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Manchester United’s season so far has been a complete mixed bag. While United could still win the FA Cup and will most certainly finish second in the Premier League, the manner of their Champions League exit is bound to be on this season’s highlight reel.
Though United have blown hot and cold this season, a few of their players have managed to remain consistent all through. And that’s the reason why the Red Devils can now look to finish as strong as possible.
Here are five of the biggest positives from Manchester United’s season so far:
#5 Phil Jones and Eric Bailly should be first-choice central defenders next season
Jose Mourinho has always built his sides on the basis of a solid defensive pairing. This season, Phil Jones and Eric Bailly have fit that bill perfectly for United.
The Red Devils made a flying start to the season and the Ivorian and the Englishman's defensive partnership was one of the reasons why United managed to keep 7 clean sheets in the first 8 league games of the season.
The duo had managed to strike up an understanding and the benefits of this were visible in United's swashbuckling style of play during the early stages of the season.
However, an untimely hamstring injury for Jones and an ankle injury for Bailly cut short their partnership. It is no coincidence that United went through one of their worst phases when the duo was on the sidelines.
A timid display against Manchester City, coupled with back-to-back draws against Leicester City, Burnley, and Southampton respectively effectively ended United's title hopes for the season.
Having said that, the duo has done enough to stake their claim to be United's first choice centre-back pairing for next season. The Red Devils have been linked with a number of possible defensive reinforcements with names such as Raphael Varane doing the rounds, but Mourinho might really rethink if he actually needs to invest in other centre-backs.
#4 Nemanja Matic has been United's signing of the season
At one level, it is still unbelievable that Nemanja Matic is a Manchester United player. Given his performances during his second spell at Chelsea, the reason behind the Serbian's sale is baffling, to say the least.
But Chelsea's loss has been United's gain. Matic certainly is not as flashy as Paul Pogba and thank god for that.
Through all of United's consistently inconsistent displays this season, the former Chelsea man has been able to maintain a certain standard to his performances. This quality is exactly what has made the 29-year-old the first name on Mourinho's team sheet this season.
And the fact that Matic has started 33 of the 34 league games he has played so far is a testament to this. Most recently, he came up with a strike worthy of winning any game to help United seal three points against Crystal Palace.
Clearly, the consistency that Matic has displayed this season is what makes him United's best signing of the season.
#3 Jese Lingard has finally come of age
Manchester United have a rich history of promoting talent from their own academy with the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Gary Neville all having emerged from United's famous youth system.
This season, Jese Lingard has become the latest player to add his name to that illustrious list. Still only 25, the Englishman has been around for a while now. But he announced his arrival on the big stage this season by managing 8 goals and 6 assists in the league so far.
Credit for Lingard's performances should go to both the player and his manager alike. While Lingard has certainly come of age with regard to his performances, he has also benefitted immensely from playing in behind Romelu Lukaku.
This change in position has seen Lingard become much more involved in the game as he's given a license to roam on the pitch. Lingard's performances for United have earned him a place in England's world cup squad and if the youngster can replicate his club form for his country, England might just be a force to reckon with in Russia.
#2 Romelu Lukaku has lived up to his billing
A lot was made of Romelu Lukaku's move to United in the summer. Given his poor record at Chelsea, many thought that he was not a big club player.
Therefore, when United decided to shell out €85 million on the man, it raised more than a few eyebrows. However, the Belgian managed to hit the ground running for United as he accounted for 7 goals and 2 assists in his first 10 league games.
But ever since then, he has been inconsistent, to say the least. More importantly, he hasn't been as ruthless as one would have expected as his finishing has let his side down on more than one occasion during the course of the season.
Despite that, Lukaku has managed 16 league goals and 7 assists so far and those numbers are certainly not bad for a player who was deemed to be a misfit for a big club.
Heading into next season, the Old Trafford faithful will hope that the big Belgian can find the back of the net on a more regular basis so that United can mount a genuine and sustained title challenge.
#1 David De Gea is the world's best goalkeeper
David De Gea has been United's most consistent player in the post-Ferguson era. So much so, that one couldn't help but feel bad for him at times.
Over the past few seasons, the Spaniard has single-handedly won United games with his heroics in goal. Though United have had a steely defence for the most part of the campaign, De Gea has held his own even on the few occasions when the players in front of him have failed to do so.
And the 27-year-old was rewarded for his efforts by being named in the Premier League team of the season. Now, with the World Cup around the corner, De Gea's stock is only going to rise.
One can be certain that the shot-stopper will do a great job guarding the net for Spain in Russia. But as has been the case over the past few years, United will have to do everything they possibly can to ensure that De Gea remains at Old Trafford next season.
Given that United have the world's best goalkeeper in their ranks, what should they do to keep him there? Everything!
