Manchester United player ratings for the 2012-2013 season.

Manchester United Player Ratings for the 2012-2013 season.

David De Gea: The young Spaniard has come on leaps and bounds since his debut season for the reds last season, all the critics seem to have got off his back and he certainly looks like he has certified his place as Manchester United’s number one for the foreseeable future.
Neutral fans of the Premier League could also argue that he is the best goalkeeper in the league.

Rating: 7/10.

Notable performances: Chelsea away, Man City away, Madrid away.
Despite conceding goals in all of the afore mentioned matches, De Gea made world class saves in each of those matches and shown his mettle in big games.

Anders Lindegaard: Many United fans are yet to warm to this Dane as they did, with the last Danish goalkeeper that was at the club. Having not had many games to shine this season due to De Gea’s progress. Possibly the only architect behind his downfall due to conceding three at relegated Reading back in December.

Rating: 5/10.

Rafael Da Silva: What a season this young man’s had, having been criticised in the past for his rash decision making and not to mention having a very short fuse when it comes to personal battles on the pitch he has improved shed loads this season.
Not only has he improved his defensive work on the pitch, he’s also pitched in with important not to mention class goals this season, notably against Liverpool at Anfield and QPR at Loftus Road.

Rating: 7/10

Notable performances: Tottenham away, Liverpool away and Arsenal at home.

Rio Ferdinand: This man has been a stalwart for Manchester United for as long as i can remember and this season has arguably been his best one yet. He can admit himself he’s lost a yard or two of pace over the years but he’s accustomed to the current pace of the game and reads it superbly well. Excellent player for the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling to learn from. England’s loss is certainly United’s gain for the foreseeable future.

Rating: 8/10

Notable performances: Newcastle away, Reading at home and Southampton away.

Nemanja Vidic: This man had missed a massive proportion of the season due to lingering injuries however since he’s returned this season, the club have amassed a lot more clean sheets and looked more solid and secure at the back. On the wrong side of the 30 now, this man is still throwing himself into every tackle and path of every possible shot.

Rating: 6/10.


Jonny Evans: Having been sent off in the Manchester derby last season which United went on to lose 6-1, the Northern Irishman has developed into a fans favourite slowly over the 2012-2013 season. Very agile for a centre half of his stature and has put in a lot of vital performances this season, not to mention scoring quite a few goals this season.

Rating: 7/10.

Notable performances: Newcastle away, QPR at home, Stoke away.

Phil Jones: Having been a big fan of this man since he moved from Blackburn, i’ve been very happy to see him progressing even more this season having made over 30 first team appearances in his debut season, last season. His performance at The Bernabeu against Madrid, marking Ronaldo particularly highlighted his man marking skills and ability to defend.
Sir Alex even said himself he could well be the greatest player the club’s ever had.

Rating: 7/10.

Notable performances: Real Madrid Away, Stoke away.


Chris Smalling: He and the afore mentioned Phil Jones have been specifically earmarked to be Englands 1^st choice centre half pairing in the years to come, however Smalling himself has some way to go to establishing himself as a first choice United player. Take nothing away from the player himself, he has the ability. Shades of a younger Ferdinand to say the least.

Rating: 5/10.


Alexander Buttner: The former Vitesse Arnhem left back won over a lot of United fans in his debut match against the recently crowned FA Cup holders Wigan Athletic in 2012 and even crowned that performance with a goal that he beat four men on his own to score.  Looks rather vulnerable when defending however no qualms when the Dutchman gets forward.
Still young and still has time to improve.

Rating: 5/10.

Patrice Evra: A lot of MUFC fans have pointed at this man as the weak link in Uniteds defence over the last two years due to his concentration not being its best and being caught out of position on a lot of occasions however this season, the arrival of Buttner seems to have given him the boost he needed to return to his former self.


Notable performances: Madrid  away, Newcastle away, Newcastle at home.

Rating: 7/10.

Antonio Valencia: This man has been so frustrating to watch this season, he himself has said he’s been plagued by injuries throughout the season. Its not even been a matter of being inconsistent, the man himself has not found consistency at all. In the 2011-2012 season he was unplayable, hopefully he can find that form again in pre-season or he could well be sold.

Rating: 4/10.


Nani: Same scenario with this man as it is with Antonio Valencia, on his day he can be unplayable however unable to find consistency in the 2012-2013 season. Full of tricks and a wicked first touch, this man should be given a chance by David Moyes before any decision should be made. Unfortunately and wrongly sent off in the Champions League Match against Madrid at Old Trafford.

Rating: 5/10.

Paul Scholes: He scores goals. Seriously this guy has been heralded as the best central midfielder of our generation and it’s been a blessing to watch him play for as long as he has.
More often than not he completes matches with passing statistics of a Spanish midfielder.
Missed the majority of the last 6 months of the 2012-2013 season with a niggling knee injury, however came back for his and Sir Alex’s last match at Old Trafford.

Rating: 6/10.

Anderson: Most United fans are still not won over by the Brazilian midfielder and he’s been here 5 years, with 4 premier league medals to his name many fans are wondering why he’s still with us.  Not been his best this season however, still made himself a decent squad player.


Notable performances: Reading away, QPR at home.

Rating: 5/10.

Michael Carrick:  Admittedly this man was my scapegoat for a lot of our defeats in the past however, the 2012-2013 season proved to be the season where he has won myself and a lot of fans over with his vision, swift thinking and nifty footwork. Earned himself a call up back into the England fold for qualifier for the 2014 World Cup. Also got himself in the running for the English POTY awards in the Premier League.

Notable performances: Liverpool at home, Newcastle at home.

Rating: 8/10.

Tom Cleverely: The energetic English midfielder established himself as a England and Manchester United starter early on in the season with his vision and energy being a vital component to both teams however was dropped from the MUFC first XI from pretty much February till the end of the season with no given explanation.

Notable performances: West Ham away in the FA Cup, Newcastle away and Liverpool at home.

Rating: 6/10.




Ashley Young: This man had a majestic season in the 2011-2012 season for United scoring terrific goals against Arsenal in the 8-2 win, the 2-0 win away at Blackburn Rovers and the 3-1 win at White Hart Lane however this season has been marred by injury and he’s become slightly predictable.

Rating: 5/10.


Shinji Kagawa: The Japanese playmaker has been played out of position more often than not this season however has still shone in a few games. Prefers being played at the attacking tip of the diamond formation however that position has been filled by Wayne Rooney throughout the season. Should be like a new signing next season should he be played in position.



Notable performances: Norwich at home, Stoke Away, West Brom at home and Swansea at home.

Rating: 6.5/10.

Ryan Giggs: The 39 year old continued his trend of scoring in every single premier league season with the opening goal against Everton at home and despite his age and losing a few yards of pace, his jinky runs still continue to confuse defenders. His creativity seems to have improved with age also, his link up with Robin Van Persie for the equaliser at Upton Park was exquisite to say the least.

Notable performances: Real Madrid at home, West Ham away in the Fa Cup, Everton at home.

Rating: 7/10

Danny Welbeck: Having only scored 2 goals all season for the club, many argue that this man hasn’t had a very productive season and doesn’t warrant any England call up any time soon however any job he has been given by the manager he has done so and done it very well. Progressed very well in all roles barring the centre forward role this season.

Notable performances: Real Madrid home and away, Stoke at home.

Rating: 6/10

Javier “Chicarito” Hernandez: The Mexican has had to take a backseat role this season due to the arrival of Robin Van Persie however he has taken every chance he’s been given. Should have been given more opportunities in more competitions however his goals to games ratio cannot be argued with.

Notable performances: QPR at home, Chelsea away and of course, Aston Villa away.

Rating: 6.5/10.



Wayne Rooney: Lost a lot of personal fans in the last year or so due to not giving 100% in his performances and handing in a transfer request recently however despite having an off the boil season he’s not done all that bad racking up goals and assists.
Has a lot of work to do to win over new manager David Moyes, possibly team mates and a lot of fans.

Notable performances: Fulham away, Manchester City away, Stoke at home.

Rating: 7/10.


Robin Van Persie: The man who Sir Alex brought in to bring our trophy back and that he did, in emphatic fashion. Usually a poacher however the Dutchman has broadened his game play this season, became a target man and traditional centre forward this season. Was the sort of player Wayne Rooney wanted the club to bring in and now seems to have robbed Rooney of the attention he used to love.

Notable performances: Southampton away, Chelsea away, Fulham at home, Newcastle at home and Manchester City away.

Rating: 9/10.