A third of the way into the season and Manchester United are still in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
United have lost five of their 11 league fixtures but Ruud van Nistelrooy’s uplifting four-match stint as caretaker manager has ensured new head coach Ruben Amorim will inherit a more buoyant squad.…CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.>>
Despite United’s 13th-place status, they have a League Cup quarter-final next month, have four games to secure automatic qualification for the Europa League round-of-16 and will start their defence of the FA Cup in January.
Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro regained form under Van Nistelrooy while Alejandro Garnacho tallied two more goals under the Dutchman. Here are how the United players have rated this season so far:
Andre Onana
One of a handful of performers who has had a respectable season. Made some world-class saves (Crystal Palace and Fenerbahce) and important stops (Southampton and Porto). 7
Diogo Dalot
After a reasonable 2023-24, Dalot is in a rut. He has played often enough at left back to do better there yet he is underperforming on both sides. Overplayed due to the two crocks at left back. 4
Noussair Mazraoui
The best of the summer signings so far. Solid defensively and starting to become more involved in the final third. Crucially, he has been available for every game. 7
Matthijs de Ligt
Had some forgettable days and he fails to take command too often but showed resilience at Southampton and started to look more settled of late. 6
Lisandro Martinez
Seldom performed and was dropped for the first time in his United career at Aston Villa. His usually brilliant line-breaking passing has deserted him, too. 5
Jonny Evans
Ten appearances is very good going for a stalwart who turns 37 in January. United have not lost any of the games Evans has started in and he was superb in the dreary draw with Villa. 7
Evans was man of the match at Villa Park
Evans was man of the match at Villa Park
Harry Maguire
Missed the entire bank of games between the October and November internationals due to injury. Lost his place after the second league match but equalised in Porto. 5
Victor Lindelof
Belatedly back in the fold after missing the first two months through injury. Only started a few matches in what has to be his final campaign. 5
Kobbie Mainoo
Weary in the first weeks of the season before he suffered a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined for seven weeks. He needed a breather. 5
Casemiro
The first half against Liverpool was a career nadir and he has creditably rallied with some committed performances. Unsurprisingly perked up after Ten Hag was sacked. 6
Manuel Ugarte
Leicester was his only accomplished performance as a league starter. Showed why United bought him at Fenerbahce and will return to a coach who trusts him. 6
Ugarte has started to steadily improve
Ugarte has started to steadily improve
Christian Eriksen
Already started nine games when it looked like he would struggle to start that many back in July. Scored some lovely goals and made United more of a threat at set pieces. 7
Bruno Fernandes
Football’s most durable player’s wretched start ended after he missed a match (through suspension) and had a few days off. Among the goals under Van Nistelrooy. 5
Amad
A decent start to the season ended with Ten Hag’s contradictory rotation. Provided two of the standout individual performances against Southampton and PAOK. 7
Alejandro Garnacho
United’s top scorer never goes into hiding. Arrested a brief slump in form with a goal of the month contender against Leicester. His trajectory continues to be an upward curve. 7
Garnacho has been United’s best player this season
Garnacho has been United’s best player this season.
Marcus Rashford
When he was underperforming, Ten Hag kept him in. When he was performing, Ten Hag substituted him at half-time. His season ‘high’ against Porto is remembered more for that infamous interval withdrawal. Eight games without a goal. 4
Joshua Zirkzee
Netted the winner on his debut but already looks a lost cause. Too cumbersome, too lethargic and too impotent to be a striker for United and figures at the club know it. 2
Rasmus Hojlund
Two goals in 11 appearances marks a startling start to his second season at the club. Unlike last term, Hojlund is struggling to get chances and his lack of presence is a problem. 4
Marks are assigned individually and players must have started five matches to earn a rating…CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING.>>
