Manchester United's midfield is an interesting one. The selection available to Louis van Gaal appears to be very unbalanced, with a range of attacking talent to choose from, yet defensively ineffective. Nevertheless, the midfield was good enough to help the side reach the top four, which was the overall aim of the season.

Here's how the midfielders fared individually last season:

Daley Blind

For £13m, Blind was great value for money, which is a rarity to say in the modern market. The Dutchman joined United after an impressive World Cup, and he was easily one of Louis van Gaal’s more impressive signings. 

Blind played 29 times for United last season, after originally starting the Dutch season with Ajax and he started his first match for United against QPR in September.

The important aspect of Blind’s game last season was his consistency. He’s a simple footballer, but effective. He hardly loses the ball, and retains possession. Nothing flashy, but he hardly needs to be when a side has the attacking riches as United do.

He’s also deputised at left-back at times and never looked out of sorts. A stand out game was United’s 4-2 win against Manchester City, where he was instrumental in the build-up for Mata’s goal after a lovely pass to Rooney. 

Blind’s also chipped in with some important goals for United, such as a strike in a 2-2 draw against West Brom at the beginning of the season and a late equaliser against West Ham in February. 

It was an impressive start to Blind’s career at Old Trafford, but the next step is for him to try to influence games more if he’s to retain a starting place next season.

Season Rating: 7.5/10.0 

Michael Carrick

An indifferent season for Carrick. His importance to the side was highlighted after only playing 18 league games last season for the club.

This is why Van Gaal needs to dip into the transfer market and buy cover for Carrick, because he’s beginning to be instrumental to this side being successful. 

When he did play, United only lost two games in the Premier League, both 1-0 defeats to Manchester City and Southampton. 

It was unfortunate his last game was the 4-2 win against Manchester City, however he’ll be happy he has the summer to re-cooperate before being fit and raring to go for next season.

Carrick’s instrumental to the side, because he sees the passes the rest, simply don’t. He may not be quick, but his passing certainly is and his ability to hit a one-touched pass as soon as he receives the ball is priceless.

Despite being hampered by injuries last season, he deserves his score due to his high level of performances when he did play.

Season Rating: 7.0/10.0

Marouane Fellaini

What an incredible season for Marouane Fellaini. It’s easy to distinguish such a promising season with failure just because of a reckless red card in the last game of the season against Hull City.

Let’s rewind and remind ourselves of the situation at the beginning of the season. 

Fellaini wasn’t suppose to have a future at Old Trafford. He was seen as the player who wouldn’t fit into the philosophy of Van Gaal. He was suppose to leave.

He’s only gone on to make an impressive 27 appearances in the league for United, scoring six very important goals, for himself and the club.

The games were important to the fans too, such as a beautiful left-footed finish against Tottenham to open the scoring in March. He then scored against Manchester City and then a winner against Crystal Palace.

He’s now an impact player for United. However, what he and Louis van Gaal need to solve is how they deal with the threat of Fellaini being man-marked.

The prime example was against Chelsea, when Zouma man-marked him out of the game. 

A great season, somewhat spoiled by the fact he’ll be missing for the first three games of next season. Well done, Marouane.

Season Rating: 8.0/10.0

Ander Herrera

The mysterious case of Ander Herrera. The Spaniard started well at the club, scoring in his second game against QPR in a 4-0 win.

However for some unanswered reason, Louis van Gaal lost faith in Herrera from October 26 until February 16, where was given a run of games again. 

It was a mystery as to why Herrera was an unused substitute in the whole month of may, where United dropped points against Manchester City and Chelsea, and only narrowly beat Arsenal and Crystal Palace.

Herrera showed Van Gaal his promise in the second half of the season, delivering some vintage performances, notably in the 4-2 win against Manchester City.

Herrera has it all, a quick change of pace, vision and the ability to knick a goal. He’s contributed with eight goals in all competitions  and four assists, which is very respectable for his first season. 

United seem to play better when he’s in the side, he seems to be the only midfielder alongside Carrick, who has the vision to play a pass quickly or first-time, such as his fantastic assist for Mata against Liverpool in the 2-1 win at Anfield. 

Over the 12 months, if United are to grow as a club, it may coincide with Herrera becoming an essential part to this team at the same time. 
Herrera has been the pick of United’s midfielders this season, and with a season to adapt to the Premier League, big things are expected next season from the Spaniard.

Season Rating: 9.0/10.0

Ashley Young

Similar to Fellaini, the transformation of Young’s career at Old Trafford is outstanding. For those who have doubts over pre-seasons being deceiving, Young is evidence that simply isn’t true.

From United’s pre-season in America last summer, Young showed glimpses of quality, a new-found resurgence which was missing in his previous seasons at Old Trafford.

The intriguing aspect as he was suppose to be playing out of position, at left-back, yet he looked right at home.

Young became an integral part to this United side this season, as well as a senior member the rest of the squad have now learned to respect.

His game has been completely rejuvenated. Every time he takes a defender on, he looks like has them beaten. What’s more pleasing is his delivery, which has let him down so much in the past, even at Aston Villa, has improved immensely. 

This is why he collected five assists this season, notably a key assist against Crystal Palace at the end of the season to set-up Fellaini for a late winner.

He also scored a vital goal away to Newcastle in March, which helped United cement fourth place at an important time in the season. 

Young was unlucky not to receive an England call-up, but he deserves a good rest, and he’ll be looking to continue to keep Angel Di Maria out of the side next season.

Season Rating: 8.0/10.0 

Juan Mata

An accomplished season for Juan Mata. The Spaniard scored an impressive 10 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils, as well as registering four assists. 

The biggest improvement Mata made last season was having an impact in big games. He’ll now be remembered in United folklore for his two goals against Liverpool at Anfield, especially his version of a bicycle kick. 

He also scored against Manchester City in the 4-2 win, which was just as essential. Mata can no longer be accused of missing in big games, and just performing against smaller teams when he’s given more space. 

Under David Moyes, Mata was tasked to staying out wide, restrained to the touchline, however that changed under Van Gaal. The Dutchman allowed Mata to drift inside, and link-up with Rooney, Fellaini and notably Herrera. 

The two Spaniards have been a joy to watch together, reading each others game seamlessly. 

Hopefully, coming to the peak of his career, Mata will get even better and with the Champions League looming, he has the perfect platform  to keep his place in the United side and to force his way back into the Spanish national team.

Season Rating: 8.5/10.0 

Angel Di Maria

To be fair to the Argentine, 10 assists in a debut season is a pretty decent effort for a new signing’s first season.

Unfortunately, more is expected with a £60m price-tag and being Manchester United’s record signing, as well as their new number 7. 

It’s strange case as to why Di Maria’s season dipped so massively. Promising signs were there after he scored in two games in a row, against QPR and his wonder goal against Leicester City. 

However after his house was burgled, it seems it rattled Di Maria to the core and made him unable to reach his peak level of performance again.

At times, it’s been a struggle to watch the talented winger. When he’s come on as a substitute, he’s misplaced passes, crosses and all his cute little flicks and tricks just wouldn't work.

However, while playing below par, he managed to rack up an impressive number of assists, so maybe not all is lost.

After a summer to get away and gather himself, Di Maria could come back stronger than ever to prove all his doubters wrong.

That’s if he’s not in Paris by the beginning of the next season…

Season Rating: 5.5/10.0

Adnan Januzaj

No goals, no assists, a disappointing season for young Januzaj, who played 18 times for United last season.

The biggest problem Januzaj faces at this stage in his career is, will he be a Ronaldo or a Nani?

Januzaj ahs all the tricks, the pace to get away from a defender but when it comes to decision making, he’s failing, just as his team-mate has in his whole career.

Januzaj is young, he has time to eradicate these mistakes now, just as Ronaldo had to, but if he doesn’t, he could be heading out of Old Trafford sooner than expected despite signing a new contract last year. 

The young winger has shown glimpses of what’s capable of, and he found it difficult to get into the side at the beginning of the season, especially when Van Gaal persisted with his 3-5-2 formation. There simply wasn’t a position which suited Januzaj.

However, time is on his side, whether his means he’ll be sent out on loan next year or having to prove himself in pre-season and possibly the cup competitions, either way it’s up to the young Belgian to force his way into the side next season.

Season Rating: 4.5/10.0

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About the author
Danyal Khan
Danyal (pronounced Daniel), American and a sports fanatic. A proud Manchester United fan, studying journalism, trying to offer a new perspective and a range of opinions on the latest news in football.