It really is.
De Gea and Lindegaard are decent enough now - De Gea is one of the best young keepers in
Mata, Rooney, RvP are absolutely no worry.
Evra is rubbish, Jones doesn't have a position and doesn't look good enough wherever he plays, Rio is too old, Vidic is injury suspect, Rafael might continue improving but he's going to get too many red cards IMO, Evans would be OK with a very good centre half alongside him, Giggs is too old, Smalling looks OK in patches but seems to have some lapses in concentration. Hernández is a sub, Carrick is good enough but also aging and not progressive enough often enough, Nani doesn't appear to be getting a chance although I think he's the best winger there on his game. Welbeck is ****, Ashley Young is ****, Cleverly is average at best, Fletcher is still an unknown but was never the best anyway, Valencia is one dimensional, as is Fellaini. Buttner doesn't appear to be good enough, Januzaj looks like he has a big future.
Just where is all of that 'not as bad as is being suggested'? Keepers aside it seems to me there's 3 players good enough that doesn't have big injury concerns around them (RvP aside, I suppose) and an up-and-coming player in Januzaj.
The defence is either too old or rash, the midfield is either too old or simply not good enough.
De Gea - One of the best young keepers in the world, can be an excellent foundation for years to come
Lindegaard - A satisfactory backup
Rafael - Has an aggressive streak yes, but is still a top right back. Excellent in defence and great at supporting a poor winger going forwards.
Smalling - Unsure really, haven't seen enough of him. He's definitely a centre back but we need to see more of him, could be a good backup at worst.
Jones - Doesn't have a position? Well whose ******* fault is that? Perhaps Fergie and now Moyes should try and get him regularly playing at centre back.
Evans - A good defender, no preoblem with him.
Rio - Not got long left, will likely be replaced in the summer
Vidic - Unfortunately injury prone but is still a good defender.
Evra - Not the best at the back but part of that is the pressure we place on our full backs to create chances, regularly 70-80% of the attacking play goes through him and Rafael.
Buttner - An unspectacular backup in every way.
Fletcher - Been a great servant to the club and it's great to see him back, shouldn't be first choice though.
Carrick - Having a poor season, whether that's injuries, attitude, mismanagement...who knows.
Giggs - Should retire.
Fellaini - Too early to say really but he looks average at best.
Young - Needs to go if we can find someone gullible. Sure he scores a stunner every so often but his general play is gak.
Nani - Will never be given the chance despite his quality. Fergie didn't like him and despite his injuries it seems Moyes will always prefer 'workmen' like Valencia over him as well.
Kagawa - His omission is the biggest sign that Moyes hasn't got a ******* clue.
Januzaj - The sky's the limit.
Valencia - Has shown sparks of his old self but they're few and far between. Can be a backup at best
Mata - Should be a great player for us
Rooney - No comment needed
Van Persie - No comment needed
Hernandez - A great option for us, with a better midfield behind him would be far more effective.
Welbeck - Needs to be consistent, has shown signs of it but his erratic form is frustrating.
Add in a couple of midfielders and a centre back (when Rio retires) and left back (and probably a backup for Rafael as well) and that is still a team capable of challenging for the title. The problem is Moyes getting nothing from our strengths and using our weak players too much. (Young starting, Kagawa not even on the bench...)
And then there are people like Zaha, Lingaard and Powell on loan who could still have a part to play.
