Player review: Rafael

It’s sometimes easy to forget Rafael is still a teenager... like when he more than held his own against Ronaldinho in the San Siro, or shackled Franck Ribery and terrorised the Bayern Munich left side at Old Trafford.

Story of the season: Like so many other Reds defenders, Rafael's season was blighted by injuries. Shoulder trouble in pre-season meant his first appearance of 2009/10 only came in late October, and that was in the centre of midfield at Barnsley. Sporadic outings at right back followed but by Christmas the young Brazilian had only chalked up five appearances. He'd go on to make 11 more before the season's end, but an ankle injury sustained in the Carling Cup final limited him to just two starts from March onwards.

Finest moment: He netted United's third in a 5-0 home win over Wigan, but it was his performances in Europe that really caught the eye. Thrust into action at the San Siro, and up against his countryman Ronaldinho, he passed the test with flying colours. In the next round he dazzled for 45 minutes in the home leg against Bayern Munich, keeping Franck Ribery quiet and injecting pace and invention to the Reds' forward forays.

What’s in store? Nobody would dare suggest he’s the finished article yet, but United fans have certainly seen enough to suggest he’s good enough to nail down the right-back spot on a permanent basis when Gary Neville hangs up his boots.

ManUtd.Com

Player review: Obertan

The Old Trafford faithful only saw glimpses of Gabriel Obertan during his first campaign as a United player. But in those 13 appearances, he showed plenty of promise...

Story of the season: After a back injury delayed his debut, Obertan first pulled on a Reds shirt in the Carling Cup fourth round tie at Barnsley. He impressed enough to be given a league debut (as a substitute) at Old Trafford four days later. The nerves that day got the better of him (he ran the ball out of play with his first touch before later spurning a glorious chance to score) but he soon settled and became a viable attacking option from the bench.

Finest moment: Away in Wolfsburg in the final Champions League group stage game, Obertan came off the bench to dazzle on the left wing. Indeed, Michael Owen owes the second of his three goals that night almost entirely to the Frenchman, who wriggled past two defenders before teeing up the striker with a precise pass across the six-yard box.

Strongest attribute: Dribbling. When Ronaldo left, fans feared all the skill and trickery had gone with him. What they didn't know then, however, was just how good Gabriel Obertan is with the ball at his feet. Confident, quick and direct, the former Bordeaux star will terrorise plenty of defenders in the coming years.

What's in store? Injuries hampered Obertan's first season at United, but he'll undoubtedly be given more chances to shine in 2010/11. At just 21 years of age, this young touchline sniffer certainly has the ability to forge a rich future at United

ManUtd.Com

Player review: Valencia

In his first term at OT, 'Tony' was a revelation on the wing vacated by Cristiano Ronaldo...

Story of the season

Far from being eased into life at United following his summer move from Wigan, Valencia was thrust into regular action from the off, and soon vindicated that decision with a string of confident and athletic displays. Assists from whipped-in crosses were his stock-in-trade – and manna from heaven for goal-fixated Wayne Rooney. Valencia weighed in with a few strikes of his own: a delightful effort against Bolton in October was the first of a mid-season cluster which culminated in the winger picking up back-to-back Player of the Month awards on ManUtd.com. He netted a late Champions League winner at CSKA Moscow and was also named Man of the Match in the Carling Cup final. Strength and stamina positioned Antonio as both a go-to man in attack and a useful ally in defence; for virtually all of the season he steered clear of injury to finish as one of the Reds’ top appearance-makers, and was deservedly named in the PFA Team of the Year.

Finest moment

In a perfect illustration of the winger’s art, Valencia destroyed his former club Wigan at Old Trafford in December. After setting up three of the Reds’ first four goals with a devastating combination of power, pace and skill, he rounded off a fine evening’s work by running onto Rooney’s defence-splitting pass to clip home the fifth.

What’s in store?
More of the same, especially after a refreshing, World Cup-free summer. Valencia is still only 24 and his improvement throughout the season was palpable, so expect him to get better still. He’s already more of a goal threat than in his time at Wigan, where he found the net only seven times in three years, and Sir Alex will doubtless challenge the Ecuadorian to increase his tally next term.

 

Player Review: Fletcher

Arguably the Scot’s best campaign in a red shirt – Fletcher has developed into the complete midfielder who possesses that unique knack of inspiring those around him...

Story of the season: The man for the big occasion proved time and again during 2009/10 that he can handle the pressure against the cream of England and Europe. His all-action display in the dramatic 4-3 derby victory in September yielded two fine headed goals and he netted one of the strikes of the season against Everton two months later. As well as popping up on the score-sheet, Fletcher, who found himself playing in defence during a torrid spell of injuries, turned creator on numerous occasions with some pinpoint deliveries into the area which were gladly snapped up by Rooney and co. One of United’s most consistent performers throughout the campaign, he oozed class and energy when the Reds needed it most.

Finest moment: Fletcher’s glorious opener in the 3-0 victory over Everton at Old Trafford was an easy choice for the Goal of the Season shortlist in United’s end-of-season awards. After Patrice Evra’s cross was nodded down by Valencia into Fletcher’s path on the edge of the area, the midfielder overcame the awkward height of the bouncing ball and sent a scorching volley thundering towards the top corner, kissing Tim Howard’s right-hand post on the way in. Stunning.

What’s in store? Only bigger and better things. Playing in a Champions League final is one of Darren’s major ambitions after missing out so cruelly through suspension in 2009 (he was an unused sub in Moscow in ‘08) – he certainly deserves the opportunity to perform on Europe’s biggest stage.

Player review: Evans

Evans made significant strides forward in his bid to command a regular starting berth at the heart of the United defence...

Story of the season: Jonny was thrown straight into action at the beginning featuring in all but one of United’s matches in August. His ability to adapt his game to complement the attributes of his fellow defenders was there for all to see in the opening month of the campaign as he found himself paired with four different team-mates – Ferdinand, O’Shea, Brown and Vidic - in the centre of defence. By mid-November Jonny had played more games than any of the team’s recognised centre-halves, but unfortunately he joined the long list of defensive casualties when he picked up a calf injury whilst on international duty. He returned at the beginning of 2010, starting United’s opening seven league games of the year. Ferdinand and Vidic were back in tandem for the majority of March and April, but Evans ably stepped in at Bolton and City to help the team earn two vital victories and a couple of clean-sheets.

Finest moment: The dramatic derby victory at Eastlands in April will forever be remembered for Paul Scholes’ late, late winner, but Evans’ flawless display alongside the colossal Nemanja Vidic was arguably his best of the season. He even had the audacity to execute one incredibly cool drag-back inside his own box to evade the menacing Carlos Tevez.

What’s in store? More of the same we hope. Ferdinand and Vidic remain Sir Alex’s first choice defensive duo, but the boss has great faith in Jonny and Wes Brown as an alternative pairing. “There aren't many better partnerships in the Premier League than Brown and Evans,” he declared last season. Evans will also be aiming to finally break his United duck.

Player review: O'Shea

An injury sustained on international duty restricted the usual ever-present John O'Shea to just 19 appearances in 2009/10.

Story of the season: The Irishman's season was all but over in November when he picked up a thigh problem in the Republic of Ireland's World Cup play-off defeat in France. At one stage it looked like he wouldn't play again in 2009/10. Sir Alex explained: “He's got a terrible injury. It's like a dead leg. The problem is that a blood clot has become knotted. It's a long process to clear up and he'll probably miss the season now. It's a bad blow for the boy." But the Carrington medical team worked wonders and O'Shea returned to action as a substitute in April’s 3-2 win over Bayern Munich. Four days later he started in the Reds' 0-0 draw at Blackburn.

Finest moment: The Irishman made his 350th United appearance one to remember when he helped to empty home fans’ seats by doubling United’s lead at the Britannia Stadium in September. O’Shea met Ryan Giggs’ in-swinging corner from the right with his head and flicked the ball into the top corner past a flailing Thomas Sorensen. Sadly, in a season blighted by injury, there weren't too many other opportunities for John to shine.

What’s in store? With his current contract running until 2012, O’Shea is very much part of United’s plans for the future. Expect him to be doing a job for the Reds in defence, midfield, attack or even in goal (he donned the gloves against Spurs in 2007).

Fergie has £95m to spend

DAVID GILL has told Manchester United's protesting fans: Stop moaning, we've got £95million to spend.

Many of the Old Trafford faithful have become disillusioned with the debt-laden ownership of the unpopular Glazer family.

And the American family put another nail in the coffin of the takeover bid by the Red Knights consortium last night by insisting there are no plans to sell up.

But chief executive Gill insisted there is nothing to be gloomy about and claims boss Alex Ferguson will have as much of that warchest as he wants for new signings this summer.

Fergie has hinted there may only be one big-name signing with Chris Smalling and Javier Hernandez already signed on for around £18m.

But with Karim Benzema and David Silva also believed to be on their radar, Gill says the extra money will be made available.

Gill said: "People say Alex is saying money is there because he has to. Anyone who knows Alex Ferguson knows he wouldn't say that if he didn't mean what he said.

"The money is definitely there. The financial results will show the figures are about £95m cash.

"We are not in a situation whereby Alex is restricted in what he wants to do with the club.

"We can invest in the players, the training ground and the stadium."

Fan protests became part and parcel of United home games last season with the Green and Gold campaign particularly prominent.

Yet Gill insisted: "The fans protesting are not going to change their opinion even if we win three Champions League titles in a row.

"We couldn't have been much more successful in the last three years.

"But they are simply never going to be happy."

United's hopes of landing Karim Benzema, however, are set to be dashed by Real Madrid for a second successive year.

Ferguson was keen to sign the French forward 12 months ago before he moved to the Bernabeu for around £30million.

And Real's sporting director Jorge Valdano has now said Benzema will be like 'a new signing' next season.

The former Lyon man hardly featured last term, sparking stories he could be on the move again.

But Valdano said: "We do not need more forwards - we scored 102 goals this season and Benzema didn't play much. Next season Karim is like a new signing."

TheSun