After another defeat left Manchester United stagnating in mid-table at
the weekend, David Moyes was once again a target for criticism as he
continues to struggle to get the best out of a group of players that
won the Premier League title last season.
There is, however, only so much that Moyes can do sitting in the Old
Trafford hotseat. His players must shoulder some of the blame and it
is clear that among the unquestionable talent at the club, there is
also plenty of deadwood.
Reports on Monday suggested Moyes could be ready to wield the axe, so
who would escape with their United careers intact and who would be
moved on to pastures new?
DAVID DE GEA
One of the best young keepers in Europe, talk that Sir Alex Ferguson
was thinking of ditching the Spaniard not long after buying him looks
even sillier now than it did at the time.
VERDICT:Keep him
ANDERS LINDEGAARD
A capable enough back-up. Peter Schmeichel he ain't, but United fans
have little cause to feel overly-nervous when De Gea is indisposed.
GettyImagesRafael and Fabio: The twins weren't separated at birth, but
they should be now.
VERDICT:Keep him
RAFAEL
The only really bad thing about Rafael is that David Moyes seems to
have a slightly troubling mistrust of him. Niggling injuries have been
a problem this season, but even when fit he isn't always the automatic
first choice he should be.
VERDICT:Keep him
FABIO
Failing to make a significant impact at QPR suggests a player is not
of the required standard for Manchester United. The only reason to
keep him around is if they need a spare for Rafael in team
photographs.
VERDICT:Let him go
PATRICE EVRA
Tricky one. There is talk that Monaco and PSG are queueing up to throw
huge bags of cash at Evra when his contract expires in the summer, so
the decision may be taken from United. However, if it is Moyes' call,
it probably depends on which left-back he signs in January/next
summer. If it's Leighton Baines, he will clearly be a direct
replacement for the Frenchman, but at only four years his junior,
perhaps isn't the best long-term option. A better choice might be to
go big for Luke Shaw (who won't be cheap, but he'll be worth it) and
keep Evra around on a year-to-year deal to guide the youngster
through.
VERDICT:Keep him
ALEXANDER BUTTNER
No. Just... no. His ineptitude is somehow enhanced by his puppy-like
enthusiasm for running around, but while that might be entertaining
for the rest of us, it isn't especially good for United.
VERDICT:Let him go
CHRIS SMALLING
Worth keeping, but there is a vague sense that given the rate of his
development so far, Smalling's career might be one of the bigger
disappointments in English football of recent years, given his initial
promise and reputation.
VERDICT:Keep him
RIO FERDINAND
Alas, it's time. Time is cruel, and it (along with other assorted
factors) has taken his England career, and the day has come for it to
claim his place at United too.
VERDICT:Let him go
JONNY EVANS
It's weird that a few years ago Evans looked nailed on for that move
to Sunderland, but it now seems he might be one of the more unlikely
United lifers of recent years.
VERDICT:Keep him
GettyImagesIt has been suggested Nemanja Vidic could move on, but he
remains an influential presence for Man Utd.
NEMANJA VIDIC
There must be a temptation to cut the 32-year-old Vidic loose in order
to give the younger bucks in the United defence precedence, but his
performances are still good enough, and such a move could be too
hasty.
VERDICT:Keep him
PHIL JONES
While there should be no question about whether United should keep
Jones, there is about where he will play. At present he is probably
their best option in midfield (or at least in a certain midfield
role), but he is a natural centre-back and will probably eventually
settle there
VERDICT:Keep him
TOM CLEVERLEY
Simply not good enough. Whether that's entirely his fault given the
roles he has sometimes been asked to play is probably moot, but
Cleverley has seemingly become so cowed that he seems terrified of
playing a forward pass.
VERDICT:Let him go
MICHAEL CARRICK
While he can still be a divisive figure among United fans, Carrick is
obviously not a bad player, he just probably isn't good enough for
United to build their midfield around. He should be kept, but not as a
first-choice.
VERDICT:Keep him
RYAN GIGGS
It's not especially practical to say whether United should get rid of
Giggs or not, because his status is such that it will be his decision.
However, he's worth keeping around in his role as a player-coach, just
as long as the team doesn't rely on his presence.
VERDICT:Keep him
DARREN FLETCHER
Who knows? Few are really sure if he will ever actually return from
his gastric condition, but even if he does, will he be the same
player? Unfortunately the answer is no, and sentiment should be set
aside in favour of practicality.
VERDICT:Let him go
GettyImagesAshley Young, Tom Cleverley and Anderson have done little
to suggest they deserve to survive an Old Trafford cull.
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