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Manchester United may have undergone a managerial change this season but cannot yet find that sting of form. Issues with the club have become persistent and there seems to be no end to the average performance trend that started post the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.
While the club have won some trophies, United are yet to win the Premier League or the Champions League since Fergie left the club in 2013.
Manchester United will have to fight for a top-four finish this season
With the Premier League now more competitive than ever, the top four spots are no longer guaranteed. After their poor draw against Burnley, United find themselves outside the top four spot going into the weekend.
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Their current underperformance has caused United to struggle to secure European spots. The club has champion players, however. The five names mentioned here will have to take responsibility to ensure that United get a Champions League spot next season.
#5 Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford has missed a large part of the current campaign due to his injury at the Euros. But his surgery was successful and he is now back at Old Trafford. However, the winger will have to play a pivotal role in the coming days. With Mason Greenwood facing currently suspended by the club and Anthony Martial away on loan, the onus is on the MBE award winner.
Rashford hasn't been at his best his return from rehabilitation. Fans expect a lot more from the talented Englishman who has what it takes to beat the best of defenders. At times, United have appeared bereft of ideas at the attacking end, and Rashford will need to step up.
Most of Rashford's 19 appearances have been from the bench. He has scored only five goals in the 1059 minutes he has spent on the pitch so far.
#4 Raphael Varane
Manchester United's defense has been in a precarious situation in recent times, with a slew of poor performances. However, Raphael Varane has performed well when he has managed to stay fit.
Expectations from Varane would have been high based on his reputation prior to joining United. He is a serial winner who has won the 2018 World Cup with France and multiple Champions League titles with Real Madrid.
But the Frenchman has made a slow start to life at Old Trafford and injuries haven't helped his cause. But he looks fit now and will have to marshal the backline if United want more clean sheets going forward.
Varane has made 18 appearances across all competitions so far.
#3 David De Gea
David De Gea has been Manchester United's custodian, literally and metaphorically. David De Gea has stood tall against all adversities for the Red Devils. But there have been chinks in his armor, and the criticisms have also followed.
De Gea has looked at his best again in the current season. But he hasn't been free of criticism as many believe that Dean Henderson should start ahead of him. But it's tough to keep someone like De Gea out when his save-game has been on top.
De Gea's main point of criticism has been his sweeping abilities, as many fans believe he should be closing opponents down better. Whatever the case may be, he is still Manchester United's number one. He will play an essential role if United wish to secure more points in the coming days.
#2 Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has been Manchester United's talisman over the last couple of seasons. The Portuguese has been arguably the most influential signing in the post-Ferguson era. Since switching from Sporting CP, he has played an important role and has often carried the club single-handedly.
Fernandes has not only been a leader on the pitch but has also contributed to the goals and assists when required. At the end of the 2020-21 season, he broke the Premier League scoring record for most goals from midfield. But the current season has seen a somewhat dimmer Fernandes.
In the 30 appearances, he has managed to score seven goals and make 12 assists. But Fernandes has done better in the past, and a reinvigorated Bruno will help Manchester United's cause.
#1 Cristiano Ronaldo
Manchester United managed to orchestrate the most romantic homecoming when the club reacquired Cristiano Ronaldo last summer. More than a decade on from his initial departure, the Portuguese magnifico is back at Old Trafford. To an extent, the transfer has lived up to its hype.
But a set of fans have countered the signing, saying that Ronaldo's signing doesn't fit into Manchester United's strategy. His unwillingness to defend in low blocks has been used as a criticism against him. However, Ronaldo has also scored several important goals, especially in the Champions League.
Cristiano Ronaldo has made 26 appearances across all competitions this season. He has scored 14 goals and made three assists, but somewhere, expectations from him are higher. A stellar Ronaldo could galvanize Manchester United's claim to the top four berths.
