'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Big six club ratings - Man City/Man United/Liverpool
Manchester City
Expectations - To regain the league title, win the Champions League
Reality - PL winners/League Cup winners
After losing the title to Liverpool in 19-20, City came back strong to regain it and win their fifth Premier League trophy.
The Champions League final was disappointing due to Guardiola again experimenting with the line-up. He was tactically outdone by Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea as City couldn't break the Blues down to force a goal.
However, City and Pep will have a go at it again, and at this point are favourites to retain the PL. They will certainly be amongst the CL favourites to boot.
Rating - 8/10
Manchester United
Expectations - to challenge for the title and win a trophy
Reality - 2nd place finish, but way behind City in points and quality.
Club legend and current boss Ole Gunnar Solksjear came under fire due to several poor performances during the season. A growing number of United fans believe he is not the right manager to take United forward, and this season hasn't abated his detractors.
This was coupled with longstanding angst towards the club's owners, the Glazer family. They added United to the failed Super League move, culminating in two massive fan protests. The latter saw fans storm the Old Trafford pitch in unprecedented scenes, thus postponing the game vs. arch-rival Liverpool.
Losing the Europa League final against Villareal was a huge setback and would have been United's first trophy since the 2017 Europa League. This, in the eyes of Ole's critics, showed why he wasn't suitable for big United glory.
Villareal's manager Unai Emery stifled United, and Solksjaer apparently had no response tactically. The penalty-shootout was tense and David de Gea missed to give Villareal an 11-10 victory. With better game-management, Ole could have secured a win and a cup, though ultimately this was beyond him.
All the same, it was another season behind their Mancunian rivals, and despite being second it wasn't a sound season at all. It's self-evident that major investment is needed just to compete for the league again - let alone to win it.
Jadon Sancho may join - as was planned for last season - but replacements in central midfield and central defence are also needed. However, it has been a strong season for Bruno Fernandes, as he contributed with key goals, and Paul Pogba too. Luke Shaw showed great improvement, and keeper Henderson too proved he can be an able number 1.
It's an interesting time for United - it's time for Ole to prove the detractors wrong. And for the Glazers to back him and prove they want United to prosper.
Rating - 5/10
Liverpool
Expectations - to retain the league and win a trophy
Reality - top four attained, but a long way behind champions Man City
Liverpool went into the season as champions of England for the first time in 30 years. Signings such as Thiago in midfield and Diogo Jota in attack were shrewd and seemed primed at helping them retain the title.
However, things didn't go to plan. The injury to Virgil van Dijk was costly, as was the loss of Joel Matip. They had to resort to playing central midfielders in defence, such as captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.
But the issue wasn't just injuries to key players. Star forward Sadio Mane didn't perform at his prior levels. Mohamed Salah scored plenty as normal but narrowly missed out on the Golden Boot to Spurs' Harry Kane. Roberto Firmino, however, didn't really take off, and his relative lack of goalscoring became more apparent.
Liverpool were also sussed out somewhat tactically, and perhaps Jurgen Klopp's "heavy metal" football had become a little stale. Home league losses to Burnley and Brighton didn't go down well, especially after going dozens of games at home unbeaten.
With good additions and the return of key players, Liverpool can go strong again next season. Though this may have to be melded with a plan B (or general tactical alternatives) from manager Jurgen Klopp.
Rating 5/10
