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We've wrapped up yet another Premier League season and Manchester United have, after starting off looking like they'll eviscerate anybody in their paths, ended their chameleon-like season a tad disappointingly.
They could have signed off on a high but the recent lethargy that has plagued the side into going Jekyll and Hyde towards the end saw them losing the FA Cup final against Chelsea.
However, a 2nd placed finish in the Premier League is still an improvement on the recent seasons. The fact that Manchester United finally are back to having a say domestically should be viewed as a step taken in the right direction.
Anyway, the summer transfer window is upon us and it is time to weigh the scales and see what/who worked and what/who didn't. On that note, let's take a look at how the Manchester United players fared in the 2017/18 season.
Grade D
Daley Blind
Daley Blind is a versatile player and can be deployed at centre-back, left-back or at defensive midfield. The only problem is that he is a jack of all these trades. Blind wasn't able to nail down a starting spot as United had too many centre-backs to choose from.
Ashley Young playing well down the left wing didn't help his cause either. As a result, Blind started just four Premier League games all season and it looks likely that he won't be at Old Trafford beyond the summer.
He was a regular starter in the Champions League up until the knockout stages and didn't conjure up anything of note to convince Jose Mourinho to trust him and ended up having a mediocre season, which is criminal if you look at the potential the Dutchman has.
Luke Shaw
Whatever happened to Luke Shaw, eh? The lad had it going for him in the winter but then Jose phased him out once Ashley Young regained fitness. He has looked nothing like the world beater he was expected to become ever since.
He has felt the wrath of Jose Mourinho and you could say that he was indeed called out in press conferences for not giving a 100% when the team needed him to. He started 14 games in total and contributed zilch of note. 0 goals, 0 assists. Underwhelming.
Victor Lindelof
Lindelof didn't exactly have a terrible season. He did start off on the wrong foot but then he really did seem to grow into his senses. But the fault lays in the fact that he still hasn't been able to integrate himself into this Manchester United side. And I'll tell you why he's been given this rating.
Chris Smalling could be playing 'passing the parcel' and he wouldn't know what to do with the parcel if he's got it. Lindelof is a great distributor of the ball. He is good in the tackle and has the size to dominate in the air. Yet, save the odd day and Lindelof has almost always been disappointing.
He hasn't been dominant in the air, has looked shaky at the back and in the absence of Eric Bailly, he failed to step up and nail down a spot. I mean, Chris Smalling and Phil Jonesey got the nod ahead of you, lad. Shape up.
Matteo Darmian
The less that's said, the better. The Italian, in his first season, looked like he could go on to become the best right-back in the league. And then one day, Arsenal came and dismantled him and he hasn't been the same since. And two years have passed.
Darmian proved to be a poor deputy for the ageing Antonio Valencia who still looks sharper, faster and more precise with the ball at his feet than his Italian counterpart. 0 goals, 0 assists. Abysmal crossing skills and poor discipline. Grade D.
Grade C
Eric Bailly
This was the year when Eric Bailly was supposed to strip every opposition's attackers down and run them to the ground. Yet, his injury spells and inability to dominate in the air saw him take to the comfort of the bench more than the war the on the field.
Bailly started all of 15 games this season and has been on and off but it's there for all to see that he is indeed the best defender Manchester United have in their ranks. If Bailly can step up and be consistent, he can go on to achieve great things at the club. Chin up, lad.
Alexis Sanchez
Now, where do I begin? Alexis Sanchez was one of the best footballers on the planet last season and in this one, he has been a shadow of his former self. He upset United's rhythm when he joined. He started barging into Pogba's channels and curtailed the Frenchman's freedom.
Often, he held on to the ball for too long and gave possession away cheaply. But on an odd day, he sprang to life. He was immense against Manchester City and looked more like the player United are paying a hefty salary for. Sanchez has scored 2 and assisted 3 from 12 appearances for Manchester United.
Hopefully, he'll gel better with the team next season and will get back to his beastly best. This is one player United can actually count on to take them to the next level.
Antonio Valencia
Captain has not really had a bad season but for a player of his experience, it was sad to see him reduce himself into a one-trick pony. His form has been ropy and hasn't been able to provide an attacking outlet on the right side where United have a dearth of quality.
Valencia wasn't getting into crossing positions as much as he used to or as much as he or the team would have liked and failed to come up with the goods on more occasions than not. He has been solid defensively but that's just about it.
Marcos Rojo
Rojo was mighty impressive alongside Phil Jones in the 2016/17 campaign before he picked up an injury and took a very long time to recover. He did not regain full fitness this season and was often too indisciplined or restless at the back.
Rojo was expected to stabilize the United defence but he did anything but that. But that will change for we all know the beast he can transform into when he's on top of his game. If he gets his fitness back and is available for the length of next season, United will have one less thing to worry about.
Marouane Fellaini
United fans were taking to him finally. They had started to understand the importance of the belligerent Belgian. But then he aired his dirty laundry and played hard-ball with the club's management by maligning them for not offering him a new contract when he was taking the team past the finishing line in the 2016/17 on several occasions.
Fellaini has also had his fair share of injuries this season and has only been available intermittently. He scored the winner against Arsenal in a closely contested derby but that's the only Fellaini moment we've had this season.
Juan Mata
Juan Mata has not been a regular feature in this Manchester United lineup. He has also not had a bad season but by his standards, he really should have done better.
Mata's slow pace and lack of strength have worked against him this season and his defensive contribution and composure in front of goal left a lot to be desired. He missed a very good opportunity against Liverpool and then against Arsenal from right in front of goal.
Mata has not been able to exert his influence on games and it's not likely that he will have a greater role to play in the future.
Phil Jones
Phil Jones needs to be more consistent and that's about it. We know it all, we've seen it and read it before. He has a lot of potential and the talent to back it but then again, like in the FA Cup final against Chelsea, he gets caught flat-footed and then lunges in to do the unthinkable.
Jonesy just goes from being United's best defender on the pitch on one day to having a shocker in the next. Next season, he really should shirk off the lethargy and step up to the plate. Come on, we know you got it in you, Phil.
Michael Carrick
Last season at the club. Missed out on a lot due to injury. But Michael Carrick was able to put in decent shifts when he was available. There's really not much to be said here. The legacy will live on.
The languid elegance of Michael Carrick will be missed at Manchester United. Thank you, Michael. Hope you go on to do great things from behind the scenes.
Grade B
Paul Pogba
Paul, Paul, Paul. Why are you not in the running for the Ballon d'Or yet, Paul? Why are you not terrorizing Europe like you're supposed to?
Pogba has had a season that's symbolic of his club's. On and off. On and off. He bullied Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal and played the newly born cat against Newcastle, West Brom and Brighton. He was awkwardly poor against Sevilla.
Like Lampard said, maybe Pogba needs to take it down a notch and keep things simple until he is truly sure he can dominate things in the centre. He has the ability and the brains.
7 goals and 11 assists are decent returns for a centre-midfielder. But for now, I will not accept that from Paul Pogba. Pogba should be slaughtering entire leagues, man. That's why he gets a B and I think I'm being generous here.
Scott McTominay
Scotty boy is definitely one for the future. What captivated me most about his game is his ability to turn with the ball at his feet at the blink of an eye. He was brought in to do the basics and keep things tidy at the centre.
He did a pretty good job at it and at such a young age too! He will keep improving, I reckon. Jose's got his back and the fans absolutely love it when a fella rises through the ranks and makes it to the first team. The future looks bright.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial
I wasn't sure if I should give Rashford and Martial a B or a C. They were incredible at the start of the season. Rashford and Martial were running past defenders as if they weren't there. If Martial was starting, Rashford would come off the bench and score. If Rashford was starting, Martial would come off the bench and score or provide an assist.
It was all going so well until Alexis Sanchez's arrival saw them getting frozen out of the team. With limited game time, at such a young age, you cannot expect youngsters to just pop and do the needful whenever asked. That's the reason why both players have had a disappointing second half of the season.
However, the potential is frightening. Rashford scored 13 goals and laid out 6 assists all season. Martial scored 11 and assisted 7. I mean, "MORE, LADS, MORE, COME ON!"
Ander Herrera
This guy is Manchester United, man. Matic came and kicked him out of the team. Scotty boy was getting run-ins. Pogba was playing deep. He had nothing going for him halfway through the season. Then he worked and he clawed his way back into the team and put in some champions shifts to finally bring some sort of stability to the midfield.
Herrera does the basic things well. He sweeps well, he tackles well and he passes the ball well. And he speaks like a player who belongs. Herrera is worthy of that captain's armband for the sincerity and the love that he shows for the club.
For fighting back and playing a crucial role in ensuring a 2nd placed finish, Herrera gets a B.
Sergio Romero
Sergio Romero is quite simply the best 2nd choice goalkeeper in the world at the moment. The Argentina no.1 hasn't been called up much this season. He conceded just 4 goals in 10 appearances and has been impressive whenever called upon.
Ashley Young
Well done, Young boy. Good job making it to the World Cup squad for England. Written off and often ridiculed for all the theatrics he puts on display, Ashley Young has been silencing his critics over the past couple of seasons.
After shifting to left-back, he has made the position his own. He scored 2 beauties against Watford and provided 5 assists across all competitions. Young has been a good attacking outlets and his crosses are one of United's main weapons going forward.
Chris Smalling
Smalling cannot pass the ball forward. He is also prone to errors. His giving away of the ball in the middle of the park which led to that Newcastle defeat still leaves me frustrated.
But in a season where all his partners were succumbing to injuries, Smalling offered stability. He was also dedicated to the cause and on several occasions came up with last-ditch tackles to save the day.
I mean, somebody teaches this man to pass the ball and Eric Bailly might just have a great partner in the centre.
Grade A
David de Gea
Was there ever a doubt? Best goalkeeper in the world. Hands down. That performance against Arsenal! His bizarre and unbelievable saves that come outta nowhere and the magnificent grace to go with it... David de Gea is an absolute treat to watch when he's working the sticks.
Lads, do it for this, man. This guy could go to Madrid and be a Galactico but he loves the fans and he has decided to stay put. You got the greatest goalkeeper in the world behind you and he is as calm, confident and reassuring a figure as you'd want to see and he's been through hell.
Do it for this man. Oh, DAVE SAVES and HOW!
Romelu Lukaku
What a signing Lukaku has been. I'm surely expecting twats to jog on over here and throw some stats at me face and tell me that I don't understand football. But that means bugger all.
Romelu Lukaku's importance can be best understood by acknowledging how blunt United looked in attack when he missed a few games towards the end of the season due to injury.
His hold up play and composure in front of goal has won many a game for Manchester United this season. The best part about him? The lad gives it his all and is always hungry for more. Lukaku has room to improve and he will improve. We've seen signs of that already.
One big positive from this season will be that Manchester United now have a young, top quality striker in their ranks who can get everyone involved and take the game to the opposition.
Oh, did I mention anything about his crossing? Immaculate.
Jesse Lingard
Now, I know what y'all are thinking. Oh, no Jesse's just had a great season for his standards... no. Jesse Lingard gets a Grade A for finding a space for himself in a team that really doesn't have space for him.
He has won several points for United this season. His goals have been otherworldly. Lingard is a scorer of great goals and up until the point where rotation was the only mainstay in the United squad (read: the arrival of Alexis Sanchez), and Lingard was allowed the freedom to do his thing, he flourished.
That superb solo goal against Watford, the screamers against Everton, Burnley and West Brom and that header against Chelsea... Jesse Lingard has now become a Manchester United player and an absolutely lovable one at that. You go, Jesse!
Nemanja Matic
Signing Matic from Chelsea was the best piece of business from Jose Mourinho from the last summer transfer window. Matic provided the much needed stability in the heart of midfield which helped unshackle Pogba to an extent.
Though playing Pogba alongside him backfired, Matic has been able to keep things solid at the centre of the park alongside Scott McTominay and Ander Herrera.
Matic is as strong as they come and his Fergie Time screamer against Crystal Palace was a thing of beauty. Though he had a few dismal showings, he came to the fore in the big games and played perhaps the most crucial role in beating all of the Top 6 this season.
It will be difficult for Manchester United to replace Matic who will turn 30 before the next season begins. But for now, they'll be content with what the Serb offers on the field and will hope that he can kick on in the same vein for a couple more years.
Grading the manager: Jose Mourinho - B
Jose seems to not have a blueprint in attack and he vehemently hates automated player movements. He relies on his creative players to provide the spark in the final third by using their imagination.
Jose has made United's defence a lot more solid but even now, they are prone to making the odd error. The Portuguese tactician struggled during the middle of the campaign and took forever to sort out his midfield conundrums and by the time he did, United had crashed out of the UEFA Champions League after surrendering meekly to Sevilla.
Jose's man management skills have also come under question after Martial and Shaw did not respond favourably to the criticism aimed at them. But Jose showed that he still knows how to win the big games and registered wins against all top 6 oppositions this time.
Though he couldn't sign off on a high against the Chelsea tram (read: blue bus), there are plenty of positives to look at and take into the next season.
That said, United need to make a few signings. It will be interesting to see what Andreas Pereira's plight is going to be like next season. The right wing is an area where United have been starved of quality for close to a decade now and I really hope Jose gets the Brazilian kid to do the samba around the Cityzens next season.
A second-placed finish in the Premier League is definitely an improvement on recent seasons. They'll need to do better in Europe. And of course, challenge for the title next term. This was a one-horse race, let's admit it.
Hence, Jose gets a B.
