After the arrival of the ‘Special One’ and signing the world’s most expensive player, Manchester United fans will be hoping for big things this season.
Starting the month of January in 5th, just outside the Champions League places, Manchester United were desperate to start putting a run of positive results together. However, after winning just two of their four Premier League fixtures in January, and two of their four in February, United were making hard work of their race for 4th spot.
Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini and Wayne Rooney look dejected
Despite 7 wins from their remaining 11 fixtures, Manchester United ended up finishing the season in 5th, missing out on a coveted Champions League place. Pressure was mounting on Louis van Gaal, and many expected the Dutchmen to leave, regardless of the result of their upcoming FA Cup final fixture.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal looks on in confusion
After going behind to a goal from Jason Puncheon, Manchester United fought back at Wembley to claim what would be their only trophy under Louis van Gaal, thanks to goals from Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard.
Manchester United’s Ashley Young celebrates winning the FA Cup with the trophy
Despite the win, Van Gaal departed United, leaving behind him a legacy of bringing through a number young players such as Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard. Despite the disappointing end to the league, Manchester United fans can look back at the van Gaal years as a positive spell in excelling the club’s youth.
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford walks off at half time with manager Louis van Gaal
Moving quickly to replace him, Manchester United turned to their old enemy, former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho. A proven winner, Mourinho looked to be the right man to start bringing back a winning mentality to Old Trafford, as well as someone who could attract the big name players.
New Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho poses ahead of the press conference
And attract them he did. Over the summer, Manchester United outspent every club in world football to bring in names such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Eric Bailly, Henrik Mkhitaryan and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba. The Frenchman, returning to Old Trafford, would become the most expensive player of all time.
Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba
Starting August off with a bang, Manchester United went the opening month unbeaten, picking up wins against Bournemouth and Southampton, as well as a 1-0 win over Mike Phelan’s Hull City, thanks to a goal from Marcus Rashford.
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford celebrates scoring their first goal
However, the Premier League was to prove to be no easy feat for Mourinho and his squad of superstars, as they slipped to a 1-2 defeat to Manchester City, and Mourinho’s biggest rival, Pep Guardiola. They would go on to pick up only one Premier League win in September (a 4-1 victory over Leicester City), as well as going the course of October without a single Premier League victory.
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho looks dejected
However, November would see a return to form for Mourinho’s men, as they followed an impressive 1-3 win against Swansea City with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal. Despite struggling at times in the league, Manchester United continued to progress in both the League Cup and the Europa League, including a 4-0 win against Dutch giants, Feyenoord, thanks to goals from Rooney, Mata and Lingard.
As Manchester United head towards the turn of the year, it would appear that the Red Devils’ megastars are finally starting to click, with an increasing number of quality performances from players like Mkhitaryan, Ibrahimovic and Pogba. If they can continue to improve, there’s no reason why Manchester United can’t get back one of those coveted Champions League spots in 2017.
Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan scores
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