tough debut season for TM. There were things to appreciate with his intense defending & reliable passing & carrying safety most notable. TM kept things simple & made it tough for opponents to get past, whenever called upon.
24/

But beyond that, he struggled to impact. TM lack of progression & creativity was obvious. It feels like TM is being over-cautious & defensive compared to what his talents deserve. Could be a 1st season settling thing. As a backup he was fine. Hopefully next year is a step up.
25/

Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 5.5/10

AWB had one of his better seasons for United. He was key in some games where his 1v1 defending & marking were helpful & he often kept things tidy on the ball. He displayed improved movement in attack as the season went on. But overall, it was still
26/

a big gap from what is required of a modern RB. On the ball AWB's poor technicals make him a weak link in build up & poor creator in attack. His positioning & aerial weaknesses cost the team key goals in multiple games & is a liability when there isn't a clear man to mark.
27/

Victor Lindelof: 7/10

I had argued that VL was our best CB last year given HM & RV struggles & is peaking well. After being ignored for a large part of this season, he came in at a vital moment & displayed a well-rounded reliable game both on & off the ball. While not the
28/

most progressive, VL kept it very safe in his passing & carrying. His defending awareness was helpful while his constantly improving duel strength is noticable. His well-rounded skillset ensured he started LCB ahead of HM & let Shaw take LB towards season end. Used too less.
29/

Fred: 5.5/10

ETH deserves credit in understanding what Fred is good/bad at. Keeping him away from build up duties & utilising his pressing, ball-winning & underrated advanced progression in areas further up the pitch meant that we saw many of Fred's good traits this season.
30/

But the fact is - he doesn't fit. 6G 5A in 26 90s isn't enough to justify the AM apperances while the pivot starts when Eriksen was out showed his liabilities in weaker areas. Like AWB & Scott, Fred is a case of player whom ETH used well, but simply doesn;t fit long term.
31/

Scott McTominay: 3.5/10

Scott's pizza reads poorly coz he had a poor year. Again, ETH did well to use SM's physical frame to win 2nd balls after the poor start & before Casemiro was ready. But barring that singular trait & some more Casemiro relieving apps, SM has been poor.
32/

His poor technicals limit him on ball while his lack of awareness & positioning mean that he's rarely in the right place when the team needs him, both in possesion & also while defending transitions. Barring odd spark where his ball-winning or ball-striking helps play, poor.
33/

Wout Weghorst: 4/10

There was always truth to the fact that WW found himself at a level he shouldn't be playing at. As a desperate loan signing for a team which had an injured Martial, WW started well. His link-up play, pressing & good movement helped others esp MR to score.
34/

As teams started to understand the limitations of WW, it became harder for him to exert himself on the game. ETH tried to mask WW's finishing woes & utilize his link-up at AM, but it just didn't click as often as he would have liked. Barca game was a good high. Too many lows.
35/

Harry Maguire: 4.5/10

HM's bounceback season after last year's nightmare didn't go to plan. Losing his LCB spot to LM early on, HM faced a constant battle to usurp RV for RCB spot - a battle he failed. His progression nosedived & his confidence looks shattered.
36/

Decent rotation for cup games & keeping things simple on the ball go to HM's credit, but there were still many moments where his transition defending looked shaky. ETH tried to limit these by reducing burden to step out from LCB, but HM never looked assured. Uncertain future.
37/

Antony Martial: 4/10

When Martial was fit, he was okay. But that 'when' is the issue. He managed only 16 90s all year & was constantly absent when the team needed him, putting pressure on other attackers. His fitness concerns have peaked over 3 years & are a major issue now.
38/

Even when he was fit, he barely resembled a CF, his lack of movement, box presence & shot-taking leaving MUFC with no outlet. Barring some good hold up play, AM's overall physical & mental profile look very poor. He doesn't look the part anymore. Unreliable.
39/

Alejandro Garnacho: 7/10

The surprise of the season, almost no one would have predcted AG to break out this year & end with 5G 4A in 13 90s. His ability & willingness to take on his man & enter dangerous areas was a breath of fresh air. Most of his late cameos were exciting.
40/

When he was rewarded with starts, he showed why there's some way to go before he becomes a regular starter. His passing, defending & versatility to be effective in other areas except wide on the left versus an isolated LB are improvement areas. But for year 1 for 18yo, great.
41/

Thank you for reading this massive thread. I didnt add pizza charts for the CBs since Cb stats are just misleading.

If you liked this thread, do RT. Thanks.

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