Manchester United Official Yearbook: A Review of the 2022/23 Season

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

Official Manchester United Yearbook 2022/23

Editor Charlie Ghagan

Sub-editor Johnny Sharp

Art editor Anthony Moore

Cover design Michael Webb

Contributors Nick Akerman, Ben Ashby, Steve Bartram, Matt Brown, Sam Carney, Paul Davies, Harriet Drudge, Joe Ganley, Courtney Hill, Matt Holt, Joshua Kerr, Adam Marshall, Ian McLeish, Charlie Mulholland, Sean Mullan, Joe Nelson, Mikey Partington, Harry Robinson, Jamie Spencer, Helen Rowe-Willcocks

Thanks to Steve Bennett, Cliff Butler, Colin Carter, Elayna Currie, Matt Johnson, Michael Leneghan, Rebecca Mee, Hannah Mitchell, Claire Mulroy, Clare Nicholas, Ian Nolan, Joshua Oakes, Jen Smith, Andrew Ward, Cameron Watters

Thanks also to all the clubs who kindly granted permission in allowing their official crests to be used in this publication.

Photography

Ash Donelon, John Peters, Matt Peters/Manchester United FC, Getty Images, Alamy

First published in 2023.

Copyright © Manchester United 2023

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner and the publishers.

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB

HONOURS AND TROPHIES

FIFA Club World Cup 2008

Inter-Continental Cup 1999

European Cup/UEFA Champions League 1968, 1999, 2008

European Cup Winners’ Cup 1991

UEFA Europa League 2017

Premier League 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013

Football League Division One 1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965, 1967

Football League Division Two 1936, 1975

FA Challenge Cup 1909, 1948, 1963, 1977, 1983, 1985, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004, 2016

Football League Cup 1992, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2017, 2023

UEFA Super Cup 1991

FA Charity/Community Shield 1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1983, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016; Joint holders 1965, 1967, 1977, 1990

Women’s Championship 2019

FA Youth Cup 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1964, 1992, 1995, 2003, 2011, 2022

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB LTD

Co-chairmen Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer

Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Richard Arnold, Michael Edelson, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE

Secretary Rebecca Britain

Honorary president Martin Edwards

CONTACTS

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Website ManUtd.com

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JOHN MURTOUGH

The club’s Football Director salutes the recent progress, and he’s optimistic for what lies ahead...

As we look back on 2022/23 and ahead to the new campaign, we are entitled to feel a sense of satisfaction about progress made, and optimism for the future.

On the men’s side, it was a marathon season, punctuated by the World Cup in December, and intensified by our achievement in reaching two domestic cup finals and the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League. All-in-all, we played 62 games, making it one of the busiest in the history of the club.

Finishing third in the Premier League will never be something we celebrate at Manchester United but, considering where we were a year ago, we can all be satisfied with the big strides forward. Qualifying for the Champions League was an important objective because this club needs to be performing on the biggest stages, and it should not be under-estimated what an achievement it was given the competitiveness of the league. Ultimately, however, the main measure of success in football is

trophies, so we were delighted to win our first piece of silverware for six years with victory over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final. Unfortunately, we were not able to add another in the FA Cup final, but I have no doubt that the bitter disappointment of that day will act as a motivation for the players as they seek to take the team to the next level this season and beyond.

Credit for last season’s achievements goes to all of the players and staff, and particularly to Erik ten Hag, who has done so much to raise standards and transform the culture around the team. We are delighted but not surprised by the progress made in Erik’s first year and can’t wait to support the push for more this season.

It is a similar story on the women’s side, with Marc Skinner and his team finishing an outstanding second in the Women’s Super League, having taken the title race to the last day of the season, and reaching their first FA Cup final. Qualifying for the

Champions League for the first time was another breakthrough which promises new experiences and excitement in the season ahead. I know that Marc and the players will not be satisfied until we have a first major women’s trophy in our hands, but they deserve huge praise for getting us to a position where that objective feels achievable.

As always, our aim for both the men’s and women’s teams is to win games and compete for trophies playing attacking, entertaining football with a blend of world-class recruits and the best homegrown talent. That’s why our Academy remains so integral to our strategy and it was great to see Kobbie Mainoo make his first-team debut in January, and a number of players within the women’s Academy sign their first professional contracts.

Successful teams require the support of great staff and facilities and we are lucky to have both at Carrington. Over £7m is being invested this summer in new buildings for the women’s team and Academy, adding to significant improvements made last summer to the first-team building. This programme of rolling upgrades will continue in parallel with planning work for long-term redevelopment – both with the objective of keeping our training facilities among the best in football.

Finally, I want to thank you, the fans, on behalf of everyone at the club, for your fantastic support, and renewed commitment going into 2023/24. We sold record numbers of tickets last season for both men’s and women’s games, reflecting the rising levels of excitement and optimism surrounding both teams. Our players are inspired by your passion, so, please, let’s rally around them as they push to make this another season of progress and achievement.

We sold record numbers of tickets last season, and our players are inspired by your passion

MANAGER’S NOTES ERIK TEN HAG

Whenever I am asked to write this kind of column, my preference is to look forward. What is the next game, the next season, the next objective? And that is where I want to put most of the focus today.

However, I also understand the desire to reflect on our first season together. So, let’s briefly look back and say we can be pleased with what we achieved last season. Everyone knows how tough and competitive the Premier League is, with so many strong teams capable of beating each other. Therefore to finish third and qualify for the Champions League is a big achievement, particularly considering the poor start we made.

Of course, the highlight was the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, when we beat Newcastle United 2-0 to get our first experience of lifting a trophy together. I did not think we played at our best that day, but winning a cup is always the result of a lot of hard work through the rounds and then having the composure to get across the line in the final, and we did that.

However, we also have to be honest with ourselves and say there were several big disappointments during the season, when our standards fell a long way short

of what is required to be successful at Manchester United. There is no point listing them but we can all remember the away games in the Premier League and the Europa League where we let ourselves and our fans down.

The FA Cup final was different in that I felt we gave a good account of

ourselves against an exceptionally strong opponent. However, we allowed them to score their goals too easily and ultimately we did not have enough quality to win. The only good thing about these bad moments is the lessons that can be learned from them. Recognising the reasons for defeats can show us

A year into his tenure, the boss has been pleased with what he’s seen from his Reds – but now he wants to give you fans even more to cheer about...

“We know the sacrifices our matchgoing fans make to follow the team, and how important the club is to so many people around the world”

what we need to do better in future. Remembering the pain of defeat can give extra motivation to be successful next time. So, as we head into the 2023/24 season, we can be pleased that we have come a long way in the past year, with a stronger squad, a stronger team spirit, a stronger relationship with our fans, and a clear vision for how we want to play football.

Our wins last season against Barcelona, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and others showed that, at our best, we can beat any team on the planet. The challenge for the coming season is to reach that level more consistently.

My main message is that we still have further to go before we are at the standards I expect of my

team, and getting there will involve more hard work, sacrifice, discipline, commitment and concentration.

These are the characteristics I want to see even more of this season, as well as the high technical quality which is a basic requirement for any Manchester United player. We also want to see desire – desire

to play for this club, and desire to succeed once here. That’s what I liked about the players who joined us last season – all winning personalities looking for a new challenge and a big stage.

We are looking to add more of these kind of players this summer, starting with Mason Mount, who brings further valuable experience of what it takes to win major trophies.

If we can continue to strengthen the squad in this way then I believe we have a good chance of making more progress this season. But we must all understand – players, staff, directors and fans – how hard it is to deliver success at the top levels of European football. It is an unforgiving environment with zero room for complacency. Only by

“We have a stronger squad, a stronger team spirit, a stronger relationship with our fans, and a clear vision for how we want to play”

sticking together, and following our principles and plans, will we have a chance.

I make no apology for the fact that these are tough messages because this is a tough sport. But we should never forget that football is also supposed to be fun, and I can promise you we will do our best to keep you entertained this season in the best traditions of Manchester United.

We know the sacrifices that our matchgoing fans make to follow the team home and away, and how important the club is to so many people’s lives around the world. So I want to close by saying, on behalf of myself, my staff and all the players, thank you for your loyal support and enjoy the new season!

MATCH REPORTS

With 62 fixtures played across four competitions, it was a long campaign as Erik ten Hag’s side battled hard from August to June. Here’s the full story...

COMPETITION BY COLOUR: PREMIER LEAGUE

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE

CARABAO CUP

EMIRATES FA CUP

AUGUST

Having played in Bangkok, Melbourne, Perth and Oslo for their pre-season preparations –the highlight being a 4-0 win against Liverpool – the Reds were eager to get going in the Premier League under new boss Erik ten Hag, but few would have predicted what happened next.

Two games into the league campaign, Ten Hag’s side were bottom of the table, after defeats at home to Brighton and away to Brentford. With Liverpool next to visit M16, the boss called for a big response, and the team delivered, with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford scoring in a famous win.

The following weekend, Bruno Fernandes volleyed home the winner in a 1-0 triumph at Southampton to make it back-to-back victories to end the month on a high note, with summer arrivals Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia and Casemiro all having made their debuts by the month’s end.

GOAL OF THE MONTH JADON SANCHO V LIVERPOOL

The England winger began his second season at Old Trafford in fine style by notching a superb strike against arch-rivals Liverpool – his goal winning 67 per cent of the fan vote. Seizing on a square pass from Anthony

Elanga, he twisted and turned inside the penalty area before firing past Alisson – his goal proving just the tonic for the Reds after back-to-back league defeats to start the season, and United would build on it to record a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Jurgen Klopp’s side and claim our first points of the campaign.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH LISANDRO MARTINEZ

The Argentina international bounced back after a tough start to his United career with great performances against Liverpool and Southampton to pick up back-to-back Man of the Match awards.

After an encouraging pre-season, a tough start in the league gives Ten Hag a baptism of fire, only for a thrilling home victory to ignite the campaign...

August ended with United in 12th place, albeit having played one game fewer than 18 other teams. Arsenal were the only side who maintained a perfect start, winning all of their first five fixtures. They were followed closely by Manchester City, fuelled by new attacking figurehead Erling Haaland, whose blistering introduction to English football included nine goals in five games.

Joining them in the top four at this stage were Tottenham and surprise package Brighton – the Seagulls showing early signs of a term that would prove their victory at Old Trafford was no fluke.

Last season’s runners-up Liverpool endured a mixed opening, with just two points from their first three matches before getting off the mark with wins against Bournemouth and Newcastle. Their 9-0 win over Bournemouth led to the first of a record 14 managerial changes in a Premier League campaign, as the Cherries parted ways with Scott Parker (right) – the earliest a boss

has ever left a newly promoted side in the competition. Fellow promoted clubs Fulham and Forest made an early impression, with the Cottagers earning a point against Liverpool and beating Brighton, while the latter defeated West Ham in their first top-flight contest since 1999.

At the bottom, three clubs went into September still awaiting a first win. Everton and Wolves managed three draws, but Leicester registered just a point, with those teams making up three of the bottom four, alongside Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa.

UNITED 1

Mac Allister 68 og

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2

Gross 30, 39

Opening-day dismay as Seagulls stun the Reds

United fell to an opening-day defeat at Old Trafford, as Erik ten Hag’s first competitive match ended in a 2-1 reverse against Brighton in the Premier League.

Bruno Fernandes was handed the game’s first real chance after just six minutes. Scott McTominay found space inside the penalty area, before his blocked cross fell kindly to our no.8, who unfortunately blazed over.

Christian Eriksen then almost topped off a superb flowing counterattack. Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Fernandes were all involved in the swift move, with the Dane’s goalbound strike easily collected by Robert Sanchez.

However, Pascal Gross then gave the visitors the lead with half an hour gone, as the German midfielder tapped home from inside the area, following Danny Welbeck’s square pass across the six-yard box.

Gross added his second just nine minutes later. A swift counter found Solly March on the left, before David De Gea parried his effort into the path of Gross to tap home.

Much to do in the second half, then, and as it unfolded, the Reds began proceedings in brighter fashion, as Rashford lashed his left-footed effort just wide of the net.

Sanchez then denied Rashford, with Cristiano Ronaldo racing in behind the Seagulls backline before squaring for our no.10.

Fernandes crossed dangerously, with Rashford, once again, found in acres of space but the England international failed to hit the target.

However, with just over 20 minutes to go, the deficit was halved, as a Fernandes corner ended up turned into his own net by Alexis Mac Allister (below left), as the home crowd roared the Reds on.

As the game edged towards full-time, Eriksen looked to carve open opportunities from a deeper role, with Graham Potter’s side defending resolutely as they sought to record Brighton’s first-ever win at Old Trafford. Sanchez was worked again by Dalot but the closing stages saw few other chances, with a raft of substitutions fracturing the play.

1

BRIGHTON

UNITED SUBS USED: Ronaldo for Fred 53’

• van de Beek for McTominay 78’

• Malacia for Shaw 90’

Garnacho for Fernandes 90’ Elanga for Sancho 90’

YELLOW CARDS: Maguire, Martinez, Shaw, McTominay

BRIGHTON SUBS USED: Lamptey for Trossard 75’

1 Sanchez

34 Veltman

5 Dunk

4 Webster

13 Gross

25 Caicedo

7 March

• Mwepu for Lallana 76’

• Colwill for March 90+1’

• Undav for Welbeck 90+5’ YELLOW CARDS: Trossard

10 Mac Allister

BRENTFORD 4

Dasilva 10, Jensen 18, Mee 30, Mbeumo 35

UNITED 0

First-half onslaught stuns United in west London

Things got worse before they got better at the start of the season as United suffered a shock 4-0 defeat against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, the Reds’ second loss in as many games to kick off 2022/23.

Cristiano Ronaldo (right) was making his first start of the campaign and was at the heart of United’s early bid to get in front. He tested Bees stopper David Raya with a dipping shot from 30 yards, before it started to go badly wrong for the Reds in west London.

Josh Dasilva and Mathias Jensen both capitalised on defensive mistakes to put the hosts 2-0 up with only a quarter of the game gone.

Erik ten Hag watched on as Marcus Rashford looked to stretch play on the left, but Brentford quickly halted any United momentum.

Ben Mee pounced to make it 3-0 on his home debut for the hosts.

Bryan Mbeumo then rounded off the first-half onslaught to send Brentford fans wild in the sweltering heat.

Ten Hag introduced Raphael Varane, Tyrell Malacia and Scott McTominay to try and wrestle momentum back at the start of the

second half. United did find more control in possession and created a couple of chances for Ronaldo.

David De Gea was called into action with a couple of excellent saves, most notably from a fantastic Rico Henry strike with 10 minutes to go. Against his former club, Christian Eriksen tried an audacious finish at the other end moments later, after smart work from Malacia and Anthony Elanga down United’s left.

Eriksen, returning to the place where he brilliantly resurrected his career following a life-threatening cardiac arrest on the field at the Euros, smartly kept possession ticking over in the second half, a period in which United fought hard to grab a consolation goal but were ultimately unable to reduce the yawning first-half deficit.

United fought hard to grab a consolation goal but were ultimately unable to reduce the yawning deficit

BRENTFORD SUBS USED: Janelt for Dasilva 62’ • Wissa for Mbeumo 73’ Baptiste for Jensen 74’ Sorensen for Hickey 80’

• Onyeka for Norgaard 80’ YELLOW CARDS: None

UNITED SUBS USED: Varane for Martinez 45’

• Malacia for Shaw 45’ • McTominay for Fred 45’ • Elanga for Sancho 60’ van de Beek for Eriksen 87’ YELLOW CARDS: Maguire, McTominay, Fernandes, Rashford

STARTING XI

UNITED 2

Sancho 16, Rashford 53 LIVERPOOL 1

Salah 81

Morale-boosting home win reboots the season

As a busy August continued apace, United bounced back from the two opening Premier League defeats with a 2-1 win against our big rivals Liverpool.

Erik ten Hag got a huge reaction from his side after making four changes to the XI that started at Brentford – while new signing Casemiro was introduced to the crowd pre-match (above right) – and the Reds were on the front foot from the off. In an early attacking foray, Marcus Rashford was played in behind the Liverpool backline and almost got a shot away only for Virgil van Dijk to intervene.

Anthony Elanga hit the post inside 10 minutes when a delightful through ball from Scott McTominay found Bruno Fernandes, who stretched to play in the Swede.

The fans inside Old Trafford only waited a few more minutes to see us go ahead, though. Slick and fluid football from Ten Hag’s side saw Elanga play the ball across the Liverpool area to find Jadon Sancho, who showed great composure to deceive James Milner and finish beyond Alisson to fire United ahead.

Luis Diaz went close to levelling the scores with an effort that strayed wide of David De Gea’s goal, but Christian Eriksen almost doubled United’s lead moments later directly from a free-kick. Alisson, at full stretch, tipped it over for a corner.

Against relentless Liverpool attacking, United’s backline –especially Raphael Varane and

Lisandro Martinez – combined well to keep them at bay. Martinez even cleared a deflection off the line right before half-time. And although the Merseysiders came out with a point to prove in the second half, once again, the United defence held.

Further United pressure then paid off. The ball fell to half-time substitute Anthony Martial, who put Rashford through. The England international stayed composed one-v-one with Alisson to finish.

Liverpool pulled one back late on when De Gea parried substitute Fabio Carvalho’s effort into the path of Mohamed Salah, who squeezed in a header. However, United expertly saw out five minutes of stoppage time and even looked the team more likely to score next.

MAN OF THE MATCH LISANDRO MARTINEZ

The Argentinian showed the Red faithful they were in the presence of a class act, with an eye-catching display in defence helping to keep Liverpool’s dangerous attack at bay.

Slick, fluid football found Sancho, who showed great composure to deceive Milner and finish beyond Alisson

UNITED SUBS USED: Martial for Elanga 45’ • Fred for Sancho 71’ • Wan-Bissaka for Dalot 86’ • van de Beek for Eriksen 86’ Ronaldo for Rashford 86’

YELLOW CARDS: Dalot, Varane, Fernandes

LIVERPOOL SUBS USED: Fabinho for Henderson 59’ • Carvalho for Milner 73’ • Tsimikas for Robertson 85’

YELLOW CARDS: Alexander-Arnold

LIVERPOOL

1 Alisson 66 AlexanderArnold

SOUTHAMPTON 0 UNITED 1

Fernandes 55

Fernandes finds the space to seal St Mary’s win

August ended with a first away win of the season for the Reds, as Southampton were beaten 1-0 at St Mary’s in the Premier League, with Casemiro making his debut.

Chances were scarce in the early stages, but the away support behind the goal were left wondering how the Reds weren’t in front around 20 minutes in. A Diogo Dalot cross caused mayhem in the penalty area as Saints keeper Gavin Bazunu and his defence somehow frantically denied Bruno Fernandes the chance to head home, before thwarting Anthony Elanga, Fernandes again and then Christian Eriksen – all around the six-yard box.

For the hosts, it was Che Adams who created most of the opportunities. However, the best one fell to Armel Bella-Kotchap. Waiting at the back post, the Germany international fired a shot just over.

The last key action of the first 45 came when Scott McTominay was hauled down by Joe Aribo on the edge of the penalty area, giving United a great chance to score from a free-kick, but Fernandes’s effort was blocked by the defensive wall to leave the teams level at the break.

United stormed out the blocks after the interval, heaping early pressure on the hosts, and the efforts were soon rewarded. Dalot was played into space on the right and arrowed the ball across the box, where Fernandes was waiting to steer it into the bottom-left corner of the Saints’ goal (below).

The Saints had rescued four points from losing positions in their previous two outings and were looking for another comeback. David De Gea had to save brilliantly to stop Arido’s header finding the net, before Kyle Walker-Peters put the rebound over the bar.

The hosts threw plenty at United in the closing stages, but Erik ten Hag’s side stood strong to shut out the south-coast side for a first clean sheet of the season.

MAN OF THE MATCH LISANDRO MARTINEZ

The new signing from Ajax was in the thick of it once again as United sought to defend a slender lead in the face of a spirited fightback from the home side towards the end.

United stormed out the blocks after the interval, heaping pressure on the hosts – and the efforts were soon rewarded

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS USED: S Armstrong for Elyounoussi 63’ • Mara for A Armstrong 77’ Perraud for Djenepo 89’ • Lyanco for Aribo 89’

CARDS: None

UNITED SUBS USED: Ronaldo for Sancho 68’ • Casemiro for Elanga 80’ Fred for Eriksen 90+2’

Dalot, McTominay, Fred

SEPTEMBER

A stop-start month due to the Queen’s death sees the Reds’ upturn in form continue, with the league leaders among the sides beaten at Old Trafford...

United’s September began with a 1-0 win away to Leicester – Jadon Sancho’s goal sealing a third straight league success – hours after winger Antony completed a move to Old Trafford from Ajax. Just three days later, the Brazilian had a debut to remember, breaking the deadlock before Marcus

Rashford added a brace to clinch a victory over early pacesetters Arsenal, this time in a 3-1 triumph.

The Reds were then beaten 1-0 by Real Sociedad in the first Europa League outing of the campaign, the same day the nation mourned the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. As a mark of respect, many scheduled

sporting events that weekend were postponed, including United’s visit to Crystal Palace, and upon returning, tributes were held across the nation.

Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo were on target to earn our first points in Europa League Group E, in a 2-0 win away to Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova, during what would prove to

GOAL OF THE MONTH ANTONY V ARSENAL

The new signing from Ajax didn’t take long to get United supporters excited when he curled a glorious finish into the league leaders’ net on his full debut for the club. A source of further optimism for the Red faithful was the fact that the

goal was also a magnificent team effort, showing how well Erik ten Hag’s work on the training field was beginning to take effect. A flowing move saw every United player touch the ball in the build-up before the Brazilian took his chance brilliantly to kick-start a memorable win against the in-form London side.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN

The Dane stamped his mark on his new side this month, with assists for key goals against Arsenal and Sheriff Tiraspol. His deep-lying role was beginning to help United build a convincing run of form.

be our final competitive game of the month. The home meeting with Leeds was also rearranged ahead of the Queen’s funeral, with an international break concluding September.

Despite the shortened fixture list, it was still enough time for Erik ten Hag and Rashford to scoop a double of Premier League prizes, being named as Manager and Player of the Month after a strong upturn in form.

Arsenal still led the way as October approached, having failed to win just once – against United – across their first seven fixtures. Manchester City and Spurs were just a point behind, while Brighton remained in fourth. United had the most improved position of any side in the table since the end of August, climbing seven places to fifth.

Some of the standout results included Brentford beating Leeds 5-2 (right), before Brighton managed the same scoreline and Tottenham went one better to win 6-2, both against struggling Leicester. The Foxes ended the month bottom, with

just a single point, as the only team yet to claim a victory, as Wolves and Everton broke their ducks against Southampton and West Ham.

But perhaps the biggest talking point came off the pitch at Chelsea, as Thomas Tuchel was relieved of his duties as manager. The Blues had spent big in the summer, but a mixed start both meant Tuchel, who had masterminded Champions League glory in 2021, was replaced by Brighton’s Graham Potter. He, in turn, was succeeded by Roberto De Zerbi on the south coast.

LEICESTER CITY 0 UNITED 1

Sancho 23

Another clean sheet ensures third straight victory

United kicked off September with a third Premier League win on the bounce, beating Leicester 1-0 at the King Power Stadium.

Despite a relatively even opening 10 minutes, it was United who quickly put a firm stamp on the game. Christian Eriksen had the first effort on goal, with his fizzing effort bouncing just wide.

Leicester midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s bending strike was the first shot on target, but was saved easily by David De Gea. Just minutes later, however, the Reds broke the deadlock, as excellent pressure by Diogo Dalot allowed the pitch to open up for United.

Great play between Dalot, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford resulted in the ball being threaded through to Jadon Sancho, who rounded Foxes keeper Danny Ward for his second goal of the season (right).

Our forwards continued to pick up great positions between the lines and Rashford played in Sancho once again but his effort was well blocked by James Justin.

It was a confident and self-assured first half from Erik ten Hag’s side, but Leicester quickly grew into the game too, rousing their home fans. James Maddison’s curling 25-yard free-kick was tipped away by De Gea to prevent it from nestling in the top corner.

Soon after, Dewsbury-Hall whipped a dangerous ball into the box that was just too high for Harvey Barnes to get his free header under control. Leicester’s press had United

pinned in our own half, prompting Ten Hag to introduce Casemiro and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo was instrumental in what could have been a second goal for us, but his pass was intercepted before it could reach Eriksen, who would have had a tap-in. The Portuguese was soon close himself, getting on the end of Dalot’s cross with a speculative overhead kick that went just wide.

The result could easily have been different when Justin had a golden chance in stoppage-time, but he blazed his effort over De Gea’s crossbar. And although the Foxes dominated large portions of the second half, United’s defence had the answer to everything that was thrown at them to see out a second successive away win and clean sheet.

MAN OF THE MATCH JADON SANCHO

His supremely confident, composed finish to net the winner reflected a player growing into his role in the side, and he continued to impress until being replaced by Ronaldo.

1 Ward

8 Tielemans 22 DewsburyHall

LEICESTER SUBS USED:

Iheanacho for Tielemans 76’

• Daka for Vardy 87’

YELLOW CARDS: Maddison

UNITED SUBS USED: Casemiro for Elanga 59’

Ronaldo for Sancho 68’

• Fred for Rashford 87’

YELLOW CARDS: Dalot, Martinez, Malacia

•

1 De Gea

20 Dalot

19 Varane

6 Martinez

12 Malacia

39 McTominay

19

12

14 Eriksen

36 Elanga

8 Fernandes

25 Sancho

Manchester United 2022/23 Yearbook 27

UNITED 3

Antony 35, Rashford 66, 75

ARSENAL 1

Saka 60

In-form Gunners finally meet their match in M16

United extended the winning run to four games with an emphatic 3-1 victory over Arsenal, impressively ending the Gunners’ unbeaten start to the season.

In a game that rolled back the years on this historic rivalry, the opening 15 minutes were frantic. Despite the Reds starting well, it was Arsenal who almost struck first when Gabriel Martinelli had the ball in the net. Martin Odegaard had dispossessed Christian Eriksen on the halfway line, with Bukayo Saka picking the ball up and playing in Martinelli. But a VAR review deemed Odegaard had fouled Eriksen and the goal was chalked off.

David De Gea was then called into action after half an hour to make a brilliant save that denied Martinelli an almost certain goal.

Just minutes later, the Reds went ahead through debutant Antony’s first United goal. It was a wonderful team move that saw the ball quickly go from one end of the pitch to the other and Marcus Rashford set up the Brazilian for a composed finish.

Arsenal came out in the second half in determined mood, creating a

handful of opportunities. Their patience going forward finally paid off when Saka levelled the score on the hour mark. The Reds initially did well to prevent Gabriel Jesus getting a shot in, but the ball fell into the path of Saka to slot into a vacant net.

The scoreline would only be level for six minutes, though. Eriksen fed Bruno Fernandes, who played a pass beyond Arsenal’s defence to find Rashford. Our no.10 kept his cool to fire past Aaron Ramsdale (below).

Ten minutes later, he bagged his second of the game – and his third goal involvement, having assisted the first – with an emphatic finish. Once again, the trio of Fernandes, Eriksen and Rashford combined, to give the Reds breathing space heading into the final 10 minutes.

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD

Official notice was served here that United’s homegrown hero was back on top form. An assist was followed by two expertly taken goals as his scoring streak gathered pace.

A wonderful team move saw the ball quickly go from one end of the pitch to the other, and Rashford set up Antony

UNITED 0 REAL SOCIEDAD 1

Mendez 59 pen

Contentious penalty proves key on poignant night

Our Europa League campaign opened with a narrow 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad at Old Trafford, a game which began shortly after a minute’s silence before kick-off to mark the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, earlier that day.

The Reds had plenty of the ball in the early stages, with Christian Eriksen and Cristiano Ronaldo linking up well on multiple occasions. The Portuguese forward found the back of the net with just over 30 minutes played after getting on the end of compatriot Diogo Dalot’s ball, but it was ruled out for offside.

An ultimately subdued half came to a close with the Reds creating more of the chances, but with nothing to show for their efforts.

Erik ten Hag (below) made a double change at half-time, sending

on Lisandro Martinez and Bruno Fernandes in place of Dalot and Eriksen. Within the first 10 minutes, Martinez denied what would have been an almost certain goal for La Real striker Alexander Sorloth by clearing the ball in the nick of time. Moments later, however, the Argentinian was penalised for a handball inside the box, which resulted in a penalty for the visitors. A VAR review showed the ball hitting Martinez’s leg before bouncing up on to his arm, but the decision still stood. Brais Mendez stepped up for the visitors and fired past David De Gea, who couldn’t quite reach the ball despite diving the right way.

Academy striker Charlie McNeill came on late in the second half for his first-team debut but United could not create the clear-cut chances needed to get back into the game.

VAR showed the ball hitting Martinez’s leg before bouncing on to his arm, but the penalty decision still stood

Before kick-off the teams observe a minute’s silence in memory of Queen Elizabeth II, with the game played after consultation with the FA and UEFA following her death earlier that day

1

5

2

UNITED SUBS USED: Martinez for Dalot 45’

• Fernandes for Eriksen 45’

• Sancho for Antony 71’

• Garnacho for Elanga 71’

1 Remiro

23 Menez

• McNeill for Malacia 83’ YELLOW CARDS: Martinez, Fred

REAL SOCIEDAD SUBS USED: Sorloth for Sadiq 45’

• Cho for Silva 65’

• Barrenetxea for Kubo 78’

• Sola for Gorosabel 84’

• Turrientes for Mendez 84’

YELLOW CARDS: Munoz, Turrientes, Silva

18 Gorosabel

6 Elustondo

20 Pacheco

12 Munoz

3 Zubimendi

8 Merino

21 Silva

14 Kubo

SHERIFF TIRASPOL 0 UNITED 2

First-half double brings first Europa League win

A trip to Moldova produced United’s first Europa League victory of the season, as the Reds eventually swept aside Sheriff Tiraspol by a 2-0 scoreline at the Zimbru Stadium in Chisinau.

After a shaky start for Erik ten Hag’s side, Sherriff’s Mouhamed Diop was the first player to try his luck for the hosts, shooting over from long range after 11 minutes.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s claims for an early penalty were then waved away by referee Pawel Raczkowski soon after, as the visitors began to grow into proceedings. But United soon went ahead with Jadon Sancho’s third goal of the season, our no.25 latching on to a clever inside-pass from Christian Eriksen, before turning on to his left foot to slip the ball home.

With half-time approaching, United stepped up the attacking approach and Sancho’s effort was cleared off the line after Antony’s pinpoint pass to pick him out. The Reds were soon two up, however, with Diogo Dalot brought down by Patrick Kpozo inside the area. Ronaldo duly stepped up, slamming home our second of the night (below) – his first of the campaign in the process, and the 699th club goal of an incredible career.

As the second half sprang into life soon after the interval, Bruno Fernandes arrived brilliantly on the edge of the area, forcing Sheriff goalkeeper Maxym Koval to make a smart save. Sheriff’s Ibrahim Rasheed then raced through on goal shortly after, with his lofted effort looping just a little too high to cause David De Gea any real problems.

Ronaldo went in search of his second with a whole host of United players involved in the build-up. The Portuguese’s effort unfortunately sailed a little too high, but Ten Hag’s team were now dominating.

Substitute Luke Shaw looked to make an impact upon his introduction, breaking forward well down the left flank with 10 minutes remaining. His cross failed to pick out a red shirt, while Sancho again come close with a header just moments later. Anthony Elanga and Eriksen also linked up well with time ticking down, but there were to be no further goals on the night.

MAN OF THE MATCH CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN

The Dane’s incisive pass, delivered with perfect timing, set up the Reds’ opening goal, and for the rest of the game his decision-making and calm presence proved invaluable.

POSSESSION (%)

SHERIFF SUBS USED: Pernambuco for Ouattara 73’ •

Vizeu for Akanbi 73’ Mudasiru for Atiemwen 81’

STARTING XI

BACK TO CONTENTS

OCTOBER

In stark contrast to the previous month, a busy October for United was packed with nine matches, and featured important results both domestically and in Europe. A 6-3 derby defeat to start things off was far from ideal, but it proved to be the Reds’ only defeat in this period, with the Erik ten Hag’s men

starting to find consistency and rhythm. Another characteristic was coming to the fore, as United’s resolve often shone through to turn the tide, coming from behind to defeat Omonia Nicosia and Everton, as well as netting late on to defeat the former and claim a draw at Chelsea. Victories over the Toffees, top-four

GOAL OF THE MONTH ANTONY v MANCHESTER CITY

On what was turning out to be a painful afternoon, our new signing at least lent some hope for the rest of the season as he scored a beauty of a goal, offering a fleeting chance of a comeback on the day but more importantly suggesting

Erik ten Hag had signed a player with the ability to make things happen even against the strongest opposition. Having been picked out by Christian Eriksen over on the right flank, the Brazilian winger cut inside before curling a wonderful effort beyond Ederson. A joyous moment in a game that offered precious few.

rivals Tottenham, and West Ham, along with that draw at Stamford Bridge and another point against Newcastle, meant the Reds ended the month in fifth, just one point behind the fourth-placed Magpies.

Three wins from three in the Europa League also secured qualification from Group E, with a

PLAYER OF THE MONTH CASEMIRO

With an assist on his full debut against Everton, and a late equaliser at Chelsea, the new signing looked like a class act. But his commanding presence throughout games was even more noticeable – and vital.

Despite starting the month with a derby day to forget, Ten Hag’s charges continue to climb the league table and progress impressively in Europe...

decisive clash for top spot against Real Sociedad still to come, and contributed to an unbeaten run of eight matches in all competitions.

More managerial changes were made, as Midlands duo Wolves and Aston Villa parted company with Bruno Lage and Steven Gerrard respectively following poor starts. They were replaced in November by a pair of Spaniards: Julen Lopetegui at Molineux; Unai Emery at Villa Park.

Arsenal’s impressive start out in front continued, thanks to notable wins against rivals Spurs, as well as Liverpool and a 5-0 masterclass against Forest. Manchester City were still on their tail, but did slip further behind with a loss at Anfield.

The red half of Merseyside was enduring a tough campaign. Despite beating City, Liverpool suffered shock defeats to relegation battlers Forest and Leeds, and won just two of their six October outings, drawing with Brighton and losing to Arsenal.

Newcastle, backed by a summer of significant investment, were

gatecrashing the top-four party –the aforementioned draw at Old Trafford was the only game in which Eddie Howe’s team (below) dropped points in the month, with highlights including hitting four against Fulham and Villa, and five against Brentford.

Leicester’s fortunes finally began to turn: having been the only club going into October still awaiting their first win, they managed three before the start of November, but still remained in the drop zone in 18th place. Wolves and Forest made up the bottom three below them.

MANCHESTER CITY 6

Derby day to forget as hosts City ease to victory

United suffered a heavy 6-3 defeat away to Manchester City in the season’s first derby.

City were dominant from the start and threatened our goal only three minutes in when Kevin De Bruyne’s effort was saved and Bernardo Silva’s follow-up was blocked.

Only five minutes later, the hosts took the lead through Phil Foden. Involved once again, Silva played a pass into the box where the unmarked England international swept the ball into the top corner.

The Reds were struggling to retain possession and one of the turnovers led to a free-kick from which Ilkay Gundogan hit the post. But City’s lead was doubled just over half an hour in through Erling Haaland. The prolific Norwegian was on the end of De Bruyne’s corner to head in, despite efforts from the Reds to clear it off the line.

City’s no.9 bagged his second of the game just three minutes after

that, again connecting with a ball in from De Bruyne to finish a move off at the back post. The fourth goal just before half-time was a mirror image of the third, with Haaland turning provider for Foden to get his second.

In the second half, Antony sparked a glimmer of hope when he cut inside and curled the ball beyond Ederson in the City goal. But any flicker of hope was soon snuffed out by the unplayable Haaland as he completed his hat-trick. A low cross in from first-half substitute Sergio Gomez found the marksman who smashed the ball into the net.

Foden then got his own hat-trick with a ferocious shot past De Gea at the near post. That made it 6-1, although United rallied late on.

Anthony Martial scored twice on his return from injury, firstly heading home when the ball fell into his path after Fred’s shot was saved well by Ederson (left). The Frenchman then slotted home a penalty in the 91st minute after he was brought down by Cancelo . But, like Antony’s earlier goal, the goals were little consolation.

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD

OMONIA NICOSIA 2

Ansarifard 34, Panagiotou 85 UNITED 3

Rashford 53, 84, Martial 63

Second-half rally seals all three points in Cyprus

With attention back on the Europa League after a painful Manchester derby, United came from behind to beat Neil Lennon’s Omonia Nicosia 3-2 in Cyprus.

The Reds were dominant for the majority of the first half and created plenty of opportunities to go ahead. Cristiano Ronaldo was at the heart of the action and saw his low effort saved well by Fabiano in the Omonia goal. United’s no.7 also linked up well with Antony and Bruno Fernandes to set up the former, who saw his own effort bounce off the bar.

Antony also went close to scoring with an effort reminiscent of his goal against Manchester City days earlier, but the top corner-bound shot was parried away.

Omonia’s opening goal was completely against the run of play.

A counterattack led by Bruno Felipe’s charging run saw him play in Karim Ansarifard, whose effort was thumped beyond David De Gea at the near post.

Despite creating plenty of chances to make an impact, the Reds went in at half-time a goal down. The revival began with a double substitution that saw Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw come on.

Rashford made a quick impact, equalising eight minutes after the restart. Fernandes found him with a remarkable pass from inside our own half, but while the chance looked as though it had run away from Marcus, he retained possession and curled the ball into the bottom corner (above right).

Ten minutes later, fellow substitute Anthony Martial completed the United comeback. Lisandro Martinez stepped up from defence to pass into Rashford, whose first-time flick found Martial again to quickly unleash an effort that nestled into the bottom corner inside Fabiano’s near-post.

Ronaldo had a handful of opportunities to increase the lead, the closest of which saw him denied by the post. Rashford did further add to the lead, getting his second of the night with six minutes to go. He swapped passes with Ronaldo, whose low and hard drive into the box provided a back post tap-in.

Nikolas Panayiotou threatened to make it a nervous finish with a late Omonia goal, but United held firm to claim all three points.

The impact of United’s man of the moment following his half-time introduction was pretty undeniable, as he found the net twice either side of an assist for Martial.

Despite plenty of chances, the Reds went in at half-time a goal down. The revival began with two substitutions

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

OMONIA SUBS USED: Papoulis for Barker 61’ •

for Ansarifard 61’ Loizou for Bruno Felipe 71’

for Diskerud 72’

Bezus for Miletic 82’

EVERTON 1

Antony 15, Ronaldo 44

Reds strike back after an early Goodison setback

Cristiano Ronaldo’s 700th club goal of an incredible career secured United’s 2-1 comeback Premier League win over Everton at Goodison Park.

Alex Iwobi netted the opener for the Toffees inside five minutes with a deadly strike from outside the area.

But the Reds were back on level terms just 10 minutes later thanks to Antony, in an action-packed opening. The Brazilian neatly tucked the ball past Jordon Pickford with delightful composure, having latched on to an Anthony Martial pass.

Martial, however, had to go off in the first half with what appeared to be a hip problem. The Frenchman was replaced by Ronaldo, who made sure United were ahead going into the break when he slickly combined with Casemiro to get behind the Everton defence and slot home his milestone goal (above right).

Erik ten Hag’s side were good value for the 2-1 lead at the interval, having enjoyed a prolonged period of control after equalising. Decent chances were created for Christian Eriksen and Casemiro, while

Bruno Fernandes also had an effort ruled out for offside.

Frank Lampard’s Everton had a renewed vigour at the start of the second half as they set about getting back into the game, but more pressure didn’t mean they created any more clear-cut chances.

Eriksen struck over the bar after being teed up by Ronaldo, then Marcus Rashford had the ball in the net again with 10 minutes to go, poking home to finish a driving run after a Ronaldo flick-on. But a VAR check flagged that it had hit his hand after ricocheting off Pickford.

The Reds still held on to win 2-1, with a fifth yellow card of the season for Scott McTominay late on proving the only blip, meaning a suspension for the next league game.

MAN OF THE MATCH CRISTIANO RONALDO

The Portuguese legend had mostly been used as an impact substitute in 2022/23, but he certainly took his chance when Martial was forced off with a first-half injury.

Cristiano Ronaldo slickly combined with Casemiro to get behind the Everton defence and net his milestone goal

POSSESSION (%) SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET CORNERS FOULS

EVERTON SUBS USED: McNeil for Gordon 67’

• Garner for Coleman 75’

• Calvert-Lewin for Gueye 76’

Rondon for Maupay 84’ YELLOW CARDS: Onana, Gordon

UNITED SUBS USED: Ronaldo for Martial 29’

• McTominay for Eriksen 83’

• Varane for Antony 90+3’

YELLOW CARDS: McTominay

1 De Gea

20 Dalot

2 Lindelof

6 Martinez

23 Shaw

18 Casemiro

14 Eriksen

21 Antony

8 Fernandes

10 Rashford

9 Martial

UNITED 1

McTominay 90+3

OMONIA NICOSIA 0

Goalkeeping heroics keep the Reds out until late

United had to be patient to earn a narrow stoppage-time win against Omonia Nicosia at Old Trafford in the Europa League.

The Reds dominated a heavily one-sided affair in terms of possession and chances, but a heroic outing from Omonia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho kept the Cypriot side level until the death.

Uzoho was called into action almost straight away, with the Nigeria international pushing over a curling effort from Marcus Rashford. That was the first of four top saves to thwart our no.10 in the opening half hour. An onrushing Uzoho denied Rashford after a quick move

involving Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, before another impressive stop from a powerful strike after Rashford cut inside.

Casemiro went close to opening his United account from range when he struck the bar, via a slight touch by the keeper. The Brazilian also put a header narrowly wide towards the end of a frustrating first half.

United piled on the pressure after the restart, but Uzoho (below left) remained equal to the chances created: first a double stop to halt Antony and then Rashford on the rebound, before foiling a Fred effort and diving at the feet of Ronaldo to prevent him turning in the loose ball.

A couple of VAR checks came and went, quashing a United penalty claim for a potential handball and ruling that a forceful and high challenge from Moreto Cassama on Casemiro was only worthy of the yellow card the referee originally dished out.

Erik ten Hag’s team continued to bang on the door, but faced staunch resistance until the final moments. Substitute Scott McTominay made an impact off the bench, first shooting through the crowd to keep Uzoho busy. Then with the seconds ticking down and 10 Omonia players defending their area, McTominay eventually had the decisive impact in the third of five added minutes.

His strike from the centre of the box, from Jadon Sancho’s approach play, went through the legs of a defender and into the net, to the delight and relief of the home crowd.

MAN OF THE MATCH SCOTT MCTOMINAY

The Scottish international was only on the field for just over 10 minutes, but he revitalised the Reds attack before keeping his cool to notch a winner with just seconds remaining (below).

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED SUBS USED: Shaw for Malacia 60’ • Sancho for Antony 60’ Eriksen for Fred 70’

for Casemiro 81’ YELLOW CARDS: None OMONIA SUBS USED: Ansarifard for Kakoulli 64’ • Papoulis for Charalampous 74’ • Loizou for Bruno Felipe 74’ • Diskerud for Cassama 86’ YELLOW CARDS:

McTominay shows his joy at finally breaking the deadlock against Neil Lennon’s Omonia side at Old Trafford, as team-mate Rashford prepares to join the last-gasp celebrations

UNITED 0 NEWCASTLE UNITED 0

Post, bar and VAR ensure a Magpies stalemate

It was a frustrating 90 minutes at Old Trafford when Erik ten Hag’s Reds were held to a goalless stalemate by well-drilled Newcastle United.

Despite a bright start, the game slipped into a scrappy stop-start affair, with no real flow. The visitors had the best opening of the first half and were unfortunate not to score in the 24th minute.

A Kieran Trippier free-kick hit the defensive wall but the Magpies skipper volleyed the rebound to Joelinton, whose header came back off the bar. With David De Gea stranded, the same player could then only nod against the right-hand post, before Diogo Dalot gratefully knocked the ball to safety.

De Gea – who received a pre-match gift from Sir Alex Ferguson to mark his 500th appearance (right) – also clawed away a Dan Burn effort, while Callum Wilson flicked a corner just out of reach of Bruno Guimaraes. United had chances too but Jadon Sancho flashed his shot wide and Antony was kept out by Nick Pope from a tight angle after a decent run.

There was a jolt seconds after the restart when De Gea’s ball out from a goal-kick put Fred under pressure, followed by relief when Wilson scuffed wide from a good position.

Cristiano Ronaldo twice had the ball in the net. He was flagged offside for the first and ended up being shown a yellow card for stealing the ball from Pope after feeling

a free-kick had been taken and going on to score what he thought was a legitimate goal.

There was more controversy just before the hour mark when Sancho appeared to be tripped by Sean Longstaff inside the box but a VAR review upheld the original decision not to award a penalty.

Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron went on to lift a shot into the Stretford End after being picked out from a corner, and there was precious little goalmouth incident until substitute Marcus Rashford burst past the onrushing Pope and squared for Fred, who, at full stretch, could not connect with the goal gaping.

Rashford had one more chance in stoppage-time, but could only head Casemiro’s accurate cross wide.

MAN OF THE MATCH CASEMIRO

Growing in stature at the heart of United’s midfield with every game, the Brazilian’s ability to break up play and start attacks was again in evidence against Newcastle, even if on the day, his team couldn’t capitalise.

The Reds had chances: Sancho flashed his shot wide and Antony was kept out by Nick Pope from a tight angle

19 Varane

6 Martinez 23 Shaw

18 Casemiro

UNITED SUBS USED: Rashford for Ronaldo 72’

YELLOW CARDS: Casemiro, Fernandes, Ronaldo

NEWCASTLE SUBS USED: Fraser for Murphy 59’

• Targett for Burn 78’

• Wood for Wilson 78’

NEWCASTLE

22

• Willock for Guimaraes 78’

• Lascelles for Schar 90+1’

YELLOW CARDS: Burn

22 Pope

5 24

2 36 9

STARTING XI 4 23

2 Trippier

5 Schar

4 Botman

33 Burn

36

S Longstaff

39

39 Guimaraes

7 Joelinton

24 Almiron

9 Wilson

POSSESSION (%) SHOTS SHOTS ON TARGET CORNERS FOULS 37 9 2 4 11 63 15 2 4 13 Manchester United 2022/23 Yearbook 45

UNITED 2

Fred 47, Fernandes 69 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0

Irrepressible Reds sweep to victory in second half

United put on a thrilling display to beat Tottenham 2-0 at Old Trafford in one of the team’s finest displays of the campaign.

The Reds started energetically, with Fernandes setting the tone in midfield. Early half-chances saw speculative efforts from Antony and Diogo Dalot fail to trouble Hugo Lloris, before Rodrigo Bentancur flashed wide of David De Gea’s goal.

Fernandes was the catalyst again as United rained down attempts on goal. A brilliant dummy set Antony free as Spurs backtracked, allowing the forward to curl a shot off Lloris’s left post, whipping up the crowd.

Only an array of excellent Lloris saves kept the scoreline at 0-0, with the Frenchman denying Marcus Rashford, Fernandes and Luke Shaw in increasingly spectacular fashion. United racked up an incredible 14 shots inside a frantic 30 minutes, putting together a number of intricate passing moves.

Harry Kane’s shot straight at De Gea (below) was a reminder of Tottenham’s counterattacking

threat, but all of United’s endeavour was rewarded within 76 seconds of the second half commencing.

After 19 shots in the first half, all it took was one nudge in the second. Fred’s willingness to sprint forwards saw him get into a shooting position on the edge of the box, picking up a Jadon Sancho pass. His effort deflected off Ben Davies and trickled beyond the static Lloris.

United’s press forced Spurs deeper, as Rashford, Fred and Fernandes stifled the visitors’ attempts to play out from the back.

Kane, marshalled by Lisandro Martinez, began to drop deeper, and the England striker then got himself in a good position to force De Gea into a reactive save. The flag went up, but referee Simon Hooper waved play on as United thrust back up the pitch. It proved to be vital because Fernandes finally got the goal his performance deserved with a wicked curler beyond the dive of Lloris.

Rashford forced another Lloris save with a powerful drive, while a flag denied Fernandes a third United goal after he rounded the Spurs goalkeeper with a classy dummy.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

Plenty of contenders emerged in this impressive team effort, but our no.8 edged it thanks to a typically creative display that was capped off by a skilful finish to net United’s second.

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET CORNERS FOULS

STARTING XI

UNITED SUBS USED: McTominay for Antony 76’ • Eriksen for Casemiro 87’ Elanga for Sancho 87’

YELLOW CARDS: Casemiro

TOTTENHAM SUBS USED: Sanchez for Dier 82’ • Sessegnon for Doherty 82’ • Lucas Moura for Bissouma 82’ Skipp for Bentancur 89’ Spence for Perisic 89’

CHELSEA 1

Jorginho 87 pen UNITED 1

Casemiro 90+4

Deserved point is secured thanks to Casemiro

Casemiro’s first United goal snatched a deserved point against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in stoppage time, with the Reds having fallen behind just minutes earlier despite having dominated much of the game.

United set the tempo in the opening minutes, bossing possession while pressing the opposition whenever we lost the ball. It nearly paid off when Luke Shaw fired narrowly wide of the far post after travelling deep into the Chelsea half.

That attacking intent didn’t relent. Antony forced Kepa to make the first save of the match, cutting in from the right and curling the ball with his left foot.

Chelsea failed to register a shot on target in the opening half-hour,

and Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho both had further chances that were saved by Kepa.

But, against the run of play, the Blues nearly took the lead at the end of the first half through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang thanks to a move involving Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling. The defensive efforts of Casemiro and Diogo Dalot proved crucial to stopping it. United then finished the first half with Antony missing the target with his weaker right foot.

Graham Potter’s Chelsea side came out with more intensity at the start of the half and took back a bit more possession, but clear-cut chances proved elusive.

There was also a blow for United on the hour-mark when Raphael Varane picked up an injury that forced him off the pitch in tears, clearly concerned about the World Cup in Qatar, only weeks away.

Into the final 20 minutes, Chelsea went close when Trevoh Chalobah rose to head the ball on to the bar. It then looked like they had snatched an unlikely victory three minutes from time when substitute Scott McTominay brought down Armando Broja inside the box. Jorginho calmly stepped up to send David De Gea the wrong way.

However, six minutes of stoppage time saw United take the chance to equalise. Shaw drove down the left and floated a ball into the area that Casemiro leapt to meet, his header hitting the post and creeping in.

MAN OF THE MATCH CASEMIRO

Strong in the tackle and always wise when in possession, the Brazilian’s patient play paid off for him in the closing seconds, helping the Reds preserve a six-game unbeaten run.

United dominated in the centre of the pitch while pressing the opposition. It nearly paid off when Shaw fired just wide

Chalobah

POSSESSION (%) SHOTS

19

23

• Chukwuemeka for Loftus-Cheek 79’

• Broja for Sterling 79’ YELLOW CARDS: Jorginho

UNITED SUBS USED: Fred for Sancho 52’ • Lindelof for Varane 60’

• McTominay for Eriksen 80’

• Elanga for Rashford 80’

YELLOW CARDS: Martinez, Shaw, Antony, Fred

1 De Gea

20 Dalot

19 Varane

6 Martinez

23 Shaw

18 Casemiro

21 Antony

8 Fernandes

14 Eriksen

25 Sancho

UNITED 3

Dalot

44, Rashford 65, Ronaldo 81

SHERIFF TIRASPOL 0

Goals either side of half-time finish off Sheriff

Our home Europa League fixture against Sheriff Tiraspol resulted in a comfortable 3-0 United win.

From the moment United kicked off, the Moldovan Super Liga side settled into a robust defensive shape with all 11 players behind the ball. But Erik ten Hag’s side enjoyed a steady stream of chances.

Among the first was Antony on the turn with a right-footed effort from the edge of the box that was saved. Cristiano Ronaldo saw a header go over the bar, before a finessed Bruno Fernandes strike curled narrowly wide. Ronaldo then couldn’t quite poke in Fernandes’s header across goal.

The Sheriff defence finally gave out when Diogo Dalot’s close-range header from Christian Eriksen’s cross broke the deadlock just before the interval for a deserved United lead.

The boss made two changes at half-time, introducing Harry Maguire following his recovery from injury. The skipper came on in place of Lisandro Martinez, while Marcus Rashford swapped with Antony.

There was still a familiar pattern to play following the resumption. Eriksen had an early opportunity to double the advantage when Moussa Kyabou hauled him down just outside the area, but the Denmark international put the resulting free-kick over the bar. Ronaldo then did have the ball in the net shortly after the hour mark, but the flag went up for offside.

The crucial second goal came moments later when Rashford linked up with fellow sub Luke Shaw to plant in a firm header (above).

Nine minutes from time, Fernandes picked out Ronaldo with a wonderful cross and although the no.7 saw his header saved by Maksym Koval, he was quickest to the rebound to tuck away our third.

MAN OF THE MATCH ALEJANDRO GARNACHO

On his first senior start for the club, the lively teenager impressed with his runs down the left wing and proved a constant creative outlet, promising much for the future.

From kick-off, the Moldovan SuperLiga side settled into a robust defensive shape with all 11 behind the ball

STARTING XI

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

UNITED SUBS USED: Maguire for Martinez 45’ • Rashford for Antony 45’ Shaw for Dalot 63’ • McTominay for Casemiro 63’ van de Beek for Garnacho 79’ YELLOW CARDS: Maguire SHERIFF SUBS USED: Hatman for Diop 79’ • Pernambuco for Akanbi 79’ • Covali for Atiemwen 89’ • Gliga for Badolo

Rashford 38

WEST HAM UNITED 0

De Gea shines as Rashford gets landmark winner

Marcus Rashford’s 100th United goal earned the Reds a vital 1-0 win against West Ham in the Premier League to end October on a high.

The opening stages saw both sides have half-chances, with Said Benrahma’s effort blocked by Lisandro Martinez, before Rashford miskicked Diogo Dalot’s low cross wide of the goal. Anthony Elanga also dragged an effort wide, while Thilo Kehrer and Lukasz Fabianski denied two more Rashford chances.

But West Ham grew in confidence as the first half progressed, with Benrahma in particular threatening on the break. Jarrod Bowen had their first big chance to force a save from David De Gea, although the forward was flagged offside.

United responded to West Ham’s threat with a series of crosses from Luke Shaw, culminating in a chance for Elanga at the back post.

Rashford’s century goal put the Reds ahead in the closing stages of the first half. Christian Eriksen’s superb cross was just the quality the game needed and Marcus powered home his header (below).

West Ham upped their pressure after the restart, with Gianluca Scamacca shooting powerfully and Martinez throwing himself in front of it. Another Rashford chance screamed narrowly wide and United looked to respond to growing Hammers pressure through a Cristiano Ronaldo header, followed by a left-footed shot.

Diogo Dalot was in the right place to head clear probing crosses on a number of occasions to ease the pressure, and Martinez later came to the rescue at the back post, getting in front to deny Craig Dawson when Declan Rice’s dangerous free-kick looked certain to find the West Ham defender in a goalscoring position. De Gea produced a sublime save to turn Kurt Zouma’s header round the post, just moments after diverting Antonio’s fierce strike over the bar.

Fred hit the post with a header that might have made the closing stages more comfortable, before the Hammers threw everything at United, with Bowen’s effort cleared by Dalot before De Gea produced yet another stunning moment to spring to his left and save Rice’s drive to secure all three points.

MAN OF THE MATCH DAVID DE GEA

This was one of those games where United had our redoubtable keeper to thank for a clean sheet, after a string of saves from Antonio, Rice and finally Zouma (below).

Rashford rises to power home his 100th goal for the club, while registering what would prove to be the winning goal against David Moyes’s Hammers

UNITED SUBS USED: McTominay for Elanga 61’ • Fred for Eriksen 79’

YELLOW CARDS: Fernandes

WEST HAM SUBS USED: Areola for Fabianski 45’ • Antonio for Scamacca 57’ • Fornals for Downes 77’

YELLOW CARDS: Kehrer, Soucek, Scamacca

BACK TO CONTENTS

WEST HAM

1 Fabianski

24 Kehrer

15 Dawson

4 Zouma

3 Cresswell

28 Soucek

41 Rice

20 Bowen

12 Downes

22 Benrahma

NOVEMBER

A unique event occurred in November 2022, as domestic action was paused at the end of the month to accommodate the first winter World Cup finals. It meant just four matches across three competitions for the Reds, starting with a 1-0 win away to Real Sociedad in the Europa League. The

victory was, however, not enough to clinch top spot in Group E, and led to United being drawn against Barcelona, who had dropped out of the Champions League, in a mouth-watering play-off contest.

After nine games without defeat, that solid run came to an end at Aston Villa with a 3-1 Premier League

loss, but a measure of revenge was taken just four days later, with Erik ten Hag’s side rallying from a goal down to win 4-2 as our Carabao Cup campaign got under way. That left just the league trip to Fulham before the World Cup break – and what an ending it was. With the sides locked at 1-1 in injury-time,

GOAL OF THE MONTH ALEJANDRO GARNACHO V FULHAM

The young winger came off the bench after 72 minutes at Craven Cottage with the Reds chasing a winner. As the game reached the third minute of stoppage-time, he burst inside from the left flank,

playing a one-two with Christian Eriksen and latching on to the Dane’s through ball, which he expertly controlled to finish past the goalkeeper, sparking some great celebrations. The overall move was also impressive, having gone from back to front through the team. With his second goal in 10 days, Garnacho had arrived.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH ALEJANDRO GARNACHO

Before the season paused for the World Cup, the teenager burst on to the scene with two goals across the four games we played in November, and had United fans’ pulses racing every time he got the ball.

Although the break for the World Cup means there are only four fixtures across the month, there’s much to cheer as an exciting talent emerges...

youngster Alejandro Garnacho –who had netted his maiden Reds strike against Sociedad earlier in the month – got his first Premier League goal with practically the last kick.

Away from match action, Cristiano Ronaldo left the club by mutual consent. The Portuguese forward netted 145 goals in 346 appearances across two spells at Old Trafford, and eventually signed for Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia.

There was still time for one more Premier League sacking before international action took over, and this time it was Southampton, who replaced Ralph Hasenhuttl with Nathan Jones in a bid to move out of the relegation places.

Table-toppers Arsenal went into the break with a five-point lead over Manchester City. Victories at Chelsea and Wolves meant Mikel Arteta’s men had won 14 of their opening 16 league games, ensuring they’d be in first place at Christmas for the first time since 2007, and taking advantage of City’s shock

home loss to Brentford. Newcastle and Tottenham completed the top four, with United in fifth. Nottingham Forest, Southampton and Wolves made up the bottom three.

As the World Cup kicked off in Qatar, Reds stars were among the goals early on: Marcus Rashford scored for England against Iran and added a brace against Wales to help the Three Lions top the group, while Casemiro hit Brazil’s winner against Switzerland, and Bruno Fernandes managed a double of his own in Portugal’s win over Uruguay (below).

REAL SOCIEDAD 0 UNITED 1

Garnacho 17

Victory in Spain, but it’s not enough for top spot

United travelled to Spain for the final game of the Europa League group stage, although a 1-0 win wasn’t quite enough to get ahead of hosts Real Sociedad in the standings on goal difference.

Erik ten Hag’s side needed to win by at least two goals to finish top, with second place taking the Reds into the knockout-round play-offs, alongside the teams to drop down from the Champions League.

United took the lead after 17 minutes when Alejandro Garnacho netted his first senior goal. Bruno Fernandes’s wonderfully timed header found Cristiano Ronaldo in a promising attacking area and our no.7 played in Garnacho to his left, allowing him to race through and smash the ball home (below).

Garnacho was proving to be a thorn in the visitors’ side and soon

twisted and turned inside the penalty area, before unfortunately blazing his effort over the bar.

Lisandro Martinez sent a searching ball forward just before half-time that fell for Ronaldo. He cheekily attempted a lofted shot over goalkeeper Alex Remiro, but it landed on the roof of the net.

In the final knockings of the half, David De Gea needed to pull off a wonderful double save to keep our lead intact. First, Andoni Gorosabel tried his luck from the edge of the area, before Pablo Marin raced on to the follow-up and was brilliantly denied by the head of De Gea.

With the second half beginning at a frantic pace, defensive aggression seemed to be the order sent out by Ten Hag, as the Reds put their bodies on the line to protect our slim lead.

With 70 minutes gone, a long throw into the box caused the Reds a problem, as La Real forward Carlos Fernandez was allowed time to turn before his effort sailed over the bar. Substitute Robert Navarro also had chances in the latter stages.

As the contest ticked on, Casemiro’s effort was saved well by Remiro, who also dived at the feet of Scott McTominay, but the visitors were made to settle for second place.

MAN OF THE MATCH

ALEJANDRO GARNACHO

The teenager proved a potent attacking threat for the visitors either side of a superbly taken first senior United goal, as his emergence continued to excite.

Garnacho was proving to be a thorn in the visitors’ side, twisting and turning inside the penalty area

REAL SOCIEDAD

REAL SOCIEDAD SUBS USED: Elustondo for Gorosabel 58’

• Navarro for Marin 58’ Guevara for Fernandez 73’ Zubeldia for Mendez 83’ • Magunacelaya for Sorloth 83’

YELLOW CARDS: Mendez, Fernandez

UNITED SUBS USED: McTominay for Lindelof 58’ • Rashford for van de Beek 58’ Fred for Eriksen 82’ Maguire for Garnacho 82’ YELLOW CARDS: Dalot, Martinez, Ronaldo

Casemiro, Martinez and Dalot are among the United players applauding the Reds’ travelling support after the final whistle

ASTON VILLA 3

Defeat in the Midlands for out-of-sorts United

In our penultimate Premier League fixture before the World Cup break, United fell to our first loss at Villa Park since 1999 after two early home goals.

United started brightly when Alejandro Garnacho chased down Emiliano Martinez, nearly catching out the Argentina goalkeeper. But it was the hosts who got the early goal when Leon Bailey latched on to a Jacob Ramsey pass and fired past David De Gea.

The lead was soon doubled when a misplaced Lisandro Martinez pass was picked up by Ramsey and resulted in a free-kick being given away. Lucas Digne was the player who stepped up to curl the ball in.

Villa keeper Martinez then made two key saves, first from Garnacho after great build-up play involving Christian Eriksen, then from a Cristiano Ronaldo diving header.

United’s goal did come when Luke Shaw picked up a loose ball and shot from long range. It took a major deflection off Ramsey to completely wrongfoot keeper Martinez (below).

Villa came out for the second half looking just as dangerous, and Bailey

skipped through the United defence to fire straight into De Gea’s gloves. Three minutes later, Ollie Watkins sprinted down the left, tracked by Victor Lindelof. The pass found Ramsey, who found the top corner. United struggled to string passes together and the frustration grew when Tyrone Mings and Ronaldo had a coming-together in the penalty area, with both men cautioned for the ensuing tussle. United’s best chance of the second half fell to Diogo Dalot. Casemiro found the Portugal right-back sprinting through, but his decision to cross instead of shoot proved unwise in hindsight. After that, the remainder of the contest passed largely without incident as Unai Emery enjoyed the perfect debut as Villa’s new manager.

Villa keeper Martinez made two key saves, first from Garnacho, then from a Cristiano Ronaldo diving header

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET

ASTON VILLA SUBS USED: McGinn for Bailey 70’

• Kamara for Watkins 78’

• Young for Digne 79’

•

Ings for Buendia 79’ Sanson for Dendoncker 90’

YELLOW CARDS: Martinez, Mings, Bailey

UNITED SUBS USED: Malacia for Shaw 65’

• Elanga for Garnacho 65’

• Martial for van de Beek 66’

YELLOW CARDS: Dalot, Shaw, Ronaldo

1 De Gea

20 Dalot

2 Lindelof

6 Martinez

23 Shaw

18 Casemiro

14 Eriksen

10 Rashford

UNITED 4

Martial 49, Rashford 67, Fernandes 78, McTominay 90+1

ASTON VILLA 2

Watkins 48, Dalot 61 og

Second-half flurry of goals sees off Villans in cup

Facing Aston Villa for the second time in a matter of days, United took revenge to book a place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 4-2 victory that burst into life in the second half.

Following a cagey start, United first had the ball in the Villa net after 17 minutes. Fred’s through ball found Marcus Rashford, only for an offside flag to go up in response to his square pass for Bruno Fernandes to tap in.

Villa caused problems from a couple of corners as the first half progressed, requiring Scott McTominay to clear a potentially dangerous situation, followed by ex-Red Ashley Young trying his luck from distance but missing the target.

Villa took the lead only two minutes into the second period when Jacob Ramsey found Ollie Watkins darting in behind our backline, with the forward expertly finishing beyond Martin Dubravka, making his debut in the United goal.

Yet just seconds from the restart, United were level through Anthony Martial. The Frenchman tapped in the equaliser when Fernandes had been put through and squared the ball to his team-mate.

Villa went back in front after an hour as Ashley Young’s deep cross was met by substitute Leon Bailey at the back post and Diogo Dalot inadvertently turned the Jamaican’s effort into his own net.

Rashford almost levelled things after Tyrell Malacia cleverly picked him out. Marcus twisted and turned inside the visitors’ penalty area,

before his right-footed strike clipped the post. But he soon went one better, with Malacia again involved. The Dutchman’s chipped pass found Rashford, who nodded the ball through to Christian Eriksen to run on to. Young’s strong challenge dispossessed the Dane, only for Rashford to seize the loose ball and smash home to level the score at 2-2.

Two Robin Olsen saves – one from a low Fernandes shot and another from a powerful Harry Maguire header – kept Villa level. But the Villa keeper ended up gifting the Reds a goal with a turnover to Alejandro Garnacho, who swiftly sent Fernandes through to score.

McTominay put the gloss on the scoreline with just seconds left, stretching to convert Garnacho’s cross after Scott had already rattled the bar moments earlier.

OTHER R3 RESULTS:

Arsenal 1-3 Brighton

Bournemouth 4-1 Everton

Brentford 1-1 Gillingham (5-6 on pens)

Bristol City 1-3 Lincoln

Burnley 3-1 Crawley Town

Leicester 3-0 Newport County

Liverpool 0-0 Derby (3-2 on pens)

Manchester City 2-0 Chelsea

MK Dons 2-0 Morecambe

Newcastle 0-0 Crystal Palace (3-2 on pens)

Nottingham Forest 2-0 Tottenham

Southampton 1-1 Sheff Wed (6-5 on pens)

Stevenage 1-1 Charlton (4-5 on pens)

West Ham 2-2 Blackburn (9-10 on pens)

Wolves 1-0 Leeds

MAN OF THE MATCH ALEJANDRO GARNACHO

Another impressive showing from the emerging winger, who came on after 62 minutes and delivered a pair of assists to help his team to victory in our first League Cup tie of ’22/23.

STARTING XI

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

UNITED SUBS USED: Eriksen for Fred 62’ • Elanga for van de Beek 62’ Garnacho for Martial 62’ Casemiro for Rashford 82’ • Martinez for Lindelof 87’

Maguire, McTominay, Fernandes

VILLA SUBS USED: Mings for Konsa 59’ • Bailey for J Ramsey 59’ Buendia for Ings 59’ • Cash for Young 74’ Digne for Augustinsson 80’ YELLOW CARDS: Young, Bailey, Luiz

Brilliant

FULHAM 1 James

61 UNITED 2

Eriksen

14, Garnacho 90+3

last-gasp

winner to take Reds into break

Signing off with a win before the World Cup break, United beat Fulham 2-1 with a late Alejandro Garnacho goal in west London.

Fulham almost took an early lead when Carlos Vinicius connected with Willian’s ball and had an effort saved by David De Gea. Conversely, it took 10 minutes for the Reds to really get into the game, with Anthony Martial eventually forcing Bernd Leno to make a good save.

The deadlock was broken not long afterwards as Casemiro began the counter with an interception. Christian Eriksen was the one who finished things off, having been involved in the build-up with Martial, latching on to a Bruno Fernandes pass across goal to finish (below).

The Reds called on De Gea a handful of times during the first half to keep the home side at bay. The highlight was when he denied Harry Wilson from close range, preventing a near-certain equaliser.

United created two clear-cut chances just before half-time that could have seen Ten Hag’s men increase the advantage. First, Martial headed just over from Luke Shaw’s whipped cross, with Eriksen then fizzing a shot narrowly wide.

Fulham came out for the second half gunning for an equaliser and two more De Gea stops denied them in relatively quick succession. He saved from Vinicius again, before a corner from ex-United midfielder Andreas Pereira was met by the towering Tim Ream. De Gea superbly saved the American’s header at point-blank range.

Another ex-Red in Daniel James equalised for Fulham moments after coming off the bench, however.

The Wales international made a good run between our central defenders, subsequently finding himself in a position to slot home Tom Cairney’s ball across the box.

Garnacho’s welcome introduction spurred life into the United attack just as Fulham had started to take more control and it looked like the game was heading for a draw.

Alejandro scored the winner deep into stoppage-time when a one-two with Eriksen saw him burst past the home defence and take a first-time strike to fire beyond Leno.

MAN OF THE MATCH ALEJANDRO GARNACHO

Our dynamic no.49 happened to win 49 per cent of the fan vote for the game’s star man, despite only spending 20 minutes on the pitch – his third such award in November.

31 31 8

33 14 26 30

17 33 20

8 17

STARTING

14 13 18

20 53 14 7 10 9

26 10

FULHAM SUBS USED: James for Wilson 59’ • Onomah for Cairney 90+1’

YELLOW CARDS: Decordova-Reid

18 FULHAM 47 14 9 3 10

UNITED SUBS USED: McTominay for Elanga 55’

• Garnacho for Martial 72’

1 De Gea

12 Malacia

2 Lindelof

6 Martinez

23 Shaw

18 Casemiro

14 Eriksen

36 Elanga

8 Fernandes

10 Rashford

9 Martial

Manchester United 2022/23 Yearbook 63

DECEMBER

Domestic football returned at the end of the year after one of the most thrilling World Cup finals in history ended with Argentina being crowned as champions.

Lisandro Martinez was an unused substitute as his country beat France on penalties after a 3-3 draw following extra-time, but the

defender did feature in five out of their seven games en route to lifting the trophy, proudly arriving back at Old Trafford with a winner’s medal.

Raphael Varane was unfortunate to finish on the losing side in an epic final, and was one of 12 United players – alongside Martinez, Antony, Casemiro, Diogo Dalot,

GOAL OF THE MONTH MARCUS RASHFORD V BURNLEY

Picking up where he left off for United before the World Cup, our leading scorer was soon back in the goals. He picked up the ball at the halfway line shortly after the half-time break in this Carabao Cup tie, then powered down the

right beyond several Burnley defenders, before being met with a wall of opposition players on the edge of the box. No problem for a man so full of confidence and he duly jinked his way through the defence before arrowing an lethal shot into the bottom corner, making it 2-0 to the Reds, a lead that would not be relinquished.

Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Fred, Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford, Facundo Pellistri and Luke Shaw – to feature at the tournament.

The mid-season break meant other members of Erik ten Hag’s squad needed to keep their match fitness in December, with the Reds facing La Liga pair Cadiz and Real

PLAYER OF THE MONTH MARCUS RASHFORD

Having transported his strong form to his England displays at the World Cup, United’s no.10 remained unstoppable, with his dazzling solo goal against Burnley followed by two more against Forest and Wolves.

As the domestic season resumes, a familiar figure leads United’s charge into the top four, as well as into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup...

Betis, before competitive action picked up against Championship side Burnley in the Carabao Cup.

Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford scored to send United into the quarter-finals, with our no.10 then breaking the deadlock against Nottingham Forest in the league six days later to spark a 3-0 win.

Rashford was among the goals again on New Year’s Eve, coming off the bench to get the decisive effort at Wolves and make it three wins from three in December, with zero goals conceded.

It meant Marcus’s fine scoring form continued – he had now netted in three straight games, following on from three goals at the World Cup, and had 11 for United in total as he increasingly looked back to his best.

Things got even better for Arsenal (right), who headed into 2023 still leading the way. They were now seven points ahead of Manchester City, who stuttered once more when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Everton. Newcastle were still

going strong in third, while United had climbed into the top four for the first time in 2022/23, overtaking Tottenham. Wolves, Nottingham Forest and Southampton occupied the relegation spots, but Leeds, Bournemouth, Everton and West Ham were all within three points. Perhaps feeling some combined festive spirit, December proved to the be only month of the season in which no Premier League managers were removed from their position – although plenty may have been starting to feel the pressure…

UNITED 2

Eriksen 27, Rashford 57

BURNLEY 0

Goal in each half sees returning Reds into quarters

In United’s first game back following the World Cup break, the Reds booked a place in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win over Burnley at Old Trafford.

It was the Championship visitors who created the first opening of the game when Johann Gudmundsson’s cross was met by Ashley Barnes, glancing his header wide of Martin Dubravka in the United goal.

Burnley proved stubborn, but Erik ten Hag’s side found a way through after 27 minutes with some excellent play on the right flank. Bruno Fernandes’s superb pass over to the wing found Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who in turn volleyed the ball across the six-yard area for Christian Eriksen to tap home the tie’s opening goal.

Burnley’s response saw Manuel Benson burst forward, cutting inside Victor Lindelof and firing his right-footed effort into the side netting. Moments later, the same player curled an effort that had to be dealt with by an alert Dubravka.

Anthony Martial had a shot well saved by Bailey Peacock-Farrell in the closing stages of the first half,

OTHER RESULTS:

Blackburn 1-4 Nottingham Forest Charlton 0-0 Brighton (4-3onpens)

Manchester City 3-2 Liverpool

MK Dons 0-3 Leicester

Newcastle 1-0 Bournemouth

Southampton 2-1 Lincoln

Wolves 2-0 Gillingham

then the second half began with Fernandes cleverly picking out Marcus Rashford, who in turn teed up Scott McTominay to walk on to the ball and shoot – but his effort sailed wide.

United doubled the advantage after 57 minutes when Rashford collected the ball inside his own half, charged towards the Clarets’ defence, and slid past Jordan Beyer, allowing him the space to smash the ball across Peacock-Farrell and into the net.

A couple of warnings for the Reds came when Burnley substitute Darko Churlinov prodded an effort just past the post, before Barnes rushed when a chance presented itself inside the penalty area.

Fernandes tried to make it 3-0 with a dangerous free-kick that went a little too high towards the end. Meanwhile, Gudmundsson was later involved in arguably Burnley’s best chance of the game when the Icelandic midfielder squared the ball for Barnes, who looked set to sweep home, only for the forward to miss the mark entirely.

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD

Having continued his scoring form into the World Cup with England, our no.10 continued his stellar club form, capping an impressive display with a fine solo run and incisive finish.

A superb ball found Wan-Bissaka, who volleyed across the six-yard area for Eriksen to tap home the opener

STARTING XI

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

UNITED SUBS USED: Antony for Garnacho 58’ • Shaw for Wan-Bissaka 72’ Elanga for Martial 72’

• Fred for Rashford 85’ • Williams for Malacia 86’ YELLOW CARDS: Fernandes, Antony

BURNLEY SUBS USED: Churlinov for Manuel 64’ • Twine for Barnes 83’ Taylor for Maatsen 90’ Egan-Riley for Cork 90’

Bastien for Brownhill 90’ YELLOW CARDS: Cullen

UNITED 3

Rashford 19, Martial 23, Fred 87

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0

No problems on the Reds’ Premier League return

United’s first Premier League encounter with Nottingham Forest since 1999 finished in a convincing 3-0 win courtesy of goals from Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Fred.

Forest goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey made an early save from Tyrell Malacia with the help of his right-hand post as United put early pressure on the visitors. But it wasn’t long before Rashford’s 10th goal of the season put the hosts ahead, with the England star curling the ball across the goal after being found by a Christian Eriksen corner-kick.

It was soon 2-0 when Martial fired home following a counterattack that had started with a wonderful Casemiro tackle. This time, Rashford was the provider, laying into the path of his teammate.

Ryan Yates tested his luck from range as the first half progressed, with David De Gea more than equal to the midfielder’s attempt and pushing the ball away from danger. Yates then had the ball in the United net before half-time, nodding in a free-kick. But a lengthy VAR review concluded that Willy Boly got the final touch and was offside.

Antony went close to adding a third for the Reds as the second half began at Old Trafford after being found by Bruno Fernandes in the area. The effort needed saving by Hennessey, who also stopped Martial from getting his second of the net after beating the offside trap.

Forest still offered a threat with our lead only at only two: Brennan Johnson’s clever flick was dealt with wisely by De Gea, before Remo Freuler’s tame follow-up again failed to really test our Spanish keeper.

At the other end, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Casemiro linked up as the Reds continued to search for a third. The latter’s chipped effort was flipped over by Hennessey and out for a corner, but the pressure finally told. With three minutes remaining, Fred added a third to round off the scoring (above). Casemiro drove forward after intercepting the ball in midfield, before smartly playing through his countryman to bury a smart left-footed finish into the Forest net.

MAN OF THE MATCH CASEMIRO

The brilliant Brazilian was running the show once again, breaking up Forest’s attack to set United forward for the second goal, then assisting the third with a neat through ball.

UNITED SUBS USED: Garnacho for Antony 65’

• Maguire for Varane 77’

• van de Beek for Martial 65’

Fred for Eriksen 77’ Elanga for Rashford 86’

YELLOW CARDS: Malacia, Eriksen, Garnacho

13 Hennessey

NOTTM FOREST SUBS USED: O’Brien for Lingard 53’

• Dennis for Mangala 62’

• Surridge for Awoniyi 62’

• Toffolo for Lodi 62’

N Williams for Aurier 74’ YELLOW CARDS: Mangala

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 0 UNITED 1

Rashford 76

Rashford plays super-sub to seal win at Molineux

United rounded off 2022 with three huge points after a battling 1-0 victory over Wolves at Molineux, finishing the calendar year by moving into the Premier League’s top four.

United were close to a dream start when Casemiro’s early header from Christian Eriksen’s whipped corner was deflected just over.

The game really opened up during the first 15 minutes, with both sides enjoying spells of possession. But it was the Reds who were gifted a clear-cut chance to score when Nelson Semedo’s short back-pass

fell to the feet of Alejandro Garnacho, but goalkeeper Jose Sa was out quick to smother.

Sa was again tested when Antony’s deflected shot looked to have wrongfooted him, Wolves’ no.1 quickly getting across to save.

Both sides produced some phenomenal defending as Aaron Wan-Bissaka (below) made an instinctive block to prevent Joao Moutinho shooting and Nathan Collins then denied Anthony Martial a clear goalscoring opportunity.

The start of the second half saw Ten Hag call upon Marcus Rashford from the bench, although it was Wolves substitute Adama Traore who had more of an initial impact. The winger played two teasing balls into the United box, but none of his team-mates could capitalise.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between, before United’s breakthrough finally came 14 minutes from time. Worth the wait, a give-and-go between Rashford and Fernandes saw the former power into the box and show great strength to hold off defenders, before firing the ball home.

Rashford thought he had another towards the end when his shot was saved by Sa but rebounded into the net off our no.10’s arm, which a VAR check ruled out. Raul Jimenez also nearly stole a point for the hosts at the death, but De Gea made himself big to deny the Wolves striker a goal from a corner.

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD

Much was made of United’s top scorer being dropped from the starting line-up for disciplinary reasons, but he once more showed Ten Hag his worth coming off the bench.

WOLVES SUBS USED: Traore for Costa 45’ • Castro Otto for Semedo 65’ Gomes for Bueno 73’ Ait-Nouri for Moutinho 73’

• Jimenez for Podence 81’ YELLOW CARDS: Semedo

UNITED SUBS USED: Rashford for Garnacho 45’

• Fred for Eriksen 61’ • van de Beek for Martial 81’

Elanga for Antony 90+3’ Maguire for Fernandes 90+3’

Fred, Casemiro, Rashford

United’s no.10 leaves the Wolves defence floundering after another powerful run and clinical finish

JANUARY

Six wins from eight games across three domestic competitions, a fightback victory in the derby and one foot in a cup final – it was a truly explosive January as the Reds came roaring into 2023. While there were disappointing dropped points in London away to Crystal Palace and Arsenal, with late

strikes resulting in a 1-1 draw and a 3-2 defeat respectively, Erik ten Hag’s side had already begun the month with a comfortable 3-0 success at home to Bournemouth. That was followed by one of the finest results of the season: just 12 minutes were left at Old Trafford with Manchester City 1-0 up and

seemingly set for the win. But in an incredible finale, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford struck to manufacture a superb turnaround. Smooth progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup was secured with a pair of 3-1 home wins, against Everton and Reading, while a 3-0 first-leg triumph away to Nottingham

GOAL OF THE MONTH MARCUS RASHFORD V ARSENAL

United’s goal-hungry no.10 picked as good a time as any to register his first ever goal at the Emirates Stadium, as it put us 1-0 to the good at the home of high-flying Arsenal. Receiving a pass from Bruno Fernandes inside the

Arsenal half, Marcus still had plenty of work to do but after cleverly nutmegging Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, he thumped past Aaron Ramsdale to hand us the lead. A topsy-turvy game would end in a last-gasp 3-2 defeat, but once again Rashford proved he could find the net against the best.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH MARCUS RASHFORD

That stunner against Arsenal came after Rashford had chalked up a run of nine consecutive goalscoring home appearances, including January strikes against City, Everton and Bournemouth.

Starting 2023 as we mean to go on, victories include a derby comeback, plus a first-leg cup triumph that offers a tempting glimpse of Wembley...

Forest in the last four of the Carabao Cup all but ensured a first trip to Wembley under Ten Hag.

That win at Forest included a first goal for Wout Weghorst who, like goalkeeper Jack Butland, arrived at United on loan to provide some added depth to the squad. A third signing would come in on a similar temporary basis on the deadline day of 1 February, with Marcel Sabitzer being loaned from Bayern Munich.

The phenomenal form of Rashford continued, with seven goals taking him on to 18 for the season, and 10 in 10 games since the end of the World Cup. He netted three times in the league, earning him the top-flight’s Player of the Month award for the second time in 2022/23.

Arsenal’s lead at the top was down to five points, but the Gunners had a game in hand over City in second. Newcastle and United completed the top four and were starting to pull away from the pack.

Big names were struggling, with Liverpool and Chelsea languishing

in ninth and 10th. Indeed, the pair managed just six points from a possible 24 between them in January, with the former’s sole point coming in a draw against the Blues.

Frank Lampard (below) was the latest Premier League boss to lose his job, as he departed Everton with his side second from bottom. But it wouldn’t be the last we’d see of the ex-Chelsea midfielder in 2022/23...

UNITED 3

Casemiro 23, Shaw 49, Rashford 86

BOURNEMOUTH 0

New year brings three points to extend winning run

United picked up a fine 3-0 home win over Bournemouth to start 2023 in style and make it six wins on the bounce in all competitions.

The majority of early play was in the Bournemouth half and the best chance went to Anthony Martial, heading wide from Luke Shaw’s cross. United refused to relent and the opening goal a quarter of the way into the game was scored by Casemiro – his first at Old Trafford – from a Christian Eriksen free-kick.

United continued to come forward with multiple attacks, but Bournemouth managed to keep the Reds at bay. The first half also saw Donny van de Beek succumb to injury in a challenge from Marcos Senesi, which sadly ended his involvement prematurely (below).

United continued to dominate after the break and the rainy conditions couldn’t stop the Reds grabbing another goal, when Shaw started a well-worked team goal. His give-and-go pass to Marcus Rashford sparked the move and the England forward darted towards the Stretford End. Bruno Fernandes and substitute Alejandro Garnacho also got involved, with the latter whipping the ball to Shaw to finish with a right-footed shot.

More United attacks came, with Martial going close with a header, while for Bournemouth, Philip Billing and Jaidon Anthony brought top saves out of David De Gea.

Garnacho almost made it three, cutting past Jack Stacey and curling an effort past keeper Mark Travers, only to see it ricochet off the far post.

Then a third goal finally came late on when Shaw released Fernandes, whose square ball across the box was slotted home by Rashford for his fourth goal since the World Cup.

Ahead of kick-off, Lisandro Martinez had taken to the pitch to show off his World Cup winner’s medal, and the fans welcomed him back into action when he replaced Victor Lindelof in the closing minutes.

MAN OF THE MATCH CASEMIRO

As well as scoring his first league goal for United at Old Trafford, the midfield general was everywhere as usual, ensuring his side never looked like losing the initiative.

Garnacho almost made it three, curling an effort past Mark Travers, only to see his shot ricochet back off the post

Shaw shows how he’s feeling about netting a rare strike for United to put us 2-0 up shortly after half-time

1 De Gea

29 Wan-Bissaka

5 Maguire

2 Lindelof

23 Shaw

18 Casemiro

14 Eriksen

UNITED SUBS USED: Garnacho for van de Beek 45+2’

• Fred for Eriksen 68’

• Dalot for Wan-Bissaka 69’

Elanga for Martial 69’ Martinez for Lindelof 88’

YELLOW CARDS: None

1 Travers

15 Smith

6 Mepham

25 Senesi

4 Cook

8 Lerma

32 Anthony

9 Solanke

BOURNEMOUTH SUBS USED: Stacey for Smith 63’

• Dembele for Christie 76’

5 Kelly

29 Billing

• Moore for Billing 76’

YELLOW CARDS: Smith, Stacey, Billing

• Rothwell for Lerma 84’

10 Christie

UNITED 3

Antony 4, Coady 52 og, Rashford 90+7 pen

Familiar hero puts the seal on Reds’ Cup victory

United started this season’s FA Cup campaign with a third-round win over Everton.

In true FA Cup fashion, the crowd created an electric atmosphere inside Old Trafford. It didn’t take United long to score either, the Reds going ahead inside five minutes through Antony after good work from both Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford to set up the chance – the latter driving into the box and playing the ball for the Brazilian to slide on to.

Yet soon Everton were level. Neal Maupay’s low delivery slipped through the legs of David De Gea, allowing Conor Coady to tap in.

A Martial shot and a handful of long-range efforts from Rashford and Christian Eriksen came close to putting us ahead again, but it remained 1-1 at half-time.

The Reds were back in front seven minutes after the restart after Rashford drove into the box and showed lovely footwork to beat his marker, before a drilled cross was turned into his own net by Coady.

The Reds began to establish some dominance but second half Everton substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin remained a threat. Demarai Gray’s quality ball into the box was converted by their no.9, but VAR chalked their equaliser off due to Gray being offside in the build-up.

Rashford was close to putting daylight between us and our opponents with a late free-kick, but Jordan Pickford helped it over the bar to deny his England team-mate.

OTHER RESULTS:

Aston Villa 1-2 Stevenage

Blackpool 4-1 Nottingham Forest

Boreham Wood 1-1 Accrington (0-1replay)

Bournemouth 2-4 Burnley

Brentford 0-1 West Ham

Bristol City 1-1 Swansea (2-1replay)

Cardiff 2-2 Leeds (2-5replay)

Chesterfield 3-3 West Brom (0-4replay)

Coventry 3-4 Wrexham

Crystal Palace 1-2 Southampton

Derby 3-0 Barnsley

Fleetwood 2-1 QPR

Forest Green 1-2 Birmingham

Gillingham 0-1 Leicester

Grimsby 1-0 Burton

Hartlepool 0-3 Stoke

Hull 0-2 Fulham

Ipswich 4-1 Rotherham

Liverpool 2-2 Wolves (1-0replay)

Luton 1-1 Wigan (2-1replay)

Manchester City 4-0 Chelsea

Middlesbrough 1-5 Brighton

Millwall 0-2 Sheffield United

Norwich 0-1 Blackburn

Oxford 0-3 Arsenal

Preston 3-1 Huddersfield

Reading 2-0 Watford

Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Newcastle

Shrewsbury 1-2 Sunderland

Stockport 1-2 Walsall

Tottenham 1-0 Portsmouth

Yet Rashford was irrepressible, and he had the final say from the penalty spot after Alejandro Garnacho had been brought down in stoppage-time, putting an extra gloss on the scoreline in United’s favour under the floodlights.

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD

If there was one player that seemed to make all the difference in this tie, it was the Reds’ man of the moment. An early assist preceded a richly deserved late penalty strike.

STARTING XI

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

UNITED SUBS USED: Fred for Casemiro 71’ • Garnacho for Martial 71’ Martinez for Malacia 76’ Maguire for Eriksen 83’ • McTominay for Antony 84’ YELLOW CARDS: Fernandes EVERTON SUBS USED: Doucoure for Iwobi 51’ • Calvert-Lewin for Maupay 69’

Gordon for Coleman 81’

McNeil for Mykoleko 81’

CARDS: Godfrey, Doucoure, Onana

UNITED 3

Antony 21, Rashford 90, 90+4

CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0

Semi-final spot secured after late Rashford brace

United went from one domestic cup to the next in a matter of days, safely progressing to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 victory over League One side Charlton Athletic.

Starting on the left, Alejandro Garnacho was electric for United and took no time in introducing himself to the Charlton backline, even coming close to creating an opener two minutes in when his ball into the box was hit over the bar by Diogo Dalot.

Garnacho had a chance himself when he cut in from the left and missed the target with a curling shot, but it was Antony who got the emphatic breakthrough goal. He picked the ball up on the edge of the area and unleashed a wonderful effort on goal that sailed past a diving Ashley Maynard-Brewer.

A Fred free-kick was agonisingly close to making it 2-0, with the midfielder striking the woodwork. The Reds continued to flood forward in search of a second, but we went into the break with a narrow lead.

Five minutes into the second half, Erik ten Hag’s men came close again to doubling the lead, as Anthony Elanga’s tap-in was ruled out for offside. Maynard-Brewer then saved from Garnacho after a sublime through ball from Scott McTominay.

An even better save from Maynard-Brewer denied Christian Eriksen, with the keeper getting down well to stop the Dane’s zipped

effort late. Patience eventually paid off, though, as Casemiro’s incredible pass across the field into the path of Facundo Pellistri kick-started the goalscoring move, with the latter –on his competitive debut for United – playing through Marcus Rashford. Our no.10 took a few touches to find his feet before finishing off the move and scoring in his sixth straight game since the World Cup restart.

Deep into stoppage-time, Rashford added another to our tally after being found by Casemiro. Through on goal, he comfortably eased the ball past the Charlton keeper (below) to add a more emphatic look to the final scoreline on an enjoyable evening for the home supporters at Old Trafford.

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD

Even when he starts the game on the bench there seems little to stop United’s no.10 from making a prominent mark on any given game. Two late goals here proved that once more.

OTHER RESULTS:

UNITED SUBS USED: Wan-Bissaka for Dalot 34’

for Fred 60’ • Rashford for Antony 60’ •

for Mainoo 60’ Pellistri for Elanga 84’ YELLOW CARDS: Maguire, Malacia

CHARLTON SUBS USED: O’Connell for Blackett-Taylor 61’ • Payne for Morgan 66’ • Stockley for Sessegnon 82’

UNITED 2

Fernandes 78, Rashford 82 MANCHESTER

Grealish 60

CITY 1

Thrilling comeback win on a derby day to savour

Marcus Rashford painted Manchester red with the winning goal against City that made it nine wins in a row in all competitions, and seven since the post-World Cup restart.

But the Reds were forced to remain patient in the opening exchanges, as the visitors settled into the possession-heavy style that has defined Pep Guardiola’s era.

United still had the first major chance, though, coming as Bruno Fernandes fired wide from a difficult angle after latching on to Christian Eriksen’s sharp pass into the box. Minutes later, Fernandes sent a tremendous crossfield pass into the path of Anthony Martial, but the Frenchman couldn’t test Ederson.

Fred’s combativeness consistently got the fans on their feet. He hounded Kevin De Bruyne with a couple of big tackles, forcing the Belgian playmaker to move wide to escape the congested midfield.

United troubled City on the break half an hour in when Rashford burst beyond the onrushing Ederson, although enough City defenders

immediately covered the line. Rashford also threatened soon after, racing away from Rodri. But Ederson stood up to the attempted dink.

City attacked with menace in the second half, speeding up play through De Bruyne down the right, who zipped tricky passes across the box. United cleared the first one, but another delivery laid on a header for substitute Jack Grealish to score.

Thankfully, Alejandro Garnacho was a game-changer from the bench, as he stretched City’s backline. The pressure bore fruit in the 78th minute, as Bruno Fernandes curled home from a defence-splitting Casemiro pass. Rashford had initially chased the ball from an offside position but left it to Bruno. The officials then consulted each other before the verdict of a goal brought the house down.

Just four minutes later, Garnacho once again proved pivotal. His incision down the left unsettled City, and, at the second attempt, he pinged a low cross in for Rashford to fire past Ederson to make it 2-1, ensuring wild scenes from the home fans, who didn’t stop singing until well beyond the full-time whistle.

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD

Sometimes the goals you don’t score are as priceless as those you do. Our no.10’s decision to let Fernandes shoot for United’s equaliser proved as crucial as his own winner.

The pressure bore fruit in the 78th minute as Fernandes curled home from a defence-splitting pass from Casemiro

Fernandes and his team-mates display their delight after the Portuguese midfielder had equalised for the hosts on a noisy derby day at Old Trafford

CRYSTAL PALACE 1

Olise 90+1 UNITED 1

Fernandes 44

Points shared following frenetic finale in capital

Only a late equaliser denied United a 10th consecutive win in all competitions, with the Reds held to a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Debutant striker Wout Weghorst provided a new dimension at the head of United’s attack, showing some clever early touches as Erik ten Hag’s men set about breaking the deadlock from the off.

Luke Shaw fired just wide with a sweetly struck half-volley across goal, while Antony lobbed an effort over Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita but into the side netting. Weghorst also glanced a header just over from Shaw’s whipped cross.

Shaw then won a free-kick in an inviting position that Marcus Rashford put wide. But the Reds

equally had David De Gea to thank for a sensational save before half-time, tipping Odsonne Edouard’s curling effort on to the bar.

United did go ahead just before the interval, though. Christian Eriksen exchanged passes with Rashford to find space down the left and, when the Dane pulled it back, Bruno Fernandes kept his composure in the box to pick his spot and dispatch past Guaita.

Fernandes threatened to score again the other side of the half-time whistle, running on to Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s half-cleared cross at lightning speed before his effort was blocked from close range.

Ten Hag looked to re-energise his team with Scott McTominay and Alejandro Garnacho from the bench, and the former had a strong shout for a penalty soon after coming on.

De Gea was then required to make another brilliant save from Marc Guehi’s bullet header. But the killer blow came in the first minute of stoppage-time when Michael Olise curled a free-kick from all of 30 yards into the top right-hand corner off the underside of the crossbar.

The Reds still might have snatched victory at the death, with Casemiro desperately close to applying a finishing touch to a corner, before Garnacho’s rasping shot from the edge of the box was well held by Guaita. United were also grateful for a crucial Wan-Bissaka challenge to halt Wilfried Zaha as he went through on goal the other end.

MAN OF THE MATCH AARON WAN-BISSAKA

The Croydon-born full-back built on his increasingly good form as United faced his old club, snuffing out many a threat and making a potentially goal-saving tackle late on.

The Reds might still have snatched victory at the death, as Casemiro was close to getting a touch to a corner

CRYSTAL PALACE

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

CORNERS

FOULS

PALACE SUBS USED: Eze for Mateta 56’

• Schlupp for Doucoure 71’

• Milivojevic for Hughes 84’ YELLOW CARDS: Hughes

• Ayew for Edouard 71’

UNITED SUBS USED: McTominay for Weghorst 69’

• Garnacho for Antony 70’

• Fred for Eriksen 83’

YELLOW CARDS: Martinez, Casemiro

1 De Gea

29 Wan-Bissaka

19 Varane

6 Martinez

23 Shaw

18 Casemiro

14 Eriksen

21 Antony

8 Fernandes

10 Rashford

ARSENAL 3

Nketiah 24, 90, Saka 53

2

Rashford 17, Martinez 59

United’s 10-game unbeaten run came to an end in a five-goal thriller against Arsenal at the Gunners’ Emirates Stadium.

With just six minutes gone, United had an early penalty shout ignored when Aaron Ramsdale collided with Bruno Fernandes. But Marcus Rashford was on hand after 17 minutes to give the Reds the lead.

After some wayward passing from the hosts handed possession back to Erik ten Hag’s side, Fernandes passed into the feet of our no.10, allowing him time and space to drive forward, dribbling past Thomas Partey and smashing a low drive beyond Ramsdale.

That narrow advantage lasted just seven minutes when the Gunners hit back through Eddie Nketiah. Some tidy build-up play allowed Granit Xhaka to pick out a cross on the left-hand side, before the Arsenal forward was found unmarked to head home.

Scott McTominay’s long-range drive forced a save from Ramsdale with 28 minutes played, while Wout Weghorst’s tireless running forced Arsenal back. Our towering Dutch forward attempted to help piece together play between United’s midfield and attack, but the score remained even at half-time.

Arsenal began the second half brightly and took the lead through Bukayo Saka, who fired a low drive past David De Gea after shifting the ball on to his favoured left foot.

Searching for an equaliser, Rashford had a deflected effort

smartly kept out by Ramsdale, before United did draw level through Lisandro Martinez’s first goal for the club. Arsenal didn’t deal with a corner and our no.6 looped a header over defender William Saliba.

Saka was proving to be a thorn in the Reds’ side, with the 21-year-old hitting the post from a deflected shot after cutting inside from the right. De Gea then wonderfully denied Nketiah as the hosts continued to probe late on, falling at the feet of the Arsenal striker.

But Arsenal were not to be denied, as Nketiah notched a stoppage-time goal to take the spoils. Oleksandr Zinchenko’s cross found the feet of Granit Xhaka, whose blocked effort fell to Nketiah to tap home from close range.

De Gea wonderfully denied Nketiah as the hosts continued to probe late on, falling at the feet of the striker

Thrilling encounter has painful late sting in the tail

SUBS USED:

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0 UNITED 3

Rashford 6, Weghorst 45, Fernandes 89

Convincing away win puts Reds in the driving seat

United opened up a huge advantage in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest with a 3-0 win at the City Ground.

The in-form Marcus Rashford needed just five minutes to open the scoring. He started on the left, taking on Joe Worrall and Remo Freuler, skipping into the area and firing past Wayne Hennessey. Following that, two shots from Antony, curling from the right on his left foot and floating wide of the far post, could each have extended the lead.

Forest then found their own rhythm and had the ball in the net through Sam Surridge, whose first-time effort beat David De Gea at his far post, but VAR ruled it offside. New Forest signing Gustavo Scarpa also tried a 25-yard volley that was met with a superb save.

United’s search for a second paid off on the brink of half-time, as Wout Weghorst pounced on a rebound from Antony’s saved shot – the Dutchman’s first goal for the club.

OTHER RESULT:

There was pressure from Forest at the start of the second half. But Erik ten Hag’s men weathered that storm and were closest to the next goal when Christian Eriksen hit the bar after a quick break.

Forest hoped to reduce the deficit when substitute Neco Williams found space on the left-hand side and crossed, but former United winger Jesse Lingard could not make anything of it.

The Reds were looking fairly comfortable but were still seeking a third goal to all but settle the tie.

In the closing minutes, Bruno Fernandes sought to pick out Anthony Elanga or Facundo Pellistri. The ball was cleared by the Forest defence, but only back to Bruno. He strode into the area and struck first time past Hennessey (above) to score his sixth goal of the season.

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD

Like many other teams this season. Forest found United’s in-form striker too hot to handle, and it was a superb individual effort from him that set the Reds en route to victory.

The Reds were looking fairly comfortable in the second half but were still seeking a third goal to all but settle the tie

FOREST SUBS USED: Colback for Danilo 58’ • Lingard for Scarpa 64’

Worrall 26 McKenna 32 Lodi

Freuler 28 Danilo 31 Scarpa 20 Johnson

Aurier

• O’Brien for Gibbs-White 73’ YELLOW CARDS: None

UNITED SUBS USED: Garnacho for Rashford 57’ • Fred for Eriksen 71’

• Pellistri for Antony 71’

• Elanga for Weghorst 86’ YELLOW CARDS: Pellistri

STARTING XI 1

18 21 14

12 10

1 De Gea

29 Wan-Bissaka

2 Lindelof

6 Martinez

12 Malacia

18 Casemiro

14 Eriksen

21 Antony

8 Fernandes

10 Rashford

UNITED 3

Casemiro 54, 58, Fred 66

READING 1

Mbengue 72

Second-half blitz sees off Berkshire challengers

United continued progressing in the FA Cup as January drew to a close, enjoying a comfortable 3-1 win over 10-man Reading in the fourth round at Old Trafford.

The Reds had the better of the chances inside the opening 10 minutes. The first came when Antony nutmegged Baba Rahman on the right and found the run of Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The right-back fired the ball towards Wout Weghorst but his shot was blocked.

Christian Eriksen sent a free-kick wide, but United didn’t stop hounding the Reading goal. A Rashford free-kick then flew straight at Joe Lumley, but the goalkeeper spilled the ball to Eriksen who couldn’t angle his shot past the defenders.

Rashford thought he had become the first-ever United player to score in 10 straight games at Old Trafford when he headed into the net, but VAR found that Weghorst had been offside when he nodded the ball on.

Reading nearly went ahead against the run of play before half-time, with David De Gea saving Junior Hoilett’s attempted volley.

The elusive breakthrough for United eventually came after a slow start to the second half. Eriksen and Antony were both involved in the move, with the Brazilian winger finding compatriot Casemiro, who shrugged off a challenge from Mamadou Loum and chipped a shot over Lumley to open the scoring.

Casemiro quickly doubled the lead, this time a first-time finish from Fred’s pass after good work from

OTHER RESULTS:

Accrington 1-3 Leeds

Blackburn 2-2 Birmingham (1-0replay)

Brighton 2-1 Liverpool

Bristol City 3-0 West Brom

Derby 0-2 West Ham

Fulham 1- 1 Sunderland (3-2replay)

Ipswich 0-0 Burnley (1-2replay)

Luton 2-2 Grimsby(0-3replay)

Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal

Preston 0-3 Tottenham

Sheffield Wed 1-1 Fleetwood (0-1replay)

Southampton 2-1 Blackpool

Stoke 3-1 Stevenage

Walsall 0-1 Leicester

Wrexham 3-3 Sheffield United (1-3replay)

Bruno Fernandes on the left. The shot sailed past Lumley into the back of the Royals’ net.

Reading striker Andy Carroll was already on a booking when he dived in with a two-footed tackle on Casemiro. The referee immediately reached for the red card.

With a man advantage, United broke on the counter not long afterwards to win a corner. As Fernandes whipped the ball into the area, Fred beat Lumley at the post with a fancy flick: 3-0.

Reading did manage to grab a consolation with 18 minutes left. Tom Ince’s powerful corner was sent towards substitute Amadou Mbengue, who had just come on moments earlier, and his bullet header gave the Championship side’s followers something to cheer.

MAN OF THE MATCH CASEMIRO

Two goals from the Brazilian in quick succession put United firmly in control and otherwise it was a typically industrious performance from the midfield maestro in the no.18 shirt.

STARTING XI

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

UNITED SUBS USED: Fred for Eriksen 57’ • Pellistri for Fernandes 68’ Garnacho for Rashford 68’ Mainoo for Casemiro 73’ • Elanga for Weghorst 73’ YELLOW CARDS: Malacia READING SUBS USED: Fornah for Loum 62’ •

for Hoilett 69’ • Bouzanis for Lumley 75’ •

for Hendrick 75’ Long for Lucas Joao 76’

Carroll RED CARDS: Carroll

FEBRUARY

An unbeaten month across all competitions sees progress in the league and Europe, before the wait for silverware ends at the national stadium...

There were joyous scenes at Wembley at the end of February as United beat Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final to secure the first trophy under Erik ten Hag, and United’s first since 2017. For a club so accustomed to winning trophies, six years felt like far too long, but, after wrapping up the

semi-final with a 5-0 aggregate win against Nottingham Forest to kick off February, first-half strikes against the Magpies from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford in a controlled display ensured there was never any danger of the wait continuing.

The cup final came at the end of another encouraging month for the

Reds, with the only blip coming in a 2-2 home draw with Leeds in the league – and even that included an impressive comeback from 2-0 down. And the Yorkshire side were beaten 2-0 at Elland Road four days later, with league victories for the Reds also coming against Crystal Palace and Leicester. United ended

GOAL OF THE MONTH: ANTONY V BARCELONA

United fans were becoming accustomed to watching Antony cutting in from the right and curling fantastic shots goalward, after he scored that way against City and Charlton, but he can also do it with no warning, as

witnessed with the score at 1-1 and the tie in the balance against the Catalans. After shots from Garnacho and Fred had been blocked, the ball broke to Antony, and he curled a pinpoint, first-time effort into the bottom corner to send United into the Europa League Round of 16. Cue delirium around Old Trafford.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH: MARCUS RASHFORD

A third POTM in a row for our no.10 was secured via seven goals in as many games across the month, including scoring our first and making the second at the Nou Camp, then netting again at Wembley.

the month in third place, six points behind Manchester City and with a game in hand.

Such fine form earned Ten Hag his second Premier League Manager of the Month award, while Marcus Rashford claimed the players’ prize for the second successive month. His opening strike in a brace against the Foxes on 19 February was his 23rd goal of the campaign – already his most prolific for United with three full months of fixtures still remaining.

On the European stage, there was a night to remember at Old Trafford as the players battled from 1-0 down to defeat Barcelona 2-1 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate, with Antony’s superb winner setting up a Europa League Round of 16 meeting with another La Liga side, Real Betis.

Elsewhere in England’s top flight, with the pressure of relegation growing for those near the bottom, two sides battling to beat the drop made changes in the dugout, as Leeds and Southampton sacked Jesse Marsch and Nathan Jones,

the latter having been in charge for just three months. Spaniards Javi Gracia and Ruben Selles (below) were brought in to replace them.

The Saints ended the month bottom, while Leeds were just a point above a drop zone that also included Everton and Bournemouth. West Ham, Wolves, Leicester and Forest were all also casting a close eye over those below them.

In the title race, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal lost to Everton and Manchester City, while also being held at home to Brentford, as their lead was cut to just two points, albeit with a game in hand on City in second.

UNITED 2

Martial 73, Fred 76 NOTTINGHAM

FOREST 0

(Unitedwin5-0onaggregate)

Bench reinforcements seal our spot at Wembley

United made it safely through to the Carabao Cup final by beating Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Old Trafford, adding to the 3-0 aggregate lead from the first leg.

The Reds stepped out on to the Theatre of Dreams to a thunderous cup semi-final atmosphere and it motivated the players to control the game early on, with the team comfortable in possession even if significant attacks were lacking.

Alejandro Garnacho had a penalty appeal turned down when he appeared to be pushed by Neco Williams after a tricky run into the area, then Wayne Hennessey stuck out a leg to deny a Casemiro header. Antony also hammered in a fierce drive that cleared the crossbar.

Forest were quiet until the final moments of the first half. Brennan Johnson broke away down the right and fired a low cross towards Emmanuel Dennis. However, the goalbound shot was blocked by his own player, Sam Surridge.

United immediately broke away and had our best chance of the half when Wout Weghorst’s header smashed the post and was cleared.

There were big shouts for a penalty after the break when Scott McKenna brought down Weghorst, but the referee and VAR both ruled no spot-kick.

Garnacho remained a threat and was close to grabbing the lead when he received the ball from Bruno

OTHER RESULT:

Fernandes, then took on Williams and forced a save from Hennessey.

A trio of substitutes – Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho – would eventually make the difference. Casemiro’s pass allowed Martial to break away with pace, and his pass to Rashford was blocked by McKenna, but the ball fell back to the Frenchman and he took the chance to give United the lead.

Fred doubled the advantage not long after, starting and finishing a move. United’s no. 17 picked out a pass to Martial, who linked up with Sancho and Fernandes. Bruno’s cross found Rashford, sending the ball into the path of Fred to touch it in.

There was still time for Tom Heaton to make a fine stop to deny Danilo and preserve the clean sheet, but a place at Wembley was the prize we were all most thrilled about.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

The United captain was everywhere in this game, breaking up play and setting up chances in the first half, then making an incisive pass leading to a goal in the second.

A trio of substitutes – Martial, Rashford and Sancho – would eventually make the difference

UNITED 2

Fernandes 7 pen, Rashford 62

CRYSTAL PALACE 1

Schlupp 76

Another home win despite red-card controversy

United earned an important 2-1 win against a stubborn Crystal Palace, despite playing the final 20 minutes with 10 players after Casemiro’s dismissal.

Prior to kick-off there were poignant scenes around Old Trafford as the club marked our closest home match to the 65th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster. The manager had called on the players to draw inspiration from the Busby Babes and a fast-starting United netted one of our quickest goals of the season when the ball struck Will Hughes’s arm and VAR decreed a penalty.

Bruno Fernandes sent Palace keeper Vicente Guaita the wrong way (below).

Wout Weghorst had a chance to extend the lead when a looping header was turned away by Guaita. United then also got a warning about the importance of taking chances when David De Gea kept out an attempt from Jeffrey Schlupp.

Marcus Rashford created a chance 10 minutes into the second half, cutting inside to beat two players and curling the ball just over.

Erik ten Hag introduced Alejandro Garnacho on the hour mark for

some extra spark and he was quickly involved in our second goal. The 18-year-old touched the ball off to Luke Shaw, who fizzed a low cross for Rashford to divert into the net.

United ended up being reduced to 10 men on 65 minutes in a dramatic flashpoint. Antony and Schlupp were cautioned for trading pushes off the ball, but after the ensuing melee, the referee, aided by VAR, elected to send off Casemiro for handling Hughes round the neck.

The Eagles, now with the extra man, pulled a goal back when a flurry of set-pieces led to Schlupp turning in Cheick Doucoure’s miscued strike. United held on to the lead, though, and the occasion was also marked by a debut for loan signing Marcel Sabitzer off the bench (right).

MAN OF THE MATCH LISANDRO MARTINEZ

The Argentinian centre-back was composure itself in the first half, and when the heat turned up on United after the red card he continued to be integral to the Red rearguard.

After the ensuing melee, the referee, aided by VAR, elected to send off Casemiro for handling Hughes round the neck

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

CRYSTAL PALACE

SHOTS ON TARGET CORNERS FOULS

STARTING XI

UNITED SUBS USED: Garnacho for Weghorst 59’ • Sabitzer for Antony 81’ Lindelof for Wan-Bissaka 87’ Maguire for Garnacho 87’

YELLOW CARDS: Antony RED CARDS: Casemiro

PALACE SUBS USED: Lokonga for Hughes 72’ • Eze for Ayew 73’ Ahamada for Doucore 82’ Mateta for Schlupp 83’ YELLOW CARDS: Mitchell, Schlupp

STARTING XI

UNITED 2

Rashford 62, Sancho 70

LEEDS UNITED 2

Gnonto 1, Varane 48 og

Thrilling home comeback falls just short of victory

A Jadon Sancho equaliser saw United fight back from two goals down to take a point in the first of two Premier League games against Leeds scheduled in quick succession.

The Yorkshire side were the better team early on and netted inside the opening minute. Tyler Adams won the ball to send Wilfried Gnonto breaking away at pace. His one-two with Patrick Bamford then engineered the space for a low shot to beat David De Gea.

United had De Gea to thank for not going two down soon after when his instinctive fingertip save stopped Pascal Struijk scoring at a corner.

Alejandro Garnacho stirred the Reds into life, firing one shot narrowly wide of the post and then rounding Leeds keeper Illan Meslier, only to see his goalbound shot headed off the line by Maximilian Wober. Meslier also pulled off a great save to deny Marcel Sabitzer from outside the box.

Leeds began the second half just how they started the first, with a quick counterattack that resulted in a goal. Garnacho lost out in the centre of the pitch, despite an appeal for handball. As Gnonto broke, his pass found substitute Crysencio Summerville, whose cross ricocheted off the boot of Raphael Varane and past De Gea.

Facundo Pellistri was brought on for his Premier League debut just before the hour mark and was quickly involved in pulling the first

goal back. The Uruguayan got the better of Junior Firpo on the right, laying off to Diogo Dalot, whose cross found Marcus Rashford to head in his 20th goal of the season – the first United player to score in six consecutive appearances at Old Trafford in the Premier League since Wayne Rooney in April 2012.

United refused to lose after that, with Sancho managing to bring the game level. The winger exchanged some brilliant passes with Luke Shaw in the area, before firing a low driven shot past Meslier to bring the Stretford End to its feet and take the scoreline to 2-2.

The Reds could even have won it as Varane brought the best out of Meslier, and both Fred and Bruno Fernandes having efforts late on.

MAN OF THE MATCH JADON SANCHO

The no.25 was introduced on 59 minutes and quickly helped kick-start the Reds’ revival in this game, linking up well on the left in front of Luke Shaw and taking his chance well to score.

Rashford became the first United player to score in six successive Premier League home games since 2012

Eleven minutes after coming on as a substitute for the hosts, Sancho wheels away in delight after scoring United’s second to level the scores

UNITED SUBS USED: Pellistri for Garnacho 59’

• Sancho for Weghorst 59’

• Malacia for Dalot 82’

• Lindelof for Sabitzer 82’ YELLOW CARDS: Sabitzer

LEEDS SUBS USED: Summerville for Sinisterra

8’

• Firpo for Struijk 23’

1 Meslier

2 Ayling

5 Koch

35 Wober

12 Adams

23 Sinisterra

11 Harrison

29 Gnonto

• Rutter for Bamford 63’

• Aaronson for Harrison 63’

• Greenwood for McKennie 90’• Fernandez for Gnonto 90’ YELLOW CARDS: Firpo, McKennie, Adams

21 Struijk

28 McKennie

9 Bamford

LEEDS UNITED 0 UNITED 2

Rashford 80, Garnacho 85

Victory in a feisty return fixture at Elland Road

Days after being held at home, two late goals handed United victory over Leeds 2-0 in a physical Premier League battle at their Elland Road home.

The noise inside the stadium was deafening from both sets of fans ahead of kick-off. On the pitch, the game was gritty in the early stages and a free-kick for Leeds resulted in a chance for Patrick Bamford, whose shot was saved by David De Gea before Crysencio Summerville failed to convert the follow up.

United waited nearly 20 minutes for a first big opportunity as Bruno Fernandes missed with a first-time shot after good work from Jadon Sancho. But there remained an undercurrent of tension, with clashes between Luke Ayling and Tyrell Malacia, as well as Fernandes and Summerville, reflecting the intensity of the rivalry on and off the pitch.

Leeds tried to snatch the lead late in the first half as Summerville managed to create a quick counterattack which forced De Gea to make a save, but it rebounded and was cleared. Moments later, Fernandes won the ball deep inside

the opposition half and bore down on Illan Meslier’s goal, requiring a superb one-on-one save.

The hosts resumed on the front foot after the break with a big opportunity for Ayling blocked by Luke Shaw. The Leeds defender was then involved at the other end as he and Weston McKennie looked to have brought down Marcus Rashford, but no penalty was awarded.

Diogo Dalot struck the bar as the half progressed, unleashing a shot from distance that beat Meslier but not the woodwork. Going the other way, De Gea saved brilliantly with his legs to deny Summerville.

Rashford’s moment finally came with a bullet header to take the lead with only 10 minutes left, connecting with a wicked cross from Shaw.

With Leeds on the ropes, United wanted more. Alejandro Garnacho managed to dance through the defence to get into a shooting position and fire past Meslier, who turned the ball on to the post and in, to put the result in little doubt.

Rashford and Wout Weghorst each also found the net again in a one-sided finish but VAR checks supported the on-field decisions to flag both efforts offside.

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD

A fantastic headed goal gave United the edge just when it looked as if Leeds might frustrate us again. Another confident display from the Reds’ goalgetter-in-chief.

Garnacho managed to dance through the Leeds defence to get into a shooting position and fire past Meslier

BARCELONA 2

Alonso 50, Raphinha 76

UNITED 2

Rashford 52, Kounde 59 og

Honours even in Catalonia in vintage first-leg tie

Reminiscent of back-to-back 3-3 draws in 1998, United and Barça produced a night of football that will live long in the memory in the first leg of this Europa League knockout round play-off.

The home side edged it early on and David De Gea saved well from Robert Lewandowski, who was facing the Reds for the first time in a competitive match. Marcos Alonso whipped a free-kick inches over moments later, while Pedri put a volley just too high.

But Erik ten Hag’s United proceeded to create four fantastic chances within a few minutes.

A Jadon Sancho first-time shot deflected just wide off Frenkie de Jong, before Bruno Fernandes made opportunities for Wout Weghorst and Casemiro, both forcing saves from Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who also denied Marcus Rashford.

Both sides had chances to score after the break. Raphinha had struck marginally wide with a vicious strike, while Sancho side-footed just past the post for United. But it was a corner that gave Barcelona

OTHER RESULTS:

the lead when Raphinha’s cross connected with Alonso’s head.

United showed great resolve to turn the game on its head in the following eight minutes. Fred threaded a brilliant pass down the right side of the area to find Rashford, who produced an inch-perfect finish to beat Ter Stegen at his near post. Then, Rashford’s cross after a short corner was flicked on by Fernandes, leaving Jules Kounde with no time to react, diverting the ball into his own net.

But the Barcelona equaliser came out of almost nothing. Raphinha chopped the ball on to his left foot to whip the ball in from the right, causing such menace that his subsequent cross crept inside the far post.

United regrouped and Rashford missed the target with one shot, but Ten Hag’s side had to ride out nervy final stages as De Gea made saves to deny Raphinha and Ansu Fati. A slice of fortune also kept the ball out when Casemiro’s clearance rebounded off the post, while Tyrell Malacia made a heroic block at the death to keep the score at 2-2.

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD

It was another outstanding performance from the Red no.10 as, on another lively night, he followed up a fine equalising goal for United by creating the opening that led to our second.

Rashford’s cross was flicked on by Fernandes, allowing Kounde no time to react as he diverted the ball into his own net

UNITED 3

Rashford 25, 56, Sancho 61

LEICESTER CITY 0

Familiar goal poacher sets Reds en route to points

Two more Marcus Rashford goals inspired United in a 3-0 win over Leicester City in the Premier League at Old Trafford.

For Rashford, the brace increased his goals tally for the season to 24 in all competitions – the most he has ever managed for the club.

Despite a bright United start, Leicester fashioned some early chances. The first saw Harvey Barnes denied by David De Gea’s excellent one-on-one save. Minutes later, Kelechi Iheanacho’s shot was blocked by Victor Lindelof. On a day when our no.1 excelled, De Gea then pawed the ball off the line when Iheanacho shot on target again.

Rashford’s 25th-minute opener broke the deadlock. Found by

a Bruno Fernandes pass, the no.10 showed Leicester stopper Danny Ward no mercy as he finished into the bottom-left corner (below).

Diogo Dalot nearly doubled the advantage on 36 minutes, agonisingly poking his attempt wide from close range.

United’s first opportunity after the interval involved a Luke Shaw free-kick, floated into the area and met by the head of Lisandro Martinez. Unfortunately for the hosts, it hit the bar and bounced over.

The second goal came not long after. The ball was slid through to Rashford on the left by Fred and the forward fired it through Ward’s legs.

Substitute Jadon Sancho then added his name to the scoresheet. After a one-two with Fernandes, he was able to side-foot the ball into a mostly empty net after Ward had been drawn to his near post.

The Reds still wanted more as Sancho and Wout Weghorst had chances, after Rashford had left the field to a huge ovation following another superb display. Ten minutes from time, Kobbie Mainoo was also introduced for his Premier League debut on an enjoyable day in M16.

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD

Another weekend, another Man of the Match showing from the England international. His brace in either half put United firmly in control and he remained a threat throughout.

Found by a Fernandes pass, Rashford showed goalkeeper Danny Ward no mercy as he finished into the corner

STARTING XI

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED SUBS USED: Sancho for Garnacho 45’ • McTominay for Fred 59’ • Wan-Bissaka for Shaw 69’ Elanga for Rashford 69’ • Mainoo for Sabitzer 80’ YELLOW CARDS: None

LEICESTER SUBS USED: Tielemans for Dewsbury-Hall 59’ • Soumare for Mendy 59’ Praet for Tete 75’ Vardy for Iheanacho 75’ YELLOW CARDS: Faes, Mendy

Fred 47, Antony 73 BARCELONA 1

Lewandowski 18 pen (Unitedwin4-3onaggregate)

Second-half comeback settles classic Europa tie

United’s magnificent 2-1 victory over Barcelona at Old Trafford secured a place in the last 16 of the Europa League.

Both teams rose to the occasion and, within the first three minutes, the Reds carved out an excellent opportunity when Marc-Andre ter Stegen blocked a Bruno Fernandes shot. Raphinha responded with one of his own that went wide of the post.

A breathless, end-to-end opening 15 minutes concluded with Barça being awarded a penalty. Fernandes was deemed to have pulled Alejandro Balde down just inside the area, with Robert Lewandowski just putting the ball beyond David De Gea’s reach from 12 yards.

A tame Fernandes strike was stopped by Ter Stegen, then Casemiro saved United from going 2-0 down before half-time. The Brazilian spared De Gea’s blushes after a stray pass out, stopping Sergi Roberto getting a shot away and then throwing himself in front of Franck Kessie’s effort.

The Reds came out for the second half in need of a goal and were level within two minutes. Winning possession high up the pitch, Fernandes was quick to pass to Fred, who took one touch before firing beyond Ter Stegen. Moments later, substitute Antony was also played in but was challenged by Andreas Christensen before he could find Marcus Rashford.

De Gea turned into the hero just after the hour mark when Balde’s

excellent cross to the far post was met by Jules Kounde. Our goalkeeper was at full stretch to tip the header over the bar and he was also equal to Kessie’s long-range effort from the resulting corner kick.

United went in front 10 minutes later thanks to a wonderful strike. Shots by Alejandro Garnacho and Fred were blocked, but the ball fell to Antony, who guided it into the bottom corner in front of a ecstatic Stretford End (above).

Late drama threatened when Lewandowski looked set to force extra-time, but an unbelievable block on the line from Raphael Varane helped us see out the tie.

OTHER RESULTS:

MAN OF THE MATCH FRED

The Brazilian midfielder isn’t often in the headlines but his tireless midfield work is always appreciated. His shooting is also a great weapon, as his equaliser here showed.

1

UNITED SUBS USED: Antony for Weghorst 45’ • Dalot for Wan-Bissaka 67’ • Garnacho for Sancho 67’ McTominay for Rashford 88’

YELLOW CARDS: Casemiro, Fernandes, Garnacho

BARCELONA SUBS USED: Torres for Roberto 70’ • Ansu Fati for Raphinha 75’ • Alonso for Araujo 82’

YELLOW CARDS: Busquets, Roberto, Lewandowski

1 Ter Stegen

23 Kounde

4 Araujo

15 Christensen

28 Balde

19 Kessie

5 Busquets

22 Raphinha

9 Lewandowski

20 Roberto

UNITED 2

Casemiro 33, Rashford 39

NEWCASTLE UNITED 0

Major silverware is lifted after Wembley triumph

A 2-0 Wembley win over Newcastle delivered United’s first major trophy in six years in the shape of the Carabao Cup.

Both sides started with quick counterattacks to try to catch the other out. The best attempt in the early exchanges for the Reds came 12 minutes in when Wout Weghorst latched on to a ball from Fred and fired straight at Loris Karius in the Newcastle goal. Meanwhile, Sean Longstaff fired a dangerous low cross across goal.

The game really came to life when Casemiro headed in the opening goal, rising high to meet Luke Shaw’s free-kick. VAR checked the goal, but Callum Wilson’s foot appeared to keep our Brazilian star onside, a decision that saw the red half of Wembley erupt with elation.

Marcus Rashford’s 25th goal of the season soon followed to make it 2-0. The goalscorer started on the left and linked up with Weghorst, before getting the ball back and seeing his shot take a big deflection off Sven Botman and looping over Karius. Although it was initially recorded as an own goal, it was later credited to Rashford.

Weghorst nearly grabbed a third for Ten Hag’s men before half-time. Antony’s trickery on the right flank made the chance, sending the Dutch forward through on goal and resulting in a top save. Still looking to put the game to bed as soon as the

second half began, United almost made it 3-0 – first through Fred, who side-footed a shot wide of the post, and then Antony, whose trademark curling from the right was easily collected by Karius.

The Magpies looked for a lifeline to get back into the final, but wayward passes from Allan Saint-Maximin kept them from having a real attempt. Their best chances later fell to Joelinton seconds apart, denied once by an Aaron Wan-Bissaka block and then by Lisandro Martinez.

Karius was called into action again to make a great save from Rashford after being found by substitute Marcel Sabitzer. Attacks kept coming but good defending from Kieran Trippier and another Karius save stopped United getting out of sight. Joelinton did force De Gea to claw the ball away as time began to run out and Bruno Fernandes came so close to putting the icing on United’s cake, only to be foiled by a one-on-one save.

MAN OF THE MATCH CASEMIRO

The Brazilian hit a new peak in a great season with a winner’s medal to show for it, after acting as enforcer for United throughout the game in addition to a fine opening goal.

The game came to life when Casemiro headed in the opening goal, rising high to meet Shaw’s free-kick

MARCH

While it was a tough month in the league for the Reds, progress was made in two other competitions as Erik ten Hag’s side advanced to the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the Europa League and FA Cup respectively. A painful defeat away to Liverpool and a goalless draw at home to Southampton made for two top-flight results to forget, but United still managed to retain third place in the table at the end of the month, having played at least one game fewer than each of the rest of the top four.

Two 3-1 wins, and two dramatic late FA Cup turnarounds, were conjured up at Old Trafford, first against West Ham and then Fulham, with the Reds both times heading into the final 15 minutes trailing 1-0 before rallying en route to securing a second Wembley trip of the season, this time against Brighton.

Progress was more straightforward in Europe, as a 4-1 home win against Real Betis was followed by a 1-0 win on the road in the second leg. For the third consecutive Europa League draw, United were paired with

A chastening defeat in the league, but more to cheer on other fronts...

Spanish opposition, with Sevilla this time providing the opposition.

Ahead of United in the league were only Arsenal and Manchester City, the Gunners now eight points clear having played a game more. The top two each had 100 per cent winning records during March as Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta went head-to-head

More managerial changes were afoot: Tottenham sacked Antonio Conte and would see out the season with two interim managers, first Cristian Stellini who was soon to be

GOAL OF THE MONTH ANTONY V REAL BETIS

Maybe the La Liga side didn’t know what was coming when our Brazilian no.21 cut inside from the right on the edge of the penalty box. United fans did: another trademark left-footed curler from the former Ajax man, and it came

at a crucial time in this Europa League Round of 16 first leg fixture, after United’s early lead had been pegged back by Real Betis in the first half. It restored the Reds’ advantage, got Old Trafford bouncing again and set the platform for Ten Hag’s men to build a commanding 4-1 lead in the tie.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH BRUNO FERNANDES

It took a pretty impressive month for the Portuguese ace to prevent Marcus Rashford winning a fourth POTM in a row, and Bruno delivered it with three goals and an assist across the month of March.

replaced by Ryan Mason, taking on the role for the second time. Spurs were still pushing for a Champions League place and despite their off-field upheaval they held fourth place come the month’s end, ahead of Newcastle, Liverpool, Brighton and Brentford. Fulham and Chelsea completed the top half, while Aston Villa were now 11th, having undergone a remarkable turnaround under new boss Unai Emery (below).

At Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace dismissed Patrick Vieira and

sensationally replaced him with Roy Hodgson, who returned to the club just two seasons since departing following a successful four-year spell.

Palace were one of eight clubs involved in an intense relegation battle. Despite sitting in 12th, they were just four points ahead of bottom side Southampton. West Ham and Bournemouth were also in the bottom three, but all of Wolves, Leeds, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Leicester (below) had fears of the drop as April began...

UNITED 3

Aguerd 77 og, Garnacho 90, Fred 90+5

WEST HAM UNITED 1

Benrahma 54

Late rally sees resolute Reds claim last-eight spot

A 3-1 win in which United came from behind late on against West Ham secured safe passage to the FA Cup quarter-finals.

A bright start from United suggested no hangovers from Carabao Cup success four days earlier and it took only six minutes for a clear chance when Marcel Sabitzer fizzed a shot that was saved by Alphonse Areola. The French keeper also saved from Alejandro Garnacho’s effort from the left.

It took the Hammers a while to grow into the game, but they showed just how dangerous they could be with a one-on-one chance for Michail Antonio that was closed down by David De Gea.

In the second half, De Gea was forced into another huge save after Tomas Soucek rose above Victor Lindelof to direct a header towards the bottom corner, but the United no.1 scooped it away.

United came agonisingly close to taking the lead when Bruno Fernandes couldn’t quite reach Sabitzer’s final ball, but then West

Ham went ahead against the run of play. The ball looked to be out of play, but Soucek was adjudged to have kept it in, with Said Benrahma eventually smashing the ball beyond De Gea after it arrived in the box.

Our Spaniard keeper soon had to keep the visitors at bay by denying Antonio again. United’s would-be equaliser from a Casemiro header at a free-kick was then ruled out for offside thanks to VAR, but the levelling goal eventually came, courtesy of a Bruno Fernandes set piece that was turned into the net by West Ham’s Nayef Aguerd (below).

Ten Hag’s players relentlessly pressed for the remainder of the second half in a bid to get the win without going to extra-time. The necessary bit of quality came from Garnacho, taking the ball down after Wout Weghorst had a shot blocked and finding the net after 90 minutes.

United continued to attack and Fred made extra sure of the win with a low finish from 15 yards after Weghorst’s pressing had forced a defensive mistake.

OTHER RESULTS:

MAN OF THE MATCH ALEJANDRO GARNACHO

Picked to start for United on the left wing, he was a constant source of attacking promise, and his brilliant strike in the closing minutes justified Ten Hag’s faith in him.

Casemiro,

WEST HAM

UNITED SUBS USED: Casemiro for McTominay 45’

• Martinez for Lindelof 58’

• Rashford for Antony 58’

13 Areola

• Fred for Sabitzer 86’ Varane for Garnacho 90+3’

YELLOW CARDS: Maguire, McTominay

WEST HAM SUBS USED: Bowen for Fornals 74’

• Scamacca for Antonio 86’ YELLOW CARDS: Paqueta

2 Johnson

27 Aguerd

21 Ogbonna

33 Emerson

LIVERPOOL 7

Gakpo 43, 53, Nunez 47, 75, Salah 66, 83, Firmino 88

UNITED 0

Second-half collapse makes for humbling defeat

Beaten only once in 22 games in all competitions prior to kick-off, United were blindsided by a painful 7-0 defeat to Liverpool.

The hosts had more of the ball in the opening 10 minutes, but the best effort came from United with Antony’s trademark curler from the edge of the area, saved by Alisson after seeing the ball late. Lisandro Martinez was then on hand to stop Darwin Nunez from scoring.

United gradually grew into the game and carved out a handful of decent opportunities, with Bruno Fernandes missing a back-post header and Marcus Rashford’s tame short not troubling Alisson.

Minutes before half-time, Casemiro found the net with a header from Luke’s Shaw free-kick, but an offside flag went up after he made his way into the area too early.

Moments later, Liverpool surged forward and had the lead in the blink of an eye. Their January signing Cody Gakpo picked up the ball up out wide, before cutting past Raphael Varane and firing into corner.

United came out after the break needing a goal, but the Merseysiders doubled their lead after an electric

start, when Harvey Elliott crossed for Nunez to head in uncontested.

Attacking Anfield’s Kop and with momentum in their favour, Jurgen Klopp’s side made it 3-0 almost straight away, through another from Gakpo. Mohamed Salah provided a quality pass into the path of his team-mate, who went on to loft the ball over David De Gea as things started to really unravel for United and the hosts smelled blood.

Liverpool continued to be deadly and scored a fourth just after the hour, counterattacking from a United corner that finished with the ball falling to Salah to volley in off the crossbar.

Marcus Rashford was denied a consolation by the post with 20 minutes left, skipping beyond Alisson but seeing his shot bounce back off the woodwork (below). Liverpool’s fifth quickly followed as Nunez was on target, heading home from a Jordan Henderson cross.

Salah added his second and Liverpool’s sixth towards the latter stages when Shaw’s attempted clearance bounced into his path. Roberto Firmino made it 7-0 late on by squeezing the ball under De Gea.

POSSESSION (%)

CORNERS FOULS

LIVERPOOL SUBS USED: Bajcetic for Henderson 78’

for Fabinho 79’ Firmino for Gakpo 79’ Jota for Nunez

STARTING XI

UNITED 4

Rashford 6, Antony 52, Fernandes 58, Weghorst 82

REAL BETIS 1

Perez 32

Convincing win gives Reds control of Europa tie

Erik ten Hag’s side bounced back from the dispiriting Liverpool loss by scoring four against Real Betis in the first leg of this Europa League last-16 tie.

The hosts started the encounter as if they had something to prove, flooding forward inside the first minute to win a corner. Wout Weghorst then looked to have opened the scoring five minutes in, but Fred’s assist was deemed to be from an offside position.

However, Marcus Rashford’s rifling strike ensured we established an early lead soon after. The sweeping move started in the Reds’ own half, with Bruno Fernandes’ pass into the box deflected into the path of the no.10, who showed great composure before a thumping effort into the roof of the net.

The Reds dominated the first half, and the Betis equaliser from Ayoze Perez, on loan from Leicester, was against the run of play. He picked up the ball on the edge of the area and fizzed his shot back across the box to level the score on 32 minutes.

OTHER RESULTS:

Both sides had the chance to take the lead before the half-time whistle, foiled by crucial interceptions at either end. Antony was denied for United, while Lisandro Martinez made a flying block on Perez.

United’s desire at the start of the second half provided a goal within eight minutes of the restart. Another top European goal from Antony saw the Brazilian pull out his signature move of cutting inside from the flank and firing into the top corner.

The Reds were quick to add a third. This time it was Fernandes who found the net, with a bullet header from an undetected run to convert Luke Shaw’s corner. Renewed confidence was nearly reflected in another quick goal, but a brilliant team move preceded Antony’s finish landing on the roof of the net.

Our fourth goal was crafted by substitutes. Facundo Pellistri’s bursting run saw him pull the ball back to Scott McTominay, whose initial effort was saved, but Weghorst was quickest to react and score his first Old Trafford goal.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

The Portuguese playmaker was a prominent figure in Red attacks throughout the evening before popping up to head powerfully home from Luke Shaw’s corner for 3-1.

Another top-class European goal from Antony saw him pull out his signature move of cutting inside to shoot

1

17

REAL BETIS

20

19

6

18

8

UNITED SUBS USED: Wan-Bissaka for Dalot 45’

• Malacia for Shaw 65’

• Sancho for Rashford 65’

McTominay for Fred 81’ Pellistri for Antony 82’

YELLOW CARDS: Fernandes, Weghorst

REAL BETIS SUBS USED: Ruibal for Luiz Henrique 59’

• Canales for Joaquin 59’

1 Bravo

23 Sabaly

16 Pezzella

19 Luiz Felipe

20 Abner

14 Carvalho

11 Luiz

17 Joaquin

7 Juanmi

• Guardado for Rodriguez 65’

• Iglesias for Perez 65’ Willian Jose for Juanmi 80’ YELLOW CARDS: None

5 Rodriguez

UNITED 0 SOUTHAMPTON 0

Frustration reigns at Old Trafford for 10-man Reds

Casemiro was sent off for the second time in a United shirt, in the first half of a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to Southampton in the Premier League.

Marcus Rashford forced Gavin Bazunu into an early save after playing a quick one-two with Bruno Fernandes, darting into the box and shrugging off a defender, but our no.10 was unable to beat the keeper.

The best first-half opportunity for the Saints fell to Theo Walcott from Romain Perraud’s cross into the box, but a world-class David De Gea save forced the ball over the bar.

The game took a dramatic turn when Casemiro was sent off for a challenge on Carlos Alcaraz after 34 minutes. The Brazilian midfielder put in a strong tackle, with referee Anthony Taylor initially showing a yellow card. But after checking with VAR, the official changed his decision and produced the red instead, as his team-mates expressed their dismay (below).

United at least responded positively, with Bazunu again saving,

this time when Raphael Varane connected with a Fernandes free-kick at the back post.

More controversy came when Rashford’s cross was blocked by Armel Bella-Kotchap’s arm in the area, but referee Taylor deemed it an accidental contact.

Southampton tried to take advantage of having the extra man and nearly made United pay for it when Aaron Wan-Bissaka cleared off the line from Scott McTominay’s attempt to clear Kyle Walker-Peters’ dangerous ball from out wide.

A break following a United corner then put Walcott one-on-one with De Gea. But, under pressure from Lisandro Martinez, the ex-England winger was thwarted by another brilliant save to keep the game level.

United looked to have finally broken the deadlock when Luke Shaw found Fernandes in space. The Portuguese midfielder sent a great strike towards goal that Bazunu just touched on to the post.

Southampton also struck the woodwork through Walker-Peters in a tense finale. United’s last meaningful attack saw Wan-Bissaka get into a good position, but he couldn’t quite connect with Rashford’s low cross from the right.

MAN OF THE MATCH DAVID DE GEA

Another clean sheet for the Spanish goalkeeper was secured by some impressive saves, including two from Theo Walcott either side of half-time, plus several other fine stops.

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET CORNERS FOULS

STARTING XI

UNITED SUBS USED: McTominay for Weghorst 44’

• Garnacho for Sancho 73’ Pellistri for Antony 74’

Fred for Garnacho 90’ YELLOW CARDS: Martinez, Shaw RED CARDS: Casemiro SOUTHAMPTON SUBS USED: S Armstrong for Alcaraz 55’

•

•

• Maguire for Martinez 90’

REAL BETIS 0 UNITED 1

Rashford 56 (Unitedwin5-1onaggregate)

Marcus Rashford’s second-half goal added to the 4-1 aggregate lead United had already built over Real Betis to seal a Europa League quarter-final spot.

Both United and Betis were welcomed into a roaring Estadio Benito Villamarin, and while the hosts were the side in need of a fast start, it was the Reds who surged forward from the first whistle. Facundo Pellistri, making his first senior start, and Rashford combined on a couple of early occasions.

But Betis did soon begin to carve out chances. Juanmi saw one of those go begging, forced wide due to a heavy first touch, but cushioning an effort that bounced just outside the post. Another came from a brilliant defence-splitting pass, with David De Gea quick on his feet to deny the same player. Veteran legend Joaquin was also unlucky with a fierce drive that clipped the outside of a post.

Frustratingly, the Reds would go in at half-time goalless, with Wout Weghorst just unable to get on the end of Pellistri’s scuffed shot.

With an electric atmosphere still the backdrop after the break, Rashford saw a huge chance saved by Rui Silva, before De Gea’s point-blank stop denied Ayoze Perez one for Betis. Minutes later, a sublime move saw the ball fall to Rashford, who uncharacteristically blazed his effort over the bar.

Rashford needed mere seconds to make up for those missed chances, though. He unleashed

OTHER RESULTS:

Arsenal 1-1 Sporting (3-3 agg; 3-5 pens)

Fenerbahce 1-0 Sevilla (1-2 agg)

Feyenoord 7-1 Shakhtar Donetsk (8-2 agg)

Freiburg 0-2 Juventus (0-3 agg)

Ferencvaros 0-2 Leverkusen (0-4 agg)

Real Sociedad 0-0 Roma (0-2 agg)

Union Saint-Gilloise 3-0 Union Berlin (6-3 agg)

a powerful, winding effort from the edge of the area that moved ferociously in the air before settling into the bottom corner (below). With a four-goal aggregate lead at that point, Ten Hag turned to fresh legs from the bench. Marcel Sabitzer had a near-instant impact when he was denied by Silva just minutes after coming on.

Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis side seemed unable to create clear-cut chances in the wake of Rashford’s tie-killing goal. Meanwhile, the introduction of both Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga spurred us on further and the Reds saw out the game comfortably, resting some legs in the process.

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD

A 30th Rashford goal of the season in all competitions clinched the win on the night and aside from this unstoppable strike, he was again United’s main threat.

It was the Reds who surged forward from the off, with Pellistri and Rashford combining on a couple of occasions

Vocal crowd in Andalusia sees the visitors prevail

United get set for kick-off on a warm night in Spain, already 4-1 up from the first leg of the tie, played the previous week at Old Trafford

REAL BETIS

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS

FOULS

UNITED

1

STARTING XI

12

13 Rui Silva

23 Sabaly

16 Pezzella

3 Rodriguez

5 Rodriguez

17 Joaquin

REAL BETIS SUBS USED: Miranda for Abner 26’

• Iglesias for Ruibal 59’

• Canales for Joaquin’ 59

1 De Gea

18 Casemiro

• Willian Jose for Perez 59’ Guardado for Rodriguez 66’

YELLOW CARDS: None

29 Wan-Bissaka

5 Maguire

6 Martinez

28 Pellistri

17 Fred

10 Rashford

UNITED SUBS USED: Sabitzer for Fred 60’

• Sancho for Rashford 60’

• Elanga for Fernandes 68’

• Dalot for Wan-Bissaka

75’ Lindelof for Martinez 75’ YELLOW CARDS: Pellistri

12 Malacia

8 Fernandes

27 Weghorst

UNITED 3

Fernandes 75 pen, 90+6, Sabitzer 77 FULHAM 1

Mitrovic 50

Hosts take advantage of Cottagers’ ill-discipline

United’s last game in March booked a second Wembley trip of the season, the Reds beating Fulham in the FA Cup quarters at Old Trafford to set up a last-four clash with Brighton.

Fulham began well and former Reds midfielder Andreas Pereira, as well as centre-back Issa Diop and former Chelsea winger Willian, all tested David De Gea’s goal.

United’s first major attempt came when Wout Weghorst fired a low shot straight at Bernd Leno, while Aleksandar Mitrovic failed to guide a header on target at the other end. A United break also saw Leno do well to deny Marcus Rashford.

Marcel Sabitzer was causing the Cottagers problems, first firing a long-range shot which forced Leno to make a double-handed save and then making an overlapping run to

OTHER RESULTS:

put a dangerous ball into the box aimed at Rashford that was cleared.

Fulham started the second half with an intensity that forced De Gea into action early, tipping over from Antonee Robinson. Willian also called the United keeper into action with a bending shot towards the far corner. The opening goal was simpler, with Pereira’s corner flicked on by Diop and poked in by Mitrovic at the far post.

Bruno Fernandes then missed the target, before Mitrovic almost doubled Fulham’s lead, but De Gea was on hand again with arguably his best stop of the game, clawing a header to safety.

Two Fulham red cards with 20 minutes left changed the tie. First, Jadon Sancho’s shot was blocked on the line by Willian’s arm, with a VAR check prompting a penalty and red card for the Brazilian. The visitors were so incensed by the ruling that Mitrovic and boss Marco Silva were both also dismissed.

Fernandes, by contrast, remained calm and slotted the ball past Leno to bring United level from the penalty spot (left). From there, with two players and a manager down, Fulham crumbled, allowing the Reds to take full advantage.

Sabitzer flicked the ball in for the lead after Luke Shaw’s low cross from the left – the Austrian’s first goal for the club – before Fernandes made sure of the win in stoppage-time, as the Portuguese ace smashed the ball into the far corner from Fred’s weighted pass.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

Although for a while it looked like it might not be United’s day, the Reds’ captain kept his cool when the chance arose and nervelessly equalised from the spot before a fine late second.

STARTING XI

APRIL

A Europa League exit was a sour note during April, but four wins, one draw and one defeat from six games in the penultimate month of the Premier League campaign, plus a penalty shoot-out win to reach a second domestic cup final of the season, meant there was still much to celebrate.

Defeat to Newcastle in April’s opening fixture would be United’s only top-flight loss in the month. Brentford, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa were all defeated by the Reds, alongside a

Defeat in the Europa League is offset by key league wins and a second major cup final reached...

draw at Tottenham, in a run with eight goals scored (and seven different scorers) and just two conceded. In Europe, things seemed to be going similarly well, as the Reds took a 2-0 lead against Sevilla. But two late own goals, after Lisandro Martinez’s season-ending injury, gave the visitors the advantage, and they completed the turnaround with a 3-0 victory back in Spain.

There was, however, more success at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-final. Drawn against Brighton, there was nothing to separate the

sides after a goalless draw and 120 tense minutes, with spot-kicks required to determine the victor. And, appropriately enough, it was United’s own Victor who scored the decisive effort, with Lindelof converting after Solly March had fired over. It meant the final would be an all-Manchester affair, after City defeated Sheffield United.

Pep Guardiola’s team upped the ante in April, as they overhauled Arsenal at the top after months of chasing. City won five out of five, including against the Gunners, to

GOAL OF THE MONTH JADON SANCHO V TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

The England wide man bagged his second GOTM award of the season, to add to the accolade he earned against Liverpool back in August, with an eye-catching opening strike away at Tottenham

on 27 April. The winger received the ball on the left flank before cutting inside and firing an unstoppable effort into the bottom corner. It capped a bright start from the Reds, and although our 2-0 lead was eventually pegged back, Sancho’s goal was a sublime reminder of the magic our gifted forward can produce.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH BRUNO FERNANDES

In a season where several United players have shone, the no.8 has needed to be at his best to stand out, and he was again in March, despite being employed in various different roles across the middle.

go a point ahead with a game in hand. Mikel Arteta’s side, meanwhile, were faltering, winning only once and also dropping points against West Ham, Liverpool and Southampton.

Things were looking good for United and Newcastle to join them in the top four. The Magpies (below) had a fine month, winning six of seven and hitting four at Everton, five at West Ham, and six at home against Spurs.

Another two bosses were leaving their roles: Chelsea’s tumultuous

campaign took another twist as Graham Potter was replaced by former boss and club legend Frank Lampard on an interim basis, while struggling Leicester brought in Dean Smith to succeed Brendan Rodgers.

The Foxes had fallen into the bottom three, and sides above them were starting to pull away. It now looked like three from five to go down, with Leeds and Forest hovering just above the drop zone occupied by Leicester, Everton and Southampton.

NEWCASTLE UNITED 2

Willock 65, Wilson 88

UNITED 0

Defeat on Tyneside as Magpies avenge Wembley

United slipped to fourth in the Premier League table after losing 2-0 to Newcastle, who took some revenge for their Carabao Cup final loss to the Reds in February.

The atmosphere was lively from the first minute and Erik ten Hag’s side had a first sight of goal after 10 minutes when Wout Weghorst fired into the side netting. Moments later, David De Gea was on hand to pull off an unbelievable double save. The first came from Alexander Isak’s towering header, before Joe Willock was denied on the rebound.

The Reds grew into the game and began to carve out more chances going forward, one of which saw Diogo Dalot’s effort comfortably gathered by Nick Pope.

Newcastle quickly turned the tables though, surging forward with Allan Saint-Maximin, who played across the box to the onrushing Willock, but he could only fire over from close range.

The final opportunity of the half fell to the Reds, when Luke Shaw found Antony with a deep corner, which looked like it had come straight from the training ground. The volley flew over, though.

A tame Antony short early in the second half did little to test Pope and Newcastle then had the lead 65 minutes in through Willock. Bruno Guimaraes crossed to the back post from the left, with Saint-Maximin heading across for Willock to score.

After Marcel Sabitzer’s shot had been deflected away by Sean Longstaff, De Gea prevented the Magpies from doubling their lead at the other end. He made a point-blank stop to turn Joelinton’s header on to the bar, before Fabian Schar’s follow-up rattled off the post. Substitute Anthony Martial might have equalised following a clever move, but Schar was in the way and the ball looped wide. But, despite our best efforts at the back, Newcastle eventually found their way through for a second goal. Kieran Trippier’s teasing free-kick was headed in by Callum Wilson, who rose highest in a congested box to nestle the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Martial might have equalised following a clever move, but Schar was in the way and the ball looped wide

The teams line up at St James’ Park on a bright April afternoon in England’s North East

22

5 23

NEWCASTLE 54 6 1 4 12

2 36 28 39

4 14

Pope 2 STARTING XI

5 33 10

22 39 Guimaraes 28 Willock 23 Murphy 14 Isak 10 Saint-Maximin

• Joelinton for Saint-Maximin 68’

NEWCASTLE SUBS USED: Gordon for Murphy 68’

• Wilson for Isak 80’• Anderson for Willock 84’ YELLOW CARDS: None

20 Dalot

19 Varane

8 Fernandes

UNITED SUBS USED: Sancho for Antony 62’

• Martial for Weghorst 62’

• Lindelof for Varane 83’

• Fred for McTominay 82’

• Pellistri for Martinez 83’

46 22 6 7 8 Manchester United 2022/23 Yearbook 125

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD

UNITED 1

Rashford 27

BRENTFORD 0

Much-improved Reds performance pays dividends

Marcus Rashford was again the hero in a morale-boosting win against Brentford that signalled the end of three league games without a victory.

Erik ten Hag demanded a reaction from his players in the wake of the Newcastle loss, and he got it. The Reds were irrepressible early on, surging forward and sustaining pressure inside the Brentford half.

Our first clear sight of goal came 20 minutes in when Scott McTominay put a beautifully hit strike narrowly over the bar. A few moments later, Antony also bounced a shot just wide. But Rashford’s breakthrough soon came after Marcel Sabitzer won a corner.

The Bees cleared the initial set piece, with Antony picking up the loose ball and lofting it to Sabitzer. The Austrian cushioned his header to Rashford for a close-range finish.

Into the second half, Brentford almost hit back instantly as a result of their high press. David De Gea’s intended pass was closed down quickly by Ivan Toney, but his block bounced wide in what was a let-off.

Just as we did multiple times throughout the night, the Reds

played some slick football to progress up the field in search of a second goal. The influential Sabitzer was at the heart of another electric attack, though his eventual shot was too tame to trouble David Raya.

De Gea produced the best save of the game after the hour mark. A clever flick-on from Toney set substitute Kevin Schade clean through, but United’s no.1 made himself big to deny the Bees forward.

After several attacking changes from Brentford, United had to defend with great poise to keep the visitors at bay. Lisandro Martinez, in particular, didn’t put a foot wrong at the back, while Fred could have made the win safe but fired over.

Toney came closest to a leveller with an audacious chip from range, but it sailed right over De Gea’s goal.

The man United have relied upon so many times came good again, scoring his 10th winning goal for the Reds in the Premier League in the 2022/23 campaign.

Martinez, in particular, didn’t put a foot wrong at the back, while Fred could have made the win safe but fired over

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET CORNERS FOULS

STARTING XI

Rashford is hailed by his team-mates under the floodlights at Old Trafford after his first-half strike gave United a lead the hosts would not relinquish

UNITED SUBS USED: Malacia for Shaw 37’ • Fred for Sabitzer 71’ Martial for Sancho 71’ Lindelof for Antony 86’ YELLOW CARDS: Shaw, McTominay, Fernandes

SUBS USED: Dasilva for Damsgaard 62’ • Baptiste for Jensen 62’ • Schade for Mbeumo 62’ • Hickey for Roerslev 75’ Wissa for Norgaard 75’

UNITED 2

McTominay 36, Martial 71 EVERTON

United’s 2-0 victory over Everton at Old Trafford kept the Reds firmly in contention within the top four of the Premier League.

Back-and-forth attacks characterised the opening stages, but United took a foothold in the game with Jadon Sancho prominent on the left and early chances for Marcel Sabitzer and Marcus Rashford – the latter initially fired straight at Jordan Pickford, but got another chance when Bruno Fernandes recycled the ball, only to head that effort wide.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka had a great chance 12 minutes in, picking up the rebound from Antony’s shot against the post but failing to make the most of the open net in front of him.

Ellis Simms squandered a good Everton opportunity, shooting wide after a one-two with Dwight McNeil put him through on David De Gea.

More United chances came when Antony fired straight at Pickford, with the England goalkeeper also equal to another Rashford attempt.

The breakthrough goal came for United through Scott McTominay. He initially linked up with Rashford, before meeting a Sancho cross with a first-time shot in the box to score.

Pickford remained inspired in the Everton net, denying Antony again as United pushed for a second goal.

The second half began with lower intensity, although Everton threatened De Gea’s goal just after the hour mark, requiring blocks from Lisandro Martinez and the diving Tyrell Malacia in quick succession.

0

That Toffees attack woke United up, producing chances for Sabitzer and Rashford, but neither hit the target.

A key moment in the game arrived when Martinez sent a long pass towards Rashford, who picked the pocket of Seamus Coleman. Our no.10’s well-timed pass into Anthony Martial saw the substitute tuck home a second of the game to secure the points for the Reds.

Before the end, Christian Eriksen made his long-awaited return from injury after being ruled out since January – he was greeted by a standing ovation with 15 minutes left.

There was also still time for a potential third United goal when McTominay crossed to Bruno Fernandes, but the resultant header was comfortably saved by Pickford.

McTominay linked up with Rashford before meeting a Sancho cross with a first-time shot in the box to score

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

The United no.8 was employed in a deeper role against Everton, but showed his versatility by consistently starting attacking moves with his vision and great passing.

A goal in either half strengthens the top-four push

UNITED SUBS USED: Martial for Antony 60’ • Fred for Sabitzer 76’

EVERTON SUBS USED: Mykolenko for Godfrey

•

• Garner for Gueye 60’

• Davies for Onana 60’

• Maupay for Simms 70’

1 Pickford

23 Coleman

5 Keane

2 Tarkowski

22 Godfrey

UNITED 2

Sabitzer 14, 21 SEVILLA 2

Malacia 84 og, Maguire 90+2 og

Late misfortune cancels out vibrant early start

Two late Sevilla goals pegged United back in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final at Old Trafford.

Only an offside flag denied Jadon Sancho a goal inside the first minute as United flew out of the blocks, our no.25 tucking the ball past goalkeeper Bono.

The Reds continued to keep up the attacking pressure, with Antony finding time and space in the area to fire a shot at goal that was well saved by Sevilla’s Moroccan stopper.

United did take the lead with just over 15 minutes on the clock, with Marcel Sabitzer’s shot taking a slight deflection off Sevilla defender Marcao after a wonderfully timed pass from Bruno Fernandes.

Just seven minutes later, the lead was extended to 2-0. Sabitzer again added the finishing touch in front of goal, smashing home his second of the game (below) after Anthony Martial’s immaculate hold-up play and subsequent through ball.

OTHER RESULTS:

Erik Lamela’s late challenge on Casemiro warranted a lengthy VAR check for a red card, but referee Felix Zwayer’s on-field decision of a yellow card was eventually upheld. A harsh yellow card shown to Fernandes, for handball late in the first half, then ruled him out of the second leg.

In the second half, Antony was keen to add another spectacular European goal to his tally, but his superb shot cannoned back off the post. Tyrell Malacia also had an effort blocked from the left.

Sevilla grabbed themselves a lifeline through a freakish own goal with six minutes left. Jesus Navas’s cross deflected off both Malacia and then David De Gea before fortuitously finding the net.

United suffered another blow when Lisandro Martinez was forced off towards the end – the metatarsal injury would prematurely end his excellent debut season for United.

To make matters worse, Sevilla drew level through a second own goal. Another cross from wideman Navas was met in the air by forward Youssef En-Nesyri. His header hit Harry Maguire and flashed past De Gea, sparking wild celebrations in the away end at Old Trafford.

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCEL SABITZER

Originally viewed as a holding midfielder on joining the Reds on loan in February, games like this showed he could also add firepower to his game, as he netted both our early goals.

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET CORNERS FOULS

STARTING XI

UNITED SUBS USED: Maguire for Varane 45’ • Eriksen for Fernandes 62’ Elanga for Sancho 62’

Weghorst for Martial 62’ • Pellistri for Antony 81’

YELLOW CARDS: Fernandes, Antony, Pellistri SEVILLA SUBS USED: Navas for Torres 45’ • En-Nesyri for Lamela 66’ Suso for Nianzou 73’ Gomez for Montiel 90’ YELLOW CARDS: Montiel, Acuna, Gudelj, Rakitic, Lamela

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0 UNITED 2

Antony 32, Dalot 76

Forest are the fall guys again as Reds march on

United’s fourth win of the season over Nottingham Forest in all competitions was enough to propel Erik ten Hag’s men up to third in the Premier League table.

Keylor Navas made a double save in the early stages that stopped United getting off to a flying start. He first parried a ball played by Bruno Fernandes, which fell into the path of Jadon Sancho, and then got in the way of the winger’s follow-up.

When Fernandes teased a ball into the box, Forest defender Felipe was millimetres away from turning it into his own net. But Forest were only denied a potential opener of their own when Scott McKenna hit the post with a towering header.

It was the Reds who would strike first to open the scoring and Antony Martial was instrumental. He initially won the ball back high up the pitch before exchanging passes with Fernandes to go through on goal. His attempt was saved by Navas, but Antony was there to bundle in the rebound.

Chances for both teams followed in the run-up to half-time, with Taiwo Awoniyi firing over for Forest after Diogo Dalot’s wayward touch. Fernandes then had a header that he couldn’t direct on target.

Forest piled forward at the start of the second half without creating much in the way of clear chances. It was then United’s turn to go close as Fernandes unleashed a sublime strike on goal that left the crossbar

rattling after the Forest goalkeeper looked to have made slight contact.

Two more two efforts in quick succession were also close. Antony bobbled a signature effort beyond the far post, with the second a more precise long-range shot from Fernandes that looked bound for the bottom corner but for the gloves of Navas.

With less than 15 minutes to go, United finally doubled the lead, carving open the Forest backline and beating the otherwise formidable Navas. An excellent team move was ultimately finished off by a composed Dalot after being played in one-on-one courtesy of an outrageous reverse ball from Antony.

MAN OF THE MATCH ANTONY

After being alert enough to latch on to a rebound to make it 1-0, the Brazilian remained lively as ever, going close again before brilliantly setting up Dalot’s second for United.

Fernandes unleashed a sublime strike that left the crossbar rattling after Navas looked to have made slight contact

Dalot feels he has proved a point after netting United’s second at the City Ground – the full-back’s third goal for United

• Surridge for Awoniyi 65’

FOREST SUBS USED: Mangala for Freuler 65’

• Dennis for McKenna 81’ Lingard for Gibbs-White 88’

YELLOW CARDS: N Williams, Mangala

UNITED SUBS USED: Weghorst for Martial 72’ • Fred for Eriksen 79’ YELLOW CARDS: Maguire, Weghorst

1 De Gea

29 Wan-Bissaka

5 Maguire

2 Lindelof

20 Dalot

18 Casemiro

14 Eriksen

21 Antony

8 Fernandes

25 Sancho

9 Martial

SEVILLA 3

En-Nesyri 8, 81, Bade 47

Sevilla’s sharp shooting spells Europa League exit

United were knocked out of the Europa League after losing 3-0 away to eventual champions Sevilla, completing a 5-2 aggregate defeat.

Just eight minutes into the game, David De Gea’s short pass picked out Harry Maguire just outside the area. But the skipper’s attempted pass to the right was intercepted by Youssef En-Nesyri, who made no mistake in quickly putting the home side into the lead.

Seville goalkeeper Bono saved from Aaron Wan-Bissaka midway through the first half after good work from Jadon Sancho and a deflected effort from Marcel Sabitzer, but Sevilla were still keenly searching for a second, with En-Nesyri getting his head on the end of a ‘rabona’ pass from Nemanja Gudelj. Fortunately, De Gea beat Lucas Ocampos to the ball to clear it away. Ocampos then had the ball in the net, only for VAR to spot an offside in the build-up.

The hosts continued to push, with Ocampos remaining a threat and Ivan Rakitic sending a volley towards

goal late in the first half that needed Casemiro to block it.

But while United held out hope in the tie at a goal down on the night, it didn’t last long into the second half. Rakitic’s corner floated into the direction of Loic Bade saw him connect with his shoulder to send the ball over the outstretched hand of De Gea and in off the bar.

Rakitic then came close to putting the tie out of sight for the hosts, with a bending strike that forced De Gea to save. The resulting corner produced a chance for Ocampos, who tried to tap in from close range, followed by a scramble in the United box to clear

United’s first opportunity of the second half fell to Casemiro with 30 minutes to go. Sabitzer managed to lay it off to the Brazilian, who tried a long-range strike with his left foot, forcing Bono to dive to his right to make the save.

Christian Eriksen then tried his own luck with a free-kick close to the Sevilla penalty area, but the shot ended up sailing just off target.

With time ticking away in the tie, Sevilla got their third with 10 minutes to go when De Gea’s mis-control of a hopeful long ball gifted En-Nesyri with his second of the night.

OTHER RESULTS:

SEVILLA SUBS USED: Suso for Marcao 29’ • Gil for Lamela 80’ Telles for Acuna 85’

CARDS: Bono

SUBS USED: Shaw for Wan-Bissaka 45’ • Rashford for Sancho 45’ • Weghorst for Martial 54’ • Fred for Sabitzer 68’ Elanga for Eriksen 86’

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0 UNITED 0

(Unitedwin7-6onpenalties)

Drama from the spot ensures FA Cup final spot

A tense penalty shoot-out win over Brighton saw United reach the FA Cup final following a goalless 120 minutes at Wembley.

Brighton carved out the first opportunity of the semi-final when Antony brought Kaoru Mitoma down on the edge of the area, with David De Gea reaching out to palm Alexis Mac Allister’s shot behind.

United countered with a bursting run from Antony down the right, feeding Christian Eriksen, whose shot was saved by Robert Sanchez.

In the dying moments of the half, the Reds had three good chances to open the scoring. Bruno Fernandes rolled a low shot just past the post, before Anthony Martial chipped over from a promising position and Eriksen scuffed a shot that Sanchez saved with his feet.

United began the second half using speed and directness to try to break through the Brighton defence, but a dangerous attack sparked by Antony was cleared.

Brighton’s best chances came when Lewis Dunk’s header was blocked by Casemiro, before a world class De Gea save from Julio Enciso.

Fernandes fired a free-kick into the Brighton wall then hit the rebound over the bar. Solly March later forced a low save from De Gea, who recovered to grab the ball before Pascal Gross reached it.

Both sides created half-chances in extra-time until Marcus Rashford was fingertips away from finding the

OTHER RESULT:

breakthrough – Sanchez flew to his left to deflect the ball past the post.

Into the second half of the added period, March shot straight at De Gea after outmuscling Fred. Rashford then failed to hit the target at the other end after getting the better of defender Joel Veltman.

Neither side gave an inch in the penalty shoot-out. Mac Allister, Gross, Deniz Undav, Pervis Estupinan and Dunk all netted for Brighton. But so did Casemiro, Diogo Dalot, Jadon Sancho, Rashford and Marcel Sabitzer for United to take it to sudden death.

Adam Webster and Wout Weghorst both converted. But with the pressure only increasing, March blasted over the bar, leaving it to Victor Lindelof to send the Reds to the final as the Swede held his nerve.

MAN OF THE MATCH VICTOR LINDELOF

With United hit by injuries and suspensions in defence, Lindelof’s solid presence was invaluable, and after shutting out Brighton he stepped up to net the crucial penalty (below).

Both sides created chances in extra-time, and Rashford was fingertips away from making a breakthrough

1 Sanchez

13 Gross

4 Webster

5 Dunk 30 Estupinan 25 Caicedo

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS

FOULS

Undav for Welbeck 75’ YELLOW CARDS: Mitoma

UNITED SUBS USED: Fred for Eriksen 62’

Sancho for Martial 85’

•

1

2

20

1 De Gea

29 Wan-Bissaka

2 Lindelof

14 Eriksen

21 Antony

8 Fernandes

• Sabitzer for Antony 90’

• Malacia for Wan-Bissaka 101’

• Weghorst for Fernandes 101’

YELLOW CARDS: Lindelof, Shaw, Casemiro

23 Shaw

20 Dalot

18 Casemiro

10 Rashford

MAN OF THE MATCH

MARCUS RASHFORD

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2

Porro

56, Son 79

UNITED 2

Sancho

7, Rashford 44

Our two-goal lead is pegged back in north London

United had to settle for a point in the capital after hosts Tottenham fought back to draw 2-2 in the Premier League.

After coming into the starting XI, Jadon Sancho couldn’t have asked for a better start to the game as the no.25 edged us in front just seven minutes after kick-off. Afforded the time to take a few touches, he then cushioned the ball into the bottom corner of Fraser Forster’s net.

Sancho was soon close to scoring again, seeing an initial shot blocked but then having his rebound cleared off the line by Ivan Perisic.

Perisic had Spurs’ clearest first-half chance when he glanced a near-post header from Pedro

Porro’s cross towards goal, but David De Gea’s instinctive parry kept it out.

At the other end, Forster was on hand to deny Rashford with his knees, and there was another De Gea save from Perisic, this time a powerful shot. The Croatian opted to keep the rebound in play, but United won the ball back and quickly attacked as Bruno Fernandes found Rashford. He drove towards goal, shifting into space to thump beyond Forster and make it 2-0 by half-time.

In the second period, Spurs almost made an immediate impact but for some excellent defending from Victor Lindelof, whose fine header prevented a clear chance. But the home side were soon back in it through Porro when the full-back finished well to halve the deficit.

The Reds immediately responded, with Fernandes hitting the bar. Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s follow-up was saved comfortably.

Two huge chances then fell to Spurs – one for Heung-min Son, who fired a back-post effort wide, and one for Eric Dier, who missed the target with a free header. But their equaliser from a dominant second half eventually came from Son, as he connected with Harry Kane’s sweeping pass across goal.

Casemiro came close to nodding in a last-minute winner for the Reds, meeting Luke Shaw’s cross to the back post, but his effort went just wide as the spoils were shared.

The United no.10 was once again at his formidable best against Spurs, capping another lively performance up front with a confidently taken goal just before half-time.

Afforded time to take a few touches, Sancho cushioned the ball into the bottom corner of Fraser Forster’s net

TOTTENHAM

POSSESSION (%)

TOTTENHAM SUBS USED: Kulusevski for Richarlison 61’ • Danjuma for Porro 77’ Davies for Perisic 77’

for Son 87’ YELLOW CARDS: Hojbjerg UNITED SUBS USED: Fred for Eriksen 61’

for

UNITED 1

Fernandes 39

ASTON VILLA 0

Bruno’s first-half strike secures another vital win

The 100th league goal of Bruno Fernandes’ career steered United to a 1-0 win over an Aston Villa side that was unbeaten in 10 league games prior to kick-off.

Villa’s World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez made the first notable save to deny Marcus Rashford, who struck on his weaker left foot after being played through by Fernandes.

The Reds did not let up with the attacking football in the opening 15 minutes. Marcel Sabitzer struck a powerful volley over the crossbar, with Fernandes attempting a chip that missed the far post.

Diogo Dalot was in the right place at the right time to thwart the in-form Ollie Watkins at the back post, which was followed up by Alex Moreno blasting a shot straight at David De Gea and out for a corner.

Erik ten Hag’s men responded in style. Casemiro took a touch inside the box and curled the ball towards the Villa goal, but the strike cannoned off the crossbar.

United took the lead as the first half drew to a close. The initial chance was Rashford’s, as he took on a low shot, saved by Martinez. However,

with the ball still live, Fernandes sprinted to slot it past both the keeper and Tyrone Mings on the line.

With the Reds gaining a foothold, Victor Lindelof had a chance to build on his recent Wembley heroics, but the Swede shot off target after Christian Eriksen’s delivery.

Moments later, Tyrell Malacia’s cross into the area caused panic before it was cleared by Ezri Konsa.

Watkins and Jacob Ramsey kept the tempo going for the away side, with the latter denied by an excellent Lindelof block after being sent through on goal.

United’s search for a second resulted in multiple attacks on Martinez’s goal. Casemiro’s long-range attempt was collected after a massive deflection, but the best came when Rashford was able to break into the area and was brought down by substitute Calum Chambers. No penalty was given, but the ball ended up with Casemiro driving just wide of the post.

Despite late Villa pressure, with Harry Maguire on to help stiffen the defence, United kept another clean sheet to confirm three points.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

As is so often the case, the Portuguese playmaker was at the heart of much of United’s best play, but it was his quick reactions that saw him pounce to score the winner (below).

Casemiro took a touch inside the box and curled the ball towards goal, but his strike cannoned off the bar

Our leading 2022/23 scorer receives a through ball to set United on the attack against Unai Emery’s in-form side

BACK TO CONTENTS

ASTON VILLA

UNITED SUBS USED: Fred for Eriksen 76’

• Antony for Sancho 76’

• Martial for Rashford 86’ YELLOW CARDS: Malacia, Fred

• Maguire for Sabitzer 86’

ASTON VILLA SUBS USED: Chambers for Young 64’

• Traore for Dendoncker 64’

1 Martinez

18 Young

4 Konsa

5 Mings

6 Douglas Luiz

7 McGinn

10 Buendia

41 J Ramsey

• Digne for Morello 75’

• Duran for Buendia 76’ YELLOW CARDS: None

15 Moreno

32 Dendoncker

MAY/JUNE

League losses to Brighton and West Ham briefly put United’s top-four spot in jeopardy at the start of May, with a resurgent Liverpool chasing hard, but the four successive wins that followed meant the Merseysiders’ results were academic as United qualified for Europe’s elite club competition.

Wolves, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Fulham were all defeated as the Reds finished three places higher and 17 points better off than in the previous campaign. David De Gea also kept two more clean sheets to take him on to 17 for the season in the Premier League, earning him the Golden Glove award (right).

Manchester City retained the league title, finishing five points ahead of Arsenal and their triumph was confirmed with three games to go when Nottingham Forest defeated the Gunners on 20 May. Erling Haaland also set a new record scoring tally in a single Premier League season, with 36.

GOAL OF THE MONTH CASEMIRO V BOURNEMOUTH

There was no room for error as United visited the Vitality Stadium seeking points that would keep the chasing pack at bay in the bid to clinch Champions League qualification, and the Brazilian no.18’s brilliant early goal proved

decisive on the day, earning a precious 1-0 win – a victory that proved all the more satisfying as Liverpool, a few points behind, but in form up to that point, were held at home by Aston Villa. And what a finish it was as the former Real Madrid man latched on to a stray ball in flight, almost bicycle-kick style, to net in acrobatic fashion.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH CASEMIRO

What a signing the Brazilian has turned out to be, and he proved his worth once again in the last weeks of the season, not just with two goals but with more commanding displays in the Reds’ engine room.

After a brief dip in form, United rally to ensure an impressive third-placed Premier League finish, even if the Cup final sees the Reds fall just short...

Newcastle completed the top four as the Magpies ended their own wait for Champions League football, having last played in the competition proper in 2002/03. Despite a late surge, Liverpool were forced to settle for the Europa League, along with Brighton, while Aston Villa’s fine finish was rewarded with a Conference League spot and a Manager of the Month award for Unai Emery.

West Ham also clinched European football, moving up to the Europa League after a thrilling late win over Fiorentina in the Conference League final. It was the club’s first major honour since 1980 and a first in management for former United boss David Moyes.

One final change in management came at Elland Road, as Leeds brought in Sam Allardyce after sacking Javi Gracia, in the hope of engineering a great escape. But it was not enough, as they dropped into the Championship alongside Leicester and Southampton, with Everton salvaging safety as they

beat Bournemouth on a dramatic final day. Coming the other way were Burnley and Sheffield United, after brief Premier League absences, and Luton Town, who were back in the top flight for the first time since 1992, having played non-league football as recently as 2014.

United’s final game was on 3 June and ended in a narrow 2-1 defeat to City in the FA Cup final. It was the second trophy of a Treble for Pep Guardiola’s team, as they beat Internazionale to win the Champions League for the first time, to match the Reds’ historic triumph of 1999.

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1

Mac Allister pen 90+9 UNITED 0

Stoppage-time penalty condemns Reds to defeat

Alexis Mac Allister’s 99th-minute penalty handed Brighton victory over United in the Premier League at the start of May.

Erik ten Hag’s men started the game on the front foot and an early chance saw Antony miss the target. The home side responded with a quick break of their own when Kaoru Mitoma’s shot caught David De Gea straight in the face.

The Seagulls winger soon had another effort that crept just past the far post. But then Marcus Rashford tested goalkeeper Jason Steele, Antony hit the side-netting and Casemiro headed just over.

Steele again denied Rashford after the United man turned and broke away from stand-in full-back Moises Caicedo. The resulting corner found Antony on the edge of the area and, although his attempt was scuffed, Steele almost parried it out to the lurking Anthony Martial.

Mac Allister’s long-range strike then flew wide of the far post, while Julio Enciso lashed one wide in an entertaining first period. As the half came to a close, United had arguably

the biggest chance to take the lead when a one-two between Fred and Martial put the latter through on goal, but his powerful shot was turned away by Steele.

The Reds found space behind the Brighton defence early in the second half, with Rashford breaking away but denied a penalty after Caicedo placed an arm across his chest.

For long periods, United struggled to build a head of steam but Fernandes and Casemiro registered efforts on goal in quick succession: the former denied by Steele; the latter missing by inches.

Antony and Lewis Dunk were both booked after a coming-together as tensions flared. But the hosts raised their game and substitute Solly March was unlucky to see his shot roll wide of the target.

The Reds looked to be edging over the line towards a hard-fought point when a Brighton corner resulted in Luke Shaw inadvertently handling the ball as it came into the area (below left). After minutes of waiting, Mac Allister thumped the penalty into the top corner to win it.

Eleven days after the teams’ FA Cup semi-final meeting, it would be another tight contest, this time at the Seagulls’ home stadium

BRIGHTON SUBS USED: March for Buonanotte 63’ •

WEST HAM UNITED 1

Benrahma 27 UNITED 0

More away frustration as Hammers take points

United fell to a second Premier League away defeat in four days with 1-0 reverse at West Ham.

While the Hammers surged forward from the off at London Stadium (below), it was the Reds who carved out the first clear-cut chance inside three minutes when Marcus Rashford fired over. United then came close on a handful of occasions 15 minutes in. Both Bruno Fernandes and Antony flashed shots just wide of the post before Christian Eriksen’s cushioned effort went over.

Rashford, heavily involved throughout the first half, was denied by the outside of the post after cutting in from the left and shooting.

But the breakthrough went the way of West Ham with just under half an hour played. Despite being crowded by three United defenders, Said Benrahma managed to direct his effort in the direction of David De Gea’s goal. While our no.1 got a glove to it, that wasn’t enough to keep the ball out and it rolled agonisingly in.

United pushed for an equaliser, with Antony unleashing a wicked effort that shaved the post.

At the other end, De Gea denied a second from Benrahma, getting down quickly to parry away from goal. The follow-up on the half-volley was blocked by Victor Lindelof.

West Ham had the ball in the net through Michail Antonio not long into the second half. The referee immediately signalled a foul, though, with the striker adjudged to have fouled De Gea. The Irons then continued to carve out goalscoring opportunities and, for the second time, were subject to a goal being disallowed. This time it was Tomas Soucek wandering just offside before heading in.

United at last applied serious pressure during the closing stages of the game, but goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski produced several key saves. The first touched Rashford’s thumping effort over the bar. Substitute Anthony Martial forced the second, after some lovely link-up play on the edge of the box.

Yet despite a stoppage-time surge from United, the decisive goalscoring opportunity didn’t come.

United full-back Tyrell Malacia gets a foot to the ball as West Ham forward Antonio attempts to burst through

WEST

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS

WEST HAM SUBS USED: Fornals for Benrahama 87’

Downes for Paqueta 90+5’

• Johnson for Antonio 90+5’

Emerson for Cresswell 90+8’ YELLOW CARDS: None

•

•

1 De Gea

29 Wan-Bissaka

2 Lindelof

12

14 Eriksen

21 Antony

27 Weghorst

• Sabitzer for Eriksen 74’

UNITED SUBS USED: Martial for Weghorst 57’

23 Shaw

8 Fernandes

• Sancho for Antony 74’

• Fred for Malacia 88’

• Dalot for Wan-Bissaka 87’

YELLOW CARDS: Wan-Bissaka, Malacia

12 Malacia

18 Casemiro

10 Rashford

UNITED 2

Martial 32, Garnacho 90+4

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 0

Three home points help settle late-season nerves

United’s 2-0 win over Wolves was a major boost in our hopes of a top-four Premier League finish.

United controlled the early tempo with fluid passes and pressing the opposition, with an early Christian Eriksen effort going over the bar.

Moments later, Erik ten Hag’s men nearly pounced on a defensive error when Max Kilman slipped and Antony broke towards goal, but after shifting on to his left, the strike sailed wide of the far post.

Wolves were not allowed to trouble David De Gea with a shot on target, while Bruno Fernandes tested opposition goalkeeper Dan Bentley. Eriksen also shot wide and an Antony header after a perfectly timed run lacked direction.

The opening goal came just after the half-hour mark, the result of Fernandes threading the ball through to Antony, who then opted to unselfishly square it to Anthony Martial in time and space for his 50th Premier League goal.

Martial had time before the break to test Bentley again after a long run from Antony, but it ended up being a comfortable save.

Despite having a quiet first 45 minutes, Wolves had more of an impact in the second half. They produced several openings, the best of which came when Nelson Semedo’s cross managed to find the head of former Chelsea striker Diego Costa, but the Spaniard’s

header deflected wide. Antony continued to be a threat and almost found the net when linking up with Fernandes just outside the area, but the Brazilian fizzed a near-post shot wide. Bentley also kept out a Jadon Sancho attempt, then made a wonderful stop from Casemiro’s strike from outside the area.

United continued in search of the crucial second. Another agile Bentley save to deny Antony kept the scoreline at 1-0 going into injury-time, before Alejandro Garnacho stepped up to deliver the killer blow. His blistering pace saw him burn past Semedo, before taking a composed touch and firing a shot that cannoned off both posts before nestling into the Wolves net (below).

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

Back in his usual attacking midfield role, Bruno’s through balls led to both United goals, and he was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet himself, forcing two saves from Bentley.

UNITED SUBS USED: Weghorst for Martial 69’ • Maguire for Varane 81’ • Fred for Eriksen 81’ • Garnacho for Sancho 81’

CARDS: Shaw, Casemiro, Garnacho WOLVES SUBS USED: Hwang for Neto 45’ • Podence for Cunha 61’ • Bueno for Gomes 62’ • Traore for Lemina 75’

BOURNEMOUTH 0 UNITED 1

Casemiro

9

Three more important Premier League points were secured for United with a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth that was more comprehensive than the scoreline might suggest.

There was some early Cherries pressure, but the Reds soon grew into the game and Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes each had shots that missed the target. The lead was then quickly established after some slick football on the edge of the area and an acrobatic Casemiro finish that saw him hook the ball over his head and thump it beyond Neto.

After assisting that first goal, Christian Eriksen tried to hammer home a second after latching on to the end of Antony’s pass. He caught it well but the ball flew over the bar.

Bournemouth managed to create towards the end of the first half, but David De Gea parried from Dominic Solanke after good work by David Brooks in the build-up. Neto also saved from Casemiro’s driven low shot before the half-time interval.

The Cherries made more of a statement early in the second half by surging forward and descending on United’s goal. Brooks drifted into the area and hit one toward De Gea, but the Spaniard tipped it over.

Minutes later, Bournemouth’s talisman Solanke drove towards the touchline before drilling a teasing ball right across the face of goal. Any touch would have turned it into the back of the net.

Ten Hag’s players were soon dominating the game again, with

second-half substitute Wout Weghorst forcing a good save from Neto after his half-volley sailed through a sea of bodies. Another stop from the Brazilian goalkeeper denied Fernandes, whose sublime volley seemed destined for the top corner of the Cherries’ net.

The hosts pushed for the equaliser until the very end, with De Gea stepping up to deny Kieffer Moore one-on-one. Marcos Senesi also went close to snatching a point with almost the last kick of the game, but his volley landed on the roof of the United net. A commanding display earned De Gea his 17th clean sheet of the league campaign and wrapped up a second career Golden Glove with two games to spare.

MAN OF THE MATCH CASEMIRO

The addition of spectacular goalscoring to his array of talents ensured United’s midfield general easily won the fans’ vote, after a typically tireless performance.

A commanding display earned De Gea a 17th league clean sheet and wrapped up a second career Golden Glove

Casemiro cracker proves enough on south coast

Casemiro takes flight after scoring the game’s only goal with an acrobatic kick to beat Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

BOURNEMOUTH 59 20 5 6 7

15 25 10

9 Solanke 13

4 15 4 9

13 5 32

27 Zabarnyi 25 Senesi 5 27 7

Cook 8 Lerma 7 Brooks 10 Christie 32 8

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS

FOULS

BOURNEMOUTH SUBS USED: Moore for Brooks 55’

• Vina for A Smith 66’

• Ouattara for Christie 66’

YELLOW CARDS: L Cook

STARTING XI

1 De Gea

29 Wan-Bissaka

19 Varane

14 Eriksen

21 Antony

8 Fernandes

UNITED SUBS USED: Weghorst for Martial 57’

• McTominay for Eriksen 86’

• Garnacho for Sancho 72’

2 Lindelof

23 Shaw

18 Casemiro

25 Sancho

9 Martial

41 10 4 3 6 Manchester United 2022/23 Yearbook 151

MAN OF THE MATCH CASEMIRO

4

Casemiro 6, Martial 45+6, Fernandes 73 pen, Rashford 78

CHELSEA 1

Rampant Reds secure top-four position in style

United’s place in the Premier League top four was confirmed with a game to spare after cruising past Chelsea with a 4-1 win at Old Trafford.

The Reds took the lead early, with Casemiro netting for the second game running by converting a commanding header from Christian Eriksen’s free-kick.

Chelsea’s youthful side threatened on occasion, but United were on top in an open encounter. However, things took a sour turn 25 minutes in when the hosts lost Antony to injury, the Brazilian leaving the action on a stretcher.

Chelsea did have chances as Kai Havertz headed wide, before Mykhailo Mudryk danced his way through the middle but was thwarted.

blocked Lewis Hall’s shot, and Conor Gallagher was played clean through by Enzo Fernandez, only to drag wide.

United punished the Blues’ failure to convert by going up the other end and scoring. Casemiro’s effortless pass found Jadon Sancho, who put it on a plate for Anthony Martial.

Bruno Fernandes struck a fierce shot against the woodwork early in the second half after Victor Lindelof had robbed Gallagher of possession. A few minutes later, David De Gea was forced into a first save of the night by palming Mudryk’s low strike behind. The Spaniard also produced a double stop to deny Hall and hold Mudryk’s deflected shot.

Alejandro Garnacho made an impact off the bench when he was hacked down by Wesley Fofana in the box, and a penalty was awarded as a result. Fernandes stepped up to coolly convert and he was involved again, five minutes later, as Erik ten Hag’s side further stretched the lead.

Marcus Rashford was the man to claim the fourth goal, picked out by Fernandes and finishing into an empty net after an initial save from Kepa Arrizabalaga (left). It was Rashford’s 30th goal of the season, making him the first United striker to reach that milestone since Robin van Persie a decade earlier.

United were in the mood for more by this point and could have gone further ahead when Garnacho’s shot was deflected on to the crossbar and over. But Joao Felix stole the clean sheet with a crisp finish late on after running through the middle.

Another early goal helped United on the way, and the Brazilian was everywhere once more, breaking up Chelsea attacks and frequently starting our own.

POSSESSION (%)

SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS FOULS

STARTING XI

UNITED SUBS USED: Rashford for Antony 29’ • Malacia for Shaw 45’ Fred for Eriksen 70’ Garnacho for Martial 70’ McTominay for Fernandes 86’ YELLOW CARDS: Malacia

USED: Joao Felix for Havertz 64’ • Pulisic for Mudryk 64’ • Loftus-Cheek for Chukwuemeka 82’

Gallagher 82’ Ziyech for Madueke 82’

UNITED 2

Sancho 39, Fernandes 55 FULHAM 1

Tete

19

Final league fixture sees stirring United comeback

United closed the 2022/23 Premier League campaign with a 2-1 win over Fulham to secure a third-place finish and underline the impressive progress in Erik ten Hag’s first season in charge.

Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno was in action early, palming away Diogo Dalot’s ball into the box. But the Cottagers quickly found their own feet and their talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic had a golden opportunity he headed over, while Marcus Rashford saw his powerful free-kick parried by Leno.

United suffered a blow when Tete headed the visitors ahead from Willian’s corner at the near post.

Fulham then had a glorious chance to go 2-0 up when Casemiro was adjudged to have fouled Tom Cairney inside the area, but

De Gea was equal to Mitrovic’s spot-kick to pull off a great stop.

In search of the equaliser, Alejandro Garnacho’s curling effort struck the crossbar. However, just before half-time Jadon Sancho had better luck, as Fred’s bulldozing run saw the ball worked into the winger’s path for a cushioned finish (below).

Early in the second half, Marcus Rashford’s half-volley bounced just wide of the mark, but the crucial second goal soon followed after a moment of magic from Fred, finding Fernandes with an excellent reverse ball to set up a composed finish.

Despite United looking largely in control, Fulham still carved out some opportunities to get back on level terms, both of which fell to Cairney. The visiting captain was robbed of a strike on goal by a last-ditch Scott McTominay interception, while the Fulham midfielder also shot just over.

Second-half substitute Wout Weghorst had an excellent chance to wrap things up in stoppage-time after Facundo Pellistri got a counterattack under way. Sancho then steered the ball into the path of the Dutchman, but his effort could only bounce wide of the Fulham goal.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES

As well as taking his chance with characteristic composure to score the winning goal, our no.8 was at the heart of several other promising moves as his return to top form continued.

The crucial second goal followed after a moment of magic from Fred, finding Fernandes with an excellent reverse ball

UNITED SUBS USED: McTominay for Casemiro 67’

• Eriksen for Fred 67’

• Martial for Garnacho 67’

• Weghorst for Rashford 77’

• Pellistri for Fernandes 84’

YELLOW CARDS: McTominay

FULHAM SUBS USED: Reed for Lukic 66’

• Solomon for Wilson 66’

• James for Cairney 80’

• Carlos Vinicius for Mitrovic 80’

YELLOW CARDS: Palhinha, Mitrovic

MANCHESTER CITY 2

Gundogan 1, 51 UNITED

Fernandes 33 pen

1

Disappointment at Wembley to end fine campaign

After 62 games, United’s long season ended with a narrow defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

The first-ever all-Manchester FA Cup final started with a bang when Ilkay Gundogan scored a stunning volley after just 13 seconds. As the ball dropped invitingly on the edge of the area, it was an instinctive strike, with David De Gea only able to watch it hit the back of the net.

Pep Guardiola’s side looked to have doubled their tally soon after when Rodri’s header ruffled the side-netting. Further sights of goal for both sides came when Marcus Rashford touched a Casemiro cross just wide and Kevin De Bruyne dragged a short off target.

The Reds grew into the game and were rewarded when referee Paul Tierney pointed to the spot after Jack Grealish was deemed to have

handled the ball inside his own area. As the United end inside Wembley Stadium held its breath, Bruno Fernandes stepped up and sent Stefan Ortega the wrong way (below).

While City reasserted dominance, United had the final sight of goal before half-time when Raphael Varane flashed a volley wide of the post from a corner.

United showed intent after the restart, but City dished out a quick hammer blow by retaking the lead. It was Gundogan again, picked out on the edge of the area by De Bruyne and volleying through a sea of bodies beyond De Gea.

With clear-cut chances few and far between, Marcus Rashford attempted to pull the Reds level again with a snapshot on the edge of the area, but his effort flew over.

Moments later, it looked as though Gundogan had netted an FA Cup final hat-trick after De Gea parried a save into the path of the German, but he was flagged offside.

Second-half substitute Alejandro Garnacho spurred the Reds on with his electric introduction and he was close to making it 2-2 when he flashed a shot just wide from the edge of the box. Heroics at the back from City also prevented United clinching a late equaliser and forcing extra-time, notably a goal-line clearance from John Stones to keep out the last real chance of the tie.

CITY SUBS USED: Foden for De Bruyne

MEN’S TEAM: PROFILES & STATISTICS

A player-by-player review of 2022/23, including those out on loan, plus all the line-ups, figures and tables charting a solid campaign...

Position Goalkeeper

Born Madrid, Spain, 07.11.90

Signed from Atletico Madrid, 29.06.11

United debut v Manchester City, 07.08.11

Previous clubs Atletico Madrid

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 415 games

FA Cup 28 games

League Cup 16 games

Europe 82 games

Other 4 games

Total 545 games

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 45 caps for Spain

1 DAVID DE GEA

De Gea’s 12th straight season as our no.1 generated plenty of headlines. At the close of the Premier League season, he could reflect on claiming his second Golden Glove award, after racking up a division-leading 17 clean sheets. The 2022/23 campaign also saw De Gea clamber further up our all-time appearances list, supplanting Alex Stepney in seventh place to become the leading keeper in club history. There was further satisfaction in February, when a shut-out in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle (right) took David one clean sheet clear of Peter Schmeichel’s previous club record of 180. The season unearthed the usual bounty of superb De Gea saves, too, with one to deny Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho nominated for the Premier League’s Save of the Season award. In fact, the entire first half of that 3-0 victory in February was a mini-reel of De Gea’s

22 TOM HEATON

“Opportunities have been difficult to come by,” conceded Heaton, following his long-awaited first start for United, “but once you’re in the shirt you try to take the opportunity.” The former England international was speaking after keeping a clean sheet in the Reds’ 3-0 Carabao Cup quarter-final victory over Charlton Athletic at Old Trafford, in which he played his part in guiding his side into the last four and a step closer to Wembley. A regular back-up behind David De Gea, Heaton returned to the starting line-up for Old Trafford’s next outing in the competition, and once again enjoyed a solid shut-out – making one particularly fine save from Brennan Johnson – as Nottingham Forest were overcome 2-0 on the night (right) and 5-0 on aggregate. Despite the reward of a Carabao Cup winner’s medal, the ex-Aston Villa stopper retained his

ambition to contribute more. “I didn’t come back just to be part of the furniture,” said the Reds’ Academy product, who missed the latter stages of the season with an ankle injury. “I have still got the hunger and drive to get in the shirt. I still have a lot of ambition to play, I feel great at the minute, I have been patiently waiting for the opportunity and hopefully I can keep that moving forward.” A key figure of experience inside the dressing room, Heaton’s role of driving standards within the collective cannot be overstated.

excellence. But between the highs, there were also disappointments: an uncertain showing in Seville, and the agony of Ilkay Gundogan’s modest second-half volley escaping his grasp in the FA Cup final. But at the season’s end, Erik ten Hag was keen to praise De Gea, noting he’d played “a fantastic season”, and more tributes came his way in July when De Gea left the club as a free agent. ‘It’s the right time to undertake a new challenge,’ he wrote. ‘Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me.’ After 545 games, he departs as a club legend.

Position Goalkeeper

Born Chester, England, 15.04.86

Signed from Free agent, 02.07.21

United debut v Young Boys, 08.12.21

Previous clubs Manchester United, Swindon (loan), Royal Antwerp (loan), Cardiff (loan), QPR (loan), Rochdale (loan), Wycombe (loan), Cardiff, Bristol City, Burnley, Aston Villa

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 0 games

FA Cup 0 games

League Cup 2 games

Europe 0 (1) game

Other 0 games

Total 2 (1) games

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 3 caps for England

Position Defender

Born Vasteras, Sweden, 17.07.94

Signed from Benfica, 01.07.17

United debut v Real Madrid, 08.08.17

Previous clubs Vasteras SK, Benfica

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 146 (13) games, 3 goals

FA Cup 19 games, 0 goals

League Cup 12 games, 0 goals

Europe 37 (3) games, 0 goals

Other 1 game, 0 goals

Total 215 (16) games, 3 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

59 caps for Sweden, 3 goals

2 VICTOR LINDELOF

Along with Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw, Lindelof shared the burden of United’s centre-back positions in 2022/23. Victor made a total of 35 appearances across four different competitions, and despite being in and out of the side, the Sweden captain put together some good runs of form. He started every one of our Europa League matches in October and November, as United conceded just two goals across four matches. This run included important wins against Omonia Nicosia (home and

away) as well as a home triumph over Sheriff Tiraspol and an away victory at Real Sociedad. Victor also played a crucial role in our Carabao Cup run, starting in our home wins over Aston Villa (below) and Burnley, as well as our away triumph at Nottingham Forest. He also memorably struck the decisive penalty in the FA Cup semi-final shoot-out against Brighton. His displays in the league were also pivotal in the run-in. After the season-ending injury suffered by Martinez, and ongoing niggles for Varane, Lindelof stepped up to play every minute of our final nine league fixtures, as United marched towards Champions League qualification. Of those matches, only two were lost and one drawn, as the Reds sealed a third-placed finish. Such displays in those latter games saw him lauded for his resilient defending and relentless determination.

5 HARRY MAGUIRE

Club captain Maguire continued to lead by example, even if, by his own admission, he would have looked for more game time in 2022/23. After losing his place following the two early defeats, to Brighton and Brentford, the defender came on to help shore things up during the wonderful win over Arsenal, but a hamstring injury then ruled him out of action. He returned as captain in a 1-0 victory over West Ham at the end of October (right) before heading to Qatar with England for the World Cup. Another start, and clean sheet, would be secured against Bournemouth at the start of the year but Maguire was sometimes also used as a substitute, usually as a tactic to shut down the opposition to see out narrow successes. The centre-back’s record when starting games was impressive, including a stout display in the victory at Leeds. Indeed, the Reds won in

each of the six starts he made in the league, after the opening two losses, and conceded only one goal in the process – to Fulham’s Kenny Tete on the final day. Harry received more regular minutes in the various cups, playing important roles in the road to both domestic finals, including coming off the bench to lift the Carabao Cup with Bruno Fernandes following our Wembley triumph over Newcastle. Praised for his professionalism by Erik ten Hag, Maguire has worked tirelessly at Carrington in order to keep fighting for his place.

Position Defender

Born Sheffield, England, 05.03.93

Signed from Leicester City, 05.08.19

United debut v Chelsea, 11.08.19

Previous clubs Sheffield United, Hull City, Wigan Athletic (loan), Leicester City

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 108 (10) games, 4 goals

FA Cup 12 (2) games, 2 goals

League Cup 8 (2) games, 0 goals

Europe 29 (4) games, 1 goal

Other 0 games

Total 157 (18) games, 7 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 57 caps for England, 7 goals

Position Defender

Born Gualeguay, Argentina 18.01.98

Signed from Ajax, 27.07.22

United debut v Brighton, 07.08.22

Previous clubs Newell’s Old Boys, Defensa y Justicia, Ajax

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 24 (3) games, 1 goal

FA Cup 1 (2) games, 0 goals

League Cup 4 (1) games, 0 goals

Europe 9 (1) games, 0 goals

Other 0 games

Total 38 (7) games, 1 goal

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 16 caps for Argentina, 0 goals

6 LISANDRO MARTINEZ

Rarely have sections of the media got it quite so laughably wrong as with many experts’ early writing off of Martinez following his summer move from Ajax. ‘Too small to be a Premier League centre-back’ was the prevailing narrative and those choruses grew louder following our first two games of the season, with Martinez hooked at half-time in the bruising 4-0 defeat at Brentford. But the Argentinian had been a trusted lieutenant of Erik ten Hag’s at Ajax, and the boss knew what we were getting. It didn’t take long for us to see, too – Licha put in a Man of the Match performance in game no.3, against Liverpool, and his shackling of Mohamed Salah served noticed of his fearsome talents. A new cult hero was born as the Red Army took Licha to their hearts, and the feeling was clearly reciprocated. That love was most visible in the crazy moments

12 TYRELL MALACIA

As far as debut seasons go, Malacia’s first term in English football will be remembered for all the right reasons. Helping the Reds to claim Carabao Cup success in February, his standout showings will no doubt be used as a positive springboard moving forward into 2023/24. A full debut against Liverpool showcased the reasons why Erik ten Hag opted to bring in the Netherlands international as his first signing, as he restricted the ever-threatening Mohamed Salah to very little in our 2-1 win at Old Trafford in August. Often asked to join in higher up the pitch, as we became accustomed to seeing across the season, Tyrell’s quick adaptation to the fast-paced nature of Premier League football, combined with his on-the-job learning has impressed observers. “I want to play my full-back inside [to switch the play] – in my perspective, the best at that is Tyrell

Malacia and I think he did well in the first half,’’ said Erik following February’s 2-0 win over Leeds, further amplifying how highly the boss thinks of the former Feyenoord man. Some will also remember his role against West Ham in a 3-1 FA Cup win (below), as he nullified the Hammers’ threat down the left flank throughout the contest, while also making five key interceptions across an assured display at Old Trafford. Born in 1999, there is certainly more to come from the young no.12 and we can’t wait to see even more of his development.

following Casemiro’s late equaliser at Chelsea, with Martinez leaping into Stamford Bridge’s Shed End to celebrate with the travelling Reds (below). The season paused for the World Cup, and when Licha returned to United action against Bournemouth in early January it was as a world champion, the man from Gualeguay adding his name to the select list of Reds to have won the biggest prize of all. His season came to a premature halt with a metatarsal fracture in April, but Reds had seen enough to be very excited about what lies ahead.

Position Defender

Born Rotterdam, Netherlands, 17.08.99

Signed from Feyenoord, 05.07.22

United debut v Brighton, 07.08.22

Previous clubs Feyenoord

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 14 (8) games, 0 goals

FA Cup 3 (1) games, 0 goals

League Cup 4 games, 0 goals

Europe 8 (1) games, 0 goals

Other 0 games

Total 29 (10) games, 0 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 9 caps for Netherlands, 0 goals

Position Defender

Born Lille, France, 25.04.93

Signed from Real Madrid, 14.08.21

United debut v Wolves, 29.08.21

Previous clubs Lens, Real Madrid

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 42 (4) games, 1 goal

FA Cup 4 (1) games, 0 goals

League Cup 2 games, 0 goals

Europe 9 (1) games, 0 goals

Other 0 games

Total 57 (6) games, 1 goal

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 93 caps for France, 5 goals

19 RAPHAEL VARANE

“So many wins, and one trophy – it has been a good season.” That was Varane’s upbeat assessment of his second campaign as a Red, and it was no surprise in hearing the French winning machine and trophy collector mentioning two of his favourite footballing subjects. Rapha was an important component of a United defence that, in the course of racking up all those wins, kept the most clean sheets in the Premier League, and laid the foundations for so much progress in cup competitions. The Reds won by a 1-0 scoreline on 10

occasions during the campaign –the most in a season since 2015/16 –and the concentration and winning mentality that Varane brought to the team in closing out those kinds of matches was a key contribution from the centre-back. Rapha’s strong form from the outset was reflected in Player of the Month shortlistings in August and September. An injury against Chelsea in October curtailed him, but he was fit for France’s World Cup tilt as they reached the final. Post-Qatar he slotted back into our defence, offering all his authority, calmness and leadership skills, and he played 90 minutes in our Carabao Cup triumph at Wembley (left). A knock against Sevilla in April cost him a month, but Rapha returned in time to help the Reds finish strongly. His tally of 34 matches was up on the 29 he made in 2021/22, and he vows, after a rest, to “come back stronger”.

20 DIOGO DALOT

Only a suspension for our final game before the World Cup stopped the Portugal international from playing in all 21 of our matches prior to the winter tournament, such has become his importance to Erik ten Hag. Diogo did share right-back duties more often with Aaron Wan-Bissaka upon his return from Qatar, after the latter regained his fitness, but there’s no doubting that having that kind of competition helped Dalot to carry on going from strength to strength in a season that he called “one of his best”. Goals aren’t what the forward-thinking defender is primarily known for, although his two strikes across the term will certainly resonate among his top personal memories from 2022/23. Having scored his first at Old Trafford, against Sheriff Tiraspol in October, Diogo capped his 100th appearance, at Nottingham Forest in April, with his maiden

Premier League strike. Seven days later, his converted penalty kick in our FA Cup semi-final shoot-out success (below) was a sign of his growing maturity since arriving as a teenager from Porto in 2018. The full-back’s ongoing development and impressive inaugural campaign under Ten Hag was rewarded with a new five-year deal in May, keeping him in M16 until at least 2028, a decade on from his arrival – a further sign of the faith the Dutch boss has in him, as Dalot’s progression with the club continues to reach new heights.

Position Defender

Born Braga, Portugal, 18.03.99

Signed from Porto, 06.06.18

United debut v Young Boys, 19.09.18

Previous clubs Porto, AC Milan (loan)

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 56 (14) games, 1 goal

FA Cup 10 (1) games, 1 goal

League Cup 6 games, 0 goals

Europe 15 (5) games, 1 goal

Other 0 games

Total 87 (20) games, 3 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 12 caps for Portugal, 2 goals

Position Defender

Born Kingston-upon-Thames, England, 12.07.95

Signed from Southampton, 27.06.14

United debut v West Ham United, 27.09.14

Previous clubs Southampton

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 165 (14) games, 3 goals

FA Cup 21 (3) games, 1 goal

League Cup 8 (4) games, 0 goals

Europe 38 (6) games, 0 goals

Other 1 game, 0 goals

Total 233 (27) games, 4 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

31 caps for England, 3 goals

23 LUKE SHAW

Shaw was one of the key beneficiaries of Erik ten Hag’s first year in charge, performing superbly at both left-back and centre-back. After a difficult start to his ninth campaign at United, which saw him miss four games after our opening two defeats against Brighton and Brentford, Luke found his stride. He started the next 22 consecutive league fixtures, between October and April, and nailed down his spot in Ten Hag’s XI. The winter World Cup would break up the season, and Luke was Gareth Southgate’s first-choice left-back for the tournament too, ensuring he returned to United in great form after England were eliminated in the quarter-finals. Shaw was tasked with moving into a central role at the turn of the year, after something of an injury crisis hit the United defence. There, Luke put in some solid displays alongside Raphael Varane, keeping

29 AARON WAN-BISSAKA

If you had profiled the Londoner’s season back in December, it would have made for scant reading, as at that point a back injury – plus the strong form of Diogo Dalot – had kept the right-back out of contention apart from a late sub appearance at home to Liverpool in August. But when Aaron got his chance, he ran with it – and tackled, passed, crossed and shot with it in commanding and industrious displays that would soon see him singled out for praise by the boss. “He is improving his game and I’m happy with his return,” Ten Hag said in February. “He had a difficult first part of the season but he fought himself back.” Particularly impressive this season was the 25-year-old’s improved attacking game. He’s long been regarded as an outstanding defensive full-back, an impression reinforced by moments such as his crucial tackle on old Crystal Palace

team-mate Wilfried Zaha when the latter was through on goal at Selhurst in January, and another goal-saving effort on Jordi Alba at Barcelona the next month (below), as well as vital blocks to deny Newcastle after coming on at half-time in the Carabao Cup final. But his attacking forays have also been bolder, right from the moment he returned to the side and assisted Christian Eriksen’s goal against Burnley in December. As the boss would observe: “In his defending I think he was always reliable, but offensively also now he has an impact.”

City’s Erling Haaland quiet during our memorable 2-1 win in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford. But Shaw also flourished in his more customary left-back slot. He contributed six assists, including the cross for Casemiro’s header in the Carabao Cup final win over Newcastle, and also added another goal to his United tally, with a well-taken finish against Bournemouth (below). Such form helped gain the former Southampton player a new contract, with him putting pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at the club until 2027.

Position Defender

Born Croydon, England, 26.11.97

Signed from Crystal Palace, 29.06.19

United debut v Chelsea, 11.08.19

Previous clubs Crystal Palace

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 104 (4) games, 2 goals

FA Cup 9 games, 0 goals

League Cup 9 (2) games, 0 goals

Europe 30 (2) games, 0 goals

Other 0 games

Total 152 (8) games, 2 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

DR Congo U20s/England U20s, U21s

Position Midfielder

Born Maia, Portugal, 08.09.94

Signed from Sporting Lisbon, 30.01.20

United debut v Wolves, 01.02.20

Previous clubs Novara, Udinese, Sampdoria, Sporting Lisbon

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 121 (3) games, 44 goals

FA Cup 11 (3) games, 5 goals

League Cup 7 (2) games, 2 goals

Europe 34 (4) games, 13 goals

Other 0 games

Total 173 (12) games, 64 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

57 caps for Portugal, 15 goals

8 BRUNO FERNANDES

With Harry Maguire no longer an automatic pick under Erik ten Hag, Bruno embraced his role as United’s on-pitch captain and was finally able to get his hands on a first piece of silverware in England. He passed 100 goal involvements for the club in January and, while often pulling the strings and creating for team-mates – notably the prolific Marcus Rashford – weighed in with some vital strikes of his own. August’s cushioned volley at Southampton got us off the mark away from home, while a curled effort against Spurs in October garnished a

superb team performance in a game Bruno bent to his will. There were two levellers in Manchester derbies too (below), and he rediscovered his confidence from the penalty spot following a couple of high-profile misses in 2021/22. While others came to the fore in the Carabao Cup final, he contributed heavily in that cup run, and netted in all four competitions he was involved in. Aside from all that productivity, he continued to show his remarkable consistency in terms of fitness: even after a season containing a winter World Cup, he’s still never missed a club match through injury, with the three games he sat out in 2022/23 all due to suspension. No player in Europe’s top five leagues can match his 59 appearances across the campaign and, with United returning to the Champions League, next season promises to be just as demanding. Bruno wouldn’t want it any other way.

14 CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN

The signing of Denmark’s attacking midfielder was one of the more astute pieces of business carried out by United ahead of 2022/23, as he proved himself a vital creative cog in our engine room across the season – even if the start the team made suggested otherwise. After defeats in the first two games, to Brighton and his old club Brentford, Eriksen and United came to life against Liverpool in August’s 2-1 home win and he barely looked back. By the time he was joined by Casemiro a few games later the team’s midfield was functioning well, but the pair soon became a well-functioning unit, both defensively and offensively –with the Dane ending the season with two goals and 10 assists. The first of those strikes came in a dramatic 2-1 win at Fulham (right) ahead of the break for the World Cup, with his other in the first game

back after the break – the Carabao Cup win against Burnley. Although famed for scoring from distance, both strikes were predatory finishes inside the six-yard box, demonstrating his desire to get forward. Injury in the FA Cup tie against Reading in February ruled him out of the side for two months, including the Carabao Cup final, but upon his return he was a creative force once more. Still only 31, the likeable Dane still has much to offer Erik ten Hag and United in 2023/24 including nous, the eye for a pass and an infectious positivity.

Position Midfielder

Born Middelfart, Denmark, 14.02.92

Signed from Free agent, 15.07.22

United debut v Brighton, 07.08.22

Previous clubs Ajax, Tottenham, Internazionale, Brentford

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 25 (3) games, 1 goal

FA Cup 4 games, 0 goals

League Cup 2 (2) games, 1 goal

Europe 6 (2) games, 0 goals

Other 0 games

Total 37 (7) games, 2 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

122 caps for Denmark, 39 goals

Position Midfielder

Born Wels, Austria, 17.03.94

Signed from Bayern Munich (loan), 01.02.23

United debut v Crystal Palace, 04.02.2023

Previous clubs Admira Wacker, Rapid Vienna, RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg (loan), Bayern Munich

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 7 (4) games, 0 goals

FA Cup 2 (1) games, 1 goal

League Cup 0 (1) games, 0 goals

Europe 2 (1) games, 2 goals

Other 0 games, 0 goals

Total 11 (7) games, 3 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

71 caps for Austria, 14 goals

17 FRED

The arrivals of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in the summer of 2022 instantly intensified the competition for places in midfield, laying down a clear challenge to existing personnel. But Fred responded with 56 appearances in all competitions and his best goal return yet (six). The Brazilian might have hoped to start more than 23 games but, however he was deployed by Erik ten Hag, Fred’s stout commitment and undying reserves of energy continued to endear him to the fans. Arguably his best goal of the season was also the most important: an equaliser against Barcelona in the Europa League to set up a famous win. Fred was voted Man of the Match that night (right), underlining his versatility. Yes, there was much of his trademark ball-winning vim but, given encouragement to get forward, he also showed attacking confidence

15 MARCEL SABITZER

The loan signing from Bayern Munich joined the Reds near the end of the January transfer window and made an important contribution during his four-month stay. Erik ten Hag moved for the midfielder following the injury to Christian Eriksen, as he looked to negotiate a hectic fixture schedule across four competitions. Sabitzer was quickly thrown into the fray as a substitute in our home win against Crystal Palace; his first start coming a few days later in our 2-2 home draw with Leeds, followed by another start in our 2-0 win against the same opponents at Elland Road. It was quite an introduction, as he became the first Austrian to represent United. Sabitzer netted three times during his stay, with all of them eye-catching. His first was a stunning, improvised backheel in our comeback FA Cup quarter-final victory against Fulham (right), with his next two being clinical

left-footed strikes in our Europa League quarter-final home draw with Sevilla. That game against the eventual Europa League winners showcased the best of his talents: intelligent movement, positivity of passing and the eye for an opening. The return from injury of Eriksen in April meant he was increasingly used from the bench, before his loan spell was sadly brought to an early conclusion due to injury, meaning he missed the final three league games of the season and the FA Cup final before returning to Germany.

when bursting into the box to level the tie. There were further fine displays in the January win over Manchester City, and the 2-0 away win at Leeds – a contest which suited his all-action style. He finished the league campaign with a delightful reverse through ball for Bruno Fernandes’ winner against Fulham and was entrusted to play the entirety of the FA Cup final. There was disappointment for Fred and his team-mates at Wembley, but the popular South American is entitled to reflect positively on arguably his best United campaign to date.

Position Midfielder

Born Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 05.03.93

Signed from Shakhtar Donetsk, 21.06.18

United debut v Leicester City, 10.08.18

Previous clubs Internacional, Shakhtar Donetsk

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 99 (40) games, 8 goals

FA Cup 9 (9) games, 2 goals

League Cup 11 (3) games, 1 goal

Europe 35 (7) games, 3 goals

Other 0 games

Total 154 (59) games, 14 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 32 caps for Brazil, 0 goals

Position Midfielder

Born Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, 23.02.92

Signed from Real Madrid, 22.08.22

United debut v Southampton, 27.08.22

Previous clubs Sao Paulo, Porto (loan), Real Madrid

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 24 (4) games, 4 goals

FA Cup 4 (1) games, 2 goals

League Cup 4 (2) games, 1 goal

Europe 11 (1) games, 0 goals

Other 0 games

Total 43 (8) games, 7 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

71 caps for Brazil, 7 goals

It now seems hard to believe that when United bought this multiple Champions League-winning Brazilian midfielder from Real Madrid in August, there were a few unimpressed grumbles. But it didn’t take long for the Selecao captain to prove the doubters wrong after debuting in a hard-fought win at Southampton, and then, on his first league start, he assisted Cristiano Ronaldo’s winner at Everton. Less than two weeks later, he’d bag his first United goal with a looping header to snatch a deserved point at Chelsea, having helped us

dominate the game despite falling behind to a late penalty. By that point the Old Trafford faithful were already singing his name, recognising a class act when they saw one. His combative displays in midfield were impressive enough, and would help him rank equal fourth for tackles made in the Premier League by season’s end, despite starting only 24 of United’s 38 games. But he also showed himself to have an eye for goal, as evidenced by further key strikes such as the bullet header of an opener in the Carabao Cup final, and his spectacular bicycle kick finish against Bournemouth in the league in May (left). He would surely have had a greater impact if it weren’t for a couple of suspensions, picked up after two red cards. But like many Red enforcers before him, without the edge to his game, Casemiro surely wouldn’t be the unstoppable force he has become.

28 FACUNDO PELLISTRI

After spending a season and a half on loan at Alaves in Spain, Pellistri’s patience paid off in 2022/23. At the start of the season, the tricky winger spelled out his ambitions, saying: “I’m training hard and enjoying everything about life here. I’m hoping for the chance to be able to get game time under my belt.” Though he didn’t make it on to the pitch for Erik ten Hag’s side in the opening weeks of the season, Pellistri was selected for Uruguay’s 2022 World Cup squad and the youngster’s displays in Qatar – where he appeared in all three games before a group-stage exit – subsequently prompted more involvement at Old Trafford. His long-awaited debut came from the bench in January’s Carabao Cup win over Charlton (right), and he went on to make nine substitute appearances – five in the cups, four in the league – over the remainder of the season,

plus a first start, in March’s Europa League away win over Real Betis. “He is the example, of deserving his position [in the starting XI] by performance in training,” Ten Hag stressed, while admitting that Pellistri’s sustained performance levels at Carrington had arguably warranted more playing time. For Facundo, starting at Real Betis merely fuelled his desire for more involvement. “It helps you feel better, both in training and on a day-to-day basis,” he said. “Hopefully, I can follow this path and continue contributing.”

Position Midfielder

Born Montevideo, Uruguay, 20.12.01

Signed from Penarol, 05.10.20

United debut v Charlton Athletic, 10.01.23

Previous clubs Penarol, Alaves (loan)

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 0 (4) games, 0 goals

FA Cup 0 (1) games, 0 goals

League Cup 0 (2) games, 0 goals

Europe 1 (2) games, 0 goals

Other 0 games

Total 1 (9) games, 0 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 12 caps for Uruguay, 0 goals

Position Midfielder

Born Nijkerkerveen, Netherlands, 18.04.97

Signed from Ajax, 02.09.20

United debut v Crystal Palace, 19.09.20

Previous clubs Ajax, Everton (loan)

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 6 (28) games, 2 goals

FA Cup 4 (1) games, 0 goals

League Cup 5 (1) games, 0 goals

Europe 8 (7) games, 0 goals

Other 0 games

Total 23 (37) games, 2 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

19 caps for Netherlands, 3 goals

34 DONNY VAN DE BEEK

Donny’s season was cruelly cut short in January, halfway through playing an industrious part in our 3-0 win over Bournemouth. It was particularly unfortunate as van de Beek had been granted a rare starting role and had helped the Reds into a lead as first-half injury-time loomed, only to collide awkwardly with opponent Marcos Senesi. The Dutchman had begun the season promisingly despite ending up on the losing side at Old Trafford in the opening-day defeat at Brighton. With the Reds 2-1 down, his substitute appearance was followed by some neat touches as United turned up the pressure. Yet with Casemiro newly signed to take charge of the engine room, it would be a while before he played more than a handful of minutes. And when Erik ten Hag handed Donny three straight starts in the autumn, he still seemed in search of the right role.

39 SCOTT McTOMINAY

The midfielder can look back on the campaign as one in which he reached the 200-appearance landmark in our senior ranks. McTominay became just the 32nd United Academy graduate to achieve such a feat when he took to the pitch during March’s 4-1 home win over Real Betis in the Europa League. The competition is one in which Scott made several memories to savour over the season, having also netted a late winner in mid-October’s 1-0 win over Omonia Nicosia. That was the first of the Scotland international’s three goals across the term, with the second a superb finish on the stretch against Aston Villa, on our road to lifting the Carabao Cup. Both of those efforts came before the World Cup, a tournament that Scott and his nation were not involved in, but our no.39 did proudly captain youthful United sides in friendlies against Cadiz and Real

Betis during the winter break (below). When McTominay did go away with his country again in March, he was in blistering form in front of goal –netting four times in two matches – before bringing that scoring touch back to his club in April, with the opener in our win over Everton. Scott made 39 appearances in Erik ten Hag’s first season and expressed how he’s found playing under the Dutchman by saying: “He’s always having you thinking about new ideas. That’s the best way to be with football. For me, it’s great. I love it.”

“I know he can do it from the no.10 position,” Ten Hag said before Donny started the 1-0 win away to Real Sociedad in November, “playing between the lines, cutting behind, a good counter-press, so I want to see it.” The former Ajax man also began the 1-3 league defeat to Villa (below), but when the Reds went 2-1 down to the same opponents in the Carabao Cup four days later, he was subbed off in favour of attacking reinforcements before United came back to win. Here’s hoping a fully fit Donny sees better days in 2023/24.

Position Midfielder

Born Lancaster, England, 08.12.96

Signed from Trainee

United debut v Arsenal, 07.05.17

Previous clubs None

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 99 (45) games, 12 goals

FA Cup 12 (6) games, 3 goals

League Cup 8 (2) games, 2 goals

Europe 25 (12) games, 2 goals

Other 0 games

Total 144 (65) games, 19 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 41 caps for Scotland, 6 goals

Position Forward

Born Massy, France, 05.12.95

Signed from Monaco, 01.09.15

United debut v Liverpool, 12.09.15

Previous clubs Lyon, Monaco

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 144 (52) games, 62 goals

FA Cup 18 (9) games, 5 goals

League Cup 12 (7) games, 8 goals

Europe 39 (16) games, 13 goals

Other 1 game, 0 goals

Total 214 (84) games, 88 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

30 caps for France, 2 goals

9 ANTHONY MARTIAL

The Frenchman’s eighth season at United had a few high points, many of them during substitute appearances, even if his recurring misfortune with injuries – no fewer than five spells out – stopped him from cementing a regular spot in the starting XI. Yet when the Reds’ no.9 is on form, he can handle any opposition defence. He showed that in the opening weeks, reducing the arrears at Manchester City with a brace to save a few blushes, and registering assists either side of that, against Liverpool and Everton. But then another month

out would follow, before a promising run of form at the turn of the year was again interrupted by injury, and a goal on his return in the 2-0 win at Forest in the Carabao Cup (below) preceded yet another spell on the treatment table. Three league goals after his return in April punctuated a spell of more encouraging form as the Reds rallied to secure Champions League football, with Erik ten Hag backing up the notion that United play their best football when Martial is involved. “The moment he is on the pitch, the time he needs for a goal is [short],” he said. “When he is in the team – I refer to games [at home] against Man City and Liverpool – we play our best football and we have the best results.” With Martial averaging fewer minutes per goal than any other United player across all competitions in 2022/23 (a strike every 114 minutes), the stats would suggest the boss has a point.

10 MARCUS RASHFORD

It’s impossible to talk about Marcus’s achievements in 2022/23 without acknowledging the season that preceded it – 2021/22 was the most difficult of the Wythenshawe-born wonder’s career, producing five goals – his meekest return since crashing into the team in 2016. It led to some external observers questioning the Academy graduate’s future, but he responded by unloading the full force of his talent during Erik ten Hag’s maiden season. He hit 30 goals in all competitions – becoming the first Red to reach that milestone since Robin van Persie 10 years earlier –as he underlined his authority as the spearhead of our attack. It was a memorable term for so many reasons: for that feeling of a serious comeback, yes. But also for his 100th United goal – a bullet header to beat West Ham in October – not to mention clinchers v Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester

City. There were 14 Man of the Match awards, three Premier League Player of the Month awards (below), and a vital second goal in the Carabao Cup final. After being dropped for lateness before December’s trip to Wolves, he rose, unflustered, from the bench to bag the game’s only goal. In the Nou Camp, he was instrumental in both goals – our first at that famous stadium since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s epochal toe-poke. It was a simply stellar season; one that highlighted Rashford’s ever-growing maturity and his integrality to United’s future.

Position Forward

Born Manchester, England, 31.10.97

Signed from Trainee

United debut v Midtjylland, 25.02.16

Previous clubs None

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 179 (60) games, 76 goals

FA Cup 22 (9) games, 8 goals

League Cup 14 (8) games, 14 goals

Europe 44 (21) games, 25 goals

Other 0 (2) games, 0 goals

Total 259 (100) games, 123 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

53 caps for England, 16 goals

Position Forward

Born Madeira, Portugal, 05.02.85

Signed from Juventus, 31.08.21

United debut v Bolton Wanderers, 16.08.03

Previous clubs Sporting Club, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 188 (48) games, 103 goals

FA Cup 24 (3) games, 13 goals

League Cup 10 (2) games, 4 goals

Europe 64 (4) games, 24 goals

Other 3 games, 1 goal

Total 289 (57) games, 145 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

200 caps for Portugal, 123 goals

21 ANTONY

“Dribbling – it’s the Brazilian way, isn’t it? Dribbling, speed, scoring goals.”

One of Antony’s lines from his first interview as a United player saw the newcomer from Ajax describe what he enjoys most on the pitch. And it didn’t take long for him to showcase it all on his United debut a few days later, against Arsenal at Old Trafford (right). After 35 minutes, dribbling, speed and scoring had all been ticked off after he finished coolly to put United 1-0 up in a key match we won 3-1. It was a sensational start, and there were more standout moments that lit up his maiden campaign. That debut strike won him the club’s fan-voted Goal of the Month award for September, and he followed it with October’s award, for a curling effort at Manchester City. That two more monthly awards came – for goals against Barcelona in February and Real Betis in March

7 CRISTIANO RONALDO

Ronaldo’s final months as a United player did not produce the golden memories the player might have hoped for when he rejoined in the summer of 2021. The Portuguese legend departed in November, when the club announced that a mutual agreement had been reached to bring his contract to an end. He managed three goals in 16 games under Erik ten Hag, with a wicked low, left-footed winner at Everton the most memorable. The other two came in the Europa League, home and away against Sheriff Tiraspol, but a 3-1 defeat against Aston Villa (right) proved a rather sad end to one of the great United careers. Our famous no.7 skippered the Reds at Villa Park in his final appearance but, once the dust has settled on his second spell at the club, Ronaldo will of course be remembered for the many magnificent feats he produced

in the shirt. The club’s parting statement thanked Ronaldo ‘for his immense contribution across two spells’ and time will only enhance the significance of those contributions. His 118 goals between 2003-09 are embedded into United folklore, as is his 2008 Ballon d’Or, plus his starring roles in three consecutive Premier League triumphs and the successful Champions League drive to Moscow. Even though his United days came to a premature, somewhat melancholy conclusion, his place in the United canon remains unassailable.

– and the overall Goal of the Season gong arrived at the end of the season, underlined Antony’s penchant for crowd-pleasing. To have racked up 44 appearances, despite arriving in September and having a couple of spells out injured (including missing the FA Cup final), was an endorsement in itself of a successful first campaign – and to claim silverware too was the ultimate validation. “Winning my first trophy in my debut season was always my aim,” he said. “I said from day one that my objective was to win trophies but I don’t want to stop there.”

Position Forward

Born Osasco, Brazil, 24.02.00

Signed from Ajax, 01.09.22

United debut v Arsenal, 04.09.22

Previous clubs Sao Paulo, Ajax

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 23 (2) games, 4 goals

FA Cup 4 (1) games, 1 goal

League Cup 4 (1) games, 1 goal

Europe 8 (1) games, 2 goals

Other 0 games

Total 39 (5) games, 8 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 16 caps for Brazil, 2 goals

Position Forward

Born London, England, 25.03.00

Signed from Borussia Dortmund, 23.07.21

United debut v Leeds United, 14.08.21

Previous clubs Borussia Dortmund

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 41 (14) games, 9 goals

FA Cup 3 (1) games, 1 goal

League Cup 1 (2) games, 0 goals

Europe 11 (6) games, 2 goals

Other 0 games

Total 56 (23) games, 12 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

23 caps for England, 3 goals

25 JADON SANCHO

In his second season at the club, Sancho has seen Erik ten Hag place much faith in the gifted England international, selecting him for 41 games, 29 of which were starting berths. A return of seven goals and three assists in all competitions –despite his mid-season omission for a period of individual training – is a further indication of why 2022/23 is a campaign Jadon can look back on with pride. With many considering our Old Trafford showing against Liverpool in August as a particular turning point for the team, it was

Sancho’s clever finish to wrong-foot the Merseysiders’ defence that set the tone for an impressive home run that would see the Reds unbeaten on home soil for the rest of our league campaign. A United winger is expected to keep fans on their edge of their seats and not many would have been sitting still as they witnessed Jadon’s superb run and finish away to Spurs in April (below), while he capped off the season with a final-day strike against Fulham. His partnership down the left with Luke Shaw also impressed in 2022/23, with neat interchanges and tidy openings a common sight. “I’m really happy he’s in the right direction, he’s a brilliant footballer,” said Ten Hag following Sancho’s February return to the team. Under the Dutchman’s tutelage, the hope now is that Sancho can start to produce such moments on a week-to-week basis.

27 WOUT WEGHORST

Weghorst to United was one of the more unexpected transfer moves of the season, but it was to the giant Dutchman that compatriot Erik ten Hag turned when his forward options became depleted in the winter. The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and injury to Anthony Martial hastened a loan move for the striker who was contracted to Burnley, but had just completed a fruitful loan spell with Turkish side Besiktas, as well as impressing in the World Cup. “He is a striker, and we had an open position there to fill in,” said Erik upon Wout’s arrival. “I expect a team player, who can link up, do his defending work.” He was thrown straight into the starting XI and stayed there during United’s hectic schedule as we fought on four fronts, although goals proved hard to come by. Wout netted a first in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Nottingham Forest (right),

and his second came against Real Betis in the first leg of the Europa League last-16 tie. But the highlight of Wout’s loan spell came at Wembley, in the Carabao Cup final. His assist for Marcus Rashford helped put the Reds 2-0 up and Wout’s unconfined joy at the final whistle was one of the more heartwarming memories of the season. “I took a moment there at the end and that was the greatest moment of the evening,” he smiled. “There’s a great feeling within the team, the lads together. It’s something special to notice this.”

Position Forward

Born Borne, Netherlands

Signed from Burnley (loan)

United debut v Crystal Palace, 18.01.23

Previous clubs Emmen, Heracles Almelo, AZ Alkmaar, Wolfsburg, Burnley, Besiktas (loan)

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 10 (7) games, 0 goals

FA Cup 3 (2) games, 0 goals

League Cup 3 games, 1 goal

Europe 4 (2) games, 1 goal

Other 0 games

Total 20 (11) games, 2 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

23 caps for Netherlands, 5 goals

Position Forward

Born Malmo, Sweden, 27.04.02

Signed from Trainee

United debut v Leicester City, 11.05.21

Previous clubs None

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 21 (18) games, 3 goals

FA Cup 0 (4) games, 0 goals

League Cup 1 (3) games, 0 goals

Europe 3 (5) games, 1 goal

Other 0 games

Total 25 (30) games, 4 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD:

12 caps for Sweden, 3 goals

36 ANTHONY ELANGA

Elanga’s breakthrough was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing 2021/22 for United, but the Manchester-raised Sweden international found the going more difficult next time around. Elanga was regularly involved as a starter in the early stages of Erik ten Hag’s tenure, setting up Jadon Sancho’s opener in the season-defining win over Liverpool, before contributing to successive away victories at Southampton and Leicester as the Reds regained confidence following a stuttering start to the new term. The subsequent arrival of Brazilian winger Antony and the emergence of fellow Academy graduate Alejandro Garnacho limited Elanga’s opportunities though, especially after the World Cup and even despite the long-term absences of Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial. Elanga was named in the starting XI for the

49 ALEJANDRO GARNACHO

This was the season when Garnacho came of age, the precocious star of the previous term’s FA Youth Cup win becoming impossible to ignore with his matchwinning capabilities. Erik ten Hag was patient and ordered the youngster to develop his game in training, but a maiden goal in the Europa League tie at Real Sociedad highlighted his obvious potential before the sweetest of late winners, in advance of the World Cup, accounted for Fulham later in November. Often a wildcard option off the bench, tormenting tiring defenders with his pace, confidence and fearless dribbles, Garnacho began to make rapid progress. Superb strikes against Leeds and, in one of his best individual displays, West Ham in the FA Cup, enthralled the fans. But just when looking capable of really fuelling our attack, he suffered an ankle injury that paused his involvement. He

found the net in his comeback game against Wolves in May, and was one of our brightest performers when coming on as a sub in the FA Cup final, curling a shot agonisingly wide (below). As just reward for his efforts, he was handed a long-term contract to commit his future to the club and a senior debut for Argentina followed in June, cementing his decision to represent the world champions rather than his country of birth, Spain. The sky is the limit for this buccaneering winger, with much excitement to see what he can produce in 2023/24.

Carabao Cup victory over Charlton (below) and added another assist – for Bruno Fernandes – in the semi-final dismantling of Nottingham Forest. He wasn’t involved come the day of the final against Newcastle, but the 21-year-old could savour the post-match celebrations at Wembley and claim a first winner’s medal with the club he joined at the age of 12. While he’ll be keen to have more minutes of senior football next season, with a contract that has three years still to run there is still plenty of time for Elanga to show what he can do.

Position Forward

Born Madrid, Spain 01.07.04

Signed from Atletico Madrid, 11.09.20

United debut v Chelsea, 28.04.22

Previous clubs Atletico Madrid (youth)

UNITED RECORD:

Premier League 5 (16) games, 3 goals

FA Cup 1 (3) games, 1 goal

League Cup 3 (2) games, 0 goals

Europe 2 (4) games, 1 goal

Other 0 games

Total 11 (25) games, 5 goals

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 2 caps for Argentina, 0 goals

SQUAD MEMBERS

The remaining Reds to feature in 2022/23…

The demands of an epic, World Cup-punctuated season meant Erik ten Hag had to lean on his entire squad in 2022/23, using 30 players. David De Gea’s status as no.1 keeper was evidenced by the Spaniard’s starts in 58 of our 62 games, with Tom Heaton stepping in twice and another pair of outings handed to Martin Dubravka, who spent the first half of the season on loan from Newcastle. As well as becoming the Reds’ first Slovak player at senior level, Dubravka enjoyed a perfect winning record as he kept goal in Carabao Cup wins over Aston Villa and Burnley. His replacement, Jack Butland, arrived on a short-term loan from Crystal Palace and, although the former England international didn’t make an appearance, he marked the end of the deal by stressing: “It was an unreal experience being with the team I’ve supported since a boy.”

Butland was a regular on United’s bench during the second half of the campaign, while similar experiences were given to young stoppers

Nathan Bishop and Radek Vitek Outfielders Zidane Iqbal, Marc Jurado, Rhys Bennett and Tyler Fredricson were also involved in matchday squads without making it on to the field. Brandon Williams, back from a loan at Norwich, made a substitute cameo in December’s Carabao Cup win over Burnley and was otherwise restricted to an unused substitute role, but the road to first-team involvement remains open for all, as demonstrated by senior bows handed out by Ten Hag over the course of the campaign.

Prior to his loan move to Newport County, Charlie McNeill was introduced as a late substitute against Real Sociedad at home. Later in the season, young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo went a step further, making his first start in January’s Carabao Cup win over Charlton. The England youth international then made substitute outings in wins over Leicester in the Premier League and Reading in the FA Cup, and Ten Hag – in an assessment which can be broadened to all those who harbour hopes of stepping up to the seniors – was keen to stress: “I am happy to give him the opportunity, but it is about what is deserved.”

LOANEES

Premier

“We loan players to let them develop and make progress,” said Erik ten Hag, reflecting on one of the subplots of the 2022/23 campaign: the raft of United players allowed to temporarily join other clubs. “To bring them back, that is the aim of a loan,” continued the United manager. “We are really strong on them in the way we mentor them, so we follow them and we have communication through all the season, especially [technical director] Darren Fletcher. He invests a lot in such processes – the aim is to bring them back as a better player, with better experience.”

It’s safe to say that United’s mission was accomplished in numerous cases in 2022/23, with many loanees within the English game, as well as in top divisions across Europe, picking up a broad spectrum of experiences to hasten their future development.

The highest-profile example was that of Amad, whose time at Sunderland resulted in a run to the Championship play-offs and him picking up the club’s Young Player of the Year award. The Ivory Coast international’s haul of 14 goals and four assists represented an electrifying contribution to the Black Cats’ cause, prompting their manager Tony Mowbray to say: “Amad’s a big favourite here. The ball is not a problem for him, whatever he does with it. He’s a maestro at this level. He has been amazing for us.”

Amad wasn’t the only United loanee to impact heavily at Championship level. Midfielder Hannibal featured regularly for Birmingham City and picked up the club’s Goal of the Season award, for a sensational match-winning free-kick against local rivals West Bromwich Albion. “Unforgettable,” was the Tunisia international’s summary of his time at St Andrew’s. “I’ll always cherish my time here and the relationships I’ve built.”

That sentiment was echoed by defender Alvaro Fernandez, whose time at Preston North End could hardly have gone better. Deployed at left wing-back, the young Spaniard flourished in the second tier, picking up six assists and North End’s Young Player of the Year award, and he later admitted his surprise at just

From the

League to Prague, plenty of Reds had a rewarding term away from United...

Below Savage played 15 League One games for Forest Green Rovers; teenage forward McNeill celebrates finding the net for League Two Newport; defender Fish scored his first senior goals while in Scotland Right Our 2021/22 Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year Fernandez was a regular starter for Preston; Shoretire helped the Trotters push for promotion in the third tier

how well the move had unfolded. “It was a great season for me, with great people around me,” said Fernandez. “I enjoyed it a lot and I improved a lot. I just want to say thank you for everything, for everyone. I never thought it was going to be like that.”

Elsewhere in English football’s pyramid, there were landmark experiences for Charlie Savage, who bagged his first senior goal during his time at Forest Green Rovers, as did Shola Shoretire with Bolton Wanderers and Charlie McNeill at Newport County. Defender Will Fish also contributed in an attacking sense with three goals, but his time at Hibernian in →

Scotland was more notable for his high performance level at the other end of the field. Ethan Laird enjoyed a similar story with Queens Park Rangers in the Championship, as did Ethan Galbraith during his season with Salford City in League Two. The latter departed United at the end of the campaign, as did defender Di’Shon Bernard, who made 10 starts for Portsmouth in League One during 2022/23.

In non-league football, United’s Academy embarked on a trailblazing link-up with neighbours Altrincham, creating an arrangement whereby youngsters could train at Carrington or with the Robins, and then be called up to the Altrincham line-up when required. The scheme resulted in valuable outings for a number of youngsters, including Joe Hugill and Maxi Oyedele, who joined Charlie Wellens – after he’d spent the first half of the season with Oldham – in picking up invaluable playing time for the Moss Lane club. Loans weren’t just utilised for the development of burgeoning talents during the season, with playing time afforded to senior players who were on the fringes of United’s first-team

Below Tuanzebe’s time at Stoke was restricted by injury, the defender making five appearances prior to him leaving United this summer; Bailly goes up against Tottenham’s Harry Kane in the Champions League Right Kovar spent time on the bench with United at the start of the season, before a loan move to Sparta Prague; Telles on the ball in the Europa League final, where his Sevilla side beat Roma

squad. Alex Telles enjoyed success with Sevilla, who eliminated the Reds en route to winning the Europa League, while goalkeeper Matej Kovar also picked up silverware, lifting the Czech First League trophy with Sparta Prague. Fellow stopper Dean Henderson turned in an eye-catching stint at Nottingham Forest prior to a season-ending thigh injury in January, while Eric Bailly’s stint at Marseille and Axel Tuanzebe’s time with Stoke City were also hampered by extended spells on the sidelines. Nevertheless, the rich variety of experiences shared between United’s players reinforced the value of the loans market in maintaining the ongoing development of talent outside Ten Hag’s first team.

DEPARTURES

Those to leave the club on a permanent basis...

New management invariably precipitates changes in personnel, and that was the case following Erik ten Hag’s arrival at Old Trafford, with a handful of players leaving the club for pastures new before, during and after the 2022/23 term.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s mid-season departure, followed by a move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, was the highest-profile exit of the campaign, but other moves took place far closer to home. Academy graduates Andreas Pereira and James Garner were to start new chapters at other clubs, and demonstrated their pedigree by making the grade at Premier League level. Garner made his Everton debut in the Reds’ 2-1 win at Goodison Park, and was also introduced as a substitute when the sides reconvened at Old Trafford towards the end of the season. The Birkenhead-born midfielder grew in prominence with the Toffees and played a key role in their dramatic relegation escape on the final day.

As for Andreas, he also faced his former side twice, with Fulham, as the Reds ran out 2-1 Premier League winners at Craven Cottage and ousted the Cottagers from the FA Cup at Old Trafford. After becoming a mainstay in the Fulham midfield under Marco Silva’s management, Andreas admitted: “At United I had a lot of memories. I arrived aged 16 so I was a young boy. It was an amazing

ride but I got to the stage where I thought maybe it was best not to stay. I wanted to play every game.”

Fellow Academy products also went on to thrive elsewhere. Welsh youngster Dylan Levitt, having been named supporters’ Player of the Year at Dundee United during his 2021/22 loan to Tannadice Park, rejoined the Tangerines on a permanent basis, while Dutch winger Tahith Chong followed a similar path, relocating to Birmingham City after excelling at St Andrew’s during a temporary spell.

The turnover in personnel continued at the end of ’22/23, with the departures of Ethan Galbraith and Di’Shon Bernard, both of whom rose through the club’s youth system before looking to take the next step in their careers elsewhere.

Late June also saw full-back Ethan Laird join Birmingham City, with midielder Zidane Iqbal heading to Eredivisie side Utrecht, and teenage forward Manni Norkett

Above Andreas soon found himself back at Old Trafford wearing Fulham colours

Below left Garner would remain in the top flight after joining Everton last September

Below De Gea and Jones had been United team-mates since the 2011 Community Shield

moving to Nottingham Forest. Defender Axel Tuanzebe also left United upon the expiry of his contract. The defender had been a Red since the age of eight, captaining the club at every level.

As for goalkeeper David De Gea and defender Phil Jones, they would leave as free agents with a combined 774 appearances, and a haul of winner’s medals that includes the 2012/13 Premier League. In a heartfelt message to the fans, Jones – who has been blighted by injuries in recent years – wrote: ‘It’s not a time to be sad, it’s a time to look back, for me and my family, and be happy that I managed to live a dream at United.’

Everybody at the club wishes the long-standing pair, and all other departing players, the very best for the future, and thanks them for all they’ve achieved in a United shirt.

MEN’S TEAM: RESULTS & LINE-UPS, 2022/23 SEASON

APPEARANCES, GOALS & ’22/23 PL STATISTICS

PREMIER LEAGUE FINAL TABLE

UNITED APPEARANCES AND GOALS FOR 2022/23 SEASON

PREMIER LEAGUE TOP GOALSCORERS

PREMIER LEAGUE TOP ASSISTS

UNITED FIRST-TEAM DEBUTS

UNITED TEAM STATISTICS (ALL COMPETITIONS)

09.03.23), 4-1 v Chelsea (H, 25.05.23)

BREAKDOWN OF UNITED’S 108 GOALS

UNITED CAREER STATISTICS

BREAKDOWN OF UNITED’S 76 ASSISTS

WHEN UNITED’S 108 GOALS WERE SCORED

UNITED GOAL STATS (ALL

COMPETITIONS)

Total goals scored: 108

Average goals scored per game: 1.74

Total goals conceded: 63

Average goals conceded per game: 1.02

Clean sheets: 28 (25 De Gea, 2 Heaton, 1 Dubravka)

Doubles: 8 (Rashford 4, Martial 1, Casemiro 1, Fernandes 1, Sabitzer 1)

Penalties scored (not inc shoot-outs):

7 (Fernandes 4, Martial 1, Rashford 1, Ronaldo 1)

Penalties missed (not inc shoot-outs): 0

TOP SCORERS (U18s/U21s)

BACK TO CONTENTS

ENDING THE SIX-YEAR WAIT

The players enjoy the moment at Wembley Stadium following victory against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final, as the Reds win a first piece of silverware since the Europa League in 2017. Of our 2022/23 squad, only David De Gea, Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay, Antony Martial and Marcus Rashford remain from that previous trophy lift, with our sixth League Cup success in late February being tangible reward for the team’s progress in 2022/23 under Erik ten Hag, in the Dutchman’s first season in charge. The first of many such celebrations? Let’s hope so!

UNITED WOMEN

Marc Skinner’s Reds enjoyed their best season yet, as they pushed for silverware until the very last day. We look back on every moment, with the boss sharing his own memories...

MARC SKINNER

The United Women boss recalls a superb season, rewarded with a first Champions League finish...

What a season we’ve just had. This group of players took our performances to another level and achieved things we’ve never achieved before. We broke records, we came together as a unit, and we developed a real winning mentality.

We have never put any limits on what we want to achieve and you could see that ambition in our play every week during the 2022/23 campaign. And you’ll see it every week going forward too.

When we look back at the season and reflect on the fact that the only team we lost to in the Women’s Super League was Chelsea, we have to be pleased with how we performed. Not only that but the gap between us and Chelsea – Double winners and serial champions – is closer than ever. We had a win percentage of over 80 per cent in the WSL and reached the Women’s FA Cup final for the first time.

With the season over, of course there is a tinge of what might have been. We want to be winning trophies – it’s what our magnificent club is all about. It’s a process and we’re well on track, if not ahead of schedule, in getting there.

Long-term success is what we’re building towards. Consistency in performance – both individual and team – is something I want to see

from us. We got close to that and worked hard to the very last second of every game, and we got our rewards from that.

Coming off the back of England’s success at the Euros last summer, there were many highlights from the biggest domestic season yet in the WSL. For us, beating Arsenal at the Emirates and doing the double over them was significant. Millie Turner’s last-minute winner against Aston Villa will live long in the memory. Reaching the Cup final was special.

Beating Arsenal away in November was not only a brilliant result, it was one we really earned –and not just on the day. On the day we were excellent and showed a lot of personality, but it was the work we were putting in day-in, day-out, week-in and week-out that got us over the line in that game.

It wasn’t just about our work on the grass either. Our mentality shift and belief was a huge part of that result and our progression as a whole throughout the season. You have to believe to be able to achieve. And we believe.

We took several things from that win, which isn’t always the case in victory. As Sir Alex Ferguson told us, he learnt much more in defeat than he ever did in victory. But this felt different. We were behind in the game, we couldn’t hear each

“Of course there is a tinge of what might have been. We want to be winning trophies – it’s what our magnificent club is all about. It’s a process and we’re well on track, if not ahead of schedule, in getting there”

other well – as is the case playing in the biggest stadiums in front of big crowds, something we’re getting accustomed to now as the game continues to grow. But we were taking risks at appropriate times, being brave in possession and not fearing what the opposition might do. We were focusing solely on us –on our strengths, on how we could win the game, and not worrying about how we might lose it.

At no point did this group panic or want to settle for a point. We continued to play our football and even when some chances came and went, you could see we were calm. The team were playing with freedom and maturity.

It was a big moment in the season. We demonstrated another side to us and from that we knew we could beat any team in the league.

Beating one of the traditional big hitters was an important moment, but so too were the times where we ground out results when we weren’t playing at our best. One of those occasions came towards the end of the season against Aston Villa.

It was your clichéd game of two halves. We needed half-time to reset after a disappointing first 45 minutes. We needed to help the players refocus on the game in front of them, rather than being so intent on playing the ideal game we like to play.

Our determination and belief were again key to us getting the result, and our substitutes were key to helping us unlock different parts of our game when they came on.

One thing I was adamant on improving on in 2022/23 was our variation, making sure we had several options when it came to looking to change games. That was something we worked hard on throughout the season, creating different scenarios so we had alternative ways of winning matches and never felt stuck.

Bringing Millie on late against Villa that night was, in large part, so we could sustain attacks quicker, keep the ball moving, and keep building the pressure with the possession we had. The plan wasn’t necessarily to make use of her ability in the air… but of course, as we experienced, her aerial threat really paid off. That header! Power, aggression, precision. And what an assist from Katie Zelem too. That’s to be expected, as her quality in set-piece

“I don’t want us to keep using the ‘five seasons old’ conversation. We don’t need to have that as part of our narrative forever... we’re more experienced now and we know how to beat the best teams”

deliveries and passing is incredible. Katie is she’s a real leader of this group, a brilliant captain.

Leading this team out for the FA Cup final alongside Katie was another incredible experience, our first as a club. We did really well in the first half against Chelsea, and parts of the second. I felt the game was there for us but one moment where we switched off saw us punished. That’s where we’ve got to grow and improve next: being ruthless in our finishing when we’re dominating games and ensuring our concentration never dips.

We’ve taken great strides to get to new levels. But we can’t –and won’t – stop here. We’re now working towards reaching the next level. That’s the challenge for us.

Next season will see us face more of the best teams in Europe as we compete in the Champions League for the first time. That’s a brilliant achievement by this group considering the other teams vying for the spots in that competition.

There’s no doubt it will be another tough challenge, not only in the fixtures themselves but in the balancing of additional matches. I have every confidence in my players that they will take it in their stride and learn a huge amount from the experience, however far we get in the Champions League. It will be new, but we will be ready, raring to go and give everything we possibly can – and we are so excited to see our fans on a European tour!

We want to give the fans more memorable moments. The disappointment of missing out on winning the league and losing the Cup final will drive us forwards. Our ultimate motivation though is to continue having special days with the fans at Leigh, Old Trafford, Wembley and now in Europe.

We’re excited by the new challenges that await us in 2023/24. There’s been such huge growth which we’re certain will continue. We know we can go on to achieve incredible things. We will be driven. We want to fully embrace everything that’s thrown at us. That will be our attitude going into the new season.

The moments I’ve picked out here might make it into the highlights reel for 2022/23, but there were so many more unseen moments throughout the season that have been key to our success.

My job is to drive standards every day. People talk about goals and goal-setting as coaches. My personal preference is not to set the grand, end-of-season goals. I don’t need to set goals of winning the league, qualifying for the Champions League, or winning it.

The players should be telling you they want to win the league, the Champions League... every competition we enter. If they’re not, they shouldn’t be at Manchester United. I work much more on the practicality of each day – what each game should look like, the progress of individuals, not just as players but as people. For me, those little wins and areas of development that make up the sum should also be celebrated.

I don’t want us to keep using the ‘five seasons old’ conversation. We don’t need to have that as part of our narrative forever. Having said that, we are ahead of schedule given where and when we started out.

We have come a long way in a short space of time. We’ve dealt with a number of challenges along the way and come out of the other side stronger for it.

From where we were this time of the year in 2022, we have grown massively. We’re much more experienced now. And we know how to beat the best teams, because we are one of them.

STEPPING THINGS UP

Having just missed out on a place in the top three of the Women’s Super League in 2021/22 – and with it a much-coveted place in the Women’s Champions League – United Women returned to the new campaign hungry to finally achieve their ambitions.

‘As a team, it’s about taking the season step by step,’ wrote captain Katie Zelem in her matchday programme column for the team’s WSL curtain-raiser, against familiar early-season opponents in Reading – the third time in five years in which United kicked a home campaign off against the Royals. ‘We have big ambitions, and with added strength in depth and you in the stands supporting us, we’re confident we can achieve them.’

The push to reach such targets began in June, with plenty of movement in the transfer market. In came seven arrivals, all on permanent deals: exciting young talents Grace Clinton and Maya Le Tissier, from Everton and Brighton, alongside some trusted experience in Adriana Leon, Rachel Williams and Nikita Parris – from West Ham, Tottenham and Arsenal. The Reds

looked to Spain for the remaining acquisitions: winger Lucia Garcia (Athletic Club), and defender Aissatou Tounkara (Atletico Madrid).

Many of these new faces got their first taste of action as the squad headed to Toulouse for the Amos French Cup. The pre-season tournament saw United beat Paris Saint-Germain courtesy of a sublime Zelem finish, from the outside of her boot, before defeat to Bayern Munich in the final ahead of the start of the competitive campaign.

A crowd of 5,315 were at Leigh Sports Village as United sought a winning start to the WSL season against Reading. The Royals had proven to be stiff competition in the past, but United were ruthless. An unlikely source of goals, new defensive arrival Le Tissier, netted a debut brace on the way to a 4-0 victory, with Alessia Russo and Zelem also on the scoresheet to all but confirm the three points before the half-time whistle had blown.

Skinner’s side took that winning momentum into the first away trip of the term, against West Ham. An evenly contested first half was soon undone with a quick

United Women entered ’22/23 with high hopes of taking on the established ‘big three’, and it would prove to be the Reds’ best season yet…

second-half double from the Reds –Garcia bagging her first goal for the club, with Hannah Blundell sealing all three points as the Reds wrapped up August with two wins from two, six goals scored and zero conceded, to sit proudly at the WSL’s summit.

LEAGUE HIGHS, CUP BLOWS

As September began, our Continental Cup account began away to Aston Villa, where a 1-1 draw took the teams into a penalty shoot-out to decide where the bonus point would fall – in this case, the hosts earned the advantage.

Following a two-week break from domestic action for the season’s first international break, the Reds returned to Leigh Sports Village on 16 September, where Brighton were the visitors. Much like the Reading game, the Reds ran riot with four unanswered goals. Ella Toone’s brace got things rolling before Leah Galton made it three and substitute Leon scored her first goal in a United shirt.

A third straight WSL win to start the campaign soon became four, with Leicester the next test. The Foxes were stern opposition at the King Power Stadium, but Parris proved the difference, netting the only goal of the game.

The league charge would be put on hold once more, this time for a Wednesday-evening clash with Championship side Durham in the Continental Cup. Despite being in cruise control, a last-minute goal from the Wildcats forced United into a second consecutive penalty shoot-out in the competition. Again, it was the hosts who picked up the bonus, and with just two points taken from two games, the top spot needed to progress to the knockout stage already looked out of reach for Skinner’s Reds.

EUPHORIA AT ARSENAL

Looking to recover from that cup frustration, attention turned back to the WSL, where the short trip to Everton saw the visitors keep a 100 per cent league record in tact.

United were quick off the mark, as Parris fired her side ahead inside 15 minutes. Hayley Ladd and Galton

then both contributed goals to a fifth league win from five – and with all five being clean sheets, no wonder Mary Earps had a smile on her face at the Toffees’ Walton Hall Park.

For all the positivity surrounding the perfect start in the WSL, the run-up to Christmas was always going to be the real marker of their progress, with clashes against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City on the schedule – sides United had struggled to beat in the league in previous years.

Emma Hayes’s title-defending Blues were first up, as they made the trip north to Leigh Sports Village. On a tense occasion, it was still goalless on the hour mark, at which point Sam Kerr finally got the better of Earps. Former Reds forward Lauren James doubled their tally minutes later, but United hit back through Russo with 20 minutes to go. Despite determined efforts to rescue a point as the clock ticked down, Erin Cuthbert dealt a cruel final blow in stoppage-time to seal Chelsea’s win. The perfect start to the WSL season had ended, and with it top spot was relinquished.

A reaction was needed, and boy did we get one when the Reds rocked up in north London for the next league fixture – one that was arguably the most thrilling WSL fixture of the entire campaign. With 40,604 fans – including a packed away end – gripped by the action under the Emirates floodlights, Toone was on target to give United the lead against Jonas Eidevall’s side, though United were soon pegged back just after half-time.

Then, with 73 minutes played, Arsenal took the lead for the first time after their full-backs combined

to give the Gunners the lead through Laura Wienroither, and for a while it looked as if a repeat of the Chelsea game was on the cards: a decent, determined performance, but with nothing to show for it against such experienced, streetwise opponents.

Thankfully, the Reds seized the moment as the clock reached 85 minutes. First Zelem’s teasing free-kick was thumped home by the head of Millie Turner, and the elation from that goal only spurred the Reds forward in search of more. After Martha Thomas’s half-volley was parried away for a corner, Zelem teed her delivery up for a header once again – this time from Russo, whose effort seemed to take an eternity to drop into the corner of Manuela Zinsberger’s net. Coming right in front of the away end, it produced a moment of euphoria between the players and fans like this team had never seen before.

“You could see at the end what it meant to us all,” said a breathless Toone to MUTV. “The fact we came

For all the positivity surrounding the perfect start, the run-up to Christmas was always going to be the real marker of their progress

back from being down, it just shows the attitude we have in the squad – a never-say-die attitude.”

Everyone seemed to be still talking about it two weeks later as the Reds returned to WSL action at Old Trafford – a first outing of the season in M16. Carla Ward’s Aston Villa were the opponents, with a home-record attendance of 30,196 witnessing a 5-0 win that had five different scorers, including Ona Batlle, who was in unstoppable form. Considering what a strong season Villa were having, it was another impressive result, even if their new creator-in-chief Kirsty Hanson was ineligible to face her parent club.

STEP INTO CHRISTMAS

With United’s league form back on track after the Chelsea loss, the Reds were poised to return to Continental Cup duties in early December, where nothing less than a win was needed against Everton to keep any slim hopes of progressing beyond the group stage alive. →

Skinner’s side had the game all but won inside the first half, with a brace from Vilde Boe Risa, and goals from Rachel Williams and Jade Moore. The Toffees pulled two back, but the points were safe. Nevertheless, with results elsewhere confirming United’s exit, the competition was subsequently seen out with a 4-0 win over Sheffield United in the final 2022 fixture, paving the way for the senior debuts of both Alyssa Aherne and Keira Barry, while goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel was among the unused substitutes.

Sandwiched between those two cup fixtures was the not-so-small

matter of a Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium. Slick combination play down the left between Galton and Toone allowed the former to fire United ahead in the 27th minute, but the points were ultimately shared after Laura Coombs headed home City’s equaliser on the hour mark in another enthralling game, played in front of 44,259 supporters.

RECHARGED AND READY

With the first half of the season drawing to a close, the players enjoyed a short break before jetting off to Malta for the squad’s first-ever warm-weather training camp. There

they played a friendly against local side Birkirkara FC – a 10-0 win. Days later, that scoring form was back on show in the WSL, as Liverpool shipped six without reply in Leigh. Including Emma Koivisto’s own goal, there would be six different scorers.

A visit to Berkshire would set the scene for the next January game, with Reading keeping United at bay until the 87th minute when Williams coolly weaved her way through the backline and thumped an effort into the top corner to earn her side three points. A fantastic goal with some frenzied celebrations, it made for one of the moments of the season.

With the end of January near, the Reds opened the Women’s FA Cup account against Sunderland as Parris stepped up with a brace to ensure progress. That week also marked the end of the winter transfer window – one that saw the arrivals of Canadian full-back Jayde Riviere and Norwegian midfielder Lisa Naalsund on permanent deals, while Estelle Cascarino joined on loan from PSG. Midfielder Lucy Staniforth, meanwhile, departed to join Aston Villa, and Grace Clinton and Jade Moore looked to gain crucial first-team minutes, on loan to Bristol City and Reading.

Top spot belonged to United once more at the start of February, meaning anticipation was high for the WSL visit of Everton, with another crowd in excess of 5,000 present at Leigh Sports Village.

What followed was a rare story of squandered chances, with the game finishing 0-0 despite the hosts having 25 shots and 67 per cent possession. It was just one of those days, with WSL points dropped for only the third time all season. There was little time to dwell on it though, with a big stadium in north London once again providing the impetus to get back on track – a first-ever fixture at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Galton fired United ahead in the 67th minute, only for Bethany England to level 10 minutes later, but an immediate response came in the form of an own goal from Molly Bartrip to put United back in front.

With Toone sent off on 80 minutes – her dismissal for apparently hitting out at Spurs’ Eveliina Summanen would later be rescinded – it made

for a nervy conclusion, with some dogged defending preserving the lead. Top spot was United’s again.

Returning to the FA Cup, Durham were dispatched 5-0 in Leigh. Boe Risa opened the floodgates with an excellent free-kick just before half-time, before Galton, Blundell, Russo and Parris found the net.

BIG KINGSMEADOW TEST

With the FA Cup to resume four weeks later, at the quarter-final stage, WSL action took precedence in early March, with talk of a Champions League spot (and maybe even more) understandably entering the conversation – how could it not, with the Reds sitting pretty at the top, and nine points clear of fourth spot after Leicester were swept aside in Leigh? That win saw Galton and Garcia on the scoresheet once again, but it was Russo stealing the headlines with a perfect hat-trick in the 5-1 win – the first time a Red had ever scored a WSL treble.

The possibility of another first was in everyone’s thoughts come 12 March – a maiden win against Chelsea. Alas, it would be another defeat down at their Kingsmeadow home, after a precise lobbed finish from Kerr saw the Blues take three points. At the stage, we could only speculate just how costly those points could prove...

With so much to play for, though, spirits were still very much high in the Reds’ camp, and a first trip to Lewes’ Dripping Pan stadium since

Williams’s winner at Reading was a fantastic goal, followed by some frenzied celebrations – it made for one of the moments of the season

2018 was next up, in the last eight of the FA Cup. Despite mid-game injuries to Naalsund and Maria Thorisdottir, United emerged 3-1 victors against the second-tier side.

A second Old Trafford game of the season saw a WSL win against West Ham. A flurry of late goals, including two from Garcia in the 4-0 victory, were richly enjoyed by the vast majority of the 27,919 fans.

Impressively, that was the team’s fourth 4-0 win of 2022/23, and it would soon be followed by a fifth, as Brighton were beaten on their own patch. The dangerous Garcia once again stepped off the bench

to score. It boded very well for the FA Cup semi-final meeting with the same team after the international break, especially as this time the Reds would be on home soil. The Seagulls were far from fazed, however, and led at half-time via an uncharacteristic Earps own goal.

Thankfully, Galton settled the nerves within minutes of the restart, and Russo made it advantage United on 71 minutes. ‘Wem-berlee!’ was the chant that briefly rang around the stands of Leigh Sports Village, only for Seagulls’ sub Danielle Carter to stun the crowd as she finished off a lofted through ball

to make it 2-2. Extra-time looked on at that stage, only for United’s own super-sub Williams to coolly finish on 89 minutes after being put through by skipper Zelem. The Reds were off to a first final!

“As soon as I saw Zelem get the ball, I just thought ‘run!’,” smiled Williams when recalling her winner. “I know she can pick a pass from anything so I started running hoping she’d slip me the ball... and she did!”

CRUNCH TIME IN WSL

Just four days later, the biggest week of the season so far brought Arsenal to Leigh, with Aston Villa

(away) and Tottenham (home) to follow before the FA Cup final. Nine points from nine was clearly the target in order to keep pace with Chelsea at the top, but could the Reds pull it off? You bet they could.

Russo scored the game’s only goal against Arsenal, but there were heroes all over the pitch – not least Aoife Mannion, who was Player of the Match on her first start of the season following an ACL injury.

A rare Chelsea loss the following week was celebrated as strongly as any United win all season (even if it was against Manchester City!), with the Reds hanging on to top spot, but

crucially the Blues still had a game in hand, sitting a solitary point behind.

There was no question that title aspirations were perfectly realistic for United, however, and anything felt possible after the Reds twice came from behind at Villa to win 3-2, with Turner’s headed goal seeing Skinner and his staff leaping out their seats in elation. What a moment, which was so reminiscent of Russo’s headed winner at Arsenal five months earlier.

The pulse rates were much calmer when Spurs descended on LSV for the Reds’ final test prior to the Cup final. After an unbelievable goal-saving block from Le Tissier early on, three unanswered goals – from Galton, Russo and Parris – confirmed a 3-0 win, on a day when the home crowd also got a first glimpse of Riviere, who made her belated debut following injury. “It was exhilarating!” she smiled. Hopefully it’s the first game of many for the dynamic Canadian full-back.

Exhilaration was also abound as the team walked out at Wembley seven days later, in front of a world-record domestic crowd in the women’s game of 77,390, thousands of whom were proudly waving red flags. A real goosebumps moment.

Could the Reds claim a first piece of silverware since winning the Championship in 2018? Who knows, it could have been very different if Galton’s goal (after 23 seconds!) hadn’t been ruled out for a marginal offside decision, but from there on the Blues increasingly had the upper hand, with Kerr again their matchwinner – and once more it was a 1-0 scoreline. “It’s a different type of game in a final – you have to play with more maturity and I thought we did,” said a proud yet disappointed Skinner at full-time. “We want to be where they [Chelsea] were today – so that’s what we’ll strive for.”

INTO THE FINAL DAY

The Blues were very much on the Reds’ minds with two WSL games to play. Simply put: if United could beat both Manchester City (home) and Liverpool (away) while Chelsea lost to either Arsenal or Reading, the title would be ours.

A thrilling derby-day victory – thanks to Ladd’s early cracker and Garcia’s 91st-minute winner – brought the house down in Leigh

A thrilling derby-day victory – thanks to Ladd’s early cracker and Garcia’s 91st-minute winner –brought the house down in Leigh in front of 7,864 fans, a record for the Reds at the stadium. But with Chelsea beating Arsenal, it was looking ominous heading into the final day – the Blues had won their previous four WSL games by an aggregate score of 19-0, with only relegation-threatened Reading now standing in the way of a fourth straight title. A 3-0 Chelsea win at the Madejski Stadium would sadly confirm it, but the Reds’ final-day trip to face Liverpool at Prenton Park was a hugely uplifting occasion all the same. It was Garcia who scored the game’s only goal, while it was a special 90 minutes for the backline and keeper Earps, who kept a WSL-record 14th clean sheet in one season. The crowd of 5,778 was also a record for a Liverpool Women’s game at Prenton Park, but judging by the songs from the stands it was clear that most in attendance were there to see the visitors.

“We can only control the controllables,” shrugged a philosophical Skinner after the game. “ We won the game, but we’ve lost [the title]. Congratulations to Chelsea, they are champions this season and I’m sure they will be aware of us going into next season.”

They won’t be the only ones, with the Reds competing in four competitions for the first time in 2023/24. Let’s hope the next campaign provides as many thrills and as much drama as last season, but with some silverware to celebrate along the way!

WOMEN’S TEAM PROFILES & STATS

A player-by-player account of those who took the Reds to new heights

In what was Manchester United Women’s busiest campaign yet – 31 games played across three competitions – Marc Skinner looked to pick a settled starting XI in the

27 MARY EARPS

Women’s Super League, such was the team’s impressive consistency as they pushed for the title, with Mary Earps, Hannah Blundell, Maya Le Tissier, Millie Turner and Katie

Zelem all starting at least 20 of the team’s 22 WSL outings. A total of 27 players – two more than the previous season –were used across the campaign, however, with

32 SOPHIE BAGGALEY

squad rotation and debutants a more common sight in the two cups. Here we assess how the campaign went for each of Skinner’s talented charges...

In a campaign that saw her named Best Women’s Goalkeeper at FIFA’s ‘The Best’ awards, Earps displayed her supreme ability in starting every one of her club’s 22 WSL games. Her final-day clean sheet at Liverpool – one that saw Mary pull off a brilliant double-save – was her 14th of the league campaign, an all-time record for the division. Having already become the first keeper to claim 50 clean sheets in WSL history – achieved in January’s 1-0 win at Reading – her place at the pinnacle of the women’s game can’t be questioned.

Position Goalkeeper DOB 07/03/1993

Previous clubs

Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Coventry City (loan), Birmingham City, Bristol City, Reading, Wolfsburg

United record

96 apps/0 goals

International career

34 caps/0 goals for England (All statistics correct as of 1 July 2023)

Earps’s highly capable deputy was the Reds’ go-to keeper in the Continental Cup in 2022/23. The former Birmingham and Bristol City stopper was unbeaten in 90 minutes in all four of United’s games in the competition, with two wins and two draws – although shoot-out defeats following those draws would prove costly, as United missed out on the bonus points that would have taken the team through. Nevertheless, Sophie made a number of good saves across her four games, which included a clean sheet in a 4-0 win over Sheffield United.

Position Goalkeeper DOB 29/11/1996

Previous clubs

Birmingham City, Bristol City (loan), Bristol City

United record

10 apps/0 goals

International career England U17/U19/U20/ U21/U23

Batlle was as dynamic in the attacking third as she was solid defensively in 2022/23. The full-back racked up a team-high 15 assists, including nine in the WSL – joint-second across the division. After a brief concussion absence, she returned for the 3-2 win at Arsenal in November and followed that up with a dominant display at Old Trafford in December, scoring and assisting in the 5-0 win against Aston Villa. With a desire to return to her native Spain, Ona joined Barcelona on completion of her contract at the end of June. ‘Once red, always red’ was her departing message.

5 AOIFE MANNION

Although she spent much of the season recovering from a second ACL injury since 2019, Mannion played a pivotal role in a landmark campaign. Behind the scenes, she continued to be important as one of four members of the squad’s senior leadership group. Back on the pitch, the centre-back returned to action in March, then gave a heroic display in the 1-0 win over Arsenal in April – her first competitive start in more than 14 months. Sadly for the new Republic of Ireland international, a fresh injury concern would deny her a place at the World Cup.

Position Defender

DOB 10/06/1999

Previous clubs

Barcelona B, Madrid CFF, Levante

United record

77 apps/3 goals

International career

28 caps/0 goals for Spain

3 MARIA THORISDOTTIR

The versatile Norwegian made 10 appearances in her second full season at United, with a long-term foot injury sustained in March’s FA Cup win at Lewes unfortunately cutting her campaign short. The remarkable consistency of Maya Le Tissier and Millie Turner in the middle, as well as Ona Batlle and Hannah Blundell in the full-back slots, meant minutes would ultimately be tough to come by in the WSL for Maria when she was fit, but ‘Thor’ did help the Reds claim two clean sheets from her three league starts, in October’s wins at Leicester and Everton.

6 HANNAH BLUNDELL

Position Defender

DOB 05/06/1993

Previous clubs

Klepp, Chelsea United record

45 apps/1 goal

International career

66 caps/3 goals for Norway

Position Defender

DOB 24/09/1995

Previous clubs

Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Manchester City

United record

28 apps/0 goals

International career

2 caps/0 goals for Republic of Ireland

One of only two outfield players to start all 22 WSL games for United, Blundell went from strength to strength in her second season. The energetic full-back was a serial winner with old club Chelsea but still found a way to take her game to new levels by focusing on improving her defensive ability, alongside her all-too familiar forays down the touchline. It made the no.6 a crucial piece of a back-line that conceded only 12 WSL goals and her contributions were recognised mates when her team-mates voted her Players’ Player of the Year.

Position Defender

DOB 25/05/1994

Previous clubs

Chelsea

United record

58 apps/2 goals

International career

3 caps/0 goals for England

14 JAYDE RIVIERE

An Olympic gold medallist with Canada before her 21st birthday, full-back Riviere arrived in January with a big reputation on the other side of the Atlantic – she looked well placed to be a first-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft, only to opt for a first professional contract as she moved to England. An injury – not to mention the irrepressible form of Ona Batlle in her favoured position – meant that Riviere needed to be patient to make her debut, which came as a late sub in May’s win against Spurs. With Ona moving on, Jayde will be looking to make that right-back slot her own.

15 MAYA LE TISSIER

Position Defender

DOB 22/01/2001

Previous clubs

Michigan Wolverines (college), AFC Ann Arbor

United record

1 app/0 goals

International career

37 caps/1 goal for Canada

The young defender couldn’t have asked for a better start following her summer switch from Brighton, scoring twice in a 4-0 win over Reading on the opening weekend. It made Maya an instant hit with the fans, while she formed a seemingly intrinsic centre-back partnership with Millie Turner, helping the Reds start 2022/23 with five WSL clean sheets in a row. Maya’s form was rewarded with a first senior England call-up in November, as she continued to go from strength to strength in a term that saw her make more appearances than anyone in the squad.

20 AISSATOU TOUNKARA 21 MILLIE TURNER

Another new defensive arrival, Tounkara brought a wealth of experience, most recently from her four seasons with Spanish Liga F side Atletico Madrid. The Paris-born player, who turned 28 in March, would no doubt have hoped to feature more than five times for United, with four of her appearances in 2022/23 coming in the Continental Cup – where she helped keep a clean sheet v Sheffield United – alongside one sub appearance in the WSL. A France international with 39 caps, she’ll be striving for more game-time in 2023/24 after being released by United in June.

Position Defender

DOB 16/03/1995

Previous clubs

Juvisy/Paris FC, Atletico Madrid

United record

5 apps/0 goals

International career

39 caps/3 goals for France

The fan favourite got back to her best in ’22/23 after overcoming a neck artery issue. She received the all-clear in pre-season and returned to the starting XI for the opening WSL game, immediately forming an ironclad centre-back partnership with Maya Le Tissier and passing 100 United appearances in February. But it was also a pair of late goals in two 3-2 away wins – at Arsenal and Aston Villa – that proved key in securing a Champions League spot. Turner also signed a contract extension in January, keeping her at the club until 2025.

Position Defender

DOB 18/04/2002

Previous clubs

Brighton & Hove Albion

United record

31 apps/2 goals

International career

2 caps/0 goals for England

Position Defender

DOB 07/07/1996

Previous clubs

Everton, Bristol City

United record

113 apps/7 goals

International career

England U19/U23

10 KATIE ZELEM

Competition for places in midfield was strong throughout the campaign and, as a result, Vilde had to wait until April’s trip to Brighton for a first WSL start. The no.8 had been demonstrating her qualities in the cups, however, and it was in knockout ties that all five of her goals came. Strikes in each of the two meetings with Durham were brilliant in their own way, while she also hit the target against Everton (twice) and Lewes. As a provider, Boe Risa unselfishly teed up one of the season’s key goals: Lucia Garcia’s derby winner, which took the title race to the final day.

12 HAYLEY LADD

Ladd’s fourth term with the Reds was her busiest yet: 27 appearances (from the team’s 31 games), with her tenacious midfield play so often turning defence into attack for her team. The Wales international – with 82 caps – also displayed an attacking verve that would yield a career-best four goals – none better than her second-minute rocket against Manchester City in the final home game of the season. Ladd also rounded off the goals in March’s 4-0 win against West Ham at Old Trafford – one of many highlights of an outstanding campaign.

Position Midfielder

DOB 13/07/1995

Previous clubs

Arna-Bjornar, Kopparbergs/ Goteborg FC, Sandviken

United record

44 apps/8 goals

International career

60 caps/2 goals for Norway

The skipper began ’22/23 by making her 100th Reds appearance – becoming only the second player to reach the milestone. After that, Zel barely missed a beat, with only a one-game suspension in May denying her a starting berth in all 22 WSL fixtures. The Oldham-born no.10 might have only scored once from open play all season (against Aston Villa at Old Trafford in December) alongside two converted penalties, but her 12 assists in all competitions is strong evidence of her vision on the ball, and she was rewarded with a spot in the England squad for the Women’s World Cup.

16 LISA NAALSUND

Position Midfielder

DOB 20/01/1996

Previous clubs

Liverpool, Juventus

United record

129 apps/30 goals

International career

8 caps/0 goals for England

Position Midfielder

DOB 06/10/1993

Previous clubs

Arsenal, Kokkola Futis 10 (loan), Coventry City, Bristol City, Birmingham City

United record

87 apps/9 goals

International career

82 caps/2 goals for Wales

Moving to a new country in mid-season is a challenge for any player, but Naalsund had compatriots Maria Thorisdottir and Vilde Boe Risa to help her settle in following Lisa’s January arrival from Brann. Having overcome an injury, the Norwegian midfielder eventually made her debut against Lewes in the FA Cup in March, only to pick up a further knock, cruelly forcing her back on to the sidelines. Naalsund made her return in the final-day outing against Liverpool showing glimpses of why the fans are excited to see more from her next season.

Position Midfielder

DOB 11/06/1995

Previous clubs

Arna-Bjornar, Brann

United record

2 apps/0 goals

International career

9 caps/0 goals for Norway

9 MARTHA THOMAS

Toone returned to club duty at the start of the season as a household name off the back of Euro 2022 glory and was quickly back into the swing of things as United blew Reading away to get things going. Always looking to occupy spaces between the opposition’s defence and midfield, she managed eight assists –all in the WSL – and was instrumental in both of United’s Old Trafford wins: Ella was involved in three goals against Aston Villa in M16 in December, before taking home Player of the Match upon picking apart West Ham in March’s game at the Theatre of Dreams.

11 LEAH GALTON

Leah can look back on the season with real pride, finishing joint-top scorer with 12 – a career-best tally for the winger, who notably found the net at Old Trafford, the Etihad and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, as well as in the FA Cup semi-final win over Brighton. Galton was named WSL Player of the Month for December and is already a two-time winner of the club’s own monthly prize, following its launch in January. Galton also became just the fourth Red to play 100 games for the team, during March’s home victory against West Ham.

Position Forward

DOB 02/09/1999

Previous clubs

Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City

United record

131 apps/44 goals

International career

32 caps/16 goals for England

Thomas finished 2022 joint-level with skipper Katie Zelem for the most United appearances made in the calendar year, and ended the season having featured in all but two of our 31 competitive outings. The Scotland international was only to make one WSL start in the campaign, however – at home to Leicester, in which she assisted Alessia Russo’s opener – with Martha brought on from the bench 21 times, with her energy and experience often seeing her make a real impact. Martha’s two ’22/23 goals both came at home to Merseyside clubs – Everton and Liverpool.

17 LUCIA GARCIA

Position Forward

DOB 31/05/1996

Previous clubs

Charlotte 49ers (college), Le Havre, West Ham United United record

53 apps/8 goals

International career

24 caps/10 goals for Scotland

Position Forward

DOB 24/05/1994

Previous clubs

Leeds United, Hofstra Pride (college), Sky Blue FC, Bayern Munich

United record

108 apps/34 goals

International career

England U15/U17/U19/U23

Having scored 63 times in 161 games for Athletic Club, Garcia’s move from Bilbao to Manchester last July saw much excitement, and a year on, there’s even greater anticipation for what comes next. Like others she’s needed to show patience – Lucia was a sub more often than a starter (15 to 13), but as the campaign rolled on, so too did her confidence, with five of her eight goals coming in the team’s final eight WSL games. Her last-gasp winner against Man City in May will never be forgotten, and the hope now is that her form will continue to rise in 2023/24.

Position Forward

DOB 14/07/1998

Previous clubs

Oviedo Moderno, Athletic Club United record

28 apps/8 goals

International career

37 caps/9 goals for Spain

22 NIKITA PARRIS

Ahead of the campaign, the Canada international arrived from West Ham as the Reds’ first signing of the summer. Having made her debut in the season opener against Reading , the forward netted her first goal in October’s 4-0 win over Brighton in Leigh. It was on the same turf that Adriana scored a brace in December’s Continental Cup win over Sheffield United – the final outing before the winter break –but with just two sub appearances to her name after Christmas, Adriana headed to the US in search of more game time before the World Cup, joining Portland Thorns on loan.

ALESSIA RUSSO

The Kent-born forward saw her reputation further enhanced following England’s Euros success, and upon returning to club duties she’d enjoy her best season yet in front of goal: 12 from 24 games. Three came in one game as she became the first Red to score a WSL hat-trick, v Leicester in March, while ‘Lessi’ would pick up the awards for United’s Player of the Year, and Goal of the Season (November’s winner at Arsenal). June saw Russo leave the club upon the end of her contract, having scored 26 goals in 59 games, ahead of a move to Arsenal.

Position Forward

DOB 02/10/1992

Previous clubs Notre Dame

Fighting Irish (college), Florida Gators (college), Toronto Lady Lynx, Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, Western New York Flash, FC Zurich, Sky Blue FC, Seattle Reign, West Ham United

United record

9 apps/3 goals

International career

96 caps/28 goals for Canada

Summer signing Parris quickly became a regular starter and scored nine goals in all competitions –only Alessia Russo and Leah Galton got more. ‘Keets’ netted in successive away wins over Leicester and Everton in October and seemed to get better as the season progressed. Energy and a willingness to press out of possession made her an asset in Marc Skinner’s system and she earned particular praise for performances in the narrow FA Cup final defeat as well as the landmark Manchester derby win a week later, while she assisted the April winner for Russo against Arsenal.

28 RACHEL WILLIAMS

Position Forward

DOB 10/03/1994

Previous clubs Everton, Manchester City (loan), Manchester City, Lyon, Arsenal

United record

27 apps/9 goals

International career

71 caps/17 goals for England

Position Forward

DOB 08/02/1999

Previous clubs

Chelsea, Brighton & Hove

Albion, North Carolina

Tar Heels (college)

United record

59 apps/26 goals

International career

21 caps/11 goals for England

The vastly experienced Williams was reunited with her former Birmingham boss Marc Skinner last summer, and what a smart move it proved to be. Rachel’s work-rate and intelligent play saw her regularly make a late impact, with 21 of her 25 appearances coming off the bench. Her 87th-minute winner at Reading in January – one of United’s goals of the season –sparked wild celebrations as the Reds went top, while her winner v Brighton in April to send United to Wembley came even later – her sixth and final strike of a solid campaign.

Position Forward

DOB 10/01/1988

Previous clubs

Leicester City, Doncaster

Rovers Belles, Leicester City, Birmingham City, Chelsea, Notts County, Birmingham

City, Tottenham Hotspur

United record

25 apps/6 goals

International career

13 caps/4 goals for England

SQUAD MEMBERS

Others to feature for United Women’s first team

As one of three newcomers in the January transfer window, Estelle Cascarino joined from Paris Saint-Germain on a short-term loan deal, with her ability to play in either defence or midfield very much in Marc Skinner’s thinking when looking to bring the French international over to England. Estelle didn’t need to wait long to make her debut, against Sunderland in the FA Cup, and she almost scored within minutes of joining the fray. A second appearance came in the 5-1 WSL win against Leicester in March, with her loan ending on 30 June.

Two young debutants made their senior bows for the Reds in 2022/23, in the final home outing before the Christmas break. With Skinner’s side unable to progress in the Continental

Cup, the team’s final group game, at home to Sheffield United, saw the introduction of attacking teenagers Keira Barry and Alyssa Aherne from the bench. Barry replaced Adriana Leon after 64 minutes of the 4-0 win, with Aherne taking Rachel Williams’ place on 80 minutes, and both displayed some excellent touches in the final third.

Teenage goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel was also on the substitutes’ bench for that victory, as she was for the Reds’ three other Conti Cup fixtures, as back-up for Sophie Baggeley while Mary Earps was rested. The young stopper –already a senior Wales international – also made the bench in the WSL, helping her to integrate further with the senior squad.

Full-back Jessica Simpson was another unused substitute in the Continental Cup group stage, which United were unfortunate not to progress from, having picked up eight points from four games.

In midfield, Grace Clinton, signed from Everton in July 2022, was an unused substitute in the WSL loss to Chelsea in November, prior to her loan move away in January.

Fellow midfielder Jade Moore was also loaned out in January, having made six appearances for United earlier in the season, which saw her first goals for the Reds, against Durham and Everton in the Continental Cup. Another experienced midfielder, Lucy Staniforth, also played seven times between October-December before her permanent departure.

LOANEES AND DEPARTURES

Those to play elsewhere, and those who moved on

Whether emerging talents aiming to further their development, or experienced players seeking more regular first-team football, 2022/23 saw a plethora of Reds head out on loan deals, be it to WSL, Championship or overseas clubs.

The most high-profile switch saw Kirsty Hanson move to Aston Villa, where her dangerous wing play brought big rewards to Carla Ward’s side: only Chelsea’s Guro Reiten could beat Kirsty’s nine WSL assists for the season, while the Scotland international would net eight goals in 28 games in all competitions as the Villans finished fifth in the league, and reached the FA Cup semi-finals.

Elsewhere in the WSL, goalkeeper Emily Ramsey’s fourth loan away from the Reds took her to Everton, where she made nine appearances, ahead of leaving the Reds on a permanent basis this summer.

In January, midfielder Jade Moore returned to old club Reading on loan, where she would play 12 games, while teenager Carrie Jones temporarily joined Leicester – with two goals in 22 games in all competitions, the Welsh midfielder was a regular starter for the Foxes as they finished 10th, above Brighton and relegated Reading.

In the Championship, Safia Middleton-Patel’s emergency loan moves, to Coventry United and then Blackburn, would see the keeper gain some second-tier experience, as was the case with defender Tara Bourne, who spent the campaign on loan at Birmingham, prior to her release from United on 30 June.

Bourne and the Blues would just miss out on promotion to the WSL, but that wasn’t the case for

midfielder Grace Clinton, who won Bristol City’s Young Player of the Year award en route to the Vixens winning the Championship. Clinton, who turned 20 in March, scored six goals in 15 games in all competitions.

Ivana Ferreira Fuso was one of two United forwards to be loaned overseas: Ivana scored one goal in 11 games with Frauen-Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. Then, in April, Canadian forward Adriana Leon was loaned to NWSL side Portland Thorns, having scored three times in nine games for United.

Dual-registration moves, which enable Academy players to play senior football while continuing to train with their parent club, saw both Chloe Williams and Niamh Murphy head to second-tier Blackburn, with Alyssa Aherne and Jessica Simpson (both Burnley) and Keira Barry (Derby) having a similar arrangement with National League North sides.

Players to leave on a permanent basis in 2022/23 were Fran Bentley to Bristol City, Kirsty Smith to West Ham and Maria Edwards to SGS Essen – all ahead of the new season – with Jackie Groenen departing for Paris Saint-Germain in September, and Lucy Staniforth joining Aston Villa in January.

As well as the departures already listed, in June it was confirmed that Ona Batlle, Alessia Russo, Jade Moore and Aissatou Tounkara would leave the club this summer, while youngsters Chloe Williams and Niamh Murphy both joined Blackburn. Everyone at United wishes all departing players the best of luck in the next stage of their careers.

APPEARANCES, GOALS & ’22/23 WSL STATISTICS

FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE, FINAL TABLE

2022/23 APPEARANCES AND GOALS

UNITED ALL-TIME APPS & GOALS

ALL-TIME APPEARANCES AND GOALS, AUGUST 2018-PRESENT

FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE, TOP SCORERS

UNITED WOMEN RECORDS FOR 2022/23

56 14 12

The Reds’ highest points tally in a league campaign

More clean-sheets in WSL than any team last season

Fewest goals conceded by any WSL team in ’22/23

30,196

Highest home attendance in team’s history (v Aston Villa, Old Trafford, 3 Dec 2022)

77 , 390

The Women’s FA Cup final attendance was a world-record figure for any domestic women’s football match

FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE, TOP ASSISTS

62%

United had the highest average possesion of any team in the WSL

83%

The Reds also had the highest pass-completion rate of any WSL team last season

WOMEN’S TEAM: RESULTS & LINE-UPS, 2022/23 SEASON

PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

United’s senior and Academy sides were celebrated at Old Trafford towards the end of the season, with many individual prizes handed out...

MEN’S TEAM

Marcus Rashford made modern club history during 2022/23 by becoming the first player since the Sir Alex Ferguson era to reach the 30-goal mark. And despite a coterie of strong performers across the campaign, the 25-year-old was the clear winner in our fan vote to decide who should be named Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year.

The local lad’s triumph was notable for several reasons. Remarkably, Rashford is the first Academy graduate to lift the prize in the 21st century, with Ryan Giggs’s success in 1997/98 the most recent

accolade for our youth-production line. He is also just the second out-and-out forward (following Cristiano Ronaldo) to claim the trophy since the Ferguson era, with David De Gea particularly dominant in the decade since the Scot retired, with a joint-record four awards.

The England international made it a double by taking the Players’ Player of the Year award, too. Recognition from players and fans painted a clear picture: Rashford’s 30 goals and 11 assists had been the fulcrum of United’s epic 62-game season, powering us towards our first piece of silverware since 2017, a

top-four finish in the league, plus an FA Cup final appearance.

“I’m very happy, very pleased,” said Rashford, after picking up his two trophies during the end-of-season awards ceremony at Old Trafford. “I just want to say a big thanks to team-mates and staff, because without them pushing you every day in training, you don’t get to see the best version of me. I appreciate all of you guys and thank you very much.

“The main reason I came back into the season in the condition I was in, [was] because that was probably my first summer where I was off. I was just hungry to get started with the new manager and new staff. In my mind I just had a positive feeling and, based off this season, I wasn’t wrong. But I hope we can keep pushing and keep moving forward.”

Rashford was, of course, right to thank his team-mates, many of whom were also tipped to fare well in the fan vote for the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year. Two-time winner Bruno Fernandes (2019/20, 2020/21) had another strong campaign, and finished second in the poll, while new arrival Lisandro Martinez followed in third, after endearing himself to the fan base with his unique blend of controlled

There were a host of impressive contributions over the campaign – but it was our no.10 who claimed the prestigious Sir Matt Busby trophy...

WATCH!

FAN AWARD FOR STIRLING

This year also saw the launch the inaugural Fan Award, named after the late Ian Stirling (below), who sadly passed away earlier this year aged 57. Ian played a pivotal role on the Fans’ Forum and Fans’ Advisory Board alongside his work for MUST (Manchester United Supporters Trust).

aggression and sublime passing. But the nominations did not end there – far from it. There was also huge support for the inspirational Casemiro, Golden Glove winner David De Gea and 2018/19 Player of the Year Luke Shaw. But, in the end, the allure of Rashford’s goal haul proved irresistible to most fans.

It was not just the numbers, however. Rashford’s season had an inspirational feel all of its own, given the forward’s difficult 2021/22 campaign. There was also the timing and significance of his goals too: Marcus netted winners against three of the top six clubs

in the Premier League, and scored the only goals in matches against West Ham, Wolves, Real Betis and Brentford. At the daunting Nou Camp in Barcelona, he led from the front after United fell behind, inspiring the team to win the tie –Antony’s second-leg strike would win the Goal of the Season award. And in January’s Manchester derby, Rashford toiled through what looked to be a debilitating injury for much of the game, and was rewarded for his defiance and durability when he popped up to net the winner in the last 10 minutes.

Rashford’s commitment to the United cause has never been in doubt, and the 2022/23 season has reset perceptions of his broader career path. Bar that testing aforementioned season in ’21/22, the forward has equalled or bettered his goal tally in all but two seasons for the Reds. He has now broken the 20-goal barrier in three of his last four terms. Now in his mid-twenties, and more physically

and mentally mature than ever, he looks well set for the future.

In the final weeks of the season, Erik ten Hag admitted he believed Rashford was “capable of scoring 40” in a single campaign, something only Denis Law (46), Ruud van Nistelrooy (44) and Denis Law (42) have achieved in the red shirt. Rashford’s 30-goal 2022/23 could be labelled as both a comeback and a breakthrough, but there’s a strong chance that his best days at United are still to come.

Rashford’s season had an inspirational feel all of its own, given the forward’s difficult 2021/22

This year also saw the launch the inaugural Fan Award named after passed away earlier this year aged

It will be a permanent feature of our

HALL OF FAME

Previous Player of the Year winners for the men’s team, dating back to 1971/72...

MANCHESTER UNITED SUPPORTERS’ CLUB

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

1971/72 Willie Morgan

1972/73 Willie Morgan

1973/74 Jim Holton

1974/75 Lou Macari

1975/76 Lou Macari

1976/77 Brian Greenhoff

1977/78 Steve Coppell

1978/79 Jimmy Greenhoff

1979/80 Joe Jordan

1980/81 Joe Jordan

1981/82 Ray Wilkins

1982/83 Bryan Robson

1983/84 Ray Wilkins

1984/85 Mark Hughes

SHARP MANCHESTER

UNITED PLAYER OF THE YEAR

1985/86 Paul McGrath

1986/87 Paul McGrath

SIR MATT BUSBY PLAYER OF THE YEAR

1987/88 Brian McClair

1988/89 Bryan Robson

1989/90 Gary Pallister

1990/91 Mark Hughes

1991/92 Brian McClair

1992/93 Paul Ince

1993/94 Eric Cantona

1994/95 Andrei Kanchelskis

1995/96 Eric Cantona

1996/97 David Beckham

1997/98 Ryan Giggs

1998/99 Roy Keane

1999/00 Roy Keane

2000/01 Teddy Sheringham

2001/02 Ruud van Nistelrooy

2002/03 Ruud van Nistelrooy

2003/04 Cristiano Ronaldo

2004/05 Gabriel Heinze

2005/06 Wayne Rooney

2006/07 Cristiano Ronaldo

2007/08 Cristiano Ronaldo

2008/09 Nemanja Vidic

2009/10 Wayne Rooney

2010/11 Javier Hernandez

2011/12 Antonio Valencia

2012/13 Robin van Persie

2013/14 David De Gea

2014/15 David De Gea

2015/16 David De Gea

2016/17 Ander Herrera

2017/18 David De Gea

2018/19 Luke Shaw

2019/20 Bruno Fernandes

2020/21 Bruno Fernandes

2021/22 Cristiano Ronaldo

MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2005/06 Ryan Giggs

2006/07 Cristiano Ronaldo

2007/08 Cristiano Ronaldo

2008/09 Nemanja Vidic

2009/10 Wayne Rooney

2010/11 Nani

2011/12 Antonio Valencia

2012/13 Michael Carrick

2013/14 David De Gea

2014/15 David De Gea

2015/16 Chris Smalling

2016/17 Antonio Valencia

2017/18 David De Gea

2018/19 Luke Shaw

2019/20 Anthony Martial

2020/21 Luke Shaw

2021/22 David De Gea

WOMEN’S TEAM

Russo and Blundell cap their fine campaigns by picking up the main prizes at the awards night...

Departing striker Alessia Russo was named United Women’s Player of the Year after scoring 12 goals in all competitions in 2022/23, and she made history by becoming the first United Women player to score a WSL hat-trick when she netted three times against Leicester in March.

Russo also provided one of the season’s top moments when she headed home the dramatic late winner at the Emirates Stadium that ended the Gunners’ 100 per cent start to the league season. That stoppage-time effort also earned Russo the team’s Goal of the Season prize, too, with the final women’s

prize of the awards night going to left-back Hannah Blundell, who was a deserving recipient of the Players’ Player of the Year gong.

It was a landmark campaign in the life of our women’s team, which has consistently improved since it was reformed in 2018. In 2022/23, Marc Skinner’s side took the Women’s Super League title race right down to the wire, though Chelsea’s excellence meant we had to settle for a best-ever finish of second. That earned Champions League football for next term –another first – and there was also a memorable maiden WSL derby victory over Manchester City.

Russo started the campaign strongly, with a goal in the opening-day 4-0 win over Reading, and she found the net against eventual champions Chelsea a few weeks later – a rare bright spot in our first loss of the season. Further strikes against Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool continued her momentum, before that landmark hat-trick against the Foxes at Leigh Sports Village. Then came another clincher against the Gunners – in a 1-0 win at Leigh that took us a step closer to Champions League status – before a final WSL goal of the season came in the 2-1 win at Spurs.

Russo also established herself further with England throughout the season, in the wake of Ellen White’s retirement and ahead of the summer World Cup.

It was a stellar campaign the squad as a whole, with scores of other quality performances from those in less glamorous positions, such as midfielder Hayley Ladd, defender Millie Turner and the aforementioned Players’ Player of the Year Blundell – a paragon of energy, concentration and class down United’s left.

Russo, along with 2020/21 Player of the Year Ona Batlle, will be missed following their summer departures to Arsenal and Barcelona respectively, but the future looks very bright regardless for this talented group.

PREVIOUS WINNERS:

UNITED WOMEN PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2018/19 Katie Zelem

2019/20 Hayley Ladd

2020/21 Ona Batlle

2021/22 Ella Toone

UNITED WOMEN PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2021/22 Alessia Russo

Russo became the first Red to score a hat-trick in the WSL, while full-back Blundell was a paragon of energy, concentration and class down United’s left

ACADEMY

Kobbie Mainoo’s breakthrough into the first team, allied with a strong season at Under-21 level, earned him the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award.

The Stockport-born midfielder was a starter in United’s 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup quarter-final in January and went on to make a further two senior appearances under Erik ten Hag.

It was a proud day for Kobbie and his family, and a further sign of his progress, following his integral role in the FA Youth Cup success of 2021/22. Speaking after his senior debut, Mainoo said: “It’s an unbelievable feeling. I’ve been at this club all my life and it’s all been building to tonight. And to have my family here… it is just amazing.

“I’ve been in training with the lads quite a few times. They all made me feel welcome and all gave me words of advice and encouragement. So I felt at home. To stay around it and to keep on getting more games is the ultimate goal.”

He joins a famous list of names when it comes to previous winners of the award, dating back to Norman Whiteside in 1982/83. Subsequent holders include Mark Hughes, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Danny Welbeck and Marcus Rashford. Elsewhere, Dan Gore took the Denzil Haroun Reserve-Team Player of the Year award. The teenager played 26 times across our U21 and U18 teams in 2022/23, and was captain for the majority of the U21s’

BACK TO CONTENTS

Premier League 2 games. Gore has also been granted opportunities for England U18s and has trained with Ten Hag’s first team periodically.

Academy head Nick Cox reflected: “To win this prestigious award at the age of 18 shows just how well Dan has performed and applied himself throughout the season. Dan is a worthy winner but it was by no means an easy decision for us, given how brilliantly our U21s have performed all season. We deliberately assembled a young group and they rose to the challenge of facing older players, throughout their games programme, in exactly the way we had hoped they would.”

Gore now joins names like Nicky Butt, Darren Fletcher and John O’Shea on our roster of former winners, and will hope to emulate Mainoo by rising to the first team.

In the women’s Academy, Player of the Year was captain Bella Reidford, with midfielder Holly Deering named Young Player of the Year. Congratulations to them both, and every other award winner.

Mainoo and Gore earn top honours for their excellent progress at youth level...

“An unbelievable feeling. I’ve been at this club all my life and it’s all been building to tonight”

– Jimmy Murphy award winner Mainoo

THE ACADEMY

We review the progress of the Reds’ youth teams – each of them enjoying some impressive performances and results at their respective levels...

U18S ON THE RIGHT PATH TO SUCCESS

The Under-18s approached the FA Youth Cup’s 70th-anniversary season as holders but faced early disappointment in the competition in a campaign that otherwise had plenty of positives.

The young Reds initially progressed through the third round with a convincing triumph at Crystal Palace. In a performance which oozed confidence, Maxi Oyedele – one of three starters who’d just returned from the first-team’s mid-season Spanish training camp –pounced on a loose ball and finished Manni Norkett’s left-wing cutback. Then after gratefully receiving Sonny Aljofree’s long ball forward, Norkett showed real strength and control to hold off his man before clinically dispatching a low, left-footed finish.

Palace captain Freddie Bell’s second-half finish reduced the deficit and the Eagles struck the crossbar shortly after, only for the arrival of subs Jack Moorhouse and Ethan Wheatley to restore Red dominance. Moorhouse directed Wheatley’s pass through to Sam Mather, who cut inside on to his right foot before a postage-stamp finish.

United were unable to overcome a second Youth Cup challenge on the road, however. After Christmas, only Josh Bickerton’s deflected free-kick for Stoke separated the Reds and the Potters at the Bet365 Stadium. Travis Binnion’s young

Reds dominated the tie for large parts but faced a frustrating defeat. Nevertheless, it provided an obvious opportunity for Academy coaches to reassert the necessity of considering development ahead of results. As ever, this philosophy was central to the season overall.

The U18s’ attitude had been excellent from the off. Lead coach Binnion emphasised the side’s “spirit and togetherness” as they began the U18 Premier League campaign with victory over Nottingham Forest, and defeats at Liverpool and Stoke City. The Reds looked threatening in every game, but struggled to capitalise on the many chances created. “There’s work to do, but it’s nothing to be too down about,” Binnion concluded.

Indeed, United soon found their shooting boots in the league, Blackburn being the unfortunate victims. Five different scorers contributed to a 6-1 home rout of Rovers. Any momentum, however, proved hard to find with defeat to Newcastle preventing progression in the U18 Premier League Cup. →

As ever, the philosophy of ‘development ahead of results’ was central to the season overall

With a deliberate emphasis on youth, United’s U18s have been learning fast in recent months...

The Reds endured a fixtureless month prior to the Youth Cup tie at Palace in December, and even the buzz of a thrilling derby victory doesn’t last quite that long – though the 3-2 away win in mid-November was undoubtedly a season highlight.

City opened the scoring in the first half, but a quickfire second-half pair from Ethan Williams – just reward for some high pressing – and Manni Norkett – an excellent header – gave United the advantage. James Nolan converted a penalty for an essential third, given Jack Kingdon’s sending off for United after, and City grabbing another back late on.

First-team manager Erik ten Hag certainly seemed to be impressed with the display, calling upon several youngsters for the mid-season Spain training camp. “We integrated some young lads, integrated them

in the way of play and the way of playing with intensity so they can step up,” he commented. “With some of them, I was quite happy, so that is a big win for the future.”

Ten Hag was perhaps happiest with Kobbie Mainoo, who missed the Palace tie to remain in Spain. He featured in a friendly against Real Betis and made his competitive senior bow soon after football’s post-World Cup resumption. In fact,

by the time of United’s FA Youth Cup fourth-round match at Stoke in January, the midfielder had started a Carabao Cup quarter-final.

Mainoo was in attendance the following day to see his team-mates defeated by the Potters, but the U18 group responded well, coming from behind to win at Blackburn Rovers in the league. Even in victory, Binnion emphasised lessons to be learnt.

“We know we’ve got to do better,” he concluded of the 3-2 win. “We’ve conceded two poor goals to put us in a difficult position to go and win it. But we’re young, we’ve had a lot of learning this week after coming up short in the Youth Cup. The spirit has been good and the intent to do the right things is there.”

Another tense 3-2 win, against Liverpool, was lit up by a stunning strike from 2007-born Jayce

Erik ten Hag seemed impressed with the U18s’ derby win, calling upon several youngsters for the mid-season camp

Fitzgerald for United. With the ball sitting up nicely 30 yards out, he thundered it home in off the underside of the crossbar. That put United 3-1 up, only for Liverpool to narrow the deficit late on. “It’s a lesson to the lads that football can change really quick,” said coach Paul McShane. “You’re not over the line until the final whistle blows, so it’s another great learning opportunity.”

Victor Aigbomian Musa took over the goalscoring from there in the league, the 16-year-old left-winger netting four in three as United drew with Wolves and Derby and defeated Newcastle. These results were particularly satisfying given the team’s distinctly youthful nature.

“We’re getting younger every week,” said Binnion, “and the spirit, quality and fearlessness they’ve

U18 PREMIER LEAGUE NORTH TABLE U18 APPEARANCES/GOALS (ALL COMPS)

shown is really pleasing.” The facts backed his claim up: the average age of United’s starting line-up was below 17 in all of the aforementioned fixtures (16.5 v Wolves, 16.9 v Derby and 16.7 v Newcastle). In all three matches, the opposition’s side’s average age was above 17, just as United’s was at the start of 2022/23.

United’s pronounced emphasis on youth persisted. Diminutive forward Shea Lacey, 16, scored several fine goals of quite some variety and 15-year-old Fitzgerald continued to have an impact.

The Reds concluded the league campaign in third after an impressive win at Sunderland and two draws, home and away, to Everton, after which Binnion reviewed his group’s progress. “I’ve been happy with how we played in the main but we’ve shown where

we’re at in our learning in terms of chasing things, forcing things instead of being really controlled with energy,” he said. “But overall I’m really happy with where the group’s at. They’re all progressing nicely.”

That much was clear all season. This group overcame FA Youth Cup disappointment to offer some excellent league displays and obvious signs of development, all the while integrating the next season’s U18s regulars by promoting the younger cohort. ●

UNDER-18 LINE-UPS

U18 PREMIER LEAGUE

UNITED 3 (Norkett 13, Williams 45, Wheatley 75)

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0

20 August 2022

United: Wooster; Murray, Jackson, Aljofree, Nolan; McAllister, Oyedele (Musa 85), Moorhouse (Berry 61); Mather, Williams (Kingdon 70), Norkett (Wheatley 61)

LIVERPOOL 4 (Kone-Doherty 8, 35, McLaughlin-Miles 53, McConnell 64)

UNITED 2 (Murray 47, Norkett 85 pen)

27 August 2022

United: Wooster; Nolan, Jackson, Aljofree, Murray; Oyedele, McAllister (Wheatley 60); Williams (Berry 76), Moorhouse (Lawrence 70), Mather; Norkett

STOKE CITY 1 (Lusakueno 66)

UNITED 0

17 September 2022

United: Wooster; Lawrence (Nolan 85), Parker (Jackson 60), Aljofree, Murray; Oyedele, McAllister (Fitzgerald 60); Williams (Wheatley 60), Berry, Ibragimov; Norkett

UNITED 6 (Nolan 3, Norkett 20, 60, Berry 62, Williams 68, Oyedele 87)

BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 (Nsangou 82)

1 October 2022

United: Hanbury; McAllister, Jackson, Aljofree, Nolan; Oyedele, Mainoo (Wheatley 63); Williams, Berry, Mather; Norkett

NEWCASTLE UNITED 2 (Munda 25, Thompson 89)

UNITED 2 (Powell 20 og, Berry 83)

29 October 2022

United: Wooster; Nolan, Jackson, Aljofree, Murray; Williams (Lacey 75), Fitzgerald (Baumann 75), Oyedele, Berry; Norkett, Wheatley (Musa 67)

MANCHESTER CITY 2 (O’Reilly 33, Whittingham 90+4)

UNITED 3 (Williams 63, Norkett 68, Nolan 90 pen)

12 November 2022

United: Harrison; Kingdon, Jackson, Aljofree, Murray; Fredricson, Oyedele; Nolan, Gore (Berry 58), Williams; Norkett (Musa 89)

UNITED 3 (Wheatley 15, Norkett 35, Moorhouse 70)

MIDDLESBROUGH 0

17 December 2022 ↓

United: Hanbury; Jackson, Kambwala, Aljofree, Nolan; Berry, Baumann (Ibragimov 65), Moorhouse, Musa; Norkett, Wheatley (Scanlon 60)

UNITED 1 (Gore 75)

SUNDERLAND 0

20 December 2022

United: Wooster; Kingdon, Kambwala (Nolan 46), Aljofree, Murray; Oyedele, Gore; Williams, Moorhouse (Jackson 69), Berry (Musa 69); Wheatley (Norkett 46)

BLACKBURN ROVERS 2

(Nsangou 32, Biniek pen 42)

UNITED 3 (Fitzgerald 40, Gore 71, Kingdon 85)

14 January 2023

United: Harrison; Nolan (Jackson 46), Kingdon, Aljofree, Murray; Fitzgerald, Oyedele (Gore 46); Lacey, Scanlon, Williams (Musa 66); Norkett

UNITED 3 (Scanlon 14, Norkett 66, Fitzgerald 81)

LIVERPOOL 2 (McLaughlin-Miles pen 20, Young 90+3)

21 January 2023

United: Harrison; Nolan, Kingdon, Jackson, Williams; Berry (Mantato 89), Fitzgerald, Scanlon; Lacey (Ibragimov 80), Norkett, Musa

WOLVES 3 (Shahar 46, McLeod 58, Esen 88)

UNITED 3 (Norkett 23 pen, Musa 32, Lacey 52)

28 January 2023

United: Harrison; Kingdon, Munro, Jackson, Nolan; Ibragimov (Berry 54), Fitzgerald, Scanlon (Kamason 87); Lacey, Norkett, Musa (Williams 72)

DERBY 1 (Brown 24)

UNITED 1 (Musa 78)

4 February 2023

United: Harrison (Murdock 32); Nolan, Kingdon, Jackson, Murray; Berry, Fitzgerald, Scanlon (Munro 62); Lacey, Musa, Williams

Match-by-match details for all 29 fixtures played at this level throughout 2022/23...

UNITED 3 (Nolan 47, Musa 49, 90+3)

NEWCASTLE UNITED 0

11 February 2023

United: Harrison; Kamason (Kaba 90+1), Munro (Armer 90+4), Jackson, Kingdon; Nolan, Fitzgerald, Berry; Scanlon, Musa, Williams

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 4 (Perry 11, McAdam 48 pen, Anijsko 61, Clarke 76)

UNITED 0

18 February 2023

United: Harrison; Kamason, Munro (Mantato 57), Jackson, Kingdon; Berry, Nolan; Ibragimov (Bailey 87), Scanlon, Williams; Musa

UNITED 5 (Scanlon 8, Musa 35, 44, Nolan 53, Williams 66)

DERBY COUNTY 2 (Brown 39, Richards 87)

25 February 2023

United: Harrison; Ogunneye (Kaba 46), Kingdon, Jackson, Mantato; Nolan, Berry; Kamason, Scanlon (Oriola 69), Williams; Musa

LEEDS UNITED 3 (Ogunneye 9 og, Andreucci 87, 90+2)

UNITED 3 (Nolan 26, Williams 59, Biancheri 85)

4 March 2023

United: Harrison (Myles 82); Ogunneye (Norkett 60), Kingdon, Jackson, Mantato; Berry, Fitzgerald; Nolan, Scanlon (Biancheri 60), Williams; Musa (Wheatley 60)

UNITED 0 STOKE CITY 0

18 March 2023

United: Harrison; Ogunneye (Murray 46, Biancheri 68), Kingdon, Jackson, Nolan; Fitzgerald, Berry; Lacey, Musa, Williams; Wheatley (Scanlon 77)

UNITED 1 (Jackson 80) MANCHESTER CITY 3

(O’Reilly 12, 30, Naylor 90)

15 April 2023

United: Harrison; Nolan, Ogunneye, Jackson, Murray; Fitzgerald (Aljofree 84), McAllister (Moorhouse 46); Lacey (Scanlon 85), Berry (Norkett 63), Williams; Wheatley

UNITED 3 (Scanlon 2, Norkett 72, Wheatley 90+4)

LEEDS UNITED 1 (Brown 45+3)

18 April 2023 ↑

United: Harrison; Kamason, Jackson (Fitzgerald 36), Nolan, Murray (Wheatley 62); McAllister (Missin 62), Moorhouse (Mather 62); Williams, Lacey, Scanlon; Norkett

MIDDLESBROUGH 0

UNITED 2 (Williams 1, 6)

21 April 2023

United: Harrison; Kamason (Biancheri 62), Ogunneye, Munro, Nolan, Williams; Fitzgerald, Scanlon (Devaney 82), McAllister (Missin 62); Musa, Wheatley

UNITED 2 (Mather 39, Lacey 71) WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 2 (Edozie 57, Plank 77)

25 April 2023

United: Harrison; Ogunneye (Missin 62), Munro, Nolan; Kamason, Fitzgerald, McAllister, Williams; Scanlon, Mather (Lacey 62); Wheatley (Musa 62)

SUNDERLAND 3 (Mitchell 31, Jones 71, Ogunsuyi 90+2)

UNITED 4 (Fitzgerald 41, Lacey 50, Nolan 55 pen, Wheatley 82)

29 April 2023

United: Harrison; Kamason, Aljofree, Nolan, Williams; Fitzgerald, Ogunneye, McAllister (Scanlon 64); Lacey (Missin 80), Wheatley (Musa 85); Mather (Berry 80)

UNITED 1 (Mather 28)

EVERTON 1 (Sherif 49)

2 May 2023

United: Harrison; Nolan, Trialist, Ogunneye (Kamason 67), Murray; Fitzgerald, McAllister; Missin (Williams 46), Lacey (Berry 74), Mather; Wheatley (Musa 67)

EVERTON 2 (Ebere 48, 90+6)

UNITED 2 (Wheatley 7, Kamason 41)

6 May 2023

United: Harrison; Kamason, Nolan, Munro, Ogunneye; Fitzgerald, McAllister (Musa 76); Missin (Lacey 46), Berry (Scanlon 66), Williams; Wheatley (Murray 90+2)

U18 PREMIER LEAGUE CUP

ASTON VILLA 2 (Kellyman 32, Moore 76)

UNITED 0

3 September 2022

United: Wooster; Lawrence (Parker 84), Aljofree, Kingdon, Nolan; Oyedele, McAllister (Moorhouse 69); Williams, Berry (Scanlon 77), Mather; Wheatley

UNITED 1 (McAllister 25)

NEWCASTLE UNITED 4 (Donaldson 43, 45, Miley 81, 90+5)

8 October 2022

United: Hanbury; Kingdon, Jackson, Aljofree, Nolan; McAllister, Gore; Williams (Lacey 72), Oyedele, Berry; Norkett

UNITED 3 (Norkett pen 9, Williams 57, 86)

ARSENAL 3 (Ibrahim 31 pen, Nwaneri 62, 71)

5 November 2022

United: Wooster; Murray, Kingdon, Jackson (Musa 80), Aljofree; Fredricson, Oyedele; Nolan (Fitzgerald 90), Berry, Williams, Norkett

FA YOUTH CUP

CRYSTAL PALACE 1 (Bell 54)

UNITED 3 (Oyedele 9, Norkett 12, Mather 77)

11 December 2022

United: Harrison; Jackson, Fredicson, Aljofree, Nolan; Oyedele, Gore; Williams, Mather (Berry 90+1), Musa (Moorhouse 61); Norkett (Wheatley 74)

STOKE CITY 1 (Bickerton 57)

UNITED 0

11 January 2023

United: Harrison; Nolan (Lacey 86), Aljofree, Jackson, Murray; Oyedele, Gore; Williams, Moorehouse (Berry 32), Musa; Norkett (Kingdon 71)

2023/24 ROLL CALL

SECOND YEARS

The full roster of players who’ll be eligible to represent our U18s in the forthcoming campaign...

FIRST YEARS

UNDER-21S HANDLING THE PRESSURES OF THE TOP LEVEL

dozen fixtures in this period and so it was instead in the Papa Johns Trophy (EFL Trophy) where the side most excelled. In the Reds’ fourth appearance in the tournament –which sees elite U21 teams compete against senior sides from League One and League Two – United reached the last 16 for the first time.

The young Reds, coached by head of player development and U18 lead coach Travis Binnion for

As United’s Academy celebrated its 90th anniversary, yet another of its graduates ascended from the club’s most senior youth side to the first team.

Alejandro Garnacho began the season with the Under-21s, but, like Anthony Elanga the year before, and hundreds more before them, he soon had the Old Trafford crowd twitching in their seats, giddily standing up, then raucously celebrating.

The Academy is the lifeblood of United, and here was further evidence of its enduring impact. “Our track record of putting players in our own first team is unrivalled,” says Nick Cox, Director of Academy. And yet, “this place is about more than just football,” Cox continues, “it’s about young people learning, developing and going on to be successful.”

And so, as Garnacho’s lung-busting runs towards goal thrilled the fans, the work continued a level below. Last summer, top-flight clubs agreed to revert this age group to U21s after several years of U23 competitions. This affected United little, for the Academy has pursued a policy of particularly young squads in recent years, acknowledging how exposure to more senior grades of the game

can hasten development. United’s average age in Premier League 2 starting XIs exceeded 19 only once before Christmas – quite an anomaly for the division.

The campaign began with consecutive defeats but the group soon settled into life at a higher level, although they found themselves frustrated by draws, which defined United’s pre-Christmas league performance. The young Reds were held to a point in seven of their

The Academy’s highest age group was regularly tested by senior sides, with encouraging results...

this competition, topped Group G with seven points from three games, defeated Wolves’ U21s on penalties in the Round of 32, before finding League One promotion-challenging Bolton Wanderers a step too far.

The travelling support across all five games was fantastic, but especially so at the University of Bolton Stadium, where around 1,600 Reds were found in spite of below-freezing conditions and the

match coinciding with train strikes and a FIFA World Cup semi-final.

Combined with the very nature of knockout football, the noise they generated provided what Cox described as “an amazing learning opportunity” created by pressure at a former Premier League ground.

When Reds defender Bjorn Hardley crunched into a challenge close to the away end, a thunderous roar followed in recognition. It’s a

very different experience playing in such environments, and one the Academy values highly. As such, the EFL Trophy provides a litmus test for the players. Binnion believed the 4-0 loss at Bolton – with all four goals coming in the final 22 minutes – “showed how much our young players have still got to learn”.

Binnion added: “With the players we’ve got coming through, we’re aspiring to play at a higher level →

than this, with all due respect to Bolton. But they gave us lessons in the intensity and tempo they played at. Competitions like this are the best learning experiences for our players. The lads have got to look at themselves now and think: where can I do better? Could I get into their team? What would I need to do to get into their team? This group are getting a lot of exposure to different opportunities, and each one will help them in their path to senior football.”

Those lessons and experiences are clearly being taken. Midfielder Dan Gore (above) was one of the many Academy players on Erik ten

Hag’s first-team training camp in Spain. “It’s quite similar to the [EFL] Trophy,” Gore reflected when out there, “because you’re preparing for men’s football. Obviously the levels are higher [with United] so you’ve got to be more intelligent, but it is similar.”

It’s clear the EFL Trophy is aiding that transition between Academy and first team. Supporters who watched Garnacho’s performance at Barrow in the group stage, including an explosive late goal off the left wing, will have seen similar patterns of play in his match-winning first-team display at Fulham a month later.

As one of Bolton scorers, Dapo Afolayan, commented, United showed in this competition that there are “a lot of young players who will go on and have good careers.”

After defeat to Bolton and a Christmas break, the U21s –led by senior Academy coach

Mark Dempsey away from the EFL Trophy – turned focus back to Premier League 2. The coach promised in autumn that the group would “get successes as the season rolls on” and that much was shown to be true, with striker Joe Hugill scoring six goals as United managed five consecutive victories.

Hugill was then one of three players to experience a new, innovative loan scheme with National League side Altrincham. Hugill, defender Sonny Aljofree and midfielder Maxi Oyedele continued to train with United, while benefiting from occasional senior appearances

Hugill was one of three players to experience a new, innovative loan scheme with National League side Altrincham

PREMIER LEAGUE 2 DIV ONE TABLE

U21 APPEARANCES/GOALS (ALL COMPS)

for the fifth-tier side. Oyedele made 12 appearances, scoring four times, with Hugill playing on seven occasions and scoring once.

There were, of course, many successful formal loan moves, including 2021/22’s recipient of the Denzil Haroun Reserve Team Player of the Year award, Alvaro Fernandez, who was named Preston North End’s Young Player of the Year.

Dan Gore succeeded Fernandez in receiving the Denzil Haroun award in 2022/23. “He’s a leader, always showcasing the desired qualities and characteristics we look to instil in our young players,” said Cox.

Gore received similar praise after a wonderful assist in late-March’s Old Trafford fixture against Arsenal. He cut out a penalty-area pass and launched a counterattack, driving forward and clipping a wonderfully weighted and accurate pass over the defence, for Mateo Mejia to finish expertly on the bounce in the 1-1 draw with the Gunners.

“He’s a proper footballer –good with the ball, good without the ball, and he can travel with it,” said Dempsey of Gore. “His final pass has to improve for me, that’s the last bit for him, but the rest is great. He gets fans off their seats. He loves the club and you can see that in the way he plays.”

United’s final fixtures ended with more draws. In the tight 14-team league, the Reds finish ninth, with a league-high dozen draws, including two to conclude the campaign,

against Tottenham and Leicester. Those results ensured next season’s PL2 status, while the first team’s UEFA Champions League qualification means an U19s side will compete in the UEFA Youth League after missing out last year.

There are few better development opportunities and excitement will be rife throughout the set-up to challenge themselves against Europe’s best in 2023/24.

UNDER-21 LINE-UPS

All the team selections, scorers and key details

PREMIER LEAGUE 2 DIVISION ONE

ARSENAL 3 (Edwards 41, Marquinhos 46, Azeez 50)

UNITED 1 (Wellens 14)

6 August 2022

United: Mee; Wellens (Pye 73), Fredricson, Hardley, Jurado; Gore (Mather 85), Hansen-Aaroen, Savage; Forson, McNeill, Mejia (Mainoo 66)

UNITED 1 (Savage 45+1)

CRYSTAL PALACE 5 (Omilabu 6, Gordon 31, Street 48, Phillips 54, 87)

12 August 2022

United: Mee; Wellens, Fish, Hardley, Pye; Forson, Savage, Mainoo; Hansen-Aaroen (McNeill 66), Mejia (Jurado 76), Shoretire (Emeran 67)

EVERTON 2 (Cannon 30, 38)

UNITED 2 (Jurado 11, Hansen-Aaroen 27)

19 August 2022

United: Bishop; Jurado, Bennett, Fredricson, Hardley; Mainoo, Savage (Oyedele 77); Forson (Pye 64), Gore, Hansen-Aaroen (Bray 64); McNeill

UNITED 2 (Forson 35, 90+5)

FULHAM 2 (Pajaziti 16, Ablade 47)

26 August 2022

United: Vitek; Wellens (Pye 87), Bennett, Fredricson, Hardley; Mainoo, Savage (Huddlestone 72); Forson, Gore, Hansen-Aaroen; Trialist (McNeill 64)

LIVERPOOL 2 (Cain 36, Clark 59)

UNITED 2 (Hansen-Aaroen 49, McNeill 56 pen)

3 September 2022

United: Vitek; Jurado, Bennett, Hardley, Murray; Iqbal, Savage; Shoretire (Gore 66), Hansen-Aaroen, Garnacho; McNeill

UNITED 1 (Forson 61)

WEST HAM 1 (Simon-Swyer 59)

16 September 2022

United: Bishop; Jurado, Bennett, Fredricson, Hardley; Mainoo, Savage (Shoretire 46); Forson, Gore, Hansen-Aaroen; McNeill

BLACKBURN ROVERS 6 (Vale 24, 38, Wharton 28, Leonard 33, Harlock 43, Walker 60)

UNITED 1 (Shoretire 35)

1 October 2022

United: Mastny; Jurado, Bennett, Fredricson, Murray; Gore, Savage; Forson, Hansen-Aaroen, Shoretire; McNeill

UNITED 3 (Mainoo 21, 54, Hardley 83)

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 3 (Miller 30, Tsoungui 51, Ferguson 67)

8 October 2022

United: Vitek; Jurado, Bennett, Fredricson, Hardley; Collyer (Huddlestone 72), Mainoo, Savage; Hansen-Aaroen, McNeill (Mather 46), Shoretire

CHELSEA 3 (Hall 51, Casadei 58, Soonsup-Bell 81)

UNITED 3 (Hansen-Aaroen 25, Shoretire 90+5, 90+6)

15 October 2022

United: Vitek; Jurado, Bennett, Fredricson, Hardley (Murray 80); Collyer (Huddlestone 76), Savage; Forson, Mainoo (McNeill 46), Hansen-Aaroen; Shoretire

UNITED 3 (Hugill 67, Shoretire 78, Jurado 88)

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 2 (Griffiths 56, Hodnett 71)

22 October 2022

United: Vitek; Jurado, Bennett, Mengi (Fredricson 59), Murray;

Collyer (Huddlestone 65), Savage (Mather 65); Hansen-Aaroen, Mainoo, Shoretire; McNeill (Hugill 59)

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 (Alonso 41)

UNITED 1 (Jurado 90+2)

29 October 2022

United: Vitek; Mengi, Bennett, Hardley; Collyer (Huddlestone 66), Savage; Jurado, Emeran; Iqbal (Forson 27), Shoretire; Mainoo

UNITED 1 (Bennett 4)

MANCHESTER CITY 6 (Borges 26, 68, 80, 88, Mebude 78, Dickson 85)

5 November 2022

United: Vitek; Jurado, Bennett, Mengi, Hardley; Iqbal, Savage; Forson (Emeran 81), Mainoo, Hansen-Aaroen; McNeill

FULHAM 1 (Robinson 73)

UNITED 2 (Shoretire 20, Hugill 34)

6 January 2023

United: Vitek; Jurado, Bennett, Bernard, Hardley; Iqbal, Gore; Mejia (Forson 69), Mainoo (Hansen-Aaroen 20), Shoretire; Hugill (McNeill 79)

UNITED 2 (Hugill 19, 78)

LIVERPOOL 1 (Stephenson 4)

14 January 2023

United: Vitek; Jurado, Kambwala, Hardley, B Williams; Iqbal, Savage; Emeran (Mejia 56), Hansen-Aaroen (Collyer 84), Forson; Hugill

WEST HAM 2 (Ekwah 8, Mubama 12)

UNITED 3 (Hugill 52 pen, 68, Aljofree 85)

20 January 2023

United: Vitek; Jurado, Bernard (Aljofree 46), Hardley, Murray; Collyer, Gore; Mejia, HansenAaroen, Forson (Emeran 66); Hugill

UNITED 2 (Forson 25, Emeran 45+1)

BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 (Fyles 68)

27 January 2023

United: Bishop; Jurado, Aljofree, Hardley, Murray; Iqbal, Gore; Forson, Hansen-Aaroen (Collyer 82), Emeran (Mejia 82); Hugill

UNITED 4 (Hugill 28, Forson 33, 77, 90+4)

EVERTON 1 (Higgins 37)

11 February 2023

United: Vitek; Jurado, Aljofree,

Hardley, Murray; Collyer (Huddlestone 74), Gore; Mejia (Emeran 57), Hansen-Aaroen (Wellens 79), Forson; Hugill

CRYSTAL PALACE 0

UNITED 0

20 February 2023

United: Vitek; Wellens, Huddlestone, Hardley (Aljofree 46), B Williams; Mainoo, Iqbal; Mejia, Forson (Hansen-Aaroen 46), Emeran; Hugill

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 2 (Roberts 75, Farmer 88)

UNITED 2 (Forson 18, Hugill 69)

24 February 2023

United: Bishop; Jurado, Aljofree, Huddlestone, Murray; Collyer (Wellens 78), Gore; Mejia, Forson, Emeran; Hugill

UNITED 1 (Hugill 59)

CHELSEA 3 (Burstow 32, Castledine 82, Mothersille 90+4)

6 March 2023

United: Vitek; Jurado, Aljofree, Hardley, B Williams; Iqbal, Huddlestone (E Williams 89); Mejia, Mainoo, Gore; Hugill

MANCHESTER CITY 6 (Hamilton 8, Dickson 14, 24, Bobb 72, Breckin 87, Heskey 90)

UNITED 0

19 March 2023

United: Mee; Jurado, Aljofree, Hardley, B Williams (Norkett 80); Gore, Iqbal; Forson (Wellens 46), Hansen-Aaroen (Kambwala 27), Emeran (Huddlestone 27); Mejia

UNITED 1 (Mejia 24)

ARSENAL 1 (Edwards 20)

31 March 2023

United: Harrison; Kingdon, Kambwala, Jackson (Hansen-Aaroen 46), Murray; Gore, Huddlestone; Emeran (Jurado 46), Forson (Norkett 88), E Williams (Wellens 67); Mejia

LEICESTER CITY 3 (Popov 3, Maswanhise 28, Cover 90+2)

UNITED 2 (Aljofree 22, Mejia 79)

17 April 2023

United: Bishop; Wellens, Kambwala, Aljofree, Hardley; Collyer, Gore; Forson, Hansen-Aaroen, Emeran; Mejia

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 3 (McConville 4, Peupion 40, O’Mahony 66)

UNITED 2 (Hugill 1, Emeran 22)

21 April 2023

United: Vitek; Jurado, Aljofree, Hardley, Murray (Forson 81); Hansen-Aaroen, Collyer, Gore; Mejia (Mather 78), Hugill, Emeran

UNITED 2 (Emeran 13, Hugill 58)

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2

(Mundle 15, John 53)

28 April 2023

United: Vitek; Jurado, Kambwala, Oyedele (Gore 46), Mengi (Murray 46), Hardley; Wellens (Collyer 53); Forson, Hansen-Aaroen (Mejia 66), Emeran; Hugill

UNITED 2 (Emeran 37, 84)

LEICESTER CITY 2 (Marcal 56, Brunt 64)

5 May 2023

United: Vitek; Jurado, Kambwala, Mengi, Hardley; Oyedele (Gore 60), Wellens (Forson 60); Emeran, Iqbal, Trialist (Murray 51); Hugill

PAPA JOHNS [EFL] TROPHY

CARLISLE UNITED 1 (Devitt 66)

UNITED 2 (McNeill 40, Forson 71)

30 August 2022

United: Vitek; Jurado, Fredricson (Murray 46), Bennett, Hardley; Iqbal (Huddlestone 65), Mainoo; Forson, Gore (Oyedele 90+2), Garnacho (Hansen-Aaroen 65), McNeill (Norkett 83)

BARROW 1 (Fredricson 51 og)

UNITED 2 (McNeill 44 pen, Garnacho 90+2)

4 October 2022

United: Bishop; Jurado, Bennett (Huddlestone 73), Fredricson, Hardley; Iqbal (Collyer 90+4), Savage; Pellistri (Forson 66), Gore (Murray 73), Garnacho; McNeill

FLEETWOOD TOWN 2 (Carlos Gomes 63, Garner 67)

UNITED 2 (McNeill pen 21, Shoretire 90+2)

18 October 2022

United: Bishop; Jurado, Bennett, Hardley (Mengi 66), Murray; Savage (Collyer 46), Mainoo; Forson (Oyedele 87), Hansen-Aaroen (Huddlestone 66), Shoretire; McNeill (Hugill 66)

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 0 (1)

UNITED 0 (4)

22 November 2022

United: Bishop; Jurado, Mengi, Hardley, Murray; Mainoo, Huddlestone (McNeill 63), Savage; Emeran, Shoretire, Gore (Norkett 90+1)

BOLTON WANDERERS 4

(Afolayan 68, Morley 76, Bakayoko 90+3, Bradley 90+5)

UNITED 0

13 December 2022

United: Bishop; Jurado, Bernard (Aljofree 88), Hardley, Murray; Savage, Iqbal; Hansen-Aaroen (Collyer 69), Shoretire, Emeran; Hugill (McNeill 68)

PREMIER LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL CUP

UNITED 0

SPARTA PRAGUE 0

26 October 2022

United: Mastny; Mengi (Jurado 46), Fredricson, Hardley, Murray; Gore, Huddlestone (Savage 81); Forson, Hansen-Aaroen, Emeran (Shoretire 46); McNeill (Mainoo 65)

UNITED 0

AS MONACO 2 (Coulibaly 69, Kouassi 90+2)

11 November 2022

United: Mastny; Jurado, Bennett, Mengi, Hardley; Mainoo, Savage; Forson (Oyedele 88), HansenAaroen, Emeran; McNeill (Huddlestone 77)

UNITED 0

PSV EINDHOVEN 2 (Colyn 46, Babadi 78)

19 December 2022

United: Mastny; Jurado (Wellens 77), Bennett (Pye 46), Bernard, Hardley; Mainoo, Hansen-Aaroen; Emeran (Gore 77), Shoretire, Mather (Forson 65); Hugill (Mejia 65)

UNITED 2 (McNeill 18, 59)

FEYENOORD 1 (Hokke 41)

24 January 2023

United: Vitek; Jurado (Nolan 60), Aljofree, Hardley (Jackson 60), Murray; Gore (Hugill 79), Collyer (Fitzgerald 71); Mejia (Lacey 71), Forson, Emeran (Scanlon 71); McNeill

UNITED WOMEN UNDER-21S “AN INCREDIBLE SET OF GIRLS”

These were the words of United Women’s Under-21s lead coach Lewis Craig on the back of an eventful 2022/23 for his side, with so many positives for the young Reds to look back on.

On the pitch, the team finished runners-up in both the FA WSL Academy League, as well as the competition’s League Cup – two trophies the U21s won in 2021/22.

In the league it was Aston Villa who pipped Craig’s side to the title on the final day this time around, while the League Cup final saw them narrowly beaten 3-2 by Chelsea in Loughborough. The Reds took an early lead in the showpiece fixture, through Bella Reidford (below), but Chelsea hit back to go into the break 3-1 up. United responded well in the second half, with Eleanor Ashton finding the Chelsea net late on after an initial shot hit the bar, but the Reds couldn’t quite find a third goal to level the score.

Nevertheless, the team could take much pride in their run to the final, with Alyssa Aherne one

standout performer in the cup run. Indeed, May 2023 would see 19-year-old winger Aherne sign a professional contract with the club. Exciting forward Keira Barry also put pen to paper this summer, as did both defender Jessica Simpson and goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel back in January. It means that 13 Academy graduates have now signed for the women’s team since the Reds were reformed in 2018.

May 2023 would also see recognition at the club’s Player

of the Year awards, with Reidford taking the Academy’s best player prize following a season in which her leadership in midfield helped inspire the team, with Bella performing with real consistency after returning from an ACL injury last year. Young Player of the Year for the Academy was midfielder Holly Deering.

Lead coach Craig, who took charge last year following Charlotte Healy’s move into the first-team coaching staff, had nothing but praise for his squad, the majority of whom are young enough to continue at U21 level next season. “Myself and all the staff have loved working with

Thirteen Academy graduates have now signed a professional contract with the club

them this season,” said Craig. “They have given everything from day one and deserve everything that comes their way because of the way they act and apply themselves every day. They have controlled their attitude, commitment, desire and focus, and are a credit to the club.”

BACK TO CONTENTS

ALL-TIME RECORDS

From our Newton Heath days in the late 19th century, to the formation of Manchester United Women in 2018, here is the complete list of team honours and player records...

MEN’S TEAM HONOURS BOARD

Every trophy lifted, from 1908 to 2023...

FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP WINNERS

2008 United 1 LDU Quito 0

INTERCONTINENTAL CUP WINNERS 1999 United 1 Palmeiras 0

EUROPEAN CUP/UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE WINNERS

1968 United 4 Benfica 1

1999 United 2 Bayern Munich 1

2008 United 1 Chelsea 1 (won on pens)

EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS’ CUP WINNERS

1991 United 2 Barcelona 1

UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE WINNERS

2017 United 2 Ajax 0

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION ONE WINNERS

1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965, 1967

PREMIER LEAGUE WINNERS

1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013

FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO WINNERS

1936, 1975

(continued >)

FA CHALLENGE CUP WINNERS

1909 United 1 Bristol City 0

1948 United 4 Blackpool 2

1963 United 3 Leicester City 1

1977 United 2 Liverpool 1

1983 United 4 Brighton 0 (replay)

1985 United 1 Everton 0 (aet)

1990 United 1 Crystal Palace 0 (replay)

1994 United 4 Chelsea 0

1996 United 1 Liverpool 0

1999 United 2 Newcastle United 0

2004 United 3 Millwall 0

2016 United 2 Crystal Palace 1 (aet)

FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP WINNERS

1992 United 1 Nottingham Forest 0

2006 United 4 Wigan Athletic 0

2009 United 0 Tottenham 0 (won on pens)

2010 United 2 Aston Villa 1

2017 United 3 Southampton 2

2023 United 2 Newcastle United 0

UEFA SUPER CUP WINNERS

1991 United 1 Red Star Belgrade 0

FA CHARITY/COMMUNITY SHIELD

WINNERS

1908 United 4 QPR 0 (replay)

1911 United 8 Swindon Town 4

1952 United 4 Newcastle United 2

1956 United 1 Manchester City 0

1957 United 4 Aston Villa 0

1965 United 2 Liverpool 2 (shared)

1967 United 3 Tottenham 3 (shared)

1977 United 0 Liverpool 0 (shared)

1983 United 2 Liverpool 0

1990 United 1 Liverpool 1 (shared)

1993 United 1 Arsenal 1 (won on pens)

1994 United 2 Blackburn Rovers 0

1996 United 4 Newcastle United 0

1997 United 1 Chelsea 1 (won on pens)

2003 United 1 Arsenal 1 (won on pens)

2007 United 1 Chelsea 1 (won on pens)

2008 United 0 Portsmouth 0 (won on pens)

2010 United 3 Chelsea 1

2011 United 3 Manchester City 2

2013 United 2 Wigan Athletic 0

2016 United 2 Leicester City 1

ACADEMY HONOURS BOARD

FA YOUTH CUP WINNERS

1953 United 9 Wolves 3*

1954 United 5 Wolves 4*

1955 United 7 West Bromwich Albion 1*

1956 United 4 Chesterfield 3*

1957 United 8 West Ham United 2*

1964 United 5 Swindon Town 2*

1992 United 6 Crystal Palace 3*

1995 United 2 Tottenham 2 (won on pens)*

2003 United 3 Middlesbrough 1*

2011 United 6 Sheffield United 3*

2022 United 3 Nottingham Forest 1 *aggregate score over two legs

MOST APPEARANCES

The top 100 list of games played for Manchester United’s men’s team...

Clockwise from top-left: Giggs and Charlton –our top two appearance makers – on stage together at the club’s 2014 Player of the Year awards; departing goalkeeper De Gea moved into the top 10 list in 2022/23; Lindelof and Fred are the newest entrants to the top 100; Gordon McQueen, who sadly died in June, aged 70, is among our top 100 – level with Phil Jones (far left), who much like De Gea left the club in the summer after 12 years

reach

appearances for the

Cristiano Ronaldo’s second spell with United pushed him into our top 50; Right: finishing off the century is half-back George Vose, who represented the Reds for six years leading up to the

MOST GOALS SCORED

Who has found the net on the most occasions for our men’s team?

BIGGEST VICTORIES

Recalling the times the men’s team have won by at least seven goals, while twice we’ve hit 10

OTHER RECORDS

Hat-trick heroes, penalty kings, and clean-sheet loving keepers...

HAT-TRICKS, MEN’S TEAM

1. Denis Law 1962-73 18 (three goals x14, four goals x4)

2. Jack Rowley 1937-55 12 (three goals x8, four goals x3, five goals x1)

3. Dennis Viollet 1953-61 9 (three goals x8, four goals x1)

4. Wayne Rooney 2004-17 8 (three goals x7, four goals x1)

5. Sir Bobby Charlton 1956-73 7 (three goals x7)

6= Joe Cassidy 1893-1895-1900 6 (three goals x6)

6= Tommy Reid 1929-33 6 (three goals x6)

6= Stan Pearson 1937-53 6 (three goals x6)

6= David Herd 1961-68 6 (three goals x5, four goals x1)

6= Ruud van Nistelrooy 2001-06 6 (three goals x5, four goals x1)

Law captains the side against Sunderland in the 1963/64 FA Cup – a tie in which he scored one of his 18 hat-tricks for United

Above: two of Cristiano Ronaldo’s three trebles for United came in his second spell;

Above right: Bruno Fernandes’s ability from the spot has already taken him to third on the ‘penalty kings’ list; David De Gea moved from third to first in our clean sheets rankings in 2022/23

WOMEN’S TEAM HONOURS BOARD & RECORDS

Some big appearance milestones were hit in the 2022/23 season

MANCHESTER UNITED FOUNDATION

By using the power of football to engage and inspire young people to build a better life for themselves, United’s associated charity continues to bring so much pride to the club...

SHOW OF SUPPORT

Manchester United Foundation enjoyed another season to remember throughout 2022/23, with supporters being instrumental in helping the club’s associated charity to achieve much off-the-pitch success.

In 2023, the Foundation celebrated 16 years of enhancing life prospects of young people across Greater Manchester, by delivering programmes centred around education, community engagement and employability. And such programmes are now delivered much further afield from Manchester, in Carlisle, Derbyshire, London, and Derry/Londonderry.

Fans have given an unbelievable level of support, particularly through new online schemes, introduced for the 2022/23 campaign. Season ticket holders have helped to

raise more than £550,000* for the Foundation through online ticket donations, with more than 6,000 fans donating almost 15,000 tickets throughout the campaign. The half-a-million pound figure also includes £87,735 raised by more than 27,000 fans rounding up the cost of their purchase at online checkout.

What’s more, season ticket holders have had the option to donate the cost of their ticket and round up the amount of their online purchase, both to directly benefit the Foundation. “The Foundation is true to its name in so far as that it creates a foundation for the club in the community,” said Martin, a season ticket holder in the Stretford End, who was among those to utilise the option to donate his ticket to the Foundation.

“It makes you proud to know that kids both locally and further afield stand to get a leg-up from our club, which is how it should be; it’s what United is all about. Donating your ticket is a very easy way for us supporters to help them along.”

The Foundation operates in areas of high social deprivation in Greater Manchester, ensuring the impact is felt by children and young people who need it most. With more than 23,000 sessions delivered in 2022/23 – encompassing more than 30,000 hours of delivery and

United fans have certainly played their part in the Foundation’s recent success – here’s how...

The Foundation requires ongoing support to continue delivering life-changing work for young people across Greater Manchester. You can donate by visiting mufoundation.org/donate or to learn more visit mufoundation.org

engaging more than 21,000 young people – the charity’s presence remains strong and visible across local communities.

The Foundation is partnered with 66 primary, secondary, and special educational needs schools, as well as working alongside the Salford City College Group on a further education programme in sport. Eighteen Street Reds sessions provide free football and diversionary activities and opportunities to volunteer within the Foundation for 8-18 year olds. Participants from across the region

– and further afield – are benefiting every day from such sessions. Sid, 11, is a partner school pupil at St Helen’s C.E. Primary School, and attends inclusive football sessions through the Foundation’s Ability Counts programme.

“Sid is a much happier boy with a more positive outlook,” said his mum, Jo. “Regardless of his disability, he truly believes he can achieve whatever he sets out to in life. The Foundation has been a catalyst in getting him to where he is now.”

The 2022/23 campaign also brought about the return of the Foundation’s special Dream Day event, which takes place twice a season. Dream Day gives fans with serious and life-limiting illnesses the opportunity to visit the club’s Carrington training ground to watch the men’s team train, before meeting them to take selfies, and share cherished moments together.

Dream Day in October 2022 was a particularly emotional one, with it being the first in three years,

“As United fans, we know it is in our DNA to support youth development. It’s what sets this club apart”

due to social restrictions posed by the pandemic. The event hosted 22 young people from across the country, including one very passionate fan, Meer. “Both my brother and I enjoyed meeting all the players at training and seeing them in action,” said Meer. “We’ve told everyone about our experience and will never forget it. I’m still thinking about it... I can’t believe it happened!”

Commitment to fans has also been evident as the Foundation hosted its first ‘Warm Up’ events, which bring members of United’s global supporters’ clubs together on the eve of a home match for a chat and a drink at Old Trafford. Again, the generosity of fans at such events has resulted in even more financial support for the Foundation.

“Meeting and engaging with fans is inspirational for me,” said John Shiels, chief executive of the Foundation. “The passion supporters show for our club is truly humbling. Fans have always been supportive of our work, but particularly since the pandemic – when things have been tough and getting tougher – our fans have

UNITED & ME

Participants are at the heart of everything the Foundation does, and the ‘United and Me’ campaign saw young people given the platform to share their stories on a global scale.

United and Me is a participant-led campaign, which allows those connected to the Foundation to share their journeys, and how they have been positively impacted and supported by the club’s associated charity.

Among the stories shared in the 2022/23 season are those of Freddie (right), partner school pupil at Kingfisher Special School, and Yas (above right), who progressed from being a participant at primary school to gaining employment with the Foundation as a primary delivery officer.

stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with our young people.”

Fans’ support has come in multiple forms, a notable one being at the height of winter, when 70 supporters bedded down in the Munich Tunnel at Old Trafford for the Foundation’s ‘Sleep Out’ event – raising funds for both the Foundation and youth homelessness charity, Centrepoint.

Their efforts raised more than £30,000 for the two charities on a night that brought about a wonderful sense of camaraderie among those involved and a stark

realisation of the importance of the work of both charities in helping the youth of Manchester to navigate so many societal challenges.

Support for the Foundation has also been evident on matchdays, where for every game at Old Trafford, fans have the chance to win exclusive United-themed prizes through the Foundation’s hospitality suite matchday lottery, and over the course of 2022/23, more than £397,000 was raised by fans purchasing tickets.

John Shiels continued: “Whether it’s sleeping out at Old Trafford, donating a coat, buying a lottery ticket, supporting dinners and other events, donating your season ticket, rounding off at the till – every little bit helps, and we are truly grateful for all the support we receive.

“Working with children who have very little or no support, having fans’ support is so important. It does change young people’s lives for the better, and as Manchester United fans, we know it is in our DNA to support youth development. It’s what sets this club apart.”

Yas said: “The Foundation has been so prominent in my life and it opened up doors for me. It’s touched me in so many ways: mentally, physically and emotionally. Every aspect of my life.”

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SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS

From Manchester to Mumbai, you can be sure that like-minded Reds are close by, wherever you live! Here’s how you can get together with your nearest MUSC branch...

MUSC ON THE MAP

MUSC ON THE MAP

Every supporters’ club across the globe, including some recent additions...

Every supporters’ club across the globe, including some recent additions...

Every supporters’ club across the globe, including some recent additions...

Are you part of the movement? If you are interested in starting your own official supporters’ club, email musc@manutd.co.uk

NORTH AMERICA

1 Bermuda

2 Canada

3 Canada – Niagara Reds (new in 2022/23)

4 Mexico

5 USA

6 USA – Atlanta

7 USA – Chicago

8 USA – Cleveland

9 USA – Dallas Reds

10 USA – Denver Reds

11 USA – Indianapolis

12 USA – Indy (Indianapolis)

13 USA – Los Angeles

14 USA – Memphis Reds

15 USA – New York Reds

16 USA – North Texas Reds

17 USA – Philadelphia

18 USA – Phoenix Red Devils

19 USA – Pittsburgh United (new in 2022/23)

20 USA – Red Devils DC

21 USA – San Diego

22 USA – San Francisco Red Army (new in 2022/23)

23 USA – Seattle

SOUTH AMERICA

24 Brazil 25 Peru

AFRICA

EUROPE

44 Austria

45 Austria Red Devils

46 Baku Reds

47 Belarus

48 Belgium – Flanders Mancunians

49 Belgium – Red Flag

50 Bulgaria

51 Bulgaria Red Devils (new in 2022/23)

52 Croatia

53 Cyprus

54 Cyprus Fan Club

55 Finland

56 France

57 Germany

58 Gibraltar

59 Greece – Athens

60 Greece – Hellenic

61 Netherlands – Dutch Mancunians

ASIA

62 Hungarian Fanatics

63 Hungary

64 Iceland

65 Italy

66 Liechtenstein Red Devils

67 Lithuania

68 Luxembourg

69 Malta

70 Poland

71 Romania

72 Russia – Moscow Reds

73 Russia – Krasnodar Reds

74 Scandinavia

75 Slovenia

76 Switzerland – Swiss Devils

77 Switzerland – Suisse

78 Ukraine

79 Ukraine – Kyiv Reds

MIDDLE EAST

80 Bangladesh

81 China – Beijing

82 China – Changsha Reds

83 China – Dongguan Reds

84 China – Foshan Reds

85 China – Guangzhou

86 China – Hangzhou

87 China – Hong Kong

88

OCEANIA

135 Australia – Brisbane

136 Australia – New South Wales

137 Australia – Perth

100 India – Mumbai

101 India – Nagaland

102 India – Nagpur

103 India – New Delhi

104 India – Pune

105 Indonesia

106 Japan

107 Japan – Tokyo

108 Kazakhstan – United of Almaty (new in 2022/23)

109 Korea

110 Malaysia

111 Malaysia – My Malaysia

112 Malaysian Fan Club

113 Maldives

114 Maldives Glory

115 Maldives Red Army

116 Myanmar

117 Myanmar Glory

118 Nepal

119 Pakistan

120 Singapore

121 Taiwan

122 Thailand

123 Vietnam

(Turn the page for UK and Ireland ▶)

UK & Ireland

ENGLAND

7 Cheshire – Newton-le-Willows 8 Cheshire – Stalybridge

9 Cheshire – Warrington

10 Cumbria – Barrow-in-Furness 11 Cumbria – Carlisle & South West

REP.

MUSC GALLERY

These photos celebrate just some of the club’s dedicated fan groups, from all over the globe...

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SUPPORTING MANCHESTER UNITED