Soccer Portal

Two years ago, if someone had said that United’s best start to a season under Sir Alex Ferguson would be down to a team which would include the likes of Cleverley, Welbeck, Smalling, Jones and Evans , many would have said ‘Who?’. With five out of five wins and 21 goals scored this has been United’s best start to a season since Ron Atkinson’s tenure. If that isn’t attention grabbing enough, the fact that this impressive start has included scalps such as Tottenham, Chelsea and a demolition of Arsenal should turn a few heads.

Impressively this incredible start has been achieved without the likes of Berbatov, Vidic, Ferdinand or Valencia featuring regularly, stalwarts of previous seasons. Not that these have had a fallout with the manager or are going through a bad dip in form, but the youngsters who have come in for them have brought an energy to the team not seen for many a season.

A New Generation

Arguably United’s best central midfield pairing this season so far and a big reason for the early season form has been the combination of Cleverley and Anderson. Cleverley brings a boundless energy running around the centre of the pitch, bringing the best out of Anderson, who now seems to be flourishing after finally completing a full pre-season with United. The pair complement each other, with Anderson controlling more centrally and Cleverley pushing out, as can be seen in the passing chalkboards for the West Brom and Arsenal games. Together they are a very exciting prospect for the season. In 3 games they completed 287 passes between them, at a completion rate of 88%.

Picking up 2 goals in 3 games Welbeck has an energy and determination upfront which has earned him many plaudits.

Hernandez, with 2 goals in 4 games has picked up where he left off last season and will be looking to improve on a very impressive debut season.

Smalling is another player who will be looking to build on a very good debut season and has once again shown his value with the loss of Vidic, Ferdinand and Rafael to injury.

Phil Jones has slotted in seamlessly to this United team, solid and dependable he is playing with ability beyond his years. What makes Jones such an exciting prospect is not only his defensive ability but his ability on the ball and willingness to drive forward. The fact that he has 2 assists and a pass completion of 84% (179 passes) is testament to this.

And Johnny Evans finally seems to be returning to his breakthrough season’s form.

Hitting Peak

It is, however, not only the youngsters who have been responsible for this blistering start. Important players are peaking in their careers adding invaluable quality to the squad. Wayne Rooney, with 9 goals so far the league’s top goal scorer, has been United’s best player this season so far and will be key to any success United might achieve this season. Many believe that this could finally be the season where he keeps form throughout. Not only a great goal scorer, Rooney can also dictate play in a way likened to Scholes. As seen in the Arsenal and Bolton games, there is nowhere on the pitch Rooney won’t venture to pick up the ball and find a way to bring it forward.

Ashley Young is currently leading the league’s assists table with 5 and has adapted to life at United faster than the most optimistic of fan could have hoped for. Many doubted that he could make the impact at United that was needed but he has stepped up superbly.

Nani might have not have started this season all guns blazing, but is picking up his performances with every game.

Valencia is over the injury that hampered his early season and is returning to the form which helped significantly with the loss of Ronaldo, even showing some versatility with his impressive displays at right back.

However…

A chink in United’s armour might be young De Gea. Whilst there are very few who could doubt his tremendous talent, he still needs to settle into the physicality of the Premier League, not to mention that the pressure and media attention at United will be very unlike what he’s faced before. His inexperience and small frame have at times caused him, and United, problems. There will be times this season when United’s defence will have their backs against the wall and it is then that De Gea will have to step out of his comfort zone and develop a commanding presence in his penalty box and this may cost United a few points this season.

The loss of Scholes, Van Der Sar and O’Shea will become apparent as the season wears on. The younger players have stepped up spectacularly to ease this burden, however, they are young and are bound to go through patches where they dip in form and make inexperienced mistakes.

Young players do tend to be inconsistent and this has at times been clear with the likes of Anderson and Evans. These players derive a lot of their form from confidence and this could take a knock with one or two bad performances. It should also be noted that, while taking nothing away from this season’s performances, not all teams faced thus far were bang in form.

Best Is Yet To Come

This team has the potential to not only be great, but one of the greatest yet. This will not happen overnight. There will be dips in form this season and it is then that patience and extra support will be required from the fans. This has the potential to be great season with plenty to look forward to and potentially a big stepping stone for a good team to become great!