Here at Stretford End it’s time to review how each Manchester United player fared during the 2018-19 season. Over the course of the season, some players performed better than others. But undoubtedly, a few were more consistent. And it’s time to take a look at an individual analysis for each and every single player that saw regular (or semi-regular) action within the first team during the current term.
We began the series taking a look at David De Gea and we also checked on Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones. Now it’s time to analyse another member of our defence in Marcos Rojo.
What do the numbers say?
Marcos Rojo’s season needs to be analysed different than most players at the club. He began the season injured and did not make his debut until November 22 in the UEFA Champions League against FC Basel. The 28-year-old defender can operate as centre-back or left-back, but this year he was deployed exclusively at the centre of the back four. All things considered, the Argentina international only featured 12 times for The Red Devils this season.
Out of those 12 appearances, nine came in the Premier League and eight were as a starter, logging a grand total of 642 EPL minutes. He was booked six times, did not score, and did not register an assist either.
Was he an important player for the club?
Rojo had a semi-important role for the club this past season. Given he fact the spent most of the first half of the season injured, he wasn’t able to do much until he was 100% fit to play regularly. That did not happen until December. But when he was beginning to hold down a regular role, Rojo got injured again. Rojo did not play a single minute between February 19 to March 22 due to a muscular problem. He appeared in two of the team’s three final matches. But it was too late to imagine him as a starter at that point.
When you play less than 25% of the league matches, you simply can’t hold down an important role within the club. Sure, he is a decent defender. But he was way down the pecking order compared to his teammates.
Projection for the 2018-19 season
It is hard to imagine what kind of role will Marcos Rojo have next season. On one hand, there is a high chance he gets shipped elsewhere in an effort to improve the team’s depth. But he knows the team’s culture and could be a decent addition for the upcoming 2018-19 campaign as long as he is 100% fit. He is a talented defender whose versatility can be a decent asset going forward.
But for that to happen, he needs to stay on the pitch on a consistent basis. Otherwise, his injury problems could make him leave the club sooner than later.
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