In their first post-Sir Alex Ferguson campaign and with David Moyes at the helm, Manchester United lie seventh in the Premier League table – 14 points behind leaders Arsenal and six points away from Champions League qualification. Moyes has taken much of the criticism over the form of the reigning champions but here we look at how his players have fared this season.
David de Gea
Age 23
League appearances 22
Minutes 2,087 (total includes injury time)
Mark (out of 10): 8
The Spaniard will be disappointed with Samuel Eto'o's second goal in Chelsea's 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday as the goalkeeper somehow failed to kick away the ball. Otherwise, he has been pretty much faultless.
Rafael da Silva
Age 23
League appearances 10
Minutes 758
Yellow cards 2
Mark (out of 10) 4
Lacks the effervescence of last season's breakthrough campaign, is still reckless in the tackle and is a regular in a defence that is conceding sloppy goals.
Patrice Evra
Age 32
League appearances 21
Minutes 1,918
Goals 1
Yellow cards 1
Mark (out of 10) 5
The veteran turns 33 at the end of the season and although he cannot be faulted for application, he has made mistakes at vital moments. May leave in the summer.
Phil Jones
Age 21
League appearances 14
Minutes 1,271
Yellow cards 4
Mark (out of 10) 6
Despite being mugged by Eto'o for the striker's opener on Sunday, he can reflect on being one of David Moyes's better performers, often in central midfield when his preference is for central defence. Continues to be injury prone, which is a concern.
Rio Ferdinand
Age 35
League appearances 7
Minutes 665
Mark (out of 10) 5
Began consistently but has fallen away, with injuries hampering the veteran. Now, Moyes appears to rate Ferdinand as fourth or even fifth-choice centre-back, although the Scot may need his services as Nemanja Vidic is suspended for three matches following his red card at the Bridge. Is considering his long-term future.
Jonny Evans
Age 26
League appearances 14
Minutes 1,279
Mark (out of 10) 6
Is currently in Moyes's strongest XI but has been caught out of position and looked unsure under the high ball. Needs to be more vocal.
Chris Smalling
Age 24
League appearances 15
Minutes 1,098 minutes
Goals 1
Yellow cards 1
Mark (out of 10) 4
His fortunes under Moyes reflect the manager's uncertainty over what is his best side, with Smalling having been dropped recently. Does not yet offer commanding displays.
Nemanja Vidic
Age 32
League appearances 15
Minutes 1,370
Yellow cards 2
Red cards 1
Mark (out of 10) 5
A third senior defender who could depart in the summer, the captain was unlucky to be sent off at Chelsea, yet is leader of a defence that has let in 27 goals. Is just not the player he was.
Fabio Da Silva
Age 23
League appearances 1
Minutes 95
Mark (out of 10) 4
Difficult to assess how good he is because of the lack of opportunity Moyes has given Fabio. Having started the 2011 Champions League final, the Brazilian's career has certainly stagnated.
Alexander Buttner
Age 24
League appearances 3
Minutes 124
Yellow cards 1
Mark (out of 10) 5
Despite Moyes's doubts about Evra, he continues to select the Frenchman ahead of Buttner. Yet he may be worth a longer look.
Anderson
Age 26
League appearances 4
Minutes 164
Mark (out of 10) 2
Now on loan at Fiorentina, the perma-disappointing midfielder did little before last week's move.
Ryan Giggs
Age 40
League appearances 9
Minutes 427
Yellow cards 2
Mark (out of 10) 5
As reliable as ever but cannot be viewed as a game-changer now the Welshman is in his fifth decade. Might Giggs finally retire at the end of this season?
Michael Carrick
Age 32
League appearances 15
Minutes 1,314
Yellow cards 3
Mark (out of 10) 7
Continues to be the metronome of the United midfield but requires better quality around him.
Nani
Age 27
League appearances 8
Minutes 447
Mark (out of 10) 3
Eternally frustrating, the low mark is for yet another campaign slipping by without him harnessing a stellar talent to consistently destroy opponents. Another with injury problems.
Ashley Young
Age 28
League appearances 11
Minutes 511
Goals 1
Yellow cards 3
Mark (out of 10) 4
Still has a penchant for a dive and, at 28, should be affecting matches frequently. Injuries have not helped.
Tom Cleverley
Age 24
League appearances 16
Minutes 1,305
Goal 1
Yellow cards 3
Marks (out of 10) 5
A player who can most divide supporters, the midfielder shows flashes of quality in his passing and in the reading of a match but needs to up this if he wants to become a United linchpin.
Darren Fletcher
Age 29
League appearances 4
Minutes 188
Mark (out of 10) 6
The Scot being available again following serious illness is a personal triumph and as this only recently occurred it is too early to judge how much of an asset he could prove to be for Moyes.
Marouane Fellaini
Age 26
League appearances 8
Minutes 477
Mark (out of 10) 4
The £27.5m summer signing has been unlucky with injuries, although before his wrist problem he appeared lethargic and a touch overawed by the challenge of playing for the 20-times champions.
Antonio Valencia
Age 28
League appearances 19
Minutes 1,491
Goals 2
Yellow cards 7
Red cards 1
Mark (out of 10) 4
His modus operandi of running in straight lines at defenders is also less of a weapon now that his pace has been blunted.
Shinji Kagawa
Age 24
League appearances 9
Minutes 608
Mark (out of 10) 6
Despite Wayne Rooney's current absence through injury, Moyes is wary of playing Kagawa in his preferred No10 role, with Adnan Januzaj getting the nod at Chelsea. Yet the manager stated that the recent 2-0 win over Swansea City came when he switched the Japanese from wide left to the 'hole'. When Rooney is fit again might Moyes try Kagawa on the right of the attacking trident, with Januzaj to the left?
Wilfried Zaha
Age 21
League appearances 2
Minutes 36
Mark (out of 10) 3
Has looked rushed and tentative but it is hardly surprising, given that Moyes has allowed him under a half of a league match in total. The £15m signing wants away on loan this window and may get his wish.
Adnan Januzaj
Age 18
League appearances 16
Minutes 1,108 minutes
Goals 3
Yellow cards 5
Mark (out of 10) 8
Watching the teenager glide through space is a joy, as is witnessing how Januzaj has immediately wanted to be one of the side's leaders. Only Rooney and De Gea have been better for Moyes.
Wayne Rooney
Age 28
League appearances 17
Minutes 1,532
Goals 9
Yellow cards 7
Mark (out of 10) 9
Without the Liverpudlian's resurgent form United would have be further than six points off a Champions League place. Could leave in the summer, so Moyes will hope he can regain fitness asap because even when not scoring, Rooney is the one who forces the issue.
Javier Hernández
Age 25
League appearances 14
Minutes 569
Goals 2
Yellow cards 2
Mark (out of 10) 5
Has become known as a specialist replacement, which will not please him, although he did the trick again at Chelsea, scoring United's consolation after entering as a substitute.
Danny Welbeck
Age 23
League appearances 16
Minutes 1,152
Goals 8
Yellow cards 1
Mark (out of 10) 7
Has taken his chance following the injuries to Rooney and Robin van Persie, with the striker only a goal behind the former, despite less match time.
Robin van Persie
Age 30
League appearances 11
Minutes 954
Goals 7
Yellow cards 1
Mark (out of 10) 7
The Dutchman is frustrated by the injuries that have disrupted his season, yet Van Persie's class has allowed his goal-to-minutes ratio to remain admirable.
