Big Six manager ratings

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

A tough season for Ole, despite finishing second in the league

United finished second, although as was the case in 2018, this was a "false second".

Both then and now, United were way behind City (the eventual champions) and were simply the best of the rest without genuinely challenging for the title.

Ole got the best out of Fernandes, with Cavani adding some crucial goals in the second half of the season. Winning the Europa League - which would have been United's first trophy in four years - would have been a boon.

But the loss in the final to Villareal added more pressure on Solskjaer, and raised further questions about whether he's the right man for the club. It will take a huge improvement next season for him to prove the doubters wrong.

Rating - 5/10

Mikel Arteta

Sustained pressure at Arsenal for Mikel Arteta

Arteta's Arsenal finished eighth in the 2020/21 season, exactly the same as in 19/20.

He did well to recover from a weak run of form from the early season period, which saw Arsenal drop to the 15th place in the league standings for several weeks.

However, his in-game management has been questioned, and his needless tactical tinkering in the Europa League semi-final vs Villareal led to an aggregate defeat and a loss of potential Champions League football next season.

Incidentally, this loss was to his direct predecessor at Arsenal, Unai Emery, who took up the Villareal post at the start of the 2020/21 season.

Arteta is learning on the job, in his first ever managerial post, but he needs to learn quickly if he is to progress and prosper at Arsenal long-term. Key signings in defense and midfield are needed, as well as Arteta himself, providing steadier tactical changes and in-game management.

Rating - 3/10

Jose Mourinho/Ryan Mason

Mourinho, with his illustrious CV no less, ultimately showed much of the same failings witnessed at Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United. His man-management still leaves much to be desired, and his style of football is still in the "park the bus" mold.

It's possible he may have won the League Cup, despite Man City's quality, though we'll never know since club chairman Daniel Levy fired him from the position days before the Wembley showdown.

Ryan Mason isn't expected to do much, considering he's a caretaker until a new permanent manager is found. However, he did steer Spurs to Europa Conference League football.

Mourinho - 3/10

Mason - 5/10