Four up for November poll

There are four contenders for ManUtd.com's Player of the Month award - all of them with a nod to United's defensive strength in November.

Naturally, after a month when the champions conceded only five times, there's plenty of representation from the rearguard. Similarly, the attacking stats - only eight goals in six games - explain why some perennial poll favourites are absent this time around.

Here's our shortlist - please have a read before casting your vote at manutd.com/polls:

Michael Carrick: A protective screen in front of the defence who makes so many vital interceptions and starts moves from his midfield role. Clearly under-valued by many, his outstanding European form has been translated onto the domestic stage this term and the side looks a lot more secure with him in it. Impressed in all three of his starts in November and he also made a late substitute appearance against Sunderland.

David De Gea: It's remarkable that the young goalkeeper has settled so quickly at Old Trafford. The Spaniard is in the frame for the award for a third successive month after keeping clean sheets against Otelul Galati and Swansea. He could not be blamed for any of the three goals he conceded and a world-class save from Newcastle United's Fabricio Coloccini was an obvious highlight.

Rio Ferdinand: When the manager explained how the England defender needs to adapt his game, some in the press took it as a cue to write him off. Making a mockery of such rash judgments, Ferdinand has been at his brilliant best recently, producing some assured, top-class performances. He was very unlucky when the ball bounced off him for Pablo