The transfer tittle-tattle basically bores me to tears. I much prefer to see players coming through the ranks than a new John Wayne walk into the dressing room any day of the week. I will post a review of our transfer targets in the next week but beforehand I think it is important to assess the strengths and weaknesses the squad has shown up over the last year. Here goes:

Van Der Sar:

Started extremely wobbly and the general feeling at the start of the year was that he would gradually be phased out during the season. Horrifically at fault for the first goal at Anfield but showed the resolve of a great to come back and claim the clean sheet record. Can he repeat the feats next season? I doubt it, but suspect he will be asked to do so.

Foster:

One of the most talented goalies I have seen. Still very young but handled the Mickey Mouse Cup final responsibility like a champ. This could be the season when we ask ask him to step up to the plate. Only time will tell if he is ready, it would be a gamble though.

G. Nev:

The heart of the club and still our best spokesman off the pitch. He is not the man he was before his injury though. His determination and hard work will mean he stays in contention next season, but zippy forwards for our opponents look forward to playing against him now.

Vidic:

Awesome all year but I am a little worried about the trumpet blowing. His partnership with Rio is the most important thing in the team but pride tends to precede something doesn’t it? Don’t mention Fernando Torres.

Rio:

Pure class and should definitely be the next captain. I can’t remember him doing anything major wrong all season. Almost immaculate.

Evra:

Probably his best season for us but having Rooney in front of him is a definite bonus. If he played with a winger who didn’t track back as much he could find himself in more trouble.

Rafael:

Welcome to Manchester United. Corking goal in his debut and a major talent but needs a couple more years experience to sort out his positional play.

Evans:

I wasn’t sure about him at first but he played a significant role in the clean-sheet record and deserves credit for that. A solid deputy and it is comforting to know he is there, probably not good enough to dislodge either Rio or Vidic though.

Wes:

Injured too much to really register but is class when he plays. Is there a connection between his lengthy recovery times and the rumours I hear about his fondness for a night on the tiles?

Park Ji Sung:

The man with 3 lungs and our best current chant harried every opponent he faced. It must be bloody annoying trying compete against him. Got lost in the European Cup Final and doesn’t play the decisive ball anywhere near as often as he should. Still a favourite though.

Fletcher:

Is emerging as the man of the team. The shadows of Robson and Keane hang over him but he always justifies his selection. Would like to see him become a bit more of a destroyer next year.

Ronaldo:

Spent a lot of time on the field looking like he didn’t give a damn but was still streets ahead of the rest. Likely to be the best player we have had since George but his attitude had effected his displays. I think his influence on the dressing room was having an effect on the other players and we will start seeing improvement in the performance of others now he is gone.

Rooney:

Nobody seems to mention how much has matured as a man. In interviews now his head is much more screwed on. He is doing the job of about three players on the pitch at the moment and all the hard work he does for others stops him from shining as much. Definitely my favourite current player and I hope he is played in the centre next season.

Giggs:

Another good season for Ryan, he is smart enough never to look exposed now but the pace is basically gone. Probably just cameos next year.

Scholes:

Fading. I am sorry to say it but he doesn’t have ninety minutes in him anymore. Still the best passer at the club and hope to see him come on and change a few games next year.

Carrick:

Not as invisible as before and he was excellent against Inter. He doesn’t have enough presence on the field though and needs to sort out his haircut. Other than that, much improved and can hopefully get better again.

Nancy:

Was that second season syndrome? Needs to seriously pull his socks up.

Anderson:

A major talent but didn’t really produce this year. I still have high hopes for him but suspect that Ronaldo’s attitude was a bad influence on him.

Tevez:
Pivotally brilliant against Wigan and City but it just makes me think what was he up to the rest of the season. Almost as good as he thinks he is. A shame to see him go but I think having Kia Joorboachim in one ear and Cristiano Ronaldo in the other ear has stopped him thinking straight. Wish he was staying but he ain't.

Berbatov:

There is more to come from this guy, much more. He does appear too languid still but boy can he control a football. I expect to see big improvements from him next year.

Wellbeck:

Scored probably the finest debut goal in history against Stoke. Will improve but a boy amongst men at the moment.

Macheda:

Basically won the league for us. I will just wait and see what happens next.

The Manager:

It is ridiculous that he is still going. Balanced the squad and team selections brilliantly all year and very nearly pulled off the quintuple. I don’t know how he continues to do it but I am bloody grateful that he does.