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Manchester United are coming off their worst season in Premier League history, an eighth-place finish and a negative goal difference of 1. They also finished bottom of their group in the UEFA Champions League to bow out of Europe. Their only saving grace was beating Manchester City to win the FA Cup.
Manager Erik ten Hag will hope to turn things around in the new season after an underwhelming previous campaign. The Dutch tactician will depend on his players, including a few new signings, to ensure a top-four finish.
Here, we look at a few key players who could help the club achieve their goals.
Five key players for Manchester United for a top-four Premier League finish
#5 Kobbie Mainoo
If last season for the Red Devils was their darkest night, Kobbie Mainoo was the moon. The 19-year-old came in and cemented his place in midfield, contributing five goals and three assists. His performances were so good that he was even called up to the England squad for the Euros.
There, he continued his impressive vein of form, becoming a key player for the Three Lions, making six appearances. Ten Hag will look to Mainoo to pick up where he left off and play his part in lifting the team back up the Premier League table.
#4 Bruno Fernandes
He's the club captain for a reason. It has, at times, seemed like Bruno Fernandes has been the one carrying Manchester United on his back since he has been at the club. He will have to step up next season if his club want to improve on their eighth-placed finish in the League.
Not that he really has much to step up from. Although United were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League in the group stage, he provided four goal contributions in six games. He was just as efficient in the Premier League, marking 18 goal contributions in 35 games.
#3 Lisandro Martinez
The Argentine defender is widely known for his combative defensive style that has seen him nicknamed 'The Butcher'. He was instrumental for Ten Hag at Ajax, which saw the manager bring him to United. He has also helped Argentina win the FIFA World Cup and the most recent Copa America.
There were concerns about his height when he joined Manchester United in 2022. However, the five-foot-nine defender made up for it with ruthless tackling and an impressive tenacity that helped the Red Devils win the Carabao Cup.
Martinez's absence through most of last season due to injury was sorely felt by the team, playing just 11 league games. Hopefully, he brings back that Copa America-winning mentality and stays fit because he will be key for Manchester United next season.
#2 Andre Onana
Despite conceding 58 goals last season, - the worst record in the club's Premier League history - Andre Onana had a high save percentage. Things could have been a lot worse without the Cameroon international, who saved an impressive 73.1% of shots he faced.
He will be a very important player for Ten Hag in the upcoming season, although he will hope for a more solid defence in front of him as well. His quality helped Inter reach the final of the Champions League before they sold him to Manchester United last summer, so Onana will look to regain that top form again.
#1 Rasmus Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund joined Manchester United to much fanfare and was even lauded as the next Erling Haaland when he arrived last summer. However, after a slow start, he finished the season with 16 goals and two assists in 43 games across competitions.
He's still very young, though, and has shown flashes of his quality. He exceeded his xGA in the Premier League last season, and he will need to kick on next season and help his club improve their standing.
The 21-year-old will need to continue perfoming well to also see off competition from new signing Joshua Zirkzee.
