What's The Real Rating Of Manchester United Players? An Honest Review

In the fast-paced world of football, fan opinions and media hype often cloud the true performance and skill levels of players. This article aims to provide an unbiased, data-driven analysis of Manchester United's current squad, assessing their actual ratings and performance metrics. By delving into the numbers and expert insights, we aim to offer a comprehensive evaluation of the Red Devils' playing personnel.

Goalkeeping: A Solid Foundation

Manchester United’s goalkeeping department boasts a mix of experience and potential. The undisputed starter, David de Gea, has been a stalwart for the club for over a decade. His reflexes and shot-stopping abilities are world-class, as evidenced by his consistent presence in the Premier League’s top saves charts. De Gea’s 75% save percentage in the ²⁰²²⁄₂₃ season, according to FBref, is a testament to his ability to keep United in games.

Backing up De Gea is the young and talented Dean Henderson. Henderson, on loan at Nottingham Forest, has shown great promise with his commanding presence and distribution skills. His loan spell provides an opportunity to gain valuable experience and could see him return to United as a viable backup or even a starter in the future.

Defence: A Work in Progress

Manchester United’s defence has been a topic of much discussion in recent seasons. The club has invested heavily in acquiring top defensive talent, but the results have been mixed.

The star of the defence is undoubtedly Raphael Varane. The French international brings a calm, assured presence to the backline. His reading of the game and ability to make crucial interceptions make him a valuable asset. Varane's 3.2 interceptions per game in the Premier League last season, as per WhoScored, highlight his defensive prowess.

Alongside Varane, Lisandro Martínez has emerged as a fan favorite. The Argentine's versatility and tenacity have made him a key figure in United's backline. His ability to adapt to different roles and his tackling prowess (averaging 2.4 tackles per game) make him a reliable option.

However, the full-back positions have been a source of concern. Diogo Dalot and Tyrell Malacia have shown promise but lack consistency. Their attacking prowess is evident, with Dalot contributing 4 assists in the Premier League last season, but defensively, they need to improve.

Midfield: Balancing Attack and Defence

Manchester United’s midfield is a blend of creativity, energy, and physicality. The engine room is led by the dynamic duo of Casemiro and Fred.

Casemiro, a veteran of Real Madrid's success, brings a winning mentality and defensive solidity. His ability to break up play and start attacks from deep is a valuable asset. Fred, on the other hand, offers more of an attacking threat. His energy and willingness to get forward make him a key figure in United's build-up play.

Supporting the central midfield duo is the versatile Scott McTominay. McTominay's physical presence and ability to adapt to different roles make him a reliable option. His passing accuracy of 87.5% in the Premier League last season, according to WhoScored, showcases his improvement in distribution.

Further forward, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes provide the creative spark. Eriksen's vision and passing ability make him a key playmaker, while Fernandes' goalscoring prowess (13 goals in the Premier League last season) makes him a threat in the final third.

Attack: United’s Firepower

Manchester United’s attack is where the real firepower lies. The front three of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, and Jadon Sancho offer a combination of pace, dribbling, and finishing ability.

Rashford, a fan favorite, has been in and out of form but remains a key figure. His pace and direct running cause problems for defences, and his 11 goals in the Premier League last season show his ability to find the back of the net.

Martial, when fit, provides a different dimension with his dribbling skills and ability to play off the shoulder of the last defender. His 4 goals and 2 assists in limited game time last season hint at his potential impact.

Sancho, a summer signing from Borussia Dortmund, has shown glimpses of his talent. His dribbling ability and eye for a pass make him a dangerous outlet. With more game time and adaptation, he could become a key figure in United's attack.

Conclusion: A Work in Progress

Manchester United’s squad is a mix of talent, potential, and experience. While there are areas that require improvement, the foundation is solid. With a few key additions and a more settled starting XI, United can challenge for silverware once again.

This honest review highlights the strengths and weaknesses of the current squad, providing an unbiased analysis of their true ratings. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how the players develop and how the team performs as a whole.