Gk - De Gea, Lindegaard
RB - Rafael
CB - Jones, Smalling, Evans
LB - Evra
Wings - Januzaj, Valencia, Nani, Young, Zaha
CM - Carrick, Cleverley, Fellaini, Fletcher
AM - Rooney, Mata, Kagawa
Strikers - Van Persie, Welbeck, Hernandez
That is not a piss poor squad. Moyes made it look piss poor. Fergie never finished below 2nd with most of these players, and the two times he came second - was once by one point and once lost the title on GD. United have a world class goalkeeper and some excellent attackers. The defense is a tad injury prone but very talented. A couple of additions in midfield and defense, a year off the Fergie overhung, coupled with a good manager can bring them back to the top.
Taking it from the top. De Gea has had a good season, because he has been called on in almost every game to put 180 minutes worth of work in. Because of the dross in front of him the spot light was on.
Smalling may yet work out but Jones has looked shocking for 2 seasons - moved too soon from Blackburn - should have been farmed out whilst a high profile CB was brought in to let Ferdinand or Vidic move on. CB requires at least one experienced older head, no panics, good communication, and for a club like ManU at least decent distribution. Evans couldn't oust either of the injury prone ones - good squad cover - not good enough every game first teamer.
How much cash has been thrown at Evra for this 12 months? How bad is that Dutch LB that was signed thats not mentioned?
Rafael is a backup right back. Too small, not fast enough.
Valencia hasn't progressed, still playing his Wigan game, but being thrown in at RB because the transfer policy for half a decade has been awful must grate.
Nani wanted out 2 seasons ago - should have cashed in instead of refusing to up the pay of an unhappy player.
Young - crocked. Zaha patchy but a youth prospect (Puncheon looks 3 times the player) Januzay has had 6 months of decent play, young and could be a saviour.
Fletcher needed a replacement 4 or 5 years ago, has he made it back fully? Cleverly should be working in Greggs or somewhere because a footballer he aint! Fellaini isn't suited to Utd, Carrick is getting on and due to the half decade of transfer bunglings has been thrown in at CB somehow.
Mata - player. Kagawa - player. Rooney - player. (Too many cooks spoil the broth).
RVP old but quality. Welbeck fast but erratic. Hernandez scores when he plays.
Somehow Pogba was allowed to leave. He looks a big strong lad that can run a midfield does that lad. Fabulous piece of business that was.
Before Fellaini the last CM player (first team) signed at Utd was Hargreaves in 2008 (Carrick was 2007). Cashing in on Ronaldo and not reinvesting. Mega money on a nearly 30 RVP was some move, it got one title so it could be seen as a payoff.
Where is the long term plan? Where is this magnificent youth system? Why aren't former players that are now(were) managing abroad like Solskjaer was not utilizing Utd youth prospects and sending that leagues best over to England?
Heavy was the burden of the crown that eventually got the better of Ferguson, he left a nightmare to deal with and the manner and ease at which that fact is glossed over provides a telling indictment of the fans and the sycophants in the media that refuse to admit what everyone else can see and that they know deep down. Perhaps with the last of the golden generation or whatever it was hanging up his boots the aura of the player power from that era can finally be put to bed.
