United have had a disastrous domestic season
United have had a disastrous domestic season
Manchester United are out of both cup competitions, 13th in the Premier League and were billed as "maybe the worst team in our club's history" by their manager two months ago.
And yet this season could end on a successful note if United win the Europa League and re-enter the Champions League. They are arguably the best-equipped team to do so of the quarter-finalists and key players are expected back from injury next month.
United have only lost three of their 17 matches this calendar year while they have a number of players in decent form behind the totemic Bruno Fernandes.
For the ratings, players must have started at least five games, so there are no marks for Luke Shaw, Toby Collyer and Antony.
Here are how the players rate so far this season:
Andre Onana
Had a quietly good first few months but his season took a turn for the worse at Arsenal in December and he has made high-profile errors against Nottingham Forest, Wolves and Brighton. Made vital saves at Porto and Real Sociedad. 5
Altay Bayindir
Fortunate to play for United again after the fiasco at Tottenham but he was the hero of the spirited FA Cup triumph at Arsenal, saving penalties in the 90 minutes and the shootout. Injury denied him more starts in the cup. 5
Diogo Dalot
Always available but has struggled to reach the heights of his first few months under Erik ten Hag. Does not offer enough in attack when he is now doubling as a winger. 4
Noussair Mazraoui
Like Dalot, his availability is one of the best in the squad yet he does not offer enough in attack. Still, for a debut season in a poor United side, Mazraoui has been one of the few consistent performers. 7
Mazraoui has had a key role under all three United managers this season
Matthijs de Ligt
Had his best run of form of late after an unsteady first six months in the side. Looks more assured in the Europa League than the Premier League. 5
Harry Maguire
Emerged as a captain without the armband. Maguire has chipped in with three key goals but he has had two lengthy injury lay-offs, too. 6
Lisandro Martinez
The new year seemed to signal a new start for Martinez until he sustained another long-term injury. Was in good form when he was carried off against Crystal Palace. 5
Leny Yoro
His first appearance for United was delayed by four months due to a metatarsal injury. Had an awful night against Southampton but has largely not disgraced himself in a season of acclimatisation. 5
Yoro scored one of the penalties in the shootout win against Arsenal
Victor Lindelof
Beset by injury again this season and only managed six starts. Could get more playing time amid recent defensive injuries but will be released in the summer. 4
Jonny Evans
Not started in four months and not played in more than three months due to injuries. Was man of the match in the goalless draw with Aston Villa. Should probably have bowed out with the high of winning the FA Cup. 4
Patrick Dorgu
Had an eventful six starts. Harshly hooked at half-time on his debut and sent off against Ipswich but consistent against Everton and decisive against Real Sociedad. 6
Tyrell Malacia
Just about qualifies for a mark. Malacia returned from a 550-day absence but was substituted at half-time in four out of his five starts. Bizarrely saved his best for two games against Arsenal. 3
Malacia is unlikely to play for United again
Mason Mount
Three of Mount's six starts this season were in August. He showed promise in the third at Brighton but then went off at half-time. Had an impact off the bench against Viktoria Plzen. 3
Christian Eriksen
Had a purple patch in the autumn with some neat goals and he was vital off the bench in the comeback win against Southampton but Eriksen's season has mirrored his second. Ruben Amorim's style only suits him in Europe. 4
Casemiro
Had maybe the worst half of his career against Liverpool in September and did not play for a month after the 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle. Casemiro has had an uplifting March that suggests he could salvage his season. 4
Kobbie Mainoo
Missed four months of the season through two separate injuries. Performed against City in December and Liverpool in January and excelled as a playmaker against FCSB. Often looked fatigued after a taxing 2023-24. 4
Mainoo: succumbed to second-season syndrome
Manuel Ugarte
Ten Hag did not care for him but Ruud van Nistelrooy did and Ruben Amorim does. Tailed off before injury earlier this month but has been a respectable recruit so far. 6
Bruno Fernandes
A third red card in as many months at Wolves on Boxing Day was the making of Fernandes this season. Since the turn of the year, he has been a one-man band and will be keeping the Sir Matt Busby trophy. 8
Joshua Zirkzee
Showed laudable character to recover from his 33rd-minute removal against Newcastle in December. Not the player United needed but has found a role in Amorim's system and has merit as one of the two 10s for the run-in. 5
Rasmus Hojlund
Eight goals is a meagre figure for a striker who had a reasonably good first season for United. Seldom looked up to it until the home leg with Real Sociedad, which has to mark a turning point. 4
Hojlund has struggled this season (Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Alejandro Garnacho
Had a bright start to the season but was then disciplined by Amorim and omitted from the Manchester derby squad. Has since knuckled down and performed encouragingly, despite a 24-game goal drought. 6
Amad
Amad was the one-man band until he sustained an ankle injury in early February. He was United's player of the season until then and fully deserving of a long-term contract. 8
Marcus Rashford
Got seven goals in 24 games before he crossed a United manager once too often. Bar an enterprising half at Porto that was bizarrely ended prematurely by Ten Hag, Rashford never looked like regaining the form of his career-best 2022-23. 2