After a decade of featuring heavily in our next Premier League manager to be sacked odds Manchester United finally have a coach who is taking the club in the right direction, laying the foundations for success over struggle.
But now, for Erik Ten Hag and the Reds, comes a pivotal and defining summer, one that will see previously established names moved on, while a plethora of new signings are expected.
Who gets to remain at Old Trafford, and who gets to feign a smile as they hold aloft a Fulham shirt, will of course largely depend on how they individually fared across 2022/23.
So, with that in mind, let’s rate all 20 United players who have made seven-plus league starts this term, beginning with perhaps the biggest puzzle of them all.
David De Gea
Ten Hag recently insisted that he wanted De Gea to sign a contract extension and reportedly a deal is all-but-done, with the Spanish stopper agreeing to reduced terms.
For all that De Gea struggles with distribution and is prone to mishap, it simply made no sense allowing a keeper of his standing to depart on a free.
- Rating for 2022/23 - 5/10 STAY
Harry Maguire
Used sparingly throughout the campaign, and even over-looked for reimagined full-backs, Maguire continues to languish on the periphery.
Untrusted and shorn of all confidence, there will sadly be no redemptive second act to a disastrous move that garnered headlines for all the wrong reasons.
- 3/10 LEAVE
Victor Lindelof
The Swede has served a purpose this season, impressing on the few occasions he’s been called on, most notably in recent weeks with Varane and Martinez unavailable.
With Maguire and Eric Bailly both heading for the exit door, the 28-year-old will likely be retained as a fourth-choice centre-back.
- 6/10 STAY
Lisandro Martinez
Offering the United back-line some long overdue resilience, the Argentine has been a huge success since joining from Ajax and furthermore compliments Varane well.
It feels like an awfully long time ago now when people were commenting on his height.
- 9/10 STAY
Raphael Varane
There is a caveat that accompanies the French defender and perhaps there always will be, that being an acknowledgement that he’s world class just so long as stays fit.
Twenty starts has been a decent return for a player long-blighted by injuries and his partnership with Martinez bodes extremely well for the future.
- 8/10 STAY
Diogo Dalot
Loved by fans for his passion, the defender’s versatility makes him a useful asset to the squad while some stand-out displays this season has seen his stock rise.
United are evidently in the market for a new right-back this summer but it won’t be the Portuguese international making way. His chances of firmly establishing himself as a starter however will only decrease.
- 7/10 STAY
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
There is no questioning the 25-year-old’s defensive acumen. 1.9 tackles per 90 across 2022/23. 1.2 interceptions and 1.8 clearances. All his stats are up there with the best of them.
Going forward though, it’s a slightly different story, with Wan-Bissaka long felt to be offensively limited. A respectable bid is all it will take, presumably.
- 7/10 LEAVE
Luke Shaw
Statistically, Shaw has been United’s sixth-best performer this past year, capping a career resurgence for club and country that is to be admired.
There is very little danger of the left-back departing this summer, not with Ten Hag being such a big fan. “He’s the example,” the Dutchman said at the start of 2023, referring to Shaw’s work ethic and leadership qualities.
- 8/10 STAY
Tyrell Malacia
Bought for £18m last summer, a fee that has proven to be somewhat of a bargain, Malacia never lets the side down and provides decent competition for Shaw down the left flank.
A propensity to pick up cheap cautions needs to be eradicated but the best is still to come.
- 6/10 STAY
Fred
Much-maligned by virtue of a pre-Casemiro midfield partnership with McTominay that came to symbolise United’s mediocrity, the Brazilian has carved out a niche as an impactful sub of late, brought off the bench on 21 occasions in the league alone.
Naturally, the former Shakhtar star won’t be content with that but unless he kicks up a fuss, United will carry on using him sparingly.
- 5/10 STAY
Casemiro
It feels wrong to call Casemiro a revelation given his proven pedigree and substantial stature, but that’s exactly what he’s been for the Reds.
His clever passing and combative presence has transformed United’s engine-room, improving them immeasurably in the process.
- 10/10 STAY
Scott McTominay
It’s been a year of regression for the Scot, his influence overshadowed by Casemiro’s arrival and his performances declining as a consequence.
Finding himself over-run and by-passed at Newcastle last month may have made his manager’s mind up that he is dispensable should a chunky bid come in. Injuries haven’t helped.
- 5/10 LEAVE
Marcel Sabitzer
The Austrian clearly ‘gets’ what it means to play for Manchester United and, with his quality thrown in, that matters.
Yet a recent serious knee injury surely rules out any permanent deal being made for the Bayern loanee, especially as he turns 30 next spring.
- 7/10 LEAVE
Bruno Fernandes
The midfielder’s goals and assist tallies may be down from previous seasons but Fernandes’ creative importance to United is undiminished.
Quite simply, when he plays well, his team plays well, and this term the Portuguese schemer has been excellent far more than not.
- 8/10 STAY
Christian Eriksen
The classy Dane gives United nuance and control and it’s no coincidence that they won only four of the ten games he missed to injury.
What makes him such an invaluable asset is his ability to make those around him better.
- 7/10 STAY
Jadon Sancho
Still to ignite after his big-money move from Dortmund, if Sancho had arrived in the United set-up via another route – whether that be through the youth system or bought for a middling fee from a Championship side – there is no question his future would be in doubt this summer.
As it is, the club are hardly going to give up on a £73m signing just yet while his considerable potential and ability should not be easily dismissed. It may still happen for him.
- 3/10 STAY
Antony
There are definite signs that the Brazilian winger is starting to come good, though his final ball continues to exasperate.
This season was all about implementing his talent and personality into English football and benefiting from moments. Next term, consistency will be demanded.
- 6/10 STAY
Anthony Martial
It’s just not going to happen for the French forward is it? Each and every summer, United fans think ‘what if’ and each and every spring they look back on another season of injuries and inconsistency.
The 27-year-old wanted to leave last year and got his wish via a loan spell at Sevilla. This time the decision won’t be of his own making.
- 5/10 LEAVE
Marcus Rashford
United’s odds in the Premier League predictions would have been far lengthier were it not for Rashford’s goals this term, an outstanding return of 29 across all comps.
As impactful from the left and down the middle, the England star has enjoyed a sparkling renaissance after enduring a sustained period of poor form.
- 9/10 STAY
Wout Weghurst
The Burnley loanee has put in the hard yards and provided a structure to Ten Hag’s template but beyond that no goals in 15 league games means he will be a tricky quiz question in ten years’ time.
- 6/10 LEAVE
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
