How have Manchester United’s players rated so far this season?
In preparation for the long-awaited return the Premier League, here’s an overview of Man United’s season so far and where they find themselves when play resumes.
The resumption of the footballing season is just around the corner. Some big sacrifices and changes have had to be made – but the Premier League is set for a comeback.
Much of the talk leading up to 17 June has revolved Liverpool’s seemingly imminent title win – but what lies ahead for Manchester United?
Ole’s men have managed only 12 wins from 29 matches this season, with 8 losses – but things were beginning to look a little brighter before the season was halted.
In March, the Reds found themselves unbeaten in ten matches in all competitions and just three points off the top four.
Should the knock-out competitions be resumed as planned, the Manchester side will find themselves in contention for the FA Cup and the Europa League.
As the big date looms closer, this is the ideal time to look back at Man United’s season so far – and where they find themselves once play resumes.
Goalkeepers
David De Gea: De Gea has conceded 33 times in 32 appearances in all competitions. He’s managed 10 clean sheets, most of which have come in the latter half of the season. Still, despite the upturn in performances, we have seldom seen the Spaniard at his best this season. (6/10)
Sergio Romero: United’s second choice goalkeeper doesn’t get a look in when it comes to the league, but he has rarely put a foot wrong in the cup competitions this season. In his 14 appearances this season, he’s conceded only three goals and managed 11 clean sheets. (8/10)
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Defenders
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: Questions have been asked about the 22-year-old’s attacking abilities but there is no doubt that defensively he has been excellent, particularly in 1v1 situations. A strong debut season so far. (7.5/10)
Brandon Williams: While his inexperience is evident at times, Williams has certainly proved himself to have great potential after providing a strong challenge to Shaw throughout the season. Not bad for a 19-year-old. (6.5/10)
Diogo Dalot: The Portuguese defender has only played only few games due to injury and has had very little impact on the team. (3/10)
Eric Bailly: Bailly has only managed five appearances this season due to ongoing injury problems. He did however put in a standout performance at Stamford Bridge during a crucial game for the Reds. (5/10)
Harry Maguire: There is clear confidence at the club in the English international’s abilities; naming him captain in his first season at the club. While his performances haven’t always been up to scratch, there have been obvious improvements during the back half of the season. (7.5/10)
Luke Shaw: The introduction of Brandon Williams is the best thing that’s happened to Shaw this season; he’s put in some great performances in the back half of the season. (6.5/10)
Marcos Rojo: Rojo is currently on loan at Estudiantes after just nine appearances this season; it seems as though his time at Old Trafford may soon be coming to an end. (3/10)
Phil Jones: The English defender has been on a downward spiral for some time now. He has just eight appearances this season and one of few positive contributions came from a headed goal against Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup. (3/10)
Victor Lindelof: Very unconvincing at times, but has improved with the rest of the defensive line-up as the season has progressed. (6/10)
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Midfielders
Andreas Pereira: Inconsistent at best, completely absent at worst. He may have made 37 appearances this season but he’s only managed 2 goals and 4 assists. It’s clear that Pereira isn’t up to it. (3.5/10)
Bruno Fernandes: The newest addition to the team has only featured in blank games but his arrival was definitely a turning point in United’s season. He’s been the standout player in almost every game he’s featured, whether that will continue when football returns remains to be seen, however. (8.5/10)
Fred: After a lot of criticism and uncertainty about his place in United’s team, Fred has had an impressive season after a consistent position in the starting line-up. A shout for POTY for many United fans. (8/10)
Jesse Lingard: A disappointing season to say the least and probably his last at Old Trafford. (3/10)
Juan Mata: Proven to be a decent squad player but nothing more. (5.5/10)
Nemanja Matic: Matic was out of favour at the start of the season but he has proven suddenly became a vital player to the team in the back half of the season. (6/10)
Paul Pogba: Hindered by injury problems for most of the season, the Frenchman has only featured in 8 games and wasn’t always convincing. Certainly not his season. (4/10)
Scott McTominay: He was one of the standout performers during the first half of the season and his knee injury was a massive blow to the midfield. He seems to have picked up right where he left off since returning to the team. (7/10)
Anthony Martial: The Frenchman has been under scrutiny this season but he has no doubt been a key element in the attacking line-up with 16 goals and some important strikes against City and Chelsea. (7.5/10)
Daniel James: The Welshman got off to a strong start but has wilted slightly as the season has progressed. He’s managed four goals and seven assists in all competitions but he has definitely shown promise. (6.5/10)
Marcus Rashford: United’s star man this season until a back injury in January put Rashford out of action for the foreseeable future. He has still managed to score 19 times in 31 appearances in all competitions and has been a standout performer for the Reds. (9/10)
Mason Greenwood: It’s clear that the 18-year-old has natural ability in front of goal and that he has a bright future ahead of him. His record of 12 goals in 36 appearances is excellent. (7.5/10)
Odion Ighalo: Many were mocking United’s decision to sign the Nigerian forward in January but Ighalo has proven himself to be a decent squad player. Fans were largely pleased to hear his contract had been extended to January (6.5/10)
Sport
Benjamin Šeško quote resurfaces as Manchester United switch sole focus to pursuit of Slovenia star
Danny Jones
Slovenia striker Benjamin Šeško is now considered the primary transfer target for Manchester United for this summer window, as per multiple reports, and with the links only growing stronger as a quote relating to him and former RB Salzburg forward Erling Haaland has cropped back up.
Now on the books at the franchise club’s German counterpart in Leipzig, Šeško is one of the most highly sought-after talents in Europe at present, showing not only huge potential and a unique profile but already some impressive returns when it comes to goal contributions.
Although Haaland is ahead in terms of numbers, they do bear some resemblance in terms of height, physicality and speed for their size, and while they barely came across each other in the Red Bull setup – Šeško being loaned out to fellow Austrian side Liefering – they have drawn plenty of comparisons.
In fact, according to the 22-year-old himself, some feel he might just be “better” than the Norwegian phenomenon. At least that’s what some teammates and former colleagues are claimed to have said.
The retired defensive midfielder elaborated that Šeško was arguably the more natural all-round athlete, detailing that he has always been “smooth with the ball, very good technique, good finishing, and he jumps so high; very, very good with the head – it’s unbelievable.”
Aufhauser went on to add, however: “Erling was mentally a monster and better at the same age. This is the last five, 10 per cent that Benji has to get.”
It was also noted that while the emerging prospect may have just edged out the now fully-fledged Manchester City superstar in some departments at an early age, the big number nine always managed to find the back of the net more often.
He’s certainly kept that up in the years since then…
A 2022 quote from Šeško is all well and good, but Haaland has proved plenty of paper in just a few short years at the Etihad.
It’s also worth noting that the two attackers are not just pretty equally quick in a straight line, but both as tall as each other, clocking in at exactly 6ft 4in, with the Man City man barely three years his senior.
On the other hand, Šeško is known for keeping up multiple sports besides just football (basketball, in particular),
Besides their position, he told Amazon Prime Video Sport that he believes there is a lot of value not just in being sized up against the likes of Haaland but in trying to take cues from other pros in training, having also named a previous Red Devil himself as a key role model: one Zlatan Ibrahimović.
Most of this talk probably sounds all well and good to most United fans, but another key stumbling block in terms of a move for the budding young goalscorer is RB Leipzig’s supposed asking price, as the Bundesliga outfit is said to value him in the region of £70m.
Nevertheless, The Athletic now writes that INEOS and head coach Ruben Amorim are now solely focused on trying to sign Šeško, having previously narrowed it down to him and Premier League-proven Ollie Watkins.
Even if they get it done, the question is, will the confident forward suit English football as much as Watkins or dare we say Haaland – and furthermore, if they do, what might this mean for Manchester United’s current centre forwards?
Ruben Amorim and Rasmus Højlund both make stances clear on forward’s future at Man United
Danny Jones
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim and striker Rasmus Højlund have both made their stances clear when it comes to the forward’s future, with question marks looming over whether or not he will stay at the club this season.
The Danish international opened the scoring in the Red Devils’ third pre-season fixture on their current US tour as they went on to beat Bournemouth 4-1 in their Premier League Summer Series clash.
Adding a glancing nod on the end of the man of the match, Patrick Dorgu’s cross, Højlund headed home the first, but also impressed with some key link-up play in transition, with Amorim arguing that Man United “are playing better because he’s playing better”, despite lingering links with a move away.
Speaking to various media outlets after the full-time whistle, the number nine made his feelings on the somewhat uncertain situation “very clear”, assuring that he wants to remain at Old Trafford and “fight for [his spot] whatever happens.”
Reiterating that he just wants to “keep working hard” and “stay focused” on the job at hand, the ex-Atalanta marksman admitted that the pressure of being the main and sometimes only goal threat when arriving at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.
Speaking to the BBC’s Simon Stone, he said he “could have done with some help in terms of sharing the games a bit, especially in the beginning”, but went on to reinforce that he is more willing than ever to get stuck in, insisting: “Competition is fine with me, it sharpens me. I’m more than ready.”
The centre-forward, who is still just 22, also believes he’s still learning plenty about how to improve his game, adding, “I think you can see it in my game. I’m starting to develop and become even better in the basics” – something his manager also commented on in his own post-match duties.
Amorim, who is now eight months into the rather big job, told club media in the press conference following the promising victory over the Cherries that he was impressed with both his many others overall play compared to the previous campaign already.
Most importantly for the youngster, as well, although the Portuguese head coach wouldn’t be drawn into question regarding whether Højlund will stay at United or be sold to potentially fund a move for a new striker, he made it plain that he’s more than happy keeping him in his squad.
"I'm really happy with Rasmus, I don't know what is going to happen until the market is closed"
Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim was asked about the future of Rasmus Hojlund if the club bring in a new striker 🔴 pic.twitter.com/C9yLaepGU7
“For me, it’s more than a goal,” said the 40-year-old. “For him, it’s more important the goal, and for the fans maybe […] we need goals, but the way he’s linking the play in this moment, the way he’s fighting for the balls”, paying extra compliment to how he helped “connect” and “support” from midfield to attack.
Elsewhere, INEOS are reportedly looking to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch, having reportedly honed their sights on either one of two main targets, both of whom could potentially lead the line ahead of Ramus and Joshua Zirkzee while the Dane continues to mature.
In fact, Højlund himself was keen to remind his critics that he’s “still very young”, stating: “People forget that sometimes. “I’m only 22. Not every striker scores 100 goals by that age.
You can hear what Amorim, Dorgu and others made of their outing in Chicago HERE and watch the full highlights down below.
Do you think Højlund should/will stay at Manchester United?
Kate Jackson -
15th June 2020 
