Manchester United’s Squad Rating For 2019/20 Season

Manchester United certainly had a tumultuous first full season under Ole Gunnar Solskjær.

Despite several low points early on, the club did clinch a third-place finish in the Premier League although their luck in every other competition was poor. Semi-final losses in the EFL Cup, FA Cup, and the Europa League meant that the side went trophyless for three seasons in a row for the first time since 1989.

Here’s how their players fared in the campaign that saw two halves of performances.

David De Gea – 6.0

Many can argue that the Spaniard was the worst player in United’s roster by merit of his high-profile fumbles. However, it cannot be denied that his cleansheets in the Premier League did contribute significantly to the high tally maintained across Europe’s top-five leagues.

Sergio Romero – 8.0

Outstanding when asked to do the job and will be still considered the option that Solskjær ought to have gone for in the FA Cup and Europa League semi-finals. What does the future hold for him from next season?

Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 8.5

His first full season with the side has made him an exceptional addition with the sizable pricetag justified. Will have to work better on his offensive contributions in order to fully become the player that United need.

Harry Maguire – 7.5

The latest captain had a record-breaking season at the side, with the world’s most expensive defender slotting in for every single Premier League minute. Needs to be more composed more often at the back and making his head the source of regular goals will be expected of him from the next campaign.

Victor Lindelof – 7.0

Steady partner for Maguire although his gaffes have been plenty still. Needs to work a lot harder to justify not being replaced from the next campaign.

Eric Bailly – 5.9

Injury-marred yet again although there were a lot of positives in the games when he did show up and make an impact. Doubtful for a constant place though.

Luke Shaw – 7.5

The season where he finally showed up and was able to muster a semblance of regular brilliance, as displayed in his contributions to the enviable unbeaten run towards the end. More of the same please, with fitness in tow.

Brandon Williams – 7.5

The academy graduate who was able to muster a regular spot, Williams will be itching for more football in the seasons to come. Thoroughly impressive.

Nemanja Matic – 7.8

Crucial tactical cog, especially towards the end of the season. The fact that he doesn’t have many more years and active vitality left in him will be lamented by fans

Scott McTominay – 7.5

Very reliable, particularly in the first-half of the campaign up until lockdown went into place. Arguably was United’s best player in that period with his workrate.  Will need to fight for his spot and replace Matic in the long term.

Fred – 7.0

Made himself nearly impossible to drop from the starting lineup in the first-half of the campaign, but was hit with bad luck upon Paul Pogba’s return to fitness. His hard work wasn’t in vain though and the Brazilian is likely to give Solskjær a selection dilemma.

Paul Pogba – 7.0

Injury didn’t end his season as was feared and his return displayed to the Red Devils precisely what was missing. The absence of goals and creative input needs to be amended though, especially given the precedent set by the numbers in the 2018/19 campaign.

Bruno Fernandes – 9.0

It is not often that a player purchased in the winter window can make a serious claim to the title of best player and yet Fernandes achieves just that. With 20 goal contributions and an infectiously catalytic attitude on the pitch, the Portuguese midfielder will be the one that fans will be most looking forward to in the campaigns ahead.

Juan Mata – 6.5

The experienced Spaniard did have his outings and moments but the writing is clearly on the wall. Will he stick around until the end of his contract?

Mason Greenwood – 8.5

There is little that the 18-year-old did wrong this season and his goal-scoring numbers are on-par with the likes of Wayne Rooney and George Best at his age. The future is his for the taking.

Daniel James – 7.5

Very promising first season for the pacey Welshman who despite his excellent start to life seemed to just wither away into the roster. Needs to work a lot harder for gametime irrespective of whether or not Jadon Sancho is signed in the summer.

Jesse Lingard – 6.0

His poor displays in the first half of the campaign oft had supporters frustrated. However, there was a slight renaissance in his odd goals towards the end but it wasn’t in any way redeemable. An exit may be merciful.

Andreas Pereira – 6.0

Akin to Lingard, Pereira did little to be the attacking midfielder that the side desperately needed prior to Fernandes’ acquisition. His future appears hazy too.

Anthony Martial – 9.0

Best season yet from the Frenchman and all the numbers and passionate displays point to a world-class player. Martial will need to now deliver the consistency that is expected of him going forward and the goals need to come with the same ease and attitude.

Odion Ighalo – 6.8

Promising winter signing and a player who clearly loves the badge. While the goals were there occasionally, he needs to stamp himself as a more reliable substitute in the future if the most has to be made of his time until January.

Marcus Rashford – 9.0

Another player whose numbers do all the talking. Up until his injuries, there was no telling how many more goals he would have notched for the outfit and now he will have to remain fit and remain brilliant for his boyhood club, with that left-wing spot secured for a while.

 

Who do you think was Manchester United’s best player this campaign?

The Norwegian gaffer did give a host of academy graduates their cameos too this season and supporters will be hoping for that trend to continue in the years ahead. Likewise, the players cleared in the winter window is another move that ought to be aped to bring balance and vitality to the roster.