3. Anderson
He was purchased by Sir Alex Ferguson as he could lend physicality and an attacking bite to United’s midfield. However, injuries slowed his progress and his weight gain has led him to be known as the ‘fat Brazilian’. He has been found lacking and his pace has slowed down considerably in the few games he has played in recent times. For now, with United’s bad luck with injuries, he could be good as cover for Daley Blind, to screen the defence till the next transfer window, but he is one player sure to get the boot, as soon as another club is willing to pay his high wages and take him off United’s payroll. Fiorentina came close to taking him away last winter, but didn’t complete a long-term deal.
Players can perform and win their places, by proving their worth to the manager, of which Marouane Fellaini is the best example, this season. Three weeks ago, his place at United was being questioned, due to lackluster performances since his arrival. He would have been on loan at Napoli, if he had not suffered an injury before his medical, which kept him at United for what was destined to be another period of turmoil. However, he redeemed himself in the game against West Bromwich Albion, after he was substituted. He ended up starting the game against Chelsea, where he was one of United’s best performers in a hard-fought 1-1 draw. Other players languishing on the sidelines at United could take a leaf out of Fellaini’s book and make their way back into the team, where Louis van Gaal shows enough faith in players to push them into the first-team scheme if they are willing and able to perform.