Manchester United player ratings for the 2008/09 Premer League season

Edwin van der Sar 9
33 starts, 21 clean sheets
The Dutchman is now a veteran but you can't beat experience and he's used his superbly with a series of exemplary displays. Still the man in possession but this would be the perfect swansong.

John O'Shea 8
20 starts, 10 subs
Arguably the least popular player in United ranks but deserves far more credit. He has never let his team-mates down, no matter what role he is asked to undertake.

Rio Ferdinand 9
24 starts
Fitness problems are an increasing concern but when he plays he is a Rolls-Royce among defenders, allying pace and perception to more oldfashioned defensive virtues.

Patrice Evra 7
28 starts
The best left-back in the league all season, although may not want to see Aaron Lennon too often. Missed during his controversial suspension for the Battle of Stamford Bridge.

Michael Carrick 8
24 starts, 4 subs, 4 goals Has set the midfield tempo brilliantly after his early-season injury, running almost every game he has played. Finally starting to get some of the credit he is due.

Darren Fletcher 8
24 starts, 1 sub, 3 goals The combative Scot has become Ferguson's go-to guy when the chips are down, overtaking Scholes in that role. Vital early season goals but Champions League Final heartbreak.

Ryan Giggs 8
15 starts, 13 subs, 2 goals Hugely popular choice as PFA Player of the Year despite his limited starts this season. No longer the fleet-footed wing wonder but still a class act on and off the pitch.

Anderson 6
11 starts, 6 subs The Brazilian has been used sparingly in the Premier League and someone needs to tell him he's probably destined never to score. Has been more effective in Europe.

Wayne Rooney 9
25 starts, 5 subs, 12 goals Maturing with every month and now looking the player the country hoped he would become in Euro 2004. Still more to come, too, which is a breathtaking thought for United and England.

Ji-Sung Park 7
21 starts, 4 subs, 2 goals Ferguson reckons the Korean is one of the most under-rated players in the game. Has quality on the ball as well and a key man for United in most of the big matches.

Cristiano Ronaldo 8
31 starts, 2 subs, 18 goals
The tantrums and outbursts have got worse and many United fans still do not forgive his tango with Real Madrid. But has come good and landed the goals when it mattered. Still the best.

Dimitar Berbatov 6
29 starts, 2 subs, 9 goals
The Old Trafford fans might prefer Tevez but the statistics tell who the manager rates. Berbatov will never be a team player but he is a class act. Needs to score more next term.

Carlos Tevez 6
18 starts, 11 subs, 5 goals
The United fans love his sheer commitment and industry but if strikers are judged on goals, then he must be deemed a disappointment. A harsh judgement? Perhaps. But Fergie is rarely wrong.

Paul Scholes 6
14 starts, 7 subs, 2 goals
Started the season as first choice but injuries and his age mean his status has changed. Has struggled to impose himself but still capable of important interventions.

Jonny Evans 6
16 starts, 1 sub
Ferdinand's injury problems handed the Ulsterman the chances to prove his worth and has taken them with a series of nononsense displays. Makes the odd error but continues to improve.

Nani 3
6 starts, 6 sub, 1 goal
Must fear his Old Trafford days could be ending. Never lived up to the hype that saw him touted as the "new Ronaldo". Too many listless, lifeless displays - may not survive the summer.

Gary Neville 6
12 starts, 3 subs
Recovered from the injuries that might have finished his long career but increasingly susceptible. Experience more than useful but aware his days are coming to an end.

Rafael De Silva 6
11 starts, 4 subs, 1 goal
The Brazilian has shown signs that he will be the long-term rightback answer in his first season although his youth and inexperience has shown at times. A great prospect.

Federico Macheda 7
1 start, 2 subs, 2 goals
Became an overnight sensation with one swing of his right foot against Villa, cementing his status with a first touch at Sunderland the next week. Now the real work starts.

Wes Brown 5
5 starts, 2 subs, 1 goal
Injuries mean the England right-back does not get a medal and the arrival of Rafael will make his summer even less enjoyable. Deserves better fortune next term. 5

Ben Foster 5
2 starts
The injury-plagued keeper has had to be patient and knows he needs first-team football with the World Cup on the horizon. Fabio Capello rates him but knows he must prove himself.

Tomasz Kuszczak 3
2 starts, 1 sub
The Pole looks like he is on the way out having been overtaken by future England keeper Foster. Needs to move to revive his international ambitions.

Owen Hargreaves 4
1 start, 1 sub
The England midfielder's knee problems are becoming careerthreatening, a major worry for club and country. Has not kicked a ball since September.

Fraizer Campbell 1 4start
Kicked off against Newcastle before being sacrificed on loan to Spurs as part of the Berbatov deal and hardly surfaced there either. Must wonder if he will get another chance. 4

Rodrigo Possebon 4
2 subs
The Argentine looked as if he might be a key squad asset at the beginning of the season but a series of injuries have afflicted him and made him peripheral.

Danny Welbeck
2 subs, 1 goal
The strong competition means he will have to excel to break through but made a reasonable impression and took a Carling Cup winners' medal too. Still a long way to go.

Darron Gibson 5
2 subs Like Welbeck, got his chances in the domestic cups and acquitted himself well enough to be hopeful of more chances next time round.

Richard Eckersley 1 sub 4
The Salford-born right-back made his league debut off the bench at West Brom. Currently fifth in the pecking order and faces a big task to go forward.

Zoran Tosic
1 sub
Only appearance for the Serb winger after his arrival rom Patrisan Belgrade was at West Brom. Nani's likely departure represents his opportunity for next summer. 4

Manucho 3
1 sub
The Angolan's sole appearance against Stoke was a prelude to half a season on loan at the KC Stadium as Hull's early promise evaporated. Looks more like another Dong Fangzhuo.

Nemanja Vidic 9
33 starts, 1 sub, 4 goals
The Serbian strongman just gets better, despite a wobble after his second red card against Liverpool. Rock solid alongside Ferdinand to establish that remarkable clean-sheet run and scored vital goals too. Immense.