End of Term Report...Part II

Fletcher. 8.5

An important and ever-improving season for the
Scot; now arguably the full blown reincarnation of Keano. Some important and
utterly brilliant goals (namely his stunning volley at home to Everton) were
coupled with consistent levels of passion and determination. Where as Scholes
and Carrick – and to a much greater degree, Anderson – had patchy runs in the centre of
midfield, Fletcher’s name was ever-present and certain. Truly awesome.

Scholes. 7.5

Although obviously not as agile nor, its fair to
say, as vital as he used to be, he still managed his highest league appearances
(28) and best goal tally (7) for 3 years; showing there is still life and value
left in this legend. Due to his utility role at United these days, many thought
his timely yet routine tap-in away to Wolves – his 100^th in the
league – was going to his highlight of the season…that was of course until 17
seconds from time at Eastlands on the 17^th April. The most perfect,
powerful header you will ever see the 34 year old (5ft 7incher) score won yet
another dramatic derby this season and reignited our title challenge.

Carrick. 6.5

A tough and at times complacent season for
Carrick; who until now was deemed almost irreplaceable and a firm fixture in
that central midfield. Unfortunately for us, his dip in form – and, in turn, Ferguson’s lack of
patience towards him – came in the second half of the season, where the
partnership of Scholes and Fletcher was regularly preferred. As with Fletcher,
when our backline was so annoyingly dislodged in the winter, he did step when
he was needed; yet it was the poor form in his regular role that will give
Ferguson (and, to a much less relevant degree, Capello) food for thought.

Giggs. 7.5

Giggsy’s influence this term has been
massively understated. He was our firm first choice on the left for most of the
season – keeping out Park and Nani when he messed about at the start of the
season. A brilliant performance that rolled back the years against Tottenham at
the start of the season was his best in a United shirt for years, scoring a
beautiful free-kick – 1 of 7 goals this season; his highest tally for 5 years –
and in the meantime he managed to convince a few of those doubters who felt he
was passed it and that his PFA award for 08/09 was merely a sentimental nod.

Nani. 7.5

A tough one. For his contribution in the
second half of the season, I’d give him a 9. But his numerous lethargic and
clumsy displays in the opening months of the season – coupled with his
pointless tabloid rant at Ferguson
in November – knock his rating down a few notches. Thankfully for us, he got
his act together remarkably and his newfound positive attitude and
determination were rewarded with a permanent spot on the wing(s) in the last
few crucial months. Rather than that wasteful, frustrating player we all used
to enjoy ridiculing, in 2009/10 he will be remembered for those match winning
displays against Arsenal, at home to Munich and most recently vs. Tottenham.

Berbatov. 6

For £30million, we all expect a lot more. Even
his most loyal advocate must finally be losing patience.
Rather than that beautiful bicycle kick in the home draw against Sunderland,
his season is more likely to be remembered for the series of sitters and near
misses; including one at either side of half-time in the away fixture. Who
knows what will happen to this brilliant, misunderstood and utterly frustrating
player in the summer. A swap for Huntelaar has been mentioned (a perfect swap
some feel, as he’s probably been just as poor for Milan this season); or will
Fergie somehow work his magic again to let him ‘do a Nani’ and re-emerge a
changed, prolific, precious commodity? Time will tell.

Rooney. 9.5

In 07/08 and 08/09, Ronaldo was the top man at
United; notching up 42 and 26 goals respectively. Rooney’s goalscoring
influence was constantly overshadowed; scoring 18 and 20 in comparison. Ronaldo
leaves for Madrid,
Rooney excels in the centre; and FWA and PFA awards were his reward after 34
goals in an unbelievable campaign. His season, in terms of goals, ended after
his injury in the Champions League semi-final first leg, and the cynical view
is that the title challenge of our ‘one man team’ also ended that day. In
hindsight, they may be right, as Rooney missed 3 of those vital final 7 games;
looking a shadow of clinical self in the games he did play.