Home > World_Sp
De Gea, Ibra And Pogba Man United's Key Men, Rooney Decline Complete
Paul Pogba has his critics, but has shown enough this season for United to count on him for the future.
March 25th, 2017 | 11:16 AM | 811 views
ESPNFC.COM
Just before the season started, we looked at the 15 prospective most important players for Manchester United in 2016-17.
With the season entering its final stretch, some have fallen by the wayside while others have grown in importance. Here's Jose Mourinho's revised list of crucial performers.
This list is not extensive and has been ranked according to varying factors. Some players still with a part to play, like Daley Blind, have been omitted. And there's some notable flops missing too -- more on them later.
Performance, potential, the ability to make an impact and influence the course of a game, other options in that area of the field, the ability or inability to replace them and market value have all played a part in revising the 15.
1. David De Gea (no change)
He hasn't been as excellent as the three seasons previously, when he was named the club's Player of the Year in each campaign, but United would be lost without him. There's a distinct lack of world-class replacements -- Real Madrid's Keylor Navas is nowhere near good enough to replace De Gea for example -- and if Mourinho lost the 26-year-old Spain international, United would suffer immeasurably.
2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (no change)
The force of personality United so desperately needed. His goals have given them a shot at Champions League qualification and two of them helped seal a major trophy. There's even an argument to suggest he is too important to United. They rely on him too much and it's not even certain he will remain at the club this summer. With 26 goals in 41 matches, it has been a fine debut season for the 35-year-old, although he does deserve a portion of blame for squandering some huge opportunities in the club's plethora of draws. Big boots to fill, regardless.
3. Paul Pogba (new entry)
It's tempting to borrow from the book of Sir Alex Ferguson when responding to those who continue to denigrate the £89.3m midfielder. The 24-year-old arrived for a world-record fee after our original list was published but in his 41 matches so far, he has shown a superb range of passing, dribbling and creativity. It's bizarre to compare him to Chelsea's indefatigable N'Golo Kante, as the two undertake different roles, but that hasn't stopped the vultures from circling. He needs to work on his finishing and improve his decision-making, especially in big games, but United have spent big on an investment for the future and they count Pogba as one of the pillars of that.
4. Michael Carrick (+10)
It's problematic how high Carrick, a United legend, now is on this list. His arrival back in the team coincided with an upturn in Pogba's form and the club have lost just one out of the 25 matches he has featured in. The side's conductor, or pianist according to Gary Neville, he sets the tone for attacks and screens the defence. A testimonial this summer is fully deserved but it's alarming how two golden oldies (Carrick and Ibrahimovic) continue to be so influential.
5. Henrikh Mkhitaryan (new entry)
Another new arrival from the original list, Mkhitaryan is one of the club's most talented players. Incredibly, he seems quicker with the ball at his feet than without it and makes United's attacks more exciting, fluid and dangerous.
6. Juan Mata (+9)
Always has an important goal in him. This term, strikes against Arsenal and Manchester City underlined his big game prowess and he has now hit double figures three seasons in a row. A superb, important player who has more than repaid his £37.1m fee. Probably the only decent thing David Moyes managed at the club.
7. Antonio Valencia (new entry)
Although Tottenham's Kyle Walker will probably get the nod, Valencia is in the running to be named right-back in the Premeier League's team of the year. His powers as a winger have waned from his blistering 2009-10 start at the club but for a converted defender, he has become important to Mourinho. He's not Matteo Darmian, for one.
8. Ander Herrera (new entry)
The large majority of non-United fans hate Ander Herrera, which makes him good enough to make this list. Combative and always up for the fight, the Spaniard has become a pivotal part of Mourinho's plans having been shunned by Louis van Gaal.
9. Marcus Rashford (-4)
Hasn't enjoyed the success of last year but he is 19 and deserves time to grow. Mourinho has used him 39 times this season, across various positions, and Rashford remains an exciting player very much with the future in mind.
10. Eric Bailly (-2)
Only a slight dip for the impressive Ivorian. He started magnificently but a return from the African Nations Cup has coincided with spells of suspect form. The 22-year-old has suffered at times with changing positions and centre-back partners but has shown enough to suggest he'll be first choice alongside whomever Mourinho decides to buy in the summer.
11. Anthony Martial (-8)
After 17 goals in a sensational debut season, Martial was originally tipped to be the third most important member of the squad. But he has endured a disappointing second campaign, with Mourinho seemingly sceptical of him. Still, his potential is huge and his talent clear already, so he remains a big part of the club's plans.
12. Jesse Lingard (new entry)
Every club needs a Lingard. You can't enjoy sustained success with a team packed with Galacticos -- just look at Real Madrid failing in the round of 16 in the Champions League six seasons straight from 2004-10 despite having the likes of Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Luis Figo and Ronaldo to call upon. Lingard isn't a starter, but is a useful option to come in every now and then. Rival fans see his use too. Read this thread.
13. Marouane Fellaini (-3)
A difficult one. There are days when you can see his worth and the chaos he can bring to an attack but equally he remains cumbersome, slow and little use in a deeper position. Mourinho has found a role for him and the fans have even found a chant for a player much-maligned during his time at Old Trafford, but he encourages rather primitive play. Perhaps worth keeping in a bit-part role.
14. Luke Shaw (-5)
Oh dear. His talent is clear but his start against Bournemouth on March 4 was the first time he was seen since Jan. 29 and before that it was Nov. 30. Perhaps the horror leg break from September 2015 had deeper consequences than feared. He is fighting to save his United career but was excellent before the bad injury and is good enough to overcome this tough spell.
15. Marcos Rojo (new entry)
A bad left-back but a decent central defender enjoying prolonged trust from Mourinho. While Phil Jones and Chris Smalling endure deeper declines, Rojo has impressed in spells. Mourinho's best senior option in the centre after Bailly, but that's hardly a competitive field. A new signing there is crucial.
You're probably wondering where Wayne Rooney is. The leading scorer in Manchester United history is now fully out of the side and dropped from the England squad. Mourinho has done what Moyes and Van Gaal failed to do and although it is sad to see a legend fall by the wayside so sharply, his record breaking 250 goals, five Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup ensures his place in the club's history.
An optimistic seventh on this list in August, it's difficult to see Rooney staying at the club this summer.
Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC
by ALEX SHAW
If you have any stories or news that you would like to share with the global online community, please feel free to share it with us by contacting us directly at [email protected]