Oct 17
Manchester United Player Ratings: The Defence
This is the final part of our three part series, where we take a look at our players’ performances so far this season. For the benefit of those who haven’t read the previous two — where we profiled the attack and midfield — here is Part I and Part II for you.
So sit back and read on as we get through what was, basically, an excuse to get through this international break which, by the way, has been going on forever.
Patrice Evra
As I’ve mentioned several times before, I like Patrice Evra a lot. He’s easily been the among most improved player in our ranks. The lad as shown honest efforts at trying to work on his weaknesses and has shown it on the pitch. One might remember how he was supposed to leave a lot of space exposed at the back when he used to make those surging runs forward. But with every passing match he has shown better defensive awareness, and his tackling has also improved greatly. Easily among our better players going forward too. But, of course, he is a defender and has been an important part of our mean defence. I love his attitude and, as I’ve mentioned it earlier, if he keeps going like this, we have a legend in the making. Rating: 8/10
Wes Brown
He is one of those squad players managers would absolutely love to have. Tremendously committed to the cause, he has stepped in for Neville, for what now looks like eternity, and yet if Neville were to return fully fit tomorrow Wesley would be promptly shunted to the bench. It is a thankless job, something he’s done admirably well at right back, and he’s more than capable of playing at centre back if the need arises. His presence gives defensive solidity at right back, and virtually blocks that channel for the opposition. One of those unsung heroes of the club. Rating: 8/10
Nemanja Vidic
Among Fergie’s best bargain buys, iron-man Vidic continues to be the rock at the centre of defence. Uncompromising, strong and fearless while defending, and equally brave while attacking corners. The gaffer had tipped him to chip in with ten goals this season. That would be a great achievement for him as a centre back and it would surprise me if he does manage that. Has had an excellent season so far. Rating: 9/10
Rio Ferdinand
According to oft quoted words in the media he is a ‘natural, ball playing defender’. That is true, no doubt. But he used to show the odd lapse of concentration at times that infuriated some of us. Many in the past had questioned his commitment. But of late, unfortunately, that sort of reputation has blinded many to the fact that he is a bloody brilliant defender. This season he hasn’t put a foot wrong. He’s been able to bring the ball out of defence quite easily. And his positional awareness ensures that he really doesn’t have to rush into ill-advised tackles. Ferdinand is clearly peaking and his attitude has never been better than it is right now. Captaincy material, without doubt, according to me. Rating: 9/10
Edwin van der Sar
Our excellent defence has made him a spectator for most part this season, but his experience came in at crucial moments to bail us out of trouble. The mark of a world class ‘keeper is from his ability to concentrate and stay aware even during times of inactivity — you may be a spectator, but you must be at hand to make a save when the chance comes your way. And that’s what he’s done so well this season. He was criticised for some gaffes made towards last season end, but has been solid so far in 07/08. Rating: 8.5/10
Tomasz Kuszczak
Some fans call him ‘PIG’ (Polish in Goal) although I find that derogatory — just hope it’s all in good humour — he’s done his job well in place of the injured EVDS. He has made crucial saves, and is a good shot stopper. But I am not sure enough about him, because I am yet to see enough to make a judgement. His handling of the ball seems a little dodgy, but he’s still young and will get better. Rating: 7.5/10
Honourable mention: Gerard Pique and Danny Simpson, both of whom, stepped in admirably during our mini-injury crisis against Wigan.
And that ends our three part look at the team. We will do this again post-Christmas, where we will have a real good idea of how this season is headed. Hope you found this worth your while. Feel free to disagree in the comments.
Related items from Red Rants:
October 17th, 2007 at 10:49
Largely agree with all that other than I might knock a point off Brown for poor attacking contribution at the start of the season and maybe give Evra and extra half point. Good point about Ferdinand I think he has sufficiently redeemed himself to warrant the captaincy again, especially with Red Nev’s injury problems.
October 17th, 2007 at 14:32
I think it’s worth pointing out that the high scores you have given (deservedly so) are largely due to the fact that people like Simpson (excellent run for Rooney’s goal) and Pique (no problem swapping positions to CB the other day) are seriously looking at breaking into the first team.
Granted not at the mo.
Ferdinand used to have lapses of concentration, etc, but would you drop him for Silvestre (who should be given more respect BTW, you didn’t see him spit the dummy when he was dropped like Heinze). The answers probably no, but now there’s some real competition then his “lapses” seem to have stopped.
For as long as we can keep this competition within the squad then the better our chances of success (ie.1999).
October 17th, 2007 at 15:38
Almost agree with all your ratings. Would love to mention that Rio is playing like a true champion and I hope that he does even better against tougher opponents and occasions, since he has all the quality. On the other hand, Evra though he has played well TILL NOW and I admire his terrific attitude, I still think he is suspect defensively and he needs to improve his crossing as well( though we dont have many natural headers of the ball), but still his crossing is embarrassing for a full-back. Though his pullbacks/passes are very good, still we do need that extra aerial dimension. I hope he improves, I would rather try to put him under some real competition from a talented youngster. Evra certainly has the right attitude.
We should try more crosses sometimes, at least it rattles the opposition defences if somebody can cross well. If Owen can score headers, then Rooney also can, he did mention that he’s been working on it in pre-season.
October 17th, 2007 at 15:49
[simonthered]
Let’s be realistic here. Talented though Pique, Evans and Simpson may be, there is really no way that they could knock Rio off his place. Rio has been good partly because of his telepathic understanding with Vidic. Finally he has a defender who can complement his skills. He also does seem more responsible as a player. He would certainly not dream of dining with Kenyon or any other people without the club’s knowledge.
All this wouldn’t happen because of some competition which, but for Brown, isn’t really there in our defence.
October 17th, 2007 at 17:02
I think Evra should be higher than Brown but other that that it looks good. I must admit that I wasn’t Rio’s biggest fan but he has really stepped up this season and there haven’t been any horrible mistakes like in recent seasons.
October 17th, 2007 at 21:19
bye bye england come on portugal
October 17th, 2007 at 22:59
Like JB I agree with your assessments except I too would knock a point off of Wes Brown’s total due to lack of attacking ability. Danny Simpson showed more attacking ability and ambition in 15 minutes of play than Wes has all season. Still, he has defended well and he deserves a 7/10 for that. Also, I might knock half a point of of Evra for every bad cross he attempts and every shot he makes a meal out of.
October 18th, 2007 at 0:35
Putting Brown down coz of his attacking abilities? erm…i dnno if u guys have realised that Wes Brown is a CB by trade, hes been playing a right back due to Neville’s consistent injuries. Got nothing against Danny Simpson, but your over rating him at the moment, yes he set up a a goal on his EPL debut, but did he do anything else?
As for Patrice Evra, i think hes done a great job at Man Utd so far, but hes no where near the top 10 left backs in the world. I still cant see why we let Heinze go, Gaby can attack and defend. Whereas, (in my opinion) Evra is only good at attacking, mainly due to his pace. Not the best of defenders on one-on-one situations, but has a good understanding with his other defenders.
Agree with all the other ratings.
Man Utd have problems with youngsters now, loads are coming through, but will they get the chance? Or will they move on?
Ben Foster wont play this year, or next year (if he decides not to go on loan, EVDS signs a 1yr extension)
Danny Simpson, Wont get the nod over either Brown or Neville.
Evans and Pique — I think one of them will break through…which one? Up to SAF. Together i believe its impossible to knock down Rio and Vidic.
October 18th, 2007 at 0:41
nani and ronaldo looked class together tonight. So excited bout them two
October 18th, 2007 at 4:35
Tasin; No one is putting Wes Brown down. The fact that he offers little in the area of attacking is not news. It doesn’t matter if he plays CB or RB, he doesn’t offer much up field. Having said that he has done a fine job at RB defending his area and as a CB he is pretty damned good.
As for Evra, he is very overrated and isn’t even in the top five left backs on the French National Team. Why did he beat out Gabby Heinze for the starting eleven job with United? The injury to Heinze was pretty severe and he never really fully recovered his past form. Heinze is still very good but he seems a little slower and he was prone to making some very bone headed plays.
What we should really be asking ourselves is why United never tried much harder to get Gareth Bale. Instead we lost that super young talent to Spurs. Bale is still a little suspect defensively but his offensive capabilities as well as his free kick abilities would have been a godsend to United.
October 18th, 2007 at 8:07
Grgnard “and isn’t even in the top five left backs on the French National Team” i think thats exaggerating it a bit, he’s their 2nd/3rd best left back. Agree Bale would’ve been great but he didn’t want to come to us as much as he did to Spurs, he knew he was guarenteed to play. And everyone here who decided that Evra isn’t good enough to play for Manchester Unites, which it seems like a few people are implying, don’t be coming and praising him the next time he wins the game for us or is our best player(not for the first time this season)..
October 18th, 2007 at 8:21
[Grognard]
I will have to disagree with you on Evra. He gives 100% on the pitch, and has shown improvement by miles. He wasn’t voted the number one left back for nothing last season. Number ONE, mind. And he was voted by fellow premier league players. And about being 5th choice left-back for France, are you trying to exaggerate? I can’t think of other left backs for France at the moment. Eric Abidal springs to mind, Silvestre is injured and is definitely a joke. So it’s Abidal, Evra and possibly Gael Clichy. He started for France in their Euro qualifier on Saturday.
Yes, he may not cross that well, but then even Giggs/Ronaldo don’t cross well either. In fact we haven’t found very many crossers of the ball since Beckham. And in defensive ability, he’s way better than what he was earlier, and by way better I mean genuinely good now as compared to before. He tracks back more often thanks to his pace.
You are being a tad too unfair on the lad. C’mon give him a chance! You don’t get nicer and more committed players these days than him.
October 18th, 2007 at 9:22
[RR] I agree with your assessment about Evra. He is a lad with terrific attitude. Though I was one of the first here affirming not being in total confidence of him, but I think this was maybe due to my worry about how he faces sterner opposition, better wingers and slicker passers. Many times Evra has been making very basic mistakes. But it is to be conceded that players with right attitude can certainly improve themselves. I hope Evra improves a bit more on defensive side of his play. His fightbacks on making mistakes and tackling is good but I would rather like him to go the Rio way than the Carragher way. That said I am not hypercritical of the lad, in the League he is more than good for United. Just he needs to step it up abroad, which admittedly the whole team needs to do.
Just my view of the situation.
Btw, if Giggs/Ronaldo dont cross well, dont u think there is more onus on Evra to cross better?
October 18th, 2007 at 9:29
No. Because he’s a defender first and attacker later.
October 18th, 2007 at 18:42
Good reviews and I could not agree more with your ratings. Patrice Evra is - in my opinion - the world’s best left back, because he attacks better than any and defends almost as well as most (only Abidal at Barcelona can compete, how lucky are France?).
Vidic and Rio are also amongst our top performers and are the world’s current best combination - if not best individuals - and when they are both playing you are confident they will not let anyone through.
However, on the odd occasion that someone manages to penetrate them then there are few better than Edwin Van Der Sar when it comes to stopping them.
The defence has been our strong point and long may it continue!
October 19th, 2007 at 7:31
Evra is a blue collar wet dream. I’m sorry I want more from my left back than just working hard and playing with heart. Sports Bet; “the world’s best left back, because he attacks better than any and defends almost as well as most”. Come on pal, are you shitting me? Give me a frakken break…JEEZ ALMIGHTY!!! Here’s an idea. Next time Evra makes one of his great runs forward, lets hope his finishing pass or cross ends up on one of our player’s boots or heads. I doubt it. And if by chance he should take a shot, warn the fans sitting 20 rows up behind the goal to prepare for a field goal. Patrice Evra is an adequate at best LB/LWB. His pace is what keeps in the lineup otherwise I’d prefer John O’Shea to him. And when healthy and in form even Sylvestre is a better choice. At least he can cross the ball or place a long pass on one of our players boots with ease. United need to upgrade at that position and that is why they were even looking at Bale and Leighton Baines not to mention some Europeans.
His work ethic and attitude are fantastic and for that I applaud him and appreciate him. That doesn’t mean I have to settle for him when I know there are better players out there who could make a greater impact, especially offensively. All the quick runs up and down the left sidelines don’t amount to shite if the final ball is shite. As for Ronaldo and Giggs, they are far superior crossers to Evra, and still they are only average. Sorry guys but only Evra himself will be able to change my opinion of him. And I honestly hope he does. I would love to see him improve on those missing skills and prove me wrong. I have no problem eating humble pie. My opinions are not set in stone. He can prove me wrong. Unfortunately, right now he has not, despite what many of you may think.
And yes my calling him the 5th best LB in France was an exaggeration. OK, so he’s the 3rd best.
October 19th, 2007 at 16:14
(Grognard)
I do not believe this coming from a Man U fan. I think many will agree with me that Evra is among the best performers last season and this season. Look at the game against Chelsea. He was one of the best Man U players on the field. He deserves more rating than what RR has given him. But it is O.K. since we have different opinions and that is why we exchange them~!
October 19th, 2007 at 17:27
Hiram; I’m sorry but I just don’t see the same thing as you. I see a player with tremendous pace and heart but when the moment comes for him to make a vital cross or take a great chance on goal, the lad makes a meal out of it. His finishing skills are awful and his crossing for a fullback is deplorable. And lets not get into his lack of height and heading the ball. That’s not such a big deal because he plays wide. Also, he is like Carrick, lousy most of the time but he does show up against Chelsea. I respect your opinion but I just cannot agree with you, Red Ranter and all the rest of the Evra Infatuation Society.
October 20th, 2007 at 10:36
Same way Grignard as most of the people aren’t part of the Heinze fan club you were running a while back. But (to use an old cliche) that is what the game is about, differences in opinions, it would be pretty dull otherwise.
October 25th, 2007 at 18:29
Grognard: I will admit I was possibly a little too kind about Evra because his final ball and be a little wild but he is a full back after all. I can take your view although I feel you are being harsh on him because if you remember last season when Ronaldo ever had to play on the left the link between the two brought a number of goals and attacking chances because there was a player that could keep up with Ronaldo and that defenders were concerned enough about to follow.