I keep asking this question but no seems able to answer.
What exactly is a "United player"?
Tom Cleverly?
Johnny Evans?
Eric Djemba Djemba?
Ralph flippin' Milne?
Are they typical examples?
Nah mate, pace, mobility, and vision would be the norm I would say.
He wa a great play for us, did a lot of great things and I am very greatful we had him, but he doesn't have the vision to open up play from deep, the speed (regular speed, he's actually lighning quick the two or three times a season he actually feels like sprinting) to get past players, the dribbling skills to join an attack, the shot to be a danger.
What he was good at for us was turning chaos into calm, if in doubt when in defence and you want to clear, take a shot at him from 5 yards away, he'll bring it down, drop it like a stone and pass it nicely into someones path to build with.
United's defenders are generally pretty calm and this trait along with his amazing velcro chest are not really something that works for them, they don't need to worry about panicking or not being strong enough physically to cope with a big team.