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Hello and Welcome back to our assessment of the top contenders for the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year at the start of March 2019. The month of February was a reality check for Manchester United, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer endured his first loss as Manchester United manager and also saw his team crippled with injuries to key players.
Also Read: Top Contenders for the Manchester United Player of the Year: February 2019
But even in face of adversities, the Norwegian has stood strong. A defeat to PSG at home in the first leg has jeopardized his chances of progressing to the Quarter Finals of the UEFA Champions League, but United have been ruthless in the FA Cup and the Premier League.
While the team have been fantastic as a whole, there are a few players who are the pick of the lot, and they have strengthened their bid to be named Manchester United Player of the Year. Today, we take a look at the top contenders for the Award at the start of March.
#5 Victor Lindelof
The Swedish centre-back continues his fantastic form at the heart of the United defence. Lindelof started in 5 games for United in February and was magnificent at the back in an intense month of football, enabling United to secure 3 clean sheets in those games.
He was one of the standout performers in United's first game in February as the Red Devils secured a closely contested 1-0 win over Leicester City. Lindelof, who was rested for the game against Fulham, however, could do nothing to prevent PSG from winning 2-0 at home. It was a disappointing outing, but the Swede did not let it hang around for long as he helped United secure another clean sheet when they ousted Chelsea from the FA Cup in the following game. After managing to keep Liverpool formidable attack at bay in the next game, he kept his cool against Crystal Palace in midweek, holding the defence together and also setting up Romelu Lukaku for the second goal as United won 3-1.
Lindelof's biggest asset is his quality on the ball, but the Swede has also improved his strength and tackling this season. Altogether, Lindelof has been the pick of the central defenders at United so far and at the start of March, is 5th among the top contenders for the Manchester United Player of the Season.
#4 Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw continues to put in stellar performances for United and seems to be getting better with each passing game. His recent run of form has seen him rise as a contender for the Manchester United Player of the season and for good reasons too. Shaw has not put a foot wrong in February and deservedly grabs a place in this list.
The Englishman played every minute of all the 6 games in February. He looks fit and hungry as ever, something that has helped United mount a challenge for a top 4 finish. While his defending has been exceptional as ever - Mohamed Salah failed to get past him in the Liverpool game - the left-back has looked menacing as ever while going forward.
Shaw has been a constant threat with his forward runs and his quality on the ball has opened up the rival defences on quite a few occasions. Against Palace in midweek, it was his scintillating run in the first half that broke the deadlock as the Englishman set up Lukaku to open the scoring.
At the start of March, Luke Shaw is 4th among the top contenders for the Manchester United Player of the Season.
#3 Ander Herrera
The Spaniard was voted the Manchester United player of the month of February by the United fans. This was despite the fact that he missed almost 2 games in the month due to injury.
Herrera continues to be a vital cog in the centre of the field for United. Even though United lost against PSG - the Red Devils' first loss under Solskjaer so far - the Spaniard ensured that the defeat did not demoralize the team. He inspired United to a memorable win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup, where he opened the scoring himself.
Against Fulham in the following game, Herrera continued to run the midfield, helping United to another victory. However, disaster struck against Liverpool, as he pulled his hamstring and had to leave the field as early as the 21st minute. He subsequently missed the following game against Crystal Palace.
As of now, Herrera's return date is unknown, but it has not stopped the Spaniard from climbing one place to stay 3rd among the top contenders for the Manchester United Player of the Season, at the start of March.
#2 Marcus Rashford
The English youngster continued his good form in the month of February but has still dropped down to second place. Rashford started the month with a brilliant finish against Leicester City, scoring the goal that won his side the game. He was rested for the following game against Fulham and the game against PSG proved to be a reality check for him. The Englishman started the match but failed to make an impact against the French champions.
However, he made up for it in the very next game against Chelsea by setting Paul Pogba up with an exquisite cross which helped United progress to the next round of the FA Cup. Even though he failed to score in the 0-0 draw against Liverpool, Rashford gave a great account of his tenacity and maturity. Despite picking up an early injury, he continued to play on, taking one for the team and ensuring that a point was secured against their arch-rivals.
He started on the bench in midweek against Crystal Palace, coming on for the last 13 minutes. Rashford currently has 10 goals and 8 assists from 34 games this season and at the start of March, is second among the top contenders for the Manchester United Player of the Season.
#1 Paul Pogba
The Frenchman shows no signs of stopping and February marked another fruitful month for him. Pogba started all of the 6 games and apart from the PSG match, he managed to dictate the midfield with ease. His passing range and ability to pick out a teammate helped United out of quite a few tricky situations last month and he has definitely been one of the club's best players of late.
Pogba started the month by setting up Rashford with an exceptional ball from deep against Leicester City. The Englishman scored the only goal of the game to help United earn 3 vital points. After enduring an ill-fated night against PSG - where he was sent off - Pogba inspired United to a fabulous win over Chelsea in the FA Cup. He set up Herrera for the first goal and then scored the second one himself as United progressed to the quarter-finals of the domestic cup competition.
The Frenchman followed it up with a brace against Fulham as United comfortably won 3-0. He had a restrained game against Liverpool as United were crippled with injuries, but in the midweek against Crystal Palace, Pogba was key to another fantastic win. Teamed with two inexperienced partners in midfield, Pogba guided United through by taking responsibility; he even managed to set Ashley Young up to score the third goal of the game.
The Frenchman has 14 goals and 11 assists from 34 games so far this season and at the start of March, he is the number 1 contender for the Manchester United Player of the Season Award.
