Tonight’s round of international friendlies mean we’re a step closer to the real football coming back, but until then why not catch up with our Manchester United player ratings for the 2017/18 season so far?
Jose Mourinho has had his critics for failing to truly mount a serious title challenge this term, but there have been positives from some areas of his squad that suggest things could get better next season.
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United still have a good chance of winning the FA Cup before the campaign is done, and are near-certainties to get back into the Champions League next season.
Some of their recent signings haven’t exactly gone to plan, but this is a squad packed full of potential and here’s how we’ve ranked them (from worst to best) based on how they’ve done up to now…
Matteo Darmian
Barely played. Hasn’t done anything of note when he has. Surely on the way out of Old Trafford this summer after a highly disappointing spell.
Michael Carrick
Just the four appearances in all competitions as he heads towards retirement, but it’s hard to place Michael Carrick any higher than this for now, despite him being guaranteed legendary status at the club.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Just the one goal for the Swede who recently left for LA Galaxy, so Zlatan Ibrahimovic is only in the bottom three based on form this season.
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Daley Blind
Another player who’s hardly played. Whilst being a fairly reliable and solid performer he’s clearly not quite of the standard required for a club of United’s size.
Victor Lindelof
A difficult first season for a young player who looked a good prospect at Benfica. One or two promising displays but will have to do better to ensure he’s a regular.
Ander Herrera
Not used as much this season, it is little surprise that Ander Herrera’s Old Trafford future is in some doubt. Still something of a fan-favourite, but just doesn’t offer quite enough when he does get on the pitch, aside from a reliable level of aggression and work rate.
Alexis Sanchez
Just the one goal and an extremely poor start from the January signing, with many at United already seeming to turn on Alexis Sanchez. We’re giving the Chilean the benefit of the doubt as moving teams mid-season is not an easy transition to make, but he has to improve pretty quickly to change people’s minds.
Chris Smalling
Some good games but Chris Smalling continues to struggle for consistency and has the odd mistake in him that means he surely cannot be considered a long-term solution in defence for United.
Marcos Rojo
Similarly to Smalling, Marcos Rojo just doesn’t inspire quite enough confidence. Injuries have held him back this term so we haven’t really seen enough of what he can do, but you’d have to think his position is under some threat.
Phil Jones
One of United’s more solid defensive performers, Phil Jones is still not quite high enough above Smalling and Rojo, which is why one expects Mourinho will be in the market for a new centre-back in the summer.
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Actually pretty decent at the start of the season, Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s form tailed off before he left for Arsenal in January. The Armenian clearly has talent and is starting to show it for the Gunners, but it just wasn’t quite the right fit for him under Mourinho.
Luke Shaw
Harshly criticised by Mourinho, Luke Shaw has not played as much as he would have liked but has always done a pretty good job when called upon, looking improved with his defensive awareness and offering plenty going forward.
Marouane Fellaini
Started the season superbly before dropping off, Marouane Fellaini clearly has a role to play in this side, but with his contract running down it looks as though he’s being phased out. Not quite starting XI-quality anyway, really.
Juan Mata
A quality player who doesn’t really get enough of a look-in, but Juan Mata always seems to do the business when he is involved. Plays a slightly deeper role than he used to, but his passing and vision are superb and he can chip in with the odd goal as well.
Marcus Rashford
Needs to score more goals, but otherwise another very decent campaign from Marcus Rashford, who is undoubtedly one of the finest young talents in Europe on his day, even if he remains a little raw and inconsistent.
Scott McTominay
One major positive of the season has been the rise of Scott McTominay in midfield. A combative, no-thrills midfielder, the youngster looks ideal for a Mourinho side and should only improve as he gets more chances.
Ashley Young
It’s hard to believe how long he’s held on at United, but Ashley Young continues to do the business at left-back for the club, recently keeping Mohamed Salah in his pocket completely as the Red Devils beat Liverpool.
Antonio Valencia
Another solid and reliable performer, Antonio Valencia has made the right-back slot his own at United and fans love his energy and enthusiasm up and down that right-hand side.
Paul Pogba
Not exactly Mr Popular at the moment, but Paul Pogba has for the most part been pretty good this season. The France international has three goals and ten assists to his name and just needs to be given a little more freedom to play in his best role by Mourinho.
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Anthony Martial
A huge talent, Anthony Martial has been more consistent and clinical this season and looks like developing into a truly world class forward. Alexis Sanchez’s arrival has meant fewer starts, but he surely has a big future at the club.
Eric Bailly
A top defender who’d surely be higher on our list if not for injuries, Eric Bailly is certainly one for the future at United and worth building a back four around for many years to come.
Romelu Lukaku
Harshly criticised by many, but Romelu Lukaku has already scored 25 goals this season and we’re not even in April. The Belgium international may not be the perfect striker and probably won’t ever be Ballon d’Or material, but at this level he is an absolute handful up front and guarantees goals.
Nemanja Matic
A dream signing for a Mourinho midfield, Nemanja Matic has unsurprisingly shone since swapping Chelsea for United in the summer, in what looks alongside Diego Costa as an absolutely bizarre sale by the Blues.
Jesse Lingard
With 13 goals and four assists, Jesse Lingard is certainly one of the most improved players of the season and has carried United in many of their biggest performances this season. The England international isn’t everyone’s cup of tea with his social media antics, but on the pitch he’s becoming one of United’s most important players and undoubtedly one of the top attacking players in the Premier League.
David de Gea
We’re running out of superlatives for David de Gea, who has had another incredible season packed full of memorable saves. The Spain international single-handedly gave United a win at Arsenal earlier in the season, and has also pulled off what looked like impossible stops to earn 0-0 draws with Liverpool and Sevilla. There are more, but it’s hard to keep up with De Gea’s brilliance as he established himself as surely the best in the world in his position.
