Manchester United enjoyed a strong 2022/23 season, despite losing the FA Cup final to cross-town rivals Manchester City at the weekend.
Under Erik ten Hag, the Red Devils endured some real low points but showed resilience and character to bounce back from adversity each time. There was plenty for the fans to be optimistic about as the team played as a unit with a proper identity and structure for what felt like the first time in a really long time, ending a six-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup.
From where Manchester United were 12 months back and where they currently are, it is clear for everyone to see that the club has made big strides under Ten Hag. On top of winning the Carabao Cup, the Dutchman has secured a third-place finish in his debut Premier League season and overseen a remarkable transformation at Old Trafford.
While Ten Hag’s Man United lost the FA Cup final 2-1 to neighbours Man City and handed them a glowing opportunity to complete the treble, one cannot ignore the fact that they had a fine season with some standout performers. Without further ado, let us take a look at their best three players from the recently-concluded 2022/23 campaign.
#Marcus Rashford
It was hardly a surprise when Marcus Rashford was named the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year and also Players’ Player of the Year during the club’s official award ceremony before the FA Cup final.
The England international, 25, ended the 2022/23 season with 30 goals and 11 assists in 56 appearances—becoming the first United player to reach the 30-goal mark after Robin van Persie scored the same number of goals in the 2012-13 campaign. He played a key role in the team’s success and took his game to the next level under the watchful guidance of Ten Hag.
Rashford is completely unrecognisable from the player that lost his form and confidence during the 2021/22 season, and his renaissance is undoubtedly one of the success stories of Man United’s recently-concluded campaign.
#Casemiro
Eyebrows were raised when Man United splashed around £70m to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid last summer. He had recently won his fifth Champions League title and was taking a step down to join a club at its lowest ebb in the Premier League era. Things didn’t add up.
Casemiro, 30, took some time to adapt to the demands of Ten Hag’s methods and style of play. But once he finally became a regular starter, the 30-year-old silenced his naysayers while adding much-needed stability and balance to Ten Hag’s side. The Brazilian became one of Ten Hag’s first names on the team sheet as his mentality and leadership skills quickly rubbed off on other players.
Considering the impact he has had in his debut season at Old Trafford, it isn’t wrong to term Casemiro’s signing as transformative for United.
#Bruno Fernandes
There were suggestions that Bruno Fernandes would not fit in Ten Hag’s system at United due to his playing style. However, he has managed to shut the critics with his performances for the Red Devils.
After Harry Maguire was dropped due to poor form early during the 2022/23 campaign, Fernandes assumed the captaincy duties and from there on, he hasn’t looked back. He led the Manchester United team out against Man City in the FA Cup final at the weekend in what was his 59th game of the campaign.
With eight goals and as many assists in 37 league games, the Portuguese international’s number may have dipped but he proved himself a key member of Ten Hag’s side with his creativity, work rate, energy and leadership skills.