Transfer Report Card 2010-11: How good were Manchester United’s signings?

After a season in which Manchester United played second fiddle to Premier League double winners Chelsea, Sir Alex Ferguson might have been expected to try to ring the changes at Old Trafford over the summer in order to mount a title challenge once again.

But despite Chelsea’s dominance and the big spending of ‘noisy neighbours’ Manchester City, Ferguson set about his business quickly and quietly for the most part, and with eight games left to play, United sit top of the pile, five points clear of second-placed Arsenal – but with mounting injury problems. Whether or not they can hold on remains to be seen.

IN: Javier Hernandez (Chivas de Guadalajara), Chris Smalling (Fulham), Bebe (Vitoria de Guimaraes), Anders Lindegaard (Aalesund)

OUT: Federico Macheda (Sampdoria, loan), Corry Evans (Hull, loan), James Chester (Hull), Ritchie De Laet (Portsmouth, loan), Ben Amos (Oldham, loan), Danny Drinkwater (Watford, loan), Joe Dudgeon (Carlisle, loan)

Javier Hernandez: A

“We’ve stolen him,” Sir Alex Ferguson said recently of Javier Hernandez, and following his explosive start to his Manchester United career, at just £8m, it’s easy to see why. Chicharito – the ‘Little Pea’ – has made the adjustment to a bigger pod with ease, displaying a natural finisher’s instinct and scoring some important goals in the process – his two most recent strikes saw United through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League at the expense of Marseille. With 16 goals already, the 22-year-old is looking every bit the buy of the season.

Chris Smalling: B

Chris Smalling only made a handful of first team appearances at Fulham before he was snapped up by United in January 2010, before finishing the season at Craven Cottage and joining his new club in July of the same year. At age 20 when he signed for the club, Smalling was viewed as very much one for the future, but injuries at various points to Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Wes Brown and Jonny Evans have seen the centre-back thrust into first team action, but for the most part, he has excelled, and looks a safe bet to be an England international for many years to come.

Bebe: D-

The last summer signing to arrive at Old Trafford and a gamble by all accounts, Bebe joined United just a few short weeks after initially having been bought by Vitoria de Guimaraes. The Portugal Under-21 international has found the net twice but has been considered largely out of his depth on the big stage, and his lack of first-team opportunities perhaps reflects this. It is too early to cast Bebe as a Fergie flop, but improvement is needed from the striker ahead of the 2011-12 season.

No marquee signings, but as United sit atop the Premier League table as we approach the final stages of the season, Red Devils fans can have few complaints regarding Ferguson’s transfer activity. Chicharito is a real gem and Smalling looks a sturdy purchase, while the jury is still out on Bebe and Lindegaard. Injuries in defence are starting to catch up with the squad and they may be short at the back, but United will still be confident of bringing a 19th title home come May, while a reported huge transfer kitty could become available in the summer.

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