Finishing second in the Premier League and reaching the FA Cup final is what is expected of Manchester United: to constantly be challenging for trophies. To turn an average campaign into a good one, the Red Devils will need to win England’s famed cup competition.
It has been a turbulent season under José Mourinho during his second year in charge, with some players falling down the pecking order and set to be sold. There have also been a few surprises along the way, most notably Scott McTominay’s involvement.
Here are Manchester United’s player ratings for this season:
David de Gea
Once again, Manchester United’s Player of the Year. It seems ridiculous that the Spaniard is consistently winning this award, which says a lot about the other players in the squad, but he has been sensational yet again. De Gea won his first Golden Glove award since arriving in England and, at 27-years-old, is now entering his prime years.
9/10
Ashley Young
Young has been one of Mourinho’s favourites since the Portuguese boss took over two years ago, with the original left winger filling in at a variety of positions. Thanks to the Englishman’s versatility, he has been playing at either right or left back, and doing a competent job. Young is a steady player and has been a trusted lieutenant on the pitch.
7/10
Daley Blind
Thanks to a malleolar injury picked up in January, Blind has really only contributed to the first six months, in which he was rather uninspiring. There is a considerable amount of talk regarding the Dutchman’s future, with Ajax interested, and so it wouldn’t come as a surprise if Mourinho was to let the auxiliary left-back leave. Blind has not kicked on and looks vulnerable and exposed when faced against quick opposition.
3/10
Luke Shaw
It has been a tenuous year for Shaw, who appears to be in-and-out of favour with Mourinho with every passing week. It’s clear that the former England international is not going to live up to his talent at Manchester United, and so the club might feel it’s time to move him on. He’s had some good moments this season, but without consistent game time, there’s very little Shaw can prove to anyone.
2/10
Phil Jones
The former Blackburn centre-half has had a mixed year. Things were looking up for Jones for the first half of the season, until he had further hamstring issues that resulted in him missing the business end. Jones’s reliability is constantly questioned and he has failed to prove he can last the full season yet again. He might be one of United’s better defenders, but is not present when Manchester United need him the most.
5/10
Victor Lindelöf
It might have started out quite difficult for the Sweden international, but Lindelöf came through the second half of the season in a strong position. He might not have been blessed with chances from January onwards, but when he did play, Lindelöf was sure to have impressed Mourinho. The central defender has improved since first arriving and should be more prevalent next season.
5/10
Marcos Rojo
All in all, a disappointing season for Rojo, who only managed to record 11 appearances this season for the Red Devils. After various injury issues, it has been a shame not to see the Argentinean feature more regularly. Man United could have done with his determination and hard-nosed tackling in their defence, but he simply was not there.
3/10
Eric Bailly
Similar to his teammate Rojo, the Ivory Coast international has had a troubled year thanks to multiple injuries. Struggling to regain his fitness, Mourinho has opted for other defenders throughout the year and left Bailly on the bench. There is no doubt that Bailly is Manchester United’s best overall defender, but he must show the manager and the fans that he is a reliable squad member.
4/10
Chris Smalling
Some fans are displeased with the Englishman’s contributions this season, but Smalling has shown that he can last throughout the season, unlike some of his teammates. He might not be the most technically gifted or aerially astute, but Smalling has shown resilience throughout the season. Playing 45 times is commendable.
7/10
Antonio Valencia
The Ecuadorian has taken on captain duties this season and has been a prominent fixture in Mourinho’s United teams. Valencia has shown his ability to become one of the Premier League’s best right backs and is now one of the first names on the team sheet. He might be 32-years-old, but the former winger has shown his durability this season.
8/10
Matteo Darmian
Darmian’s career at Manchester United looks set to be all but over with the Red Devils alerting teams around Europe that he is for sale. The Italian has failed to replicate the form in the 2014 World Cup and has been awarded less and less game time as the seasons go on. The former Torino right back has failed to add anything of value to United’s team and will not be around next year.
2/10
Nemanja Matić
The engine of the team, Matić has had a gruelling year guarding Manchester United’s defence. The Serbia international’s first year with the Red Devils has been excellent and he has been worth every penny of the £40 million spent to acquire him from Chelsea. Having played 48 games this season, it was evident that fatigue did start to set in towards the end, but Matić has shown his prowess in that midfield.
8/10
Paul Pogba
While there are always going to be critics assessing Pogba’s every move, the Frenchman has shown his creative brilliance when allowed to move forward in an advanced position. It has not been plain sailing for Pogba, who has come to blows with Mourinho through the year, but Manchester United look a far better outfit with the midfielder in, than without.
7/10
Ander Herrera
The Spaniard really elevated his performances in the run in to the end of the season and is likely to be rewarded improved terms on his contract. Herrera is as snide as they come, but Mourinho’s United need more players like him. The former Bilbao midfielder truly understands what it means to play for the club and shows his fight, passion and determination in every match he plays. A few others can learn a thing or two from Herrera.
6/10
Scott McTominay
The breakthrough player of the year, McTominay has had a season to remember in his first for the senior squad. From playing for the reserves earlier in the campaign, to Champions League knockout matches against Sevilla, the Scotsman has been living the dream. The midfielder has a similar playing style to Darren Fletcher and is likely to only go from strength to strength - a valued addition this season.
6/10
Marouane Fellaini
There is no player in this current United squad that polarises opinion like Fellaini does. However, under Mourinho, the Belgium international has found himself featuring more frequently and been given added responsibility. The former Everton midfielder has gone through injury spells this season, but he has shown he can be an asset when the Red Devils are chasing a game. He is not a luxurious player, but he certainly can do a specific job.
5/10
Jesse Lingard
Lingard continues to surprise everyone and has turned into a very reliable and potent attacking midfielder. He might have started out on the wing, but the Englishman’s natural course takes him through the middle where he can cause havoc in-between the lines. 13 goals and seven assists this season show that he is one of the main creative outputs in this team.
8/10
Juan Mata
The Spaniard might have floated in and out of the team, but he has been more useful than not, especially in the matches where Manchester United have been under pressure. Mata, at 30-years-old, is still one of the more creative players in the team and can be of added value when played. He might find himself surplus to requirements at points during the campaign, but he is most definitely a player still worth hanging on to.
6/10
Anthony Martial
There has been plenty of speculation regarding Martial’s future in Manchester, but, for the most part, the Frenchman has offered a direct route that the Red Devils have been lacking. Mourinho has been, quite clearly, frustrated with Martial at times this season, but Martial is a player that lives off the intricate details and small spaces to swerve out of. He has had a testing year, but it’s clear to see the talent on show.
6/10
Marcus Rashford
Somewhat surprisingly, there have been many reports claiming Rashford is unhappy with his game time this season under Mourinho, which is slightly bemusing given he’s played over 2,600 minutes in 51 appearances. If anything, since last year, the England international’s form has dropped and he has not been as prolific in front fo goal. Having scored only 13 in all competitions, there is a reason why Mourinho has opted for other players in front of him.
6/10
Alexis Sánchez
Signed in the January transfer window, Sánchez has had a slow, but steady, start to life in Manchester. The Chilean is still adjusting to life at Old Trafford and fans will not see the best of him until next season, but there has been glimpses of what is in store. Sánchez’s movement, creativity and speed are real threats to the opposition and Manchester United will hope they can see those qualities on show week in, week out next year.
5/10
Romelu Lukaku
Signed for £75 million last summer from Everton, there were reservations over Lukaku’s arrival when coming to the Red Devils. However, 27 goals and nine assists in all competitions later, the Belgian has proven his worth and will look to kick on next season. The centre forward has been one of Mourinho’s most consistent performers, which is why he has played over 4,000 minutes. There is a race against time for fitness as the FA Cup final approaches, with United fans and Mourinho will be praying that he makes the cut.
9/10
