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Manchester United's 2020-21 Premier League campaign has been a roller coaster ride to say the least. The Red Devils were languishing in the bottom half of the league standings in the opening weeks of the season after a series of underwhelming results but managed to pull off a dramatic change of fortunes in the last two months.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are currently second in the Premier League table, a point behind league leaders and arch-rivals Manchester City. The Norwegian has put together a system that allows the Red Devils to thrive on the counter-attack, while their defensive solidity has also returned in recent weeks.
The record English champions look set to enjoy their best season since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson and find themselves in a title challenge against the odds.
In what has been a season where pride and excitement has returned to Old Trafford, here are the five best Manchester United players so far this season.
#5 Paul Pogba
Having been diagnosed with COVID-19 at the start of the season, Paul Pogba took a lot of time to find his feet for Manchester United. The Frenchman lacked fitness and found himself out of the starting XI in the opening weeks of the season, with the likes of Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic and Fred ahead of him in the pecking order.
The midfielder's agent Mino Raiola also added fuel to the fire by admitting that Pogba's future could lie away from Old Trafford, as tensions began to flare between all parties involved. However, since December, Pogba has delivered a string of magnificent displays from central midfield and been a driving force in Manchester United's title charge.
The World Cup winner has also developed a good understanding with Bruno Fernandes and could play a pivotal role for the Red Devils in the second half of the season.
#4 Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford has dominated the headlines on and off the pitch in what has been an eventful 12 months for the attacker. Having played an instrumental role in providing free meals for underprivileged kids in the United Kingdom, the Red Devils superstar has also enhanced his reputation on the pitch with a string of top-class displays.
The academy graduate improved massively under Solskjaer last season and has carried on from where he left off this time around, as he continues to be Manchester United's most reliable attacker.
In 32 appearances in all competitions, the Englishman has recorded 15 goals and 10 assists and is one of the most productive players in the country. Rashford is one of the nicest men in world football currently and looks set to play a key role for Manchester United for many years to come.
#3 Luke Shaw
After a string of injuries halted his progress, Luke Shaw has finally rediscovered his mojo at Manchester United and improved massively under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Englishman, who was the most expensive teenager in the history of the game at the time, struggled under Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho due to combination of issues.
However, Solskjaer's man management skills have seen him bring the best out of the former Southampton man, who looks back to his best after returning to peak physical condition.
Shaw is a reliable asset defensively and is also a good crosser of the ball, as he continues to keep new signing and Brazilian international Alex Telles out of the team.
#2 Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire has not lived up to his £80 million price tag at Manchester United, but the fact of the matter is that the Englishman is still one of the best central defenders in the Premier League on his day. The former Leicester City man has led the Red Devils rearguard expertly this season after overcoming what was a tumultuous start to the season, as he was arrested in Greece for a reported altercation with a police officer.
Maguire, however, recovered swifly from his off field issues to perform consistently for Manchester United, as he continues to establish himself as an indispensable member of Solskjaer's team. Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly have partnered the Englishman with varying degrees of success, but Maguire has consistently produced the goods this season and looks like a top class footballer.
His reputation precedes him at times, but the 27-year-old has proved that he deserves to be rubbing shoulders with the best in the business.
#1 Bruno Fernandes
Unsuprisingly, Portuguese sensation Bruno Fernandes tops the list for Manchester United. The enigmatic midfielder has taken the Premier League by storm since his big-money move from Sporting Lisbon and has been the best player in the country since his arrival.
Blessed with an incredible shooting technique and passing range, Fernandes also works tirelessly for his team and is capable of leading from the front when called upon. The Portuguese midfielder has the unique ability of scoring as many goals as he creates and has chipped in with a staggering 16 goals and 10 assists in all competitions, as he continues to lead Manchester United's title charge.
Fernandes is the frontrunner for the PFA Player of the Year award and is likely to get his hands on the prize if he carries on like this for the rest of the season.
