MANCHESTER UNITED’S season ended empty-handed but it has moved in the right direction.
The Red Devils climbed 12 places since last term to finish third in the Premier League table and secure Champions League football.
Michael Carrick has pulled United in the right direction this season Credit: AFP
Captain Bruno Fernandes has been the star man again Credit: Getty
After some clever transfer business, a pair of early cup exits, and a messy managerial swap, United finally secured its return to Europe’s elite after a two-year absence.
With Michael Carrick agreeing to a new two-year deal, attention now turns to the transfer market, where United will need substantial summer backing to truly challenge next year.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh has rated the United players across another topsy-turvy season.
Senne Lammens – 8
United’s best signing since Bruno Fernandes arrived in 2020. Goalkeeper had been a glaring issue, but United finally have a safe pair of hands.
has exceeded expectations, kept eight clean sheets and adapted brilliantly to one of the most physical editions of the Premier League.
The 23-year-old has been dubbed the ‘unsung hero’ by his teammates and won the club’s community award. The poor kick out against Liverpool remains his only blemish.
Senne Lammens has been United’s signing of the season Credit: Getty
Andre Onana’s final disasterclass at Grimsby sealed his fate Credit: Reuters
Andre Onana – 0
Getting flashbacks to that Grimsby game. Onana’s final disasterclass sealed his fate and he was shipped out on loan to Trabzonspor straight after.
Started the season injured and returned for that ill-fated trip to League Two, where he conceded two cheap goals and 12 PENALTIES in the shootout.
Grimsby targeted the former Inter keeper and the home crowd jeered his every move. He wants to return to United, but they want him gone.
Altay Bayindir – 2
Never recovered from his clanger on the opening day defeat to .
United are now looking to offload him this summer with Besiktas showing interest.
United lot three of the six Prem games he started. Lammens was bought in to replace him and he’s not played since October.
Dalot divides United fans but managers always love him Credit: Alamy
Diogo Dalot – 6
Has played plenty of football, has been OK but hasn’t always impressed. Dalot is a name that divides United fans.
One goal and three assists is small profit but the 27-year-old has shown leadership and there must be reason several managers have loved him over the years.
Noussair Mazraoui – 4
Injuries and AFCON have reduced Mazraoui to the squad player, which was always expected to happen.
Just 20 appearances across the entirety of the campaign has left fans asking where the solid player from last season has been.
Harry Maguire’s season ended in agony after proving plenty of doubters wrong Credit: Alamy
Lisandro Martinez has had a stop-start year and a three-match ban for pulling Calvert-Lewin’s hair didn’t help Credit: EPA
Harry Maguire – 7
Eat dirt everyone, included. The mentality monster has grown into a key leader and was deservedly given a new contract in April.
United won just four of the 12 games he missed through thigh injury or suspension. Once the butt of the joke, he’s now got half the country up in arms over his World Cup snub.
Maguire scored the biggest goal of his club career to end United’s ten-year wait for victory at Anfield and returned from injury to underpin Carrick’s backline.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
The Butcher’s season has again been blighted by injuries and it’s difficult to blame him for that.
The 27-year-old started just 13 Prem games amid a calf injury in February.
But his three-match ban for tugging at ‘s hair, when Maguire was also suspended, caused a headache for Carrick.
Ayden Heaven – 6
Has been in and out of the side this season, but relative to where he is in his career, the 19-year-old can be proud of development across his first pro season.
Yes, Heaven was at the centre of certain goals United conceded against , Leeds and Burnley, but he stepped up during an injury crisis in April with mature performances in the wins over Chelsea and .
De Ligt started the season strongly but hasn’t played since November Credit: Getty
Leny Yoro endured a hot and cold season Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
De Ligt hasn’t played since the win over Crystal Palace on November 30 due to an ongoing back injury.
The Dutchman had started the season strongly, but ultimately was forced into surgery this month.
Leny Yoro – 5
Another hot and cold season for the young defender as he showed promising signs, but ultimately hasn’t done enough to earn a starting role.
Despite a promising start before being rotated by Ruben Amorim, the 20-year-old failed to live up to his high expectations this season.
Tyler Fredricson – 2
Expected to play a bigger role, the 21-year-old has played two minutes since the humbling against Grimsby in August. Looks set to leave this summer.
Luke Shaw – 7
Started in all 38 Prem games and performed well at centre back under Amorim and left back under Carrick.
While United’s lighter schedule has helped keep his legs fresh, Shaw got better as the season drew on.
Much like the situation with Maguire, supporters are left scratching their heads over his World Cup exclusion.
Luke Shaw has overcome his fitness troubles to start every Prem game this season Credit: Reuters
Patrick Dorgu has improved this season with a couple of stunning strikes Credit: Getty
Tyrell Malacia – 2
The full-back has been released after 15 minutes of Prem football. He will be relieved to start afresh.
Patrick Dorgu – 6
I was a huge doubter of Dorgu’s and the 21-year-old is still too raw to be starting major games next season, even though he did this year.
After a forgettable first four mouths, the Dane has stepped up since moving from wing-back to winger and has developed this term.
Two belters against Newcastle and Arsenal, and the clincher in the Manchester derby, helped turn the tide until a hamstring injury ruled him out for 92 days. Scored and assisted on the final day.
Casemiro – 8
“One more year, one more year” chanted the fans during the Brazil star’s lengthy farewell.
Nine goals is an impressive, career-best return for a 34-year-old. He was sometimes sluggish, but his defensive work in games saw out big victories.
Now an Old Trafford cult hero, he will be tough to replace after starting 33 of 34 possible games. But United will need fresh legs in midfield to handle next season’s more demanding schedule.
Kobbie Mainoo – 8
What a turnaround for the 20-year-old academy graduate who wanted out last summer.
Mainoo started his first Prem game of the season when Carrick replaced Amorim in January and by April signed a fresh five-year deal.
An exceptionally gifted player, he made up for lost time and worked hard to earn a spot in Tuchel’s World Cup team.
Casemiro has become a cult hero with an impressive final season Credit: Getty
Kobbie Mainoo has worked his way into the England squad Credit: Getty
Manuel Ugarte – 2
He should be the first name on United’s transfer list this summer; he simply isn’t good enough.
Started ten times and United have only won one. Carrick did not give him any minutes of the 3-0 final day win at Brighton.
Mason Mount – 5
The former star must be gutted with his 2025/26 season. Amorim loved Mount’s attitude and he was starting to show glimpses of his former self.
Mid-season fitness woes struck again. Fans desperately want to back Mount, but his £60m fee, £200k-a-week wages, and the lingering No. 7 curse are making it difficult.
Bruno Fernandes – 9
The only thing preventing a 10/10 was United not winning any trophies. Poor Fernandes, who lifted United back into the .
The Premier League player of the season finally earnt the plaudits he has deserved for years when he broke the all-time Prem record with his 21st assist of the season on the final day.
The club’s best player in the post Sir-Alex Ferguson era. He is both the team’s engine and the league’s top creator. Securing his signature on a new contract must be United’s top priority this summer.
Joshua Zirkzee – 3
I nearly left him off the list entirely. United need more than a cheerleader from the sidelines. Zirkzee has started just five Prem games and has scored two goals his term.
The team played worse whenever Zirkzee or Ugarte came on late in games.
United are open to a sell in the summer for the Dutchman who has been hurt by the club crashing out of the cups early.
Cunha has scored 10 goals this season as United’s No10 Credit: PA
Amad – 6
Was one of the few beneficiaries of Amorim’s stint, but the winger hasn’t really got going under Carrick so far and poor finishing amounted to two goals.
Next season could be a crucial one for the 23-year-old who needs to find his confidence again after his season was derailed by AFCON.
Matheus Cunha – 8
A strong debut season for the club. Ten goals in the Prem after a slow start shows how he has grown into ‘s old shirt.
The Brazilian peaked towards the end of the campaign and frequently popped up with some outstanding goals, earning United 11 points from the left-wing. His defensive work is a major upgrade on Rashford.
Bryan Mbeumo – 7
Like the other two signings, Mbeumo also reached double digits for United.
After a bullish start, the £71m signing went off the boil as the season dragged on and it ended up being a term of two-halves.
Benjamin Sesko – 7
Took some time to click into gear, but the 22-year-old has the makings of a prolific long-term United No9.
A return of 11 Premier League goals during a debut season has silenced his doubters.
His hold up play has been better than his predecessors and his attitude to coming off the bench as been top. Been injured for the final month.
Ruben Amorim – 2
Amorim’s choices grow more baffling by the day. Sidelining Mainoo, blindly forcing a 3-4-3 formation, and taking a brash tone with the media was a guaranteed recipe for disaster.
Still, plenty of Carrington sources point to his ability to rid the club of problem players, including , Antony and Jadon Sancho.
He brought the dressing room together and imposed standards for Carrick to walk into.
Michael Carrick – 8
Carrick has delivered on the club’s target to qualify for the . 12 wins from 17 games means the Geordie had the best form in the league since taking the reins.
Players follow his mandate of fighting for the badge and he earnt a two-year deal to become permanent head coach in May.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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