Manchester United Official Yearbook: A Review of the 2020/21 Season by Manchester United Football Club

OFFICIAL YEARBOOK A REVIEW OF THE 2020/21 SEASON

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MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB OFFICIAL YEARBOOK A REVIEW OF THE 2020/21 SEASON

CONTENTS

The Official Manchester United Yearbook 2020/21 Editor Charlie Ghagan Sub-editing and production Sean Mullan, Johnny Sharp Design Anthony Moore, Angus Murray (front cover) Contributors Ben Ashby, Steve Bartram, Naga Bethu, Adam Bostock, Cliff Butler, Sam Carney, Paul Davies, Mark Froggatt, Joe Ganley, Matt Holt, Joshua Kerr, Abdelrahman Mamdouh, Adam Marshall, Stuart Mathieson, Ian McLeish, Mikey Partington, Michael Plant, Harry Robinson, Lars Magnus Igland Roys, Nozibusiso Sibiya, Gemma Thompson Thanks to Rebecca Raynor, Gareth Shelley, Sam Kelleher, Michael Leneghan, David Johnson, Clare Nicholas, George McCaffery, Andrew Ward, Tom Keeling, Rachael Temple Thanks also to all the clubs who kindly granted permission in allowing their official crests to be used in this publication. Photography Ash Donelon, John Peters, Matt Peters/Manchester United FC, Getty Images, Alamy First published in 2021 Copyright © Manchester United 2021 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner and the publishers.

04 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

CONTENTS

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INSIDE 7

ED WOODWARD

171 FAREWELLS

MANAGER NOTES

172 2020/21 STATS

12 MATCH REPORTS

176 WOMEN’S TEAM

14 SEPTEMBER

178 SEASON REVIEW

24 OCTOBER

184 PLAYER PROFILES

36 NOVEMBER

191 2020/21 STATS

50 DECEMBER 70 JANUARY 90 FEBRUARY 108 MARCH 122 APRIL 138 MAY 154 MEN’S TEAM 156 PLAYER PROFILES 168 LOANS

194 PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 200 ACADEMY 202 UNDER-18S 206 ROLL CALL 208 UNDER-23S 212 SUPPORTERS’ CLUB GUIDE

CLUB INFO

MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB HONOURS AND TROPHIES FIFA Club World Cup 2008 Inter-Continental Cup 1999 European Cup/UEFA Champions League 1968, 1999, 2008 European Cup Winners’ Cup 1991 UEFA Europa League 2017 FA Premier League 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013 Football League Division One 1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965, 1967 Football League Division Two 1936, 1975 FA Challenge Cup 1909, 1948, 1963, 1977, 1983, 1985, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004, 2016 Football League Cup 1992, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2017 UEFA Super Cup 1991 FA Charity/Community Shield 1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1983, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016; Joint holders 1965, 1967, 1977, 1990 FA Youth Cup 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1964, 1992, 1995, 2003, 2011 MANCHESTER UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB LTD Co-chairmen Joel Glazer, Avram Glazer Directors Bryan Glazer, Kevin Glazer, Edward Glazer, Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, Ed Woodward, Richard Arnold, Sir Bobby Charlton, Michael Edelson, Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill CBE Secretary Rebecca Britain Honorary president Martin Edwards 06 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

CONTACTS For the majority of club enquiries, please phone the main switchboard number on 0161 676 7770, where you will be given a series of options. The following can be reached without use of the main switchboard: Megastore +44 (0) 161 868 8567 United Direct online megastore +44 (0) 333 014 4543 MUDSA +44 845 230 1989 United Review/Inside United subscriptions +44 845 366 4447, or visit: ManUtd.com/programme or ManUtd.com/magazine Website ManUtd.com MUTV subscriptions mutv.com

ED WOODWARD Executive vice-chairman proudly reflects on the club’s achievements during a challenging year, before looking ahead to a season that will see him step down from his role...

elcome to the latest edition of the Manchester United Yearbook as we look forward to what promises to be another exciting season for the club. The past year has been a testing one for our players, staff and fans alike as we have all faced the ongoing challenges created by the pandemic. Football has not been the same without fans in stadiums and we can’t wait to see crowds back at Old Trafford cheering on the team. The return of 10,000 fans to our final home game of last season against Fulham was one of the highlights of the year and we are optimistic that we will be able to welcome you back in larger numbers this season. All our players and staff deserve huge credit for their efforts last season given the absence of a proper summer break and the truncated schedule which followed. Despite those challenges, the first team improved on the prior season by finishing second in the Premier League and reaching the final of the UEFA Europa League. While we won’t be satisfied until we’re winning trophies, we are excited about the path ahead for Ole and his squad as it continues to strengthen and develop. The same is true of our women’s team after another strong season

in the Women’s Super League. I would like to place on record my thanks to Casey Stoney for her fantastic contribution in establishing us as a leading force in the women’s game and we are now looking forward to building on that foundation under a new head coach. Another important development in the past year was the appointment of John Murtough as the club’s

FOREWORD

first football director and our former player Darren Fletcher as technical director to help us maintain a strategic approach to footballing success. We have already begun to see the benefits of the investment made to strengthen our Academy and scouting network in recent years, as well as the restructuring of our recruitment process, and this makes us optimistic about the short, medium and long-term future. Finally, as I prepare to step down later this year, I would like to offer my personal thanks for your loyal support for the team and the club during my nine years as executive vice-chairman. While there have been ups and downs along the way, I am more convinced than ever that this is the greatest football club in the world and that you, the fans, are its lifeblood.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 07

9 on

ink e ght

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

The boss pays tribute to the hard work of his squad throughout a 61-game season before discussing the team’s big ambitions for the months ahead...

t to we

s ams

red ll s ng

ng ay

hen I look back on the 2020/21 season, I can only be delighted with the effort, desire and determination shown by all the players and staff. For the second campaign in a row, Covid-19 made everybody’s preparations very complicated, but I was very happy with how each person at the club rose to the challenges facing us on a daily basis. Given that we progressed to the semi-finals of the Europa League at

the very end of 2019/20, that meant we were playing catch-up in terms of fixtures and fitness from day one of the season, which I think was reflected in our results. In the Premier League, we lost three of our first six games, then three of the next 32 – with two of those defeats coming in our last four games as we fell foul of fixture congestion right at the end of the campaign. As those statistics suggest, there were long portions of the season

hat n. o us nly

rd. n y

be. eed

Solskjaer was pleased with the high energy levels shown by his players during a demanding campaign

n 08 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

where we were reaching the level at which I want us to be permanently performing. We started our Champions League group stage superbly and got ourselves to the top of the Premier League in January, while we reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and final of the Europa League. Season-on-season, we are clearly improving and, ultimately, while we never aim to finish second and we don’t want to be holding runners-up medals in cup competitions, I think we have built strong foundations on which we can keep progressing. At the end of my first half-season as manager, I said publicly that I wanted us to be fitter and more robust in our approach. That has quite clearly been the case and I’ve been really pleased with how this group of players has risen to the physical challenges they’ve been set. It now takes an enormous effort to outrun us in a game, which is exactly how it should be: teams should face United knowing they’re going to have to put in an almighty shift just to match our levels. The number of late winners we scored last season shows not only our fitness levels, but also that we have the patience to grind teams down – a valuable area of improvement. ▶

MANAGER’S NOTES

SEASON-ON-SEASON, WE ARE CLEARLY IMPROVING – IT NOW TAKES AN ENORMOUS EFFORT TO OUTRUN US, WHICH IS HOW IT SHOULD BE

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 09

MANAGER’S NOTES

Solskjaer and first-team coach Michael Carrick talk tactics on the touchline at Old Trafford

We have built a strong, competitive squad of players who have been through plenty of valuable, shared experiences together. In 2020/21 we had a few disappointments – as is always the case in football – but also some high spots, and we went through it all as a group. The character of this group of 10 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

players was plain to see and there is a clear and obvious development of our team spirit. These lads love playing for Manchester United and the supporters, but they also work so hard for the collective, and that is the kind of attitude we need. That makes up a big part of our collective mental strength. No team

in England came close to winning as many points from losing positions last term, while we went the entire league season undefeated away from home for the first time in our history. This is a club built on big occasions and we turned in some great performances in some of our biggest fixtures in 2020/21.

MANAGER’S NOTES The Norwegian wants his charges to learn and be driven by the painful experience of May’s Europa League final

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I’M CERTAIN THE RETURN OF SUPPORTERS TO OLD TRAFFORD WILL BE A MAJOR FACTOR IN GETTING OUR HOME FORM BACK ON TRACK Speaking frankly, while we have indisputably progressed, we are not yet where we want to be. Ending with runners-up medals in the Europa League was not a pleasant feeling, but I want that to be part of what fuels us in 2021/22 and beyond. Had we won in Gdansk, we would have enjoyed ourselves, but instead I want us to remember the feeling of coming so close and ending up empty-handed, and use that as a reference point. We have to learn from the experience and make sure it doesn’t happen again. When you get that far in a competition and don’t win it, your resolve is tested. As a group, we need to show that we have the

hunger and desire to come back and keep improving. Fine margins separated us from a trophy last season, and I’ve learned during my career as both a player and a manager that the only way to get the margins on your side is to work harder and better. This club is all about progress, so we have to identify areas of potential improvement moving forward. First and foremost, our home form will have to be better than it has been, and I’m certain that the return of supporters to Old Trafford will be a major factor in getting that back on track. The players have really missed having the stands full and, while it was nice to throw open our

doors to 10,000 fans against Fulham in our final home game of last season, nothing rivals a packed Old Trafford and we can’t wait for the next time we get to experience it. Beyond that, as I say, we’re talking about fine margins between where we are and where we want to be. We have to work better, harder, smarter and take lessons from the disappointments of 2020/21. We need to come back stronger, hit the ground running and show our desire to keep on moving in the right direction. We’ve come a long way in a couple of seasons, but that trend needs to continue in 2021/22 in order for us to reach what we are striving for.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 11

A condensed fixture list meant a hectic season like no other for Solskjaer’s Reds, with 61 games across five competitions – the vast majority of which were played behind closed doors...

MATCH REPORTS COMPETITION BY COLOUR: PREMIER LEAGUE CARABAO CUP UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE EMIRATES FA CUP UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE

SEPTEMBER After an all-too-brief pre-season, the Reds make a disappointing start to ’20/21 before bouncing back with three straight victories...

here were just under seven weeks between the final day of 2019/20 and the start of the new, delayed Premier League season. With Covid-19 still impacting on everyday life, the football schedule included, the first action of 2020/21 did not begin until September, with both Manchester clubs being granted a further week before their restarts after reaching the latter stages of delayed European competitions in August. That reduced pre-season saw the Reds’ usual summer tour plans abandoned, with the only pre-season friendly coming away to Aston Villa on 12 September – the hosts’ rising star Ollie Watkins scoring the only goal of the game. Once the proper action returned, it was with a bang, as the opening month saw some high-scoring affairs from day one. Leeds, back in top flight for the first time since 2004, were unlucky to be denied a deserved point against reigning champions Liverpool with a last-minute 4-3 defeat in their opener, only to follow up by beating fellow new boys Fulham by the same scoreline the following weekend. United’s own campaign began a week after the first fixtures, at home to Crystal Palace. Having played in the Europa League semi-finals little over a month previously, the lack of a proper pre-season caught up with the Reds, and Donny van de Beek’s debut goal was not enough to prevent a 3-1 defeat. However, Ole 14 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Gunnar Solskjaer’s side soon picked up our first three points against Brighton in dramatic circumstances, as Bruno Fernandes scored a penalty awarded by VAR after the full-time whistle had been blown. Perhaps the standout result of September was Leicester’s eye-catching 5-2 victory away to Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side had started well with a win at bogey side Wolves, but were taken apart as Jamie Vardy hit a hat-trick for the Foxes, who ended the month top after registering nine points and 12 goals in their opening three games. They were closely followed by Merseyside clubs Liverpool and Everton, who also made perfect starts, while the bottom two of Sheffield United and Fulham would struggle, and continue to do so over the months that followed. As well as Premier League duties, United also had to contend with a crammed Carabao Cup fixture list. After knocking out Luton at Kenilworth Road – Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood completing a 3-0 win – Solskjaer’s Reds booked a quarter-final spot just eight days later: efforts from Mata, Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba sealed victory by the same scoreline away to Brighton.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH JUAN MATA Our no.8 was instrumental in both Carabao Cup away triumphs, scoring in each game and setting up McTominay’s opener against Brighton. At Luton, Mata reached 200 United appearances, then hit his 50th goal for the Reds on the south coast.

UNITED’S SEPTEMBER RESULTS 19.09.20 PL United 1 Palace 3 22.09.20 LC Luton 0 United 3 26.09.20 PL Brighton 2 United 3 30.09.20 LC Brighton 0 United 3 END-OF-MONTH PL STANDINGS P GD PTS 1 Leicester 3 8 9 2 Liverpool 3 5 9 3 Everton 3 5 9 4 Aston Villa 2 4 6 5 Arsenal 3 2 6 6 Crystal Palace 3 2 6 7 Leeds 3 1 6 8 Tottenham 3 2 4 9 Chelsea 3 0 4 10 Newcastle 3 -1 4 11 West Ham 3 1 3 12 Brighton 3 0 3 13 Manchester City 2 -1 3 14 UNITED 2 -1 3 15 Southampton 3 -3 3 16 Wolves 3 -4 3 17 West Brom 3 -6 1 18 Burnley 2 -3 0 19 Sheffield United 3 -4 0 20 Fulham 3 -7 0

WATCH! Click here to enjoy all the Goal of the Month contenders

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▶

GOAL OF THE MONTH MARCUS RASHFORD v BRIGHTON As United launched a quick counterattack from defence, Bruno Fernandes set Rashford free with a sublime long-range through ball. Our no.10 cut inside, toyed with the home defence,

then thumped home on his left foot, putting us 2-1 up on the way to an eventual 3-2 triumph in the Premier League. As well as being instrumental to our victory that day, Rashford’s effort took on extra significance by being Manchester United’s 10,000th competitive goal scored across all competitions.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 15

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 1 SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2020 | OLD TRAFFORD | 5.30PM

UNITED 1 CRYSTAL PALACE 3 van de Beek 80

Townsend 7, Zaha 74 (pen), 85

Hodgson’s Eagles stun the Reds in league opener

anchester United’s delayed start to the new Premier League season ended in disappointment as the Reds suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace, despite a debut goal for Donny van de Beek. Having reached the 2019/20 Europa League semi-finals, the Reds were kicking off a week after most other clubs had played their first games – Palace included – and the visitors were fast out of the blocks in taking an early lead. Jeffrey Schlupp sent a cross in from the left and Andros Townsend arrived at the far post to score despite David De Gea getting a glove on the ball. United’s first opportunities came through Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay, before the former was denied a penalty after a VAR check. At the other end, De Gea made an excellent one-handed save to deny Jordan Ayew, as the visitors ended the half on top and in front. Half-time sub Mason Greenwood headed wide and Victor Lindelof shot over either side of Wilfried Zaha

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

14 15 16 17 18

1 1 1 1 2

-1 -2 -2 -2 -3

0 0 0 0 0

Tottenham Brighton UNITED Sheff Utd West Ham

16 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

having a goal ruled out for offside. But then the Eagles doubled their lead in controversial fashion. Referee Martin Atkinson decided to consult the pitchside TV replay and gave a penalty after deeming Ayew’s shot had caught Lindelof’s arm. It seemed harsh as the touch was unintentional, but under the new rules United were penalised. Ayew’s penalty was brilliantly saved by De Gea, but VAR stepped in again to demand a retake after deeming our no.1 had come off his line. Zaha took over penalty duties and scored to make it 2-0. It was a bitter blow but sub van de Beek gave us hope with a debut goal

MAN OF THE MATCH DONNY VAN DE BEEK Provided an attacking spark from the bench and took his goal well, quickly adjusting his feet to steer it home.

10 minutes from time. The summer buy from Ajax coolly slotted home after Palace messed up in defence and the ball fell to the midfielder, who adjusted his feet and found the corner. But a rescue job was quickly wiped out as ex-Red Zaha lashed home Palace’s third to make it a disappointing start to the campaign.

“TODAY WAS A PERFORMANCE THAT YOU DON’T SEE VERY OFTEN FROM THIS GROUP. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT WE CAN PERFORM BETTER THAN THIS” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

Left van de Beek gives us hope; the captain is left frustrated Below Fernandes and McTominay battle it out with Eberechi Eze

Donny van de Beek became the 20th player to score on their PL debut for United – and the 10th to do so as a substitute.

UNITED

POSSESSION (%)

39 18

17 SHOTS ON TARGET

4 CORNERS

13 39 McTominay 21 James 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 9 Martial

FOULS

STARTING XI

9 9

1 De Gea 24 Fosu-Mensah 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 6 Pogba

CRYSTAL PALACE

SHOTS

UNITED SUBS USED: Greenwood for James 45’ •

van de Beek for Pogba 67’ • Ighalo for Fosu-Mensah 81’ YELLOW CARDS: Fosu-Mensah, Maguire

PALACE SUBS USED: Eze for Schlupp 75’ • Batshuayi for J Ayew 81’ • Milivojevic for McCarthy 88’ YELLOW CARDS: Ward

STARTING XI 31 2 8 12 27 10

Guaita Ward Kouyate Sakho Mitchell Townsend

18 McArthur 22 McCarthy 15 Schlupp 9 J Ayew 11 Zaha

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 17

CARABAO CUP | THIRD ROUND TUESDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2020 | KENILWORTH ROAD | 8.15PM

LUTON TOWN 0 UNITED 3 Mata 44 (pen), Rashford 88, Greenwood 90+2

Late surge eases Reds through against Hatters

uan Mata, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood all scored in a 3-0 victory away to Championship side Luton Town as the Reds booked a place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. United started in control and soon saw a couple of attempts from Mata, one of which forced a good save from home keeper James Shea, following a clever dummy by Donny van de Beek to a Jesse Lingard pass. Chances arrived at either end as Luton’s Danny Hylton spurned a decent opening, before Fred’s shot flew narrowly off target and Jordan Clark’s drive clipped off Eric Bailly and just past Dean Henderson’s

MAN OF THE MATCH DONNY VAN DE BEEK Linked the play well, combining with Mata on many occasions, and went close to scoring himself after the break.

left-hand post on a night when the goalkeeper made his United debut. The Hatters were starting to gain much more of a foothold in the game, but van de Beek and Mata sparked the Reds into life as half-time approached and, when Brandon Williams pounced on a loose Luton clearance, the full-back was barged over by George Moncur inside the box. Mata stepped up to send Shea the wrong way from the spot. Lingard shot wide as the visitors carried the greater threat after the restart, without really testing Shea. Odion Ighalo ran through to power in a drive that was blocked and, soon afterwards, Ryan Tunnicliffe cleared Lingard’s volleyed back-post effort off the line. Maintaining the pressure, Nemanja Matic then did test Shea with a left-footed drive that forced the keeper to parry it away. Lingard had another go but curled off target when he tried to cap a nice

“I DREAMT ABOUT THIS MY WHOLE LIFE. IT WAS AN UNBELIEVABLE FEELING TO MAKE MY DEBUT FOR THE CLUB I LOVE – AND A CLEAN SHEET AND A WIN TO TOP IT OFF” DEAN HENDERSON 18 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

OTHER RESULTS: Leyton Orient P-P Tottenham (bye into R4) Newport County 3-1 Watford West Brom 2-2 (4-5 on pens) Brentford West Ham United 5-1 Hull City Fulham 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday Millwall 0-2 Burnley Preston 0-2 Brighton Stoke City 1-0 Gillingham Chelsea 6-0 Barnsley Fleetwood Town 2-5 Everton Leicester City 0-2 Arsenal Morecambe 0-7 Newcastle Bristol City 0-3 Aston Villa Lincoln City 2-7 Liverpool Manchester City 2-1 Bournemouth

move, while van de Beek drilled against Shea’s legs from a tight angle. Luton’s big moment came with nine minutes left, but Henderson made an astonishing save to keep out Tom Lockyer’s header and, when the defender sent the rebound goalwards, Bailly made a vital intervention. Instead of the Hatters drawing level, United went further ahead, Rashford profiting from an inviting pass by fellow substitute Greenwood to stroke home our second goal in the 88th minute. There was still time for Lingard and Rashford to have further attempts before Greenwood got in on the act with a typically clinical finish after cutting in from the right.

POSSESSION (%)

LUTON

SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS

11 4 14 18 9 25

Shinnie Tunnicliffe Moncur Clark Hylton LuaLua

31 34

FOULS

STARTING XI

1 Shea 20 Kioso 15 Lockyer 5 Bradley 24 NorringtonDavies

2 11

10 20

UNITED

LUTON SUBS USED: Lee for Moncur 76’ • Cornick for Clark 76’

YELLOW CARDS: Kioso, Hylton UNITED SUBS USED: Greenwood for Mata 78’ •

Fernandes for van de Beek 78’ • Rashford for Ighalo 79’ YELLOW CARDS: Williams

STARTING XI 26 29 3 5 33 17

Henderson Wan-Bissaka Bailly Maguire Williams Fred

31 Matic 8 Mata 34 van de Beek 14 Lingard 25 Ighalo

Left Greenwood guides the ball into the net at Kenilworth Road Below Debutant Henderson makes a brilliant save at the opposite end

This win meant Solskjaer had won 50 of his 92 games in charge of United – only Ernest Mangnall (78) and Jose Mourinho (81) have reached 50 wins quicker.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 19

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 2 SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2020 | AMEX STADIUM | 12.30PM

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2 Maupay 40 (pen), March 90+5

UNITED 3

Dunk 43 (og), Rashford 55, Fernandes 90+10 (pen)

Late seaside drama leads to 100th-minute winner

100th-minute penalty from Bruno Fernandes secured United’s first win of the Premier League season in an incredible triumph at Brighton. The home side started well, with Leandro Trossard hitting both posts in the space of three minutes early on, before Lewis Dunk’s header struck the top of the Reds’ bar. A slick move involving Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford then led to Mason Greenwood rifling past Mat Ryan, but Rashford had strayed just offside.

The opening goal came via a penalty, as Neal Maupay beat David De Gea with a Panenka-style chip after Fernandes had tripped Tariq Lamptey. The Reds levelled almost instantly though as, only 194 seconds later, Fernandes’s free-kick to the far post was touched back in by Nemanja Matic and Dunk got the final touch into his own net. Brighton got another spot-kick at the start of the second half, only for VAR to overturn the decision, before video assistance then chalked off a neat Rashford finish for offside.

Soon afterwards, the England international did get one that was always going to count, sprinting on to a gorgeous pass from Fernandes into space, twice dummying Ben White and calmly finding the corner of the net, via a slight deflection. Solly March and Trossard were then both denied by the woodwork and the latter was later left clear on goal but could only shoot at De Gea. The hosts eventually made an opportunity count, seemingly rescuing a point, when March met Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s cross and headed past De Gea in injury-time. But there was still time for Harry Maguire’s header to hit Maupay’s hand and, although the final whistle had sounded, ref Chris Kavanagh again checked the monitor and pointed to the spot. Fernandes did the rest, calmly beating Ryan to settle the craziest of finales.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES An assist from the Portuguese magnifico before he struck the winner from the spot under huge pressure.

“MY HAPPINESS IS 10 OUT OF 10 TODAY BECAUSE OF THE THREE POINTS, BUT THE PERFORMANCE DOESN’T GET ANYWHERE NEAR A 10 – WE ALL KNOW THAT” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 20 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

11 12 13 14 15

3 2 2 2 3

0 0 -1 -1 -3

3 3 3 3 3

Brighton Wolves UNITED Newcastle Southampton

BRIGHTON

47 SHOTS

18 3

SHOTS ON TARGET 20

5 CORNERS

7 11

STARTING XI Ryan White Dunk Webster Lamptey Lallana

17 Alzate 20 March 11 Trossard 7 Connolly 9 Maupay

FOULS

1 3 5 4 2 14

UNITED

POSSESSION (%) 53

BRIGHTON SUBS USED: Gross for Lallana 74’ • Jahanbakhsh for Connolly 75’

YELLOW CARDS: White, Dunk, Trossard, Jahanbakhsh UNITED SUBS USED: Fred for Pogba 65’ •

Bailly for Greenwood 83’ • van de Beek for Martial 90+1’ YELLOW CARDS: Matic, Fernandes

STARTING XI 1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 6 Pogba

31 Matic 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 9 Martial

Left (clockwise from top) Shaw holds off White; Rashford puts United ahead; Ole with Brighton boss Graham Potter Below Matic congratulates Fernandes after the dramatic last-gasp winner

99:45

Bruno’s goal is the latest United have ever scored in the Premier League, and the third latest in the division’s history.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 21

CARABAO CUP | FOURTH ROUND WEDNESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2020 | AMEX STADIUM | 7.45PM

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0 UNITED 3 McTominay 44, Mata 73, Pogba 80

It’s all back to Brighton for a more comfortable win

n much less dramatic fashion than four days earlier, United once again left the south coast with a victory, booking a place in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup thanks to a professional 3-0 triumph. Amid driving rain at the Amex Stadium, the Reds started brightly and strung together a lovely move on 17 minutes when Juan Mata spread the ball to Brandon Williams on the left, before receiving the ball back and crossing for Odion Ighalo. The Nigerian striker rounded Brighton stopper Jason Steele, but fired just wide of the target. The hosts took a while to get going but when they did threaten the Reds were ready. United goalkeeper Dean Henderson was alert to the danger when Alireza Jahanbakhsh fired a low curler goalwards from outside the box. Fred returned the favour at the other end but Steele claimed his shot. Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister and Jahanbakhsh each took aim before

OTHER RESULTS: Tottenham 1-1 (5-4 on pens) Chelsea Newport County 1-1 (4-5 on pens) Newcastle Burnley 0-3 Manchester City Everton 4-1 West Ham United Brentford 3-0 Fulham Aston Villa 0-1 Stoke City Liverpool 0-0 (4-5 on pens) Arsenal

22 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

half-time, with both efforts flying over Henderson’s crossbar. A minute before the break, the Reds went ahead through Scott McTominay. After being felled by Dan Burn, Mata dusted himself down and curled in a precise ball into the box for the Scotland international to clinically head home. Both sides enjoyed spells of possession at the start of the second period, although Brighton lost Jahanbakhsh to a hamstring injury early on. Fred once again tested Steele with a free-kick but

MAN OF THE MATCH JUAN MATA A fine night for our no.8, who set up McTominay before striking himself to seal a half-century of United goals.

the Seagulls goalkeeper was equal to it. Thereafter, the home side stepped up their search for an equaliser and they couldn’t have gone much closer through substitute Leandro Trossard. Some battling play from Jayson Molumby, as the Irish midfielder lay on the floor, saw the ball roll out to Pascal Gross on the right and his cross found Trossard, but Henderson brilliantly stuck out a strong hand to deflect the shot wide. United took full advantage of that save when an intricate move unfolded between Donny van de Beek and Mata, with the former deftly backheeling the ball into the Spaniard’s path in the area, and he coolly guided the ball home for his 50th goal in a United shirt. As the clock ticked down, sub Paul Pogba curled a deflected free-kick past Steele, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men completed the job with aplomb.

“IT WAS A GREAT HEADER BY SCOTTY. IT WAS IMPORTANT TO SCORE IN THE FIRST HALF BECAUSE WE KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IT IS IF WE DON’T SCORE THE CHANCES WE CREATE” JUAN MATA

Left Scorer McTominay jumps for joy Below Mata makes it two for United

10 Solskjaer made 10 changes from the team that beat Brighton in the PL four days earlier, with only Lindelof keeping his place in the starting XI.

BRIGHTON

POSSESSION (%) SHOTS

12 3

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS

STARTING XI 13 Gross 30 Bernardo 16 Jahanbakhsh 42 Gyokeres 10 Mac Allister

17 34

FOULS

23 Steele 3 White 5 Dunk 33 Burn 34 Veltman 49 Molumby

2 16

2 34

UNITED

BRIGHTON SUBS USED: Maupay for Jahanbakhsh 50’ • Trossard for Gyokeres 63’ • Sanders for Molumby 81’ YELLOW CARDS: Burn, Veltman

UNITED SUBS USED: Pogba for James 69’ • Rashford for Ighalo 69’ • Lingard for Fred 81’ YELLOW CARDS: Lindelof

STARTING XI 26 20 3 2 33 39

Henderson Dalot Bailly Lindelof Williams McTominay

17 8 34 21 25

Fred Mata van de Beek James Ighalo

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 23

OCTOBER A revival in Red fortunes follows an alarming first match of the month, while the surprising scores keep popping up across the top flight...

fter a tough start to the month, United ended October strongly, picking up some useful results in both the league and on the continental stage as United made a long-anticipated return to the Champions League. The heavy home defeat to Tottenham was clearly a bitter pill to swallow, but after the international break the Reds returned in style, hitting four at St James’ Park and then sealing another win away to Paris Saint-Germain, stirring up memories of a famous night in 2019. A 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea was disappointing but hardly season-defining, and Ole Gunnar END-OF-MONTH PL STANDINGS P GD PTS 1 Liverpool 7 2 16 2 Everton 6 5 13 3 Wolves 7 0 13 4 Chelsea 7 7 12 5 Aston Villa 5 7 12 6 Leicester 6 5 12 7 Tottenham 6 8 11 8 Manchester City 6 1 11 9 Leeds 6 3 10 10 Southampton 6 1 10 11 Crystal Palace 7 -3 10 12 Arsenal 6 1 9 13 West Ham 7 3 8 14 Newcastle 6 -2 8 15 UNITED 5 -3 7 16 Brighton 6 -2 5 17 West Brom 6 -8 3 18 Sheffield United 7 -7 1 19 Fulham 6 -9 1 20 Burnley 6 -9 1

24 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Solskjaer’s men then continued the good start in Europe with a masterful 5-0 demolition of RB Leipzig, featuring a Marcus Rashford hat-trick. It meant that two of last term’s Champions League semi-finalists had been beaten in our opening group games. Elsewhere on the domestic scene, the standout result of the month – perhaps the season, and even a contender for most startling in Premier League history – was Aston Villa’s remarkable 7-2 hammering of champions Liverpool. It was the first major blow in what would become a difficult campaign for Jurgen Klopp’s team, with defensive talisman Virgil van Dijk ultimately ruled out for the remainder of 2020/21 in their following game, a 2-2 draw away to local rivals Everton. The Merseyside clubs still ended the month at the top of the table, with Liverpool recovering for the time being to lead the way, albeit having played a game more and with an inferior goal difference. The in-form Villa were not too far back, with Wolves and Chelsea completing the top five. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side picked up 10 points from 12 – more than any other team in October – and were only denied a clean sweep by Newcastle’s late leveller in a 1-1 home draw. Others impressing around this time were Southampton

and Spurs, who each registered seven points from nine. The latter would have made it 100 per cent if not for a spectacular collapse at home to West Ham. After going 3-0 up with just 16 minutes played, the hosts maintained the same scoreline until the 82nd minute, before the Hammers struck three times to salvage a 3-3 draw. Coupled with a 3-0 win at Leicester and a draw against Manchester City, it also meant a decent month for David Moyes and his Irons. Both Manchester clubs had endured frustrating early tests. City were in eighth while United sat in 15th, although the pair would go on to recover from these difficulties, of course. The drop zone was already beginning to take shape, though, with West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United and Fulham in three of the bottom four spots, having picked up just five points from 19 games between them.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH MARCUS RASHFORD Having deservedly earned praise off the pitch during 2020, for his campaigns to provide free school meals, our no.10 also starred in his day job, netting five goals in as many October games – including a winner at PSG and his first United hat-trick, claimed in the RB Leipzig victory.

UNITED’S OCTOBER RESULTS 04.10.20 PL United 1 Tottenham 6 17.10.20 PL Newcastle 1 United 4 20.10.20 UCL PSG 1 United 2 24.10.20 PL United 0 Chelsea 0 28.10.20 UCL United 5 RB Leipzig 0 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP H P GD PTS 1 UNITED 2 6 6 2 Paris Saint-Germain 2 1 3 3 RB Leipzig 2 -3 3 4 Istanbul Basakshehir 2 -4 0

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GOAL OF THE MONTH BRUNO FERNANDES v NEWCASTLE After the Magpies had taken an early lead and Fernandes had been denied by Karl Darlow from the penalty spot – his first penalty not to find the net since his January 2020 arrival at Old

Trafford – it would perhaps have been easy for the Portuguese superstar’s head to drop. Far from it: he went on to provide a turning point in the fixture, thumping us into the lead from a tight angle in the 86th minute to win this monthly award. He then played an instrumental role in two further goals in a 4-1 win.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 25

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 3 SUNDAY 4 OCTOBER 2020 | OLD TRAFFORD | 4.30PM

UNITED 1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 6 Fernandes 2 (pen)

Ndombele 4, Son 7, 37, Kane 30, 79 (pen), Aurier 51

Day to forget in M16 as Londoners claim big win

he Reds suffered a crushing Premier League defeat at Old Trafford as Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur beat the out-of-sorts hosts 6-1. There was a breathtaking start to the match in a spell when incidents just seemed to keep coming. United were awarded a penalty after just 24 seconds when Anthony Martial was fouled and Bruno Fernandes kept up his perfect penalty record for the Reds. But Spurs’ answer was swift and vicious, levelling in the fourth minute when Tanguy Ndombele thrashed home after United’s defenders failed to clear. Tottenham then grabbed a 2-1 lead three minutes later when Heung-min Son took advantage of Harry Kane’s quick free-kick and lifted the ball past David De Gea. The day got even worse when Martial was sent off after 28 minutes. The French striker was red-carded by referee Anthony Taylor after a near-post altercation with Erik

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

14 15 16 17 18

3 4 3 4 3

-1 -2 -6 -8 -5

4 3 3 1 0

Man City Brighton UNITED West Brom Burnley

26 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Lamela as the warring pair waited for a corner in United’s goalmouth. Spurs mercilessly took full advantage of a shell-shocked 10-man home side. Kane made it 3-1 two minutes after Martial’s exit and then Son scored his second from a Serge Aurier cross to complete 45 minutes of huge disappointment, which had of course started so well. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made two changes at half-time, with Nemanja Matic and Fernandes replaced by Fred and Scott McTominay. However, before the pair could have any impact, a rapid and

incisive Spurs move set up Aurier to score Tottenham’s fifth goal after 51 minutes. Donny van de Beek joined the action in the 67th minute but it was a thankless task attempting to impress with the game well out of United’s reach and Spurs in control. De Gea saved well from Kane after 72 minutes but the pair squared up again six minutes later in a penalty duel after Paul Pogba fouled Spurs sub Ben Davies. The England striker won the battle of nerves to make it 6-1 and ensure it was a truly miserable day for United.

“MANCHESTER UNITED SHOULDN’T LOSE IN THIS MANNER. IT REALLY HURTS AND WE’VE LET A LOT OF PEOPLE DOWN – WE’VE LET OURSELVES DOWN AND THE STAFF DOWN” LUKE SHAW

Fernandes maintained his 100 per cent penalty conversion record for United, scoring from the spot for the 10th time in all competitions.

Left Solskjaer looks on in dismay; the players take a knee at kick-off Above Anthony Martial is pursued by Tottenham’s Davinson Sanchez

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS

6 Pogba 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 9 Martial

2 FOULS

STARTING XI

1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 3 Bailly 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 31 Matic

5 29

TOTTENHAM

UNITED SUBS USED: McTominay for Matic 45’ •

Fred for Fernandes 45’ • van de Beek for Greenwood 67’ YELLOW CARDS: Shaw, Bailly RED CARDS: Martial

TOTTENHAM SUBS USED: Lucas Moura for Lamela 45’ • Alli for Ndombele 69’ • Davies for Son 73’ YELLOW CARDS: Lamela

STARTING XI 1 24 6 15 3 17

Lloris Aurier D Sanchez Dier Reguilon Sissoko

5 Hojbjerg 28 Ndombele 11 Lamela 10 Kane 7 Son

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 27

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 4 SATURDAY 17 OCTOBER 2020 | ST JAMES’ PARK | 8PM

NEWCASTLE UNITED 1 UNITED 4 Shaw 2 (og)

Maguire 23, Fernandes 86, Wan-Bissaka 90, Rashford 90+6

Four different scorers for Reds in Tyneside win

le Gunnar Solskjaer’s Reds returned to winning ways in confidence-boosting fashion with a 4-1 comeback victory over Newcastle at St James’ Park. And yet, for over 20 minutes in the early stages, we could have been forgiven for fearing another dispiriting league defeat. The match started with a stroke of rotten luck as United fell behind inside two minutes. Emil Krafth’s whipped cross took a heavy deflection off Luke Shaw and looped into the net past David De Gea. Following the initial shock, though, Solskjaer’s men took the game by

the scruff of the neck, and after Bruno Fernandes had seen an effort ruled out for offside, Harry Maguire headed home the 23rd-minute equaliser from Juan Mata’s corner. On the half-hour mark, De Gea was called into action to deny Allan Saint-Maximin with a typically brilliant save, as the teams eventually went in level at half-time. The second half got off to a chaotic start, with Newcastle creating the first big chance. Once again, De Gea pulled off a save of the highest quality as he superbly clawed away Callum Wilson’s poked

attempt from point-blank range. Marcus Rashford was then fouled by Jamal Lewis in the Magpies’ box and referee Craig Pawson, after checking the VAR monitor, awarded a penalty. Fernandes stepped up but his effort was brilliantly saved by Karl Darlow, before Maguire then had a header cleared off the line from the resulting corner. The Reds turned the screw as Solskjaer brought on Paul Pogba and Donny van de Beek in search of a winner, and the team’s patience was rewarded four minutes from time, with a team effort of true class. Midfielder van de Beek found Mata, who played Rashford in behind the defence with a perfectly precise through ball. Our no.10 cut inside and released Fernandes on the overlap and from an acute angle the Portuguese curled the ball into the top corner to more than make up for his spot-kick denial. That looked likely to be the winner, but the scoring wasn’t done yet. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, on his 50th Reds appearance, celebrated the landmark in style on 90 minutes, smashing home our third goal and his first as a professional. Rashford then capped an impressive performance as he added a fourth with almost the last kick of the game, ensuring the Reds ran out convincing winners.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES Bounced back brilliantly from his first United penalty miss, putting us ahead late on before setting up Rashford.

“THE TEAM HAS BIG CHARACTERS. THE MOMENTS AGAINST TOTTENHAM CAN’T HAPPEN AGAIN AND I THINK TODAY WAS PERFECT AFTER THAT GAME” BRUNO FERNANDES 28 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

12 13 14 15 16

4 4 4 4 4

4 -2 -3 -3 -2

6 6 6 6 3

West Ham Crystal Palace UNITED Wolves Brighton

NEWCASTLE

POSSESSION (%) 36 SHOTS

7 17

SHOTS ON TARGET

14 CORNERS

FOULS

STARTING XI 26 Darlow 17 Krafth 6 Lascelles 18 Fernandez 15 Lewis 14 Hayden

14 9

UNITED

9 8 16 10 13

Joelinton Shelvey Hendrick Saint-Maximin Wilson

12 NEWCASTLE SUBS USED: Schar for Hayden 49’ • Fraser for Joelinton 73’ • Almiron for Hendrick 88’ YELLOW CARDS: Krafth

UNITED SUBS USED: Pogba for Fred 69’ •

van de Beek for James 76’ • Matic for Mata 90+2’ YELLOW CARDS: James

STARTING XI 1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

17 Fred 8 Mata 18 Fernandes 21 James 10 Rashford

Left Daniel James on the ball; Maguire heads clear from danger zone Below Wan-Bissaka celebrates scoring United’s third goal

6 This result meant the Reds had won six consecutive away league matches, while scoring at least twice in each, for the first time in club history.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 29

GROUP H: OTHER RESULT

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | GROUP H MATCHDAY 1 TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2020 | PARC DES PRINCES | 8PM

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 1 UNITED 2 Martial 55 (og)

Fernandes 23 (pen), Rashford 87

Smash-and-grab in Paris sealed by Rashford again

arcus Rashford’s late strike secured another memorable victory away in Paris as United made a winning start in our Champions League campaign. After David De Gea denied Angel Di Maria and then, somehow, instinctively saved from Layvin Kurzawa, the Reds took the lead in dramatic fashion on 23 minutes. Abdou Diallo’s foul on Anthony Martial inside the box resulted in a spot-kick, and stand-in skipper Bruno Fernandes stepped up. Having missed against Newcastle at the weekend, Fernandes was

MAN OF THE MATCH DAVID DE GEA Our no.1 came up trumps against PSG’s big stars, denying Di Maria, Mbappe and co with five key stops.

again denied as Keylor Navas made the save, but VAR spotted that the hosts’ goalkeeper had moved too soon off his line. Our no.18 duly found the net with the retaken kick. The goalscorer was denied again by Navas before Scott McTominay’s header deflected wide off Diallo as United finished the first half strongly. It was PSG, however, who began brighter after the break. De Gea’s excellent form on the night continued with a superb save on 48 minutes from Kylian Mbappe’s brilliant twist, turn and shot. Kurzawa’s deflected cross clipped the bar before the equaliser arrived, when the unfortunate Martial headed a Neymar corner into his own net. The Reds still posed a threat on the break, as a dangerous corner from debutant Alex Telles was retrieved by Luke Shaw, whose cross was headed inches over by Martial.

“THE SYSTEM ALLOWED US TO EXPRESS OURSELVES GOING FORWARD AND ALSO TRY AND BE TIGHT DEFENSIVELY. WE DID WELL IN STAGES AND IT’S A BIG WIN” MARCUS RASHFORD 30 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

RB Leipzig 2-0 Istanbul Basaksehir

After Paul Pogba had replaced Telles, Rashford’s low drive was tipped around the post by Navas. It was a similar outcome after 80 minutes, as the Costa Rica stopper blocked well from Rashford’s 20-yard hit. Neymar took aim at the other end but De Gea was there once more, before the late drama: Rashford, who sealed a stunning turnaround in Paris in 2019, collected Pogba’s pass on the edge of the box before flashing a superb low drive past Navas to spark more joyous scenes of United celebration in the French capital.

GROUP H TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4

1 1 1 1

2 1 -1 -2

3 3 0 0

RB Leipzig UNITED PSG Istanbul Basaksehir

POSSESSION (%)

PSG

SHOTS

14 24

SHOTS ON TARGET

5 21

STARTING XI 15 27 11 7 10

Danilo Gueye Di Maria Mbappe Neymar

2 39

23 17

8 FOULS

1 Navas 24 Florenzi 22 Diallo 3 Kimpembe 20 Kurzawa 21 Herrera

CORNERS 11

UNITED

STARTING XI

PSG SUBS USED: Kean for Gueye 45’ •

Rafinha for Herrera 78’ • Dagba for Florenzi 79’ •

Bakker for Kurzawa 86’• Sarabia for Di Maria 86’ YELLOW CARDS: Danilo, Neymar, Kean

UNITED SUBS USED: Pogba for Telles 67’ •

van de Beek for Fernandes 88’ • James for Martial 88’ YELLOW CARDS: Tuanzebe, McTominay

1 38 2 23 29 39

De Gea Tuanzebe Lindelof Shaw Wan-Bissaka McTominay

17 27 18 9 10

Fred Telles Fernandes Martial Rashford

Left Telles on the ball; Bruno’s delight at scoring a retaken penalty Below Rashford turns away to celebrate his late winner in Paris

PSG suffered a home defeat in a Champions League group game for the first time in 25 games, since losing to CSKA Moscow in 2004.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 31

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 5 SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER 2020 | OLD TRAFFORD | 5.30PM

UNITED 0 CHELSEA 0 Reds and Blues draw blank as Cavani makes bow

nited were held to a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford as Chelsea left the Reds still looking for a first home win of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign. Chelsea dominated the first half-hour, but were unable to turn that superiority into major chances, with only Reece James’s free-kick – aiming to catch out David De Gea – and a couple of Christian Pulisic attempts to show for their efforts. United, though, had the best opportunity to score when Marcus Rashford burst free on the counterattack but his shot struck Edouard Mendy’s outstretched leg. It was a confidence booster for the Chelsea goalkeeper who, minutes earlier, had almost passed the ball into his own net for what would have been a bizarre opener. The Reds then posted up the second big chance of the half when Juan Mata’s snapshot forced another save from Mendy. With Frank Lampard’s side dominating possession, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made United’s first changes 13 minutes into the second half.

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

13 14 15 16 17

5 5 5 5 5

-1 -2 -3 -2 -8

7 7 7 4 2

Southampton Newcastle UNITED Brighton West Brom

32 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Paul Pogba replaced Mata and Edinson Cavani came on for Daniel James. It was almost an immediate masterstroke by the boss as our new no.7 Cavani flicked a whipped cross from Bruno Fernandes into the side netting from the edge of the six-yard area. It would have been a dream opening to the Uruguayan’s debut. Chances continued to be rare, though, as both sides struggled to break the deadlock. Rashford had a 69th-minute opportunity when brilliantly sent on his way by a sweeping long ball from captain Harry Maguire but the striker was eventually blocked out. Mason Greenwood came on as an 83rd-minute sub for Scott

MAN OF THE MATCH VICTOR LINDELOF The centre-back earned strong praise from Reds legend and pundit Gary Neville after the Swede kept Chelsea at bay.

McTominay as the boss looked for a late winner. But it was Rashford who almost snatched it with a cracking shot just as we entered stoppage-time, only for Mendy to save superbly to preserve his clean sheet, as the west London club left M16 with a share of the points.

“IT WAS AN EVEN GAME. AFTER A SLOW START, WE GREW INTO THE GAME AND PLAYED SOME DECENT STUFF. THEIR KEEPER MADE SOME FANTASTIC SAVES” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

Left Mata whips the ball into the box Aaron Wan-Bissaka tackles Ben Chilwell Below Debutant Cavani heads to safety as he helps defend a corner

At 33 years and 253 days, Cavani became United’s oldest league debutant since Zlatan Ibrahimovic in August 2016 (34y 316d).

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

SHOTS

39 8

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS 6

17 Fred 8 Mata 18 Fernandes 21 James 10 Rashford

21 10

STARTING XI

FOULS

1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

14 29

CHELSEA

UNITED SUBS USED: Pogba for Mata 58’ •

Cavani for James 58’ • Greenwood for McTominay 83’ YELLOW CARDS: Shaw, Fred, Rashford

CHELSEA SUBS USED: Abraham for Werner 71’ • Mount for Havertz 72’ • Ziyech for Pulisic 81’ YELLOW CARDS: Havertz

STARTING XI 16 Mendy 28 Azpilicueta 6 Thiago Silva 15 Zouma 24 James 5 Jorginho

7 Kante 21 Chilwell 29 Havertz 10 Pulisic 11 Werner

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 33

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | GROUP H MATCHDAY 2 WEDNESDAY 28 OCTOBER 2020 | OLD TRAFFORD | 8PM

UNITED 5 RB LEIPZIG 0

Greenwood 21, Rashford 74, 78, 90+2, Martial 87 (pen)

Rashford hits treble as Reds turn on style in M16

n electrifying display helped United storm to a morale-boosting 5-0 Champions League victory over RB Leipzig at Old Trafford. After Fred had an early shot well saved by Leipzig keeper Peter Gulacsi, the Reds took a 21st-minute lead against the Bundesliga outfit. Paul Pogba slid a superb ball through to Mason Greenwood, who drilled in a low left-footed shot, which was thankfully given following a long VAR check for offside. The Germans hadn’t had a shot prior to United’s goal but Christopher Nkunku forced David De Gea into his first save, minutes after the opener. The Reds couldn’t find a further opening against a defence well drilled by centre-back Dayot Upamecano, but it was a deserved 1-0 lead at the break. United began on the front foot in the second half and had an early penalty shout for handball against Ibrahima Konate waved away. Leipzig began to have their say with De Gea thwarting Konate in the

GROUP H TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4

2 2 2 2

6 1 -3 -4

6 3 3 0

UNITED PSG RB Leipzig Istanbul Basaksehir

34 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

65th minute as his strong header needed attention at the near post. After that, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Reds simply turned on the power. Bruno Fernandes came off the bench and swept a first-time pass to fellow sub Marcus Rashford, who

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD He was only on the pitch for around half an hour but still had time to register his first United treble.

raced through to slot home. The assistant referee’s flag was raised, but VAR confirmed the striker had been in his own half at the time of the pass and the goal stood. Rashford had his second when he again burst behind the German defence to cleanly strike home four minutes later with a low drive. The rampant Reds made it 4-0 after Anthony Martial was brought down by Marcel Sabitzer and the France striker scored his first goal of the season from the penalty spot. Edinson Cavani had also been brought on in the 81st minute but his attempt to get on the scoresheet was rubbed out for offside. So it was the Rashford show as the no.10 clinically claimed the match ball in injury-time, firing home after a Martial pass to complete the rout.

GROUP H: OTHER RESULT Istanbul Basaksehir 0 Paris Saint-Germain 2

“WE LOOKED DANGEROUS AND LIKE WE COULD SCORE EVERY TIME WE WENT FORWARD. IT WAS A REAL TEAM PERFORMANCE – WE CAN’T ASK FOR MORE IN TERMS OF ATTITUDE AND INTENT” MARCUS RASHFORD

Rashford became the fifth player in CL history to score a hat-trick as a sub – though his 27-minute cameo is the fewest number of minutes played while scoring a treble.

Left (clockwise from top) Lindelof gets a foot in; Martial scores from the spot; Fernandes fires in a free-kick Above United line up before kick-off

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

15 29

6 34

CORNERS 5

2 FOULS

17 Fred 6 Pogba 34 van de Beek 9 Martial 11 Greenwood

44 39

STARTING XI

1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 31 Matic

SHOTS ON TARGET

RB LEIPZIG

SHOTS

UNITED SUBS USED: McTominay for Matic 63’ •

Rashford for Greenwood 63’ • Fernandes for van de Beek

68’ • Tuanzebe for Wan-Bissaka 81’ • Cavani for Pogba 81’ YELLOW CARDS: Matic

RB LEIPZIG SUBS USED: Sabitzer for Henrichs 63’ • Sorloth for Nkunku 65’ • Kluivert for Kampel 76’ YELLOW CARDS: Henrichs, Kluivert, Sabitzer

STARTING XI 1 Gulacsi 6 Konate 5 Upamecano 23 Halstenberg 44 Kampl 39 Henrichs

25 18 3 9 10

Olmo Nkunku Angelino Poulsen Forsberg

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 35

NOVEMBER Once more it’s a painful opening to the month, but thankfully United spring into life with a run of wins to haul us up the Premier League table...

ovember began in taxing fashion for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men, but it would end with the team really hitting their stride, as a spate of performances displaying an invaluable mental fortitude saw the Reds claim four straight wins in all competitions. United began the month with a tame 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netting the game’s only goal from the penalty spot. Another disappointing setback followed three days later in Europe, as the Reds were beaten 2-1 in Turkey by Istanbul Basaksehir, United dropping points for the first time in Champions League Group H. Pleasingly, there was to be a stellar return to domestic action three days later. Despite being handed an early kick-off at Goodison Park after returning from Turkey in midweek, a terrific, Bruno Fernandes-inspired performance saw Solskjaer’s men record an impressive 3-1 league win over Carlo Ancelotti’s Everton. Following the international break, the Reds finally recorded a first home league victory of the season, thanks again to our Portuguese playmaker – Bruno’s penalty proving to be the decisive goal in a 1-0 win. The following Tuesday, United got revenge on Istanbul Basaksehir, running out 4-1 winners at Old Trafford in matchday four of the Champions League. The most dramatic of our four November wins was saved until last, 36 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

however, as the Reds displayed real character at Southampton to claw back a 0-2 deficit to win 3-2, with a terrific double from Edinson Cavani helping us climb to ninth position. Elsewhere in the Premier League, it was Tottenham who continued their good start to the season as they set the pace with November drawing to a close. Jose Mourinho’s Spurs recorded three wins and a draw for the month, narrowly taking them ahead of Liverpool at the top of the table. Jurgen Klopp’s side were showing some signs of their struggles to come, with the German boss bemoaning a growing injury list that he partly blamed on early-season fixture pile-ups. Beneath them in the table, Leicester continued their steady 2020/21 form with wins against Leeds and Wolves, leaving Brendan Rodgers’ side firmly lodged in the top four. As for Manchester City, they lost at Spurs but beat Burnley 5-0 to end the month in 11th. It was David Moyes’s West Ham who really caught the eye in the November form guide, though, the Hammers claiming maximum points from their three games. At the bottom, Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United remained the only winless side, with just one point from 10 games.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH BRUNO FERNANDES United’s no.18 continued to dazzle as he collected the club’s monthly award for a fifth time in just eight months since his arrival in January 2020. With six goals and two assists, Bruno was vital to the side’s uplift in form that fuelled a climb up the Premier League table and top spot in Champions League Group H.

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UNITED’S NOVEMBER RESULTS 01.11.20 PL United 0 Arsenal 1 04.11.20 UCL Basaksehir 2 United 1 07.11.20 PL Everton 1 United 3 21.11.20 PL United 1 West Brom 0 24.11.20 UCL United 4 Basaksehir 1 29.11.20 PL Southampton 2 United 3 END-OF-MONTH PL STANDINGS P GD PTS 1 Tottenham 10 12 21 2 Liverpool 10 5 21 3 Chelsea 10 12 19 4 Leicester 10 5 18 5 West Ham 10 6 17 6 Southampton 10 3 17 7 Wolves 10 0 17 8 Everton 10 2 16 9 UNITED 9 0 16 10 Aston Villa 9 7 15 11 Manchester City 9 4 15 12 Leeds 10 -2 14 13 Newcastle 10 -3 14 14 Arsenal 10 -2 13 15 Crystal Palace 10 -3 13 16 Brighton 10 -2 10 17 Fulham 10 -8 7 18 West Brom 10 -11 6 19 Burnley 9 -13 5 20 Sheffield United 10 -12 1

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP H P GD PTS 1 UNITED 4 8 9 2 Paris Saint-Germain 4 1 6 3 RB Leipzig 4 -3 6 4 Istanbul Basaksehir 4 -6 3

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GOAL OF THE MONTH BRUNO FERNANDES v ISTANBUL BASAKSEHIR

Just six minutes into the Old Trafford meeting with the reigning Turkish champions, Alex Telles’s corner was only cleared as far as Bruno

Fernandes, who unleashed a half-volley into the top corner of the Basaksehir net to give the Reds an early foothold in the tie. ‘’Shooting from outside the box is something I’ve worked on a lot, since I was a kid,” said the midfielder. “I hope to get more goals like this!’’ We second that emotion, Bruno...

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 37

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 6 SUNDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2020 | OLD TRAFFORD | 4.30PM

UNITED 0 ARSENAL 1 Aubameyang 69 (pen)

Spot-kick proves the difference as United falter

second-half penalty from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made it a frustrating day for Manchester United as Arsenal claimed a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford. It was a scrappy start to the match from both sides as each looked to establish a foothold on the game. Aubameyang just missed getting on the end of Hector Bellerin’s whipped low cross, before Mason Greenwood’s first-time shot was well saved by the legs of Bernd Leno. Arsenal then had three big opportunities not long before the break. First, Aubameyang set up Alexandre Lacazette, who

completely missed his kick from six yards out following a vital touch from Victor Lindelof. Willian then swapped passes with Aubameyang before grazing the top of David De Gea’s bar, with Bukayo Saka next to go close as he headed just over from another Bellerin delivery. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men upped the tempo after the interval but it was the visitors who also had the first sight of goal in the second half, as Lacazette fed Aubameyang for the latter to curl a measured effort just wide of the bottom corner. Shortly afterwards, United went close through Harry Maguire, who

got on the end of a Luke Shaw free-kick and saw his looped header drop inches beyond both the far post and the incoming Greenwood. The opening goal came out of nothing for Arsenal on 69 minutes. Willian slipped a ball into the box to Bellerin, who went down under the challenge of Paul Pogba before referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot. Aubameyang duly converted the penalty, sending De Gea the wrong way from 12 yards. Edinson Cavani and Donny van de Beek entered the fray and the Dutchman almost fashioned a bizarre equaliser as his cross from the right bounced off Mohamed Elneny on to the face of Leno and back out off the keeper’s near post. United continued to press for a leveller but ultimately the visitors held out to hand the home side a third league defeat in six games.

MAN OF THE MATCH LUKE SHAW Solid at the back, our no.23 almost claimed an assist through Harry Maguire’s header from his free-kick.

“DETAILS MADE US LOSE THE GAME AND WE HAVE TO BE BETTER. WE HAVE TO DO BETTER WITH THE BALL BECAUSE WE WEREN’T DANGEROUS WITH IT TODAY” PAUL POGBA 38 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

13 14 15 16 17

7 7 6 7 6

-3 3 -4 -3 -8

10 8 7 5 3

Crystal Palace West Ham UNITED Brighton West Brom

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

SHOTS

8 29

5 17

CORNERS 3

39 McTominay 6 Pogba 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 11 Greenwood

FOULS

STARTING XI

6 18

1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 17 Fred

SHOTS ON TARGET

ARSENAL

UNITED SUBS USED: Matic for Fred 62’ •

van de Beek for Fernandes 75’ • Cavani for Greenwood 75’ YELLOW CARDS: Maguire, Fred, Greenwood

ARSENAL SUBS USED: Nketiah for Lacazette 76’ •

Maitland-Niles for Willian 86’ • Mustafi for Aubameyang 87’ YELLOW CARDS: Holding, Gabriel, Aubameyang

STARTING XI 1 16 6 3 2 18

Leno Holding Gabriel Tierney Bellerin Partey

25 7 12 9 14

Elneny Saka Willian Lacazette Aubameyang

Left (clockwise from top) Pogba on the ball; Nemanja Matic in full flow; Solskjaer cuts a frustrated figure Below van de Beek goes up against Arsenal new boy Thomas Partey

100

This was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 100th game in charge of United – making him the 14th Reds boss to reach that milestone.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 39

GROUP H: OTHER RESULT

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | GROUP H MATCHDAY 3 WEDNESDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2020 | FATIH TERIM STADIUM | 5.55PM

ISTANBUL BASAKSEHIR 2 UNITED 1 Ba 12, Visca 40

Martial 43

Defensive lapses see United punished in Turkey

MAN OF THE MATCH LUKE SHAW Won a number of tackles and bombed forward regularly, almost single-handedly creating Martial’s 43rd-minute goal.

anchester United endured another frustrating evening after Istanbul Basaksehir claimed a 2-1 Champions League win over the Reds in Istanbul. The hosts enjoyed the best possible start when former Newcastle striker Demba Ba struck to open the scoring on 12 minutes. It was a somewhat bizarre goal, coming seconds after a United corner. The Reds stayed forward probing for an opening, but when Basaksehir regained possession from the set-piece, a long ball found Ba with a free run on goal from his own half. His pace ensured he couldn’t be caught before he slotted past Dean Henderson. United were a little shell-shocked and sought to level up proceedings, but the home side stood firm for much of the first half. One opening appeared on the half-hour when Aaron Wan-Bissaka

“TODAY WE CREATED NOT MANY CHANCES. IT’S REALLY DISAPPOINTING. FOR THEM IT’S A REALLY NICE WIN AND FOR US, WE NEED TO IMPROVE A LOT – WE HAVE TO STEP UP” DONNY VAN DE BEEK 40 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

RB Leipzig 2-1 Paris Saint-Germain

found space down the right. He fed Anthony Martial in the box but the Frenchman’s effort was well blocked by our former full-back, Rafael. The Reds continued to be stifled by Basaksehir, who still looked dangerous themselves. Two minutes after Martial’s chance, Danijel Aleksic met Boli Bolingoli’s left-wing cross but Henderson claimed well. Five minutes from the break, Edin Visca doubled the advantage, finishing with conviction at the back post after a cross from Deniz Turuc had been dummied by Ba. The Reds had given themselves a real uphill battle, but three minutes later, we earned ourselves a lifeline when Luke Shaw’s excellent cross was expertly headed into the far corner by Martial. Openings were proving hard to come by but keeper Mert Gunok was forced into a stop on 56 minutes when Bruno Fernandes’s free-kick was fired at him from 25 yards. Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani entered the fray on the hour as the Reds tried to up the ante. But, ultimately, it proved a frustrating night as the Turkish side repelled everything that came their way. The only moment of danger for the hosts came in stoppage time when Alexandru Epureanu cleared off the line to prevent an own goal. Even the referee appeared to anticipate a buzz but goal-line technology delivered a reprieve for the Turkish outfit.

GROUP H TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4

3 3 3 3

5 -2 0 -3

6 6 3 3

UNITED RB Leipzig PSG Istanbul Basaksehir

BASAKSEHIR

POSSESSION (%) SHOTS

CORNERS

1 FOULS

STARTING XI 7 8 17 23 19

Visca Aleksic Kahveci Turuc Ba

34 Gunok 4 Rafael 37 Skrtel 6 Epureanu 63 Bolingoli 10 Ozcan

3 17

SHOTS ON TARGET

10 7

9 4

UNITED

STARTING XI

BASAKSEHIR SUBS USED: Gulbrandsen for Ba 79’ • Topal for Ozcan 87’ • Ponck for Kahveci 90’ YELLOW CARDS: Skrtel

UNITED SUBS USED: McTominay for Tuanzebe 45’ • Pogba for van de Beek 61’ • Cavani for Mata 61’ • Fosu-Mensah for Wan-Bissaka 76’ • Greenwood for Rashford 76’ YELLOW CARDS: Tuanzebe

26 29 38 5 23 34

Henderson Wan-Bissaka Tuanzebe Maguire Shaw van de Beek

31 8 18 10 9

Matic Mata Fernandes Rashford Martial

Left United get set for kick-off Below Martial holds off the hosts’ defence

137

Martial’s goal came just 137 seconds after the hosts had gone 2-0 up – it was the first time he’d scored in back-to-back games in the CL.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 41

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 7 SATURDAY 7 NOVEMBER 2020 | GOODISON PARK | 12.30PM

EVERTON 1 UNITED 3 Bernard 19

Fernandes 25, 32, Cavani 90+5

Fernandes leads stirring fightback on Merseyside

nited earned a much-needed, hard-fought win at Goodison Park, coming from behind to beat Everton in the Premier League. Despite the Reds dominating the early possession, it was the hosts who took the lead on 19 minutes, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin flicked the ball into the path of Bernard, who squeezed a cute shot inside David De Gea’s right-hand post. The equaliser swiftly arrived six minutes later. Juan Mata fed Luke Shaw on the left flank, and the full-back sent over a cross towards Bruno Fernandes in the box. The playmaker directed a confident, powerful header right across Jordan Pickford to get United level. After that, the Reds took control and, seven minutes later, Bruno struck again to hand us the lead. His cross from the left of the Everton penalty area was aimed towards Marcus Rashford, but ended up evading everyone and nestling in the net via a touch off the far post. In the second half, Everton enjoyed more of the ball, but the next

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

12 13 14 15 16

6 8 7 8 8

1 -3 -2 -3 -3

11 11 10 10 6

Man City Newcastle UNITED Leeds Brighton

42 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

big chance fell to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men in the 72nd minute, when Fred’s chipped through ball found Rashford onside. The England striker tested Pickford with a stinging shot, which the Toffees goalkeeper did well to repel with his legs. Minutes later, Rashford found space on the left and centred for Mata, on the edge of the box, but the Spaniard didn’t quite strike his low shot cleanly. At the other end there was resolute defending, with Harry Maguire and substitute Axel Tuanzebe performing particularly solidly to limit the hosts’ chances. Abdoulaye Doucoure shot harmlessly over in injury-time and

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES Two goals – albeit one a little fortunate – and an assist capped another great display from the Portuguese maestro.

minutes later, with Everton pushed up high, United got a third goal. Fernandes broke and set up substitute Edinson Cavani for a straightforward chance, which he buried easily past Pickford. The final whistle blew soon after, to screams of “get in” from the fiercely committed visitors.

“WE KNEW IT WAS AN IMPORTANT GAME, TO COME HERE AND GET THREE POINTS. THE BOYS REACTED REALLY WELL BUT AS WE KNOW, IT’S ONLY A START” HARRY MAGUIRE

Left The boss congratulates Lindelof; Tuanzebe makes his presence felt Below Fred celebrates with Cavani as the Reds wrap up the points

15+

Our first two goals had 15+ passes in the build-up – the first time we’ve scored 2+ such goals in the same league match since Nov 2016.

POSSESSION (%)

EVERTON

7 4

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS 5

STARTING XI 6 Allan 10 Sigurdsson 19 Rodriguez 9 Calvert-Lewin 20 Bernard

FOULS 12

1 Pickford 23 Coleman 5 Keane 4 Holgate 12 Digne 16 Doucoure

1 16

UNITED

45 SHOTS

Tosun for Rodriguez 80’

YELLOW CARDS: Holgate, Doucoure, Allan, Tosun UNITED SUBS USED: Tuanzebe for Shaw 67’ • Pogba for Mata 82’ • Cavani for Martial 82’ YELLOW CARDS: Fred, Fernandes

EVERTON SUBS USED: Iwobi for Sigurdsson 67’ •

STARTING XI 1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

17 Fred 8 Mata 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 9 Martial

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 43

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 8 SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2020 | OLD TRAFFORD | 8PM

UNITED 1 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0 Fernandes 56 (pen)

Retaken spot-kick claims points against Baggies

he Reds recorded a first home win of the Premier League season with a battling 1-0 success over West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford. Wearing black armbands following the passing of former Red Albert Quixall, United started well, and Anthony Martial went close in the first minute with a glancing header from Juan Mata’s cross. Bruno Fernandes then teed up Martial for another chance but the Frenchman’s close-range shot was brilliantly kept out by Baggies goalkeeper – and former Red – Sam Johnstone. Not to be

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES Another key contribution from Bruno, who kept his cool to net the winner from the spot at the second attempt.

outdone at the other end, United no.1 David De Gea showed his quality a moment later with a brilliant fingertip stop to prod Karlan Grant’s right-footed effort just inches wide of the post. The visitors were limiting chances by defending deep, though Fernandes almost inspired an opening in the 33rd minute, with a sublime pass towards the back post that Mata directed back into the six-yard box. A deflection off a defender left the ball lingering in the air and Martial was only just beaten to it by the advancing Johnstone. Maguire then thumped a thunderous volley straight into the face of West Brom captain Kyle Bartley, who quickly recovered and almost netted himself in the 42nd minute with a header that landed on the roof of De Gea’s goal. In the second half, the Baggies thought they had a penalty following an apparent foul by Fernandes on Conor Gallagher, before

“THREE POINTS, HOME WIN, BUT WE NEED BETTER PERFORMANCES THAN THIS. WE KNOW THAT. IF WE WANT TO MOVE UP THE TABLE, WE HAVE TO PLAY BETTER” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 44 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

the decision was overturned after a VAR consultation. But there was even more theatre to come: after De Gea had made a stunning save with his foot to deny Conor Townsend, United won a penalty at the other end when Mata’s cross struck the hand of Darnell Furlong. Fernandes saw his spot-kick saved by Johnstone, but the former Red had stepped off his line and our Portuguese playmaker successfully found the opposite corner with his retake. Baggies sub Callum Robinson then hit the bar with a curling effort, while Johnstone continued his superb performance with a couple of brilliant saves to deny Marcus Rashford and then Maguire. A tense finale ensued but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Reds remained resolute to seal another morale-boosting three points.

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

7 8 9 10 11

8 8 8 8 8

2 0 -1 -1 -1

13 13 13 13 12

Everton Crystal Palace UNITED Wolves Man City

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

63 SHOTS

17 29

31 8

CORNERS

17 Fred 8 Mata 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 9 Martial

8 FOULS

STARTING XI

17 18

SHOTS ON TARGET

1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 27 Telles 31 Matic

WEST BROM

UNITED SUBS USED: Cavani for Mata 62’ •

van de Beek for Rashford 79’ • McTominay for Fred 84’ YELLOW CARDS: Cavani

WEST BROM SUBS USED: Robson-Kanu for Diangana 62’ • Robinson for Grant 62’ • Krovinovic for Ivanovic 79’ YELLOW CARDS: Gallagher

STARTING XI 1 Johnstone 2 Furlong 6 Ajayi 20 Ivanovic 5 Bartley 14 Townsend

12 Pereira 19 Sawyers 18 Gallagher 11 Diangana 29 Grant

9th

After successive victories, the Reds moved into the top half of the Premier League table for the first time this season.

Left Alex Telles stays alert; Martial looks for an opening Above Fernandes slots home the winner at the second attempt

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 45

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | GROUP H MATCHDAY 4 TUESDAY 24 NOVEMBER 2020 | OLD TRAFFORD | 8PM

UNITED 4

Fernandes 7, 19, Rashford 35 (pen), James 90+2

ISTANBUL BASAKSEHIR 1 Turuc 75

Early intensity sees off the Turkish champions

ruthless Champions League performance saw United beat Istanbul Basaksehir 4-1 to keep us top of Group H. Any tension following our defeat in Turkey on matchday three was swiftly dispelled when Bruno Fernandes thundered in the opener on seven minutes. There have been some blistering goals scored at Old Trafford in the Champions League down the years, and the Portuguese’s crashing drive from the edge of the area, after Basaksehir couldn’t fully clear an Alex Telles corner, deserves to rank among the best. It looked like Fernandes had added an assist to his stats five minutes later when he superbly slipped a ball through to Marcus Rashford. The striker nicked the ball under goalkeeper Mert Gunok only for his effort to be ruled offside. But there was no denying the Reds a second after a dreadful error from Gunok, when he fumbled a

GROUP H TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4

4 4 4 4

8 1 -3 -6

9 6 6 3

UNITED PSG RB Leipzig Istanbul Basaksehir

46 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

cross from Telles and allowed Fernandes a simple tap-in. Our no.18 generously gave up the chance of a first-half hat-trick when United were awarded a penalty. Rashford was barged over by Boli Bolingoli and, after being handed spot-kick responsibility by Fernandes, confidently struck home to make it 3-0 after 35 minutes. Five minutes into the second half, David De Gea was forced into his first serious save of the match as he turned a goalbound Edin Visca shot around the post for a corner.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES Two key goals as well as generously handing over the penalty to Marcus Rashford, in another decisive display.

GROUP H: OTHER RESULT Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 RB Leipzig

Perhaps inevitably, after a number of substitutions and with a comfortable lead established, the rhythm and danger were difficult to pick up again for United. The Turks eventually took advantage as Deniz Turuc grabbed a goal back on 75 minutes with a vicious free-kick that De Gea clawed away, but not before the ball had already crossed the line. Visca then hit the bar to give United yet another fright, but the points were sealed in injury-time when Daniel James went on to stroke home our fourth on a night when we moved three points clear at the top of our group.

“THERE WAS SOME GREAT INTERCHANGE FOOTBALL, GREAT LINK-UP PLAY, ONE-TOUCH AND TWO-TOUCH FOOTBALL, AND SOME FANTASTIC GOALS, SO WE’RE VERY PLEASED” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

Left Greenwood congratulates goalscorer James; Matic takes control Below Tuanzebe has his collar felt by visiting midfielder Nacer Chadli

24-2

This win meant that United had won our past seven home games in Europe by an aggregate score of 24-2.

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

34 10

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS 2

17 Fred 10 Rashford 18 Fernandes 9 Martial 7 Cavani

STARTING XI

6 10

FOULS

1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 27 Telles 34 van de Beek

16 29

BASAKSEHIR

SHOTS

UNITED SUBSTITUTES:

Tuanzebe for Lindelof 45’ • Williams for Wan-Bissaka 59’ • James for Rashford 59’ • Greenwood for Fernandes 59’ •

Matic for Martial 82’ YELLOW CARDS: Tuanzebe, Maguire ISTANBUL BASAKSEHIR SUBSTITUTES:

Tekdemir for Kahveci 45’ • Gulbrandsen for Chadli 61’•

Kaldirim for Bolingoli 74’ • Giuliano for Ozcan 74’ • Ponck for Skrtel 87’ YELLOW CARDS: Skrtel, Tekdemir, Turuc

STARTING XI 34 Gunok 4 Rafael 37 Skrtel 6 Epureanu 63 Bolingoli 10 Ozcan

7 17 23 11 19

Visca Kahveci Turuc Chadli Ba

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 47

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 9 SUNDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2020 | ST MARY’S | 2PM

SOUTHAMPTON 2 UNITED 3 Bednarek 23, Ward-Prowse 33

Fernandes 60, Cavani 74, 90+2

Fired-up final half-hour from Reds stuns Saints

dinson Cavani came off the bench to inspire Manchester United to a stirring comeback against Southampton at St Mary’s. United’s first opening came on seven minutes. Alex Telles slipped a pass up towards Mason Greenwood, who zipped past the Saints’ defence and goalkeeper, but could only find the side-netting with his shot. The Reds had settled well and went close again on 16 minutes when Bruno Fernandes’s deflected shot clipped the outside of the post. Despite this dominance it was the hosts who took the lead, against the run of play, when Jan Bednarek flicked in a header from James Ward-Prowse’s corner. It almost got worse minutes later when Kyle Walker-Peters saw his low shot flick off Telles and hit David De Gea’s post. Alex McCarthy then presented the ball to Greenwood, who sped through, with the Saints goalkeeper saving his shot and also getting up quickly to twice deny Fernandes. Ward-Prowse got the Saints’ second with a 20-yard free-kick on

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

6 7 8 9 10

10 10 9 8 9

0 2 0 8 4

17 16 16 15 15

Wolves Everton UNITED Aston Villa Man City

48 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

33 minutes, and things looked even bleaker when De Gea was forced off injured at half-time, replaced by Dean Henderson. Making his league debut for United, Henderson soon claimed a well-struck shot from Theo Walcott. The recovery began after an hour when fellow sub Cavani picked out Fernandes in the box, and our Portuguese playmaker took a touch before rolling the ball past McCarthy. Cavani headed just wide before eventually grabbing the equaliser. A Telles corner was cleared out to Fernandes, who blasted the ball back into the area and, as it rose from a deflection, the South

MAN OF THE MATCH EDINSON CAVANI A stunning impact from the no.7, who showed his enduring class with two fine headers and an assist.

American marksman flung himself at the ball with a superb diving header to level. Che Adams went close but the Reds kept probing for a winner, which finally came in stoppage-time. Rashford’s cross found Cavani again to head home and secure another dramatic win.

“AT THE END I WAS SO PROUD BECAUSE WE DID SO WELL. THIS TEAM IS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER AND IMPROVING, WHICH IS WHAT I WANT TO SEE” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

Left Substitute keeper Henderson celebrates after the Reds hit back; Greenwood on the rampage Below Cavani nets the winner in dramatic circumstances

SOUTHAMPTON

This game saw United become the first side in PL history to win four consecutive away games despite trailing in each.

POSSESSION (%) SHOTS

10 2

SHOTS ON TARGET

5 17

CORNERS FOULS

STARTING XI McCarthy Walker-Peters Bednarek Vestergaard Bertrand Armstrong

8 Ward-Prowse 6 Romeu 12 Djenepo 32 Walcott 10 Adams

34 11

1 2 35 4 3 17

5 32

UNITED

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS USED: Long for Djenepo 72’ •

Diallo for Armstrong 90’ • N’Lundulu for Walker-Peters 90+4’ YELLOW CARDS: Ward-Prowse

UNITED SUBS USED: Henderson for De Gea 45’ • Cavani for Greenwood 45’ • Williams for Telles 84’ YELLOW CARDS: None

STARTING XI 1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 27 Telles 17 Fred

31 Matic 18 Fernandes 34 van de Beek 11 Greenwood 10 Rashford

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 49

DECEMBER As a busy December rolled around, the Reds slipped into the Europa League but closed the gap on the Premier League leaders...

ith nine games in three competitions to deal with, the Reds began the month with a disappointing 3-1 home defeat to PSG, which left United, the French side and RB Leipzig locked together on nine points with one Champions League matchday left to play. A subsequent 3-1 away league victory at West Ham was achieved days later as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side scored three times in 13 minutes thanks to goals from Paul Pogba, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford, but a hammer blow was to be dealt in Germany, as United crashed out of the Champions League with a 3-2 loss at the hands of RB Leipzig. PSG would join Julian Nagelsmann’s side in the knockout stages from Group H. A goalless draw at home on Manchester derby day was followed by a professional away display at Bramall Lane as a brace from Rashford and a first of the campaign for Anthony Martial ensured United maintained a perfect away league record in the league. An emphatic 6-2 demolition of the impressive new boys Leeds United came next before a patient 2-0 win at Everton in the Carabao Cup, ensuring the Reds would meet City again in the semi-final just weeks later. A 2-2 away draw with high-flyers Leicester preceded a last-gasp 1-0 win over Wolves, as United ended 2020 in second spot in the league. Elsewhere, Tottenham’s flying start fell flat as they registered just 50 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

one win in December and dropped to eighth by Boxing Day. Manchester City, however, looked far livelier as Pep Guardiola’s side notched up three wins and two draws. But it was Liverpool’s 7-0 win at Crystal Palace that caught everyone’s attention, helping Jurgen Klopp’s side top the table come the new year. At the other end, Sheffield United’s woes continued, as only one December point left Chris Wilder’s side 11 points adrift of safety. But it was Slaven Bilic who became the Premier League’s first managerial casualty of the 2020/21 season as he was sacked with West Bromwich Albion languishing in 19th place. Could new boss and renowned firefighter Sam Allardyce save the Baggies from the drop? UNITED’S DECEMBER RESULTS 2.12.20 CL United 1 PSG 3 5.12.20 PL West Ham 1 United 3 8.12.20 CL RB Leipzig 3 United 2 12.12.20 PL United 0 Man City 0 17.12.20 PL Sheffield Utd 2 United 3 20.12.20 PL United 6 Leeds 2 23.12.20 LC Everton 0 United 2 26.12.20 PL Leicester 2 United 2 29.12.20 PL United 1 Wolves 0 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP H P GD PTS 1 Paris Saint-Germain 6 7 12 2 RB Leipzig 6 -1 12 3 UNITED 6 5 9 4 Istanbul Basaksehir 6 -11 3

PLAYER OF THE MONTH BRUNO FERNANDES The playmaker collected the award once again thanks to a string of superb individual performances that elevated the Reds into second in the league. Bruno scored against Leipzig, Leeds (twice) and Leicester, before claiming his seventh assist in the 2020/21 top flight with a fine long ball that led to Marcus Rashford’s late winner against Wolves.

▶

GOAL OF THE MONTH EDINSON CAVANI v EVERTON

Commentators often say that tight, goalless games need “that little bit of magic” to break the stalemate. Edinson Cavani certainly came up with it after 88 goalless minutes at Goodison

WATCH! Click here to enjoy all the Goal of the Month contenders

Park in the Carabao Cup. Receiving the ball from the right after a smart infield pass from Anthony Martial, the Uruguayan took two touches with his right foot before rifling a spectacular left-footed effort across the face of Robin Olsen’s goal to set the Reds on the way to the semi-finals of the competition.

END-OF-MONTH PL STANDINGS P GD PTS 1 Liverpool 16 17 33 2 UNITED 15 8 30 3 Leicester 16 9 29 4 Everton 15 7 29 5 Aston Villa 14 14 26 6 Chelsea 16 13 26 7 Tottenham 15 11 26 8 Man City 14 9 26 9 Southampton 16 6 26 10 West Ham 16 2 23 11 Leeds 16 0 23 12 Wolves 16 -6 21 13 Arsenal 16 -3 20 14 Newcastle 15 -7 19 15 Crystal Palace 16 -9 19 16 Burnley 15 -11 16 17 Brighton 16 -7 13 18 Fulham 15 -10 11 19 West Brom 16 -24 8 20 Sheffield United 16 -19 2

BACK TO CONTENTS

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 51

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | GROUP H MATCHDAY 5 WEDNESDAY 2 DECEMBER 2020 | OLD TRAFFORD | 8PM

UNITED 1 PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 3 Rashford 32

Neymar 6, 90+1, Marquinhos 69

Ten-man Reds falter to leave Group H wide open

anchester United’s UEFA Champions League destiny remained in the balance after a 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at Old Trafford. It took PSG just six minutes to open the scoring. After Kylian Mbappe’s shot took a deflection off Scott McTominay, Neymar was on hand to smash past David De Gea and into the bottom corner. The Ligue 1 outfit could have doubled their lead moments later, only for David De Gea to palm away Alessandro Florenzi’s stinging effort. There was a flashpoint on 20 minutes when Leandro Paredes went down after an altercation with Fred, as the visitors urged referee Daniele Orsato to show a red card. Fortunately, after a VAR check, the verdict was yellow. United were level just after the half-hour mark. Keylor Navas parried Anthony Martial’s drive before the ball was worked back to Marcus Rashford, whose shot found

GROUP H TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4

5 5 5 5

6 3 -2 -7

9 9 9 3

UNITED PSG RB Leipzig Istanbul Basaksehir

52 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

the back of the net via Danilo Pereira’s outstretched leg. Into the second half and Martial had a great chance to put us ahead after nice work from Rashford and Edinson Cavani on the right –

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD Scored against PSG for the third consecutive meeting and showed fine creativity in attack.

instead, his shot found the empty seats of the Stretford End. Cavani almost had a dream reunion with his former side when he chipped against the crossbar, with Martial’s follow up blocked by Marquinhos. The PSG captain then went close himself as his looping header struck De Gea’s bar. Then, moments after our Spanish stopper had stretched brilliantly to palm Mitchel Bakker’s shot wide, De Gea was helpless to stop Marquinhos bundling the ball home to restore the Parisians’ lead. United were dealt a further blow when Fred picked up his second booking soon after the restart, with the referee not considering the fact that the Brazilian had got the ball first in his challenge with returning former Red Ander Herrera. Herrera blazed a shot over before substitute Paul Pogba saw a speculative volley whistle just wide, but PSG soaked up the pressure. Then, after Mbappe missed a glorious chance on the break, Neymar made it 3-1 late on, leaving United requiring a point in the final group game, away in Leipzig.

GROUP H: OTHER RESULT Istanbul Basaksehir 3-4 RB Leipzig

“IT’S NOT A YELLOW CARD [FOR FRED IN THE SECOND HALF] – HE WINS THE BALL. I WAS TWO YARDS AWAY, AND THE LINESMAN WAS FIVE YARDS AWAY” HARRY MAGUIRE

Left (clockwise from left) Fred tackles Paredes, but our midfielder would later see red; Wan-Bissaka hails goalscorer Rashford Below Mbappe runs at our defence in what was an open contest at Old Trafford

Rashford became the first United player to score in all three of our home games in a single group stage of the CL since Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2004/05.

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

SHOTS

39 10

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS 5

3 FOULS

STARTING XI 17 Fred 10 Rashford 18 Fernandes 9 Martial 7 Cavani

1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 27 Telles 39 McTominay

12 29

PSG

UNITED SUBS USED: Pogba for Rashford 74’ •

Greenwood for Martial 79’ • van de Beek for Cavani 79’ • Ighalo for Wan-Bissaka 90’

YELLOW CARDS: Fred RED CARD: Fred PSG SUBS USED: Herrera for Paredes 65’ • Bakker for

Kean 65’ • Kehrer for Florenzi 78’ • Rafinha for Verratti 78’ • Gueye for Diallo 90’ YELLOW CARDS: Parades, Verratti

STARTING XI 1 Navas 24 Florenzi 5 Marquinhos 3 Kimpembe 22 Diallo 8 Paredes

15 6 7 18 10

Danilo Verratti Mbappe Kean Neymar

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 53

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 10 SATURDAY 5 DECEMBER 2020 | LONDON STADIUM | 5.30PM

WEST HAM UNITED 1 UNITED 3 Soucek 38

Pogba 65, Greenwood 68, Rashford 78

Another late charge seals the spoils in London

he comeback kings did it again on the road as United battled from 1-0 down with a spectacular second-half display against David Moyes’s West Ham to secure a rousing 3-1 victory. The Reds survived some early scares as Jarrod Bowen had a goal disallowed for offside and Pablo Fornals headed into the side-netting. Fornals then toe-poked against the post with Dean Henderson beaten, while at the other end Lukasz Fabianski gathered Paul Pogba’s shot, before the Hammers broke the deadlock on 38 minutes. A corner was headed on by Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek

reacted quickest at the far post to volley in from close range. It was almost two a few moments later when Sebastien Haller was put clean through, but he slipped in the box with an open goal gaping after rounding goalkeeper Henderson. Anthony Martial had a shot well saved while Aaron Wan-Bissaka made a vital intervention to ensure Bowen didn’t double the home lead. In the second half, Bowen nudged a Vladimir Coufal cross wide at the back post, but United finally began to respond, with Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay taking aim, before a glorious three-minute spell turned the game on its head.

A stunning counter in the 65th minute saw Henderson chase out of his goal to launch the ball forward up the touchline to Bruno Fernandes, who set up Pogba to side-foot home a curler from the edge of the box. VAR reviewed whether Henderson’s long ball had curled out of play but the goal was allowed to stand. The turnaround was complete moments later. Fernandes and Alex Telles cut West Ham open and Mason Greenwood’s turn and half-volley into the net was sublime. Marcus Rashford hit the post with the Reds well on top, but he soon found the target. Sub Juan Mata put our no.10 through and Rashford clipped home our third with a finish every bit as good as the assist. Henderson brilliantly saved from Aaron Cresswell to ensure there wasn’t a nerve-jangling finale, as the Reds moved up to fourth in the table.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES No goal today, but Bruno laid on Pogba’s leveller and was involved in the build-up for Greenwood to fire us into a 2-1 lead.

“MAYBE WE LIKE TO CONCEDE A GOAL [BEFORE SCORING], I DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS. WE HAVE TO RESOLVE THIS BUT IT ENDED UP GOOD – THAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING” PAUL POGBA 54 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

2 3 4 5 6

10 10 10 10 10

12 5 2 6 5

21 21 19 18 18

Tottenham Liverpool UNITED Man City Leicester

WEST HAM

POSSESSION (%) SHOTS

19 4

SHOTS ON TARGET

6 5

CORNERS 4

STARTING XI 28 Soucek 26 Masuaku 20 Bowen 18 Fornals 22 Haller

Fabianski Balbuena Ogbonna Cresswell Coufal Rice

FOULS

1 4 21 3 5 41

UNITED

WEST HAM SUBS USED: Benrahma for Fornals 75’ • Lanzini for Bowen 76’ • Johnson for Coufal 85’ YELLOW CARDS: None

UNITED SUBS USED: Fernandes for van de Beek 45’ • Rashford for Cavani 45’ • Mata for Martial 62’ YELLOW CARDS: None

STARTING XI 26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 27 Telles 39 McTominay

6 Pogba 11 Greenwood 34 van de Beek 9 Martial 7 Cavani

385

This win meant that United had won more points from losing positions than any other team in Premier League history.

Left (clockwise from top) Maguire makes peace with Haller; Rashford thanks Fernandes; United bosses past and present on the touchline Above Rashford and Telles catch up with goalscorer Greenwood Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 55

GROUP H: OTHER RESULT

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | GROUP H MATCHDAY 6 TUESDAY 8 DECEMBER 2020 | RED BULL ARENA | 8PM

RB LEIPZIG 3 UNITED 2 Angelino 2, Haidara 13, Kluivert 69

Fernandes 80 (pen), Konate 82 (og)

Late rally can’t prevent Champions League exit

dispiriting evening in Germany ended with United being knocked out of the Champions League after a 3-2 defeat to RB Leipzig. The Reds knew a draw would be enough to secure qualification to the last 16 but made the worst possible start when Marcel Sabitzer looped a diagonal long ball to Angelino, who found the bottom corner to open the scoring after just two minutes. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men looked to fashion an immediate riposte but Mason Greenwood’s effort was easily collected by goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. On 13 minutes, things went from bad to worse for the visitors when

opening scorer Angelino sent a measured cross to the back post, where the unmarked Amadou Haidara crashed home a volley. United were reeling and there were two more big let-offs to follow, as Emil Forsberg somehow shot wide from eight yards out, before Willi Orban’s finish was disallowed for offside following a VAR check. The final chance of the half fell to Marcus Rashford, whose effort was blocked as the Reds sought to regroup at the break. Prospects of a Red recovery looked better when the visitors returned to the field. A dangerous Bruno Fernandes free-kick flashed

Paris Saint-Germain 5-1 Istanbul Basaksehir

across the face of goal on 55 minutes but no United player could get a touch on it, despite Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire looking to pounce. Fernandes then saw a dipping effort pushed just wide on 66 minutes, before hitting the crossbar with a superb free-kick. United were pushing for a way back into the game, but were hit with a sucker-punch when a deflected Angelino cross found its way through to Justin Kluivert to simply tap home past David De Gea. Hope looked all but lost for the Reds, only for a lifeline to arrive with 10 minutes left when Fernandes dispatched a penalty after Greenwood had been pushed over by home defender Ibrahima Konate. Two minutes later, a combination of Paul Pogba, Maguire, Konate and Gulacsi touches saw the ball end up in the Leipzig net from a corner. United threw everything at Leipzig and Pogba’s cross was almost turned into his own net by Nordi Mukiele. The equaliser couldn’t be found though, and the Reds had to settle for a place in the Europa League’s last 32.

MAN OF THE MATCH PAUL POGBA Provided a much-needed spark from the bench as United fought to get back in the game, having a big hand in our second goal.

“YOU CAN’T GIVE A TEAM A 3-0 LEAD AND EXPECT TO GET THROUGH. THE TURNING POINT WAS THE DEFEAT IN ISTANBUL – THAT’S WHEN WE LOST THE POINTS WE SHOULD HAVE HAD” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 56 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

GROUP H TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 2 4

6 6 6 6

7 -1 5 -11

12 12 9 3

PSG RB Leipzig UNITED Istanbul Basaksehir

RB LEIPZIG

POSSESSION (%) SHOTS

9 22

SHOTS ON TARGET

44 Kampl 3 Angelino 10 Forsberg 18 Nkunku 25 Olmo

23 27

31 18

STARTING XI 1 Gulacsi 22 Mukiele 6 Konate 4 Orban 8 Haidara 7 Sabitzer

CORNERS FOULS

4 8

UNITED

RB LEIPZIG SUBS USED: Poulsen for Forsberg 56’ • Kluivert for Olmo 56’ • Adams for Kampl 75’ • Halstenberg for Angelino 87’

YELLOW CARDS: Mukiele, Adams, Sabitzer, Kluivert UNITED SUBS USED: van de Beek for Telles 45’ •

Williams for Shaw 61’ • Pogba for Matic 61’ • Tuanzebe for Lindelof 77’ • Fosu-Mensah for Wan-Bissaka 77’

YELLOW CARDS: Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Williams, Fernandes

STARTING XI 1 De Gea 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 29 Wan-Bissaka 39 McTominay

31 27 18 10 11

Matic Telles Fernandes Rashford Greenwood

United exited at the group stage in a Champions League campaign for the first time in five years, since 2015/16 under Louis van Gaal.

Left Fernandes pulls one back; Solskjaer is dejected at full-time Above Pogba heads goalward as the visitors make it 3-2 at the Red Bull Arena Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 57

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 11 SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2020 | OLD TRAFFORD | 5.30PM

UNITED 0 MANCHESTER CITY 0 No breakthrough as derby day ends all square

he 183rd Manchester derby ended in a goalless stalemate at Old Trafford as United and City struggled to spark life into the local encounter, in a stadium that was badly missing fans. The Reds were the first to create something of note in the final third when Luke Shaw’s 11th-minute corner was glanced towards the far post by Victor Lindelof, with Scott McTominay a fraction away from connecting as he slid in to try to nudge the ball home. Shaw’s set-piece factor almost succeeded again just after half an hour, when his corner was this time met by Harry Maguire. Unfortunately, the skipper headed just over. There were a few missed heartbeats as the Blues broke at speed in the 35th minute, only for Riyad Mahrez to squander the opportunity at the end of the move, after being played in by Kevin De Bruyne, with David De Gea saving with his feet from the former Leicester man. United were having some joy from corners and the next one, a Bruno

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

6 7 8 9 10

11 12 11 11 10

4 3 2 6 8

20 20 20 19 18

Southampton Everton UNITED Man City Aston Villa

58 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Fernandes delivery, was met by Lindelof, but the Swede’s effort was just too high to seriously trouble City goalkeeper Ederson. It looked like the perfect chance to open the scoring had arrived early in the second half, when Marcus Rashford was adjudged to have been fouled in the area by Kyle Walker by referee Chris Kavanagh. However, a VAR consultation showed that Rashford had been offside in the build-up, and the spot-kick award was overturned. City perked up after this let-off but the Reds held firm, with Maguire blocking brilliantly from De Bruyne. United did break out from the Blues pressure and Fernandes had a

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES Showed some bright movement and looked the most likely player to inspire an opening, going close a couple of times.

chance to produce some late drama but, with two minutes to play, the midfielder could only hit a tame shot that was comfortably gathered by Ederson. Bruno then had another crack but his strike whizzed past the far post at the Stretford End, as the game finished goalless.

“TACTICALLY WE KNEW THEY WERE GOING TO GIVE US SOME PROBLEMS BUT DEFENSIVELY WE WERE EXCELLENT. I’M DELIGHTED WITH THE DEFENSIVE SHAPE” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

This was just the fifth goalless draw between the Manchester sides in 47 PL meetings, with three of them coming in the past 11 clashes.

Left Shaw holds off De Bruyne; boss Solskjaer with De Gea Above Rashford runs at the City defence at Old Trafford

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

SHOTS

39 11

SHOTS ON TARGET

11 29

MAN CITY

CORNERS 26

25 7

STARTING XI 17 Fred 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 6 Pogba 10 Rashford

1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

FOULS

STARTING XI UNITED SUBS USED: Martial for Greenwood 74’ YELLOW CARDS: Maguire

MAN CITY SUBS USED: Torres for Mahrez 66’ YELLOW CARDS: Fernandinho

31 2 5 3 27 16

Ederson Walker Stones Dias Cancelo Rodri

25 Fernandinho 26 Mahrez 17 De Bruyne 7 Sterling 9 Jesus

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 59

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 12 THURSDAY 17 DECEMBER 2020 | BRAMALL LANE | 8PM

SHEFFIELD UNITED 2 UNITED 3 McGoldrick 5, 87

Rashford 26, 51, Martial 33

Early setback can’t derail Reds’ fine away form

le Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United extended the club’s perfect Premier League away record for the 2020/21 season by beating Sheffield United 3-2 at Bramall Lane. Once again, the Reds were required to come from behind, with the Blades taking the lead early on when Oliver Burke robbed Dean Henderson and nudged the ball to David McGoldrick, who had the simple task of tapping it into the empty goal from just a few yards out. John Fleck shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box but United were soon back on terms. Marcus Rashford had already sent a warning

shot over the bar but he didn’t pass up his second opportunity, expertly controlling Victor Lindelof’s aerial pass before thumping past Aaron Ramsdale in some style. That moment seemed to rouse Solskjaer’s men, who went ahead just seven minutes later. Paul Pogba cleverly found Anthony Martial and, when the onrushing Ramsdale missed the ball, our French no.9 had the simple opportunity to flick home and give us a 2-1 half-time lead. Rashford nutmegged Phil Jagielka within minutes of the restart and, after zipping past several defenders, passed to Mason Greenwood, whose shot was

blocked. Soon afterwards, Rashford scored again. A neat interchange on the break with Bruno Fernandes and Martial ended with the Wythenshawe superstar thumping home underneath Ramsdale’s dive. Martial saw an attempt blocked after an outrageous Fernandes pass to substitute Juan Mata, and then the Spaniard shot straight at Ramsdale after a nice counter. But there was to be one more twist. When a Blades corner was swung in, Lindelof’s jump ensured he was first to the ball, but the Swede was aghast to see his header rebound into the net off McGoldrick. The hosts seized upon this lifeline, as they desperately searched for just a second Premier League point of the season, but Henderson made amends for his earlier error by keeping out Lys Mousset’s dangerous late shot to preserve the three points.

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD A superb two-goal display from Rashford, who moved on to 12 strikes in 20 games this season with a pair of thumping finishes.

“WITH THE PACE AND THE SKILL IN THESE BOYS, THE QUALITY OF THE TOUCHES AND MOVEMENT, I THOUGHT ALL THREE OF OUR GOALS WERE EXCELLENT” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 60 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

4 5 6 7 8

13 13 12 13 13

7 5 3 12 5

24 23 23 22 21

Leicester Everton UNITED Chelsea West Ham

SHEFFIELD UTD

60 SHOTS

19 3

6 CORNERS

STARTING XI Ramsdale Baldock Basham Egan Robinson Stevens

8 Berge 22 Ampadu 4 Fleck 14 Burke 17 McGoldrick

FOULS

1 2 6 12 19 3

SHOTS ON TARGET

2 8

12 6

UNITED

POSSESSION (%) 40

SHEFFIELD UTD SUBS USED: Jagielka for Berge 12’ • Mousset for Jagielka 63’ • Brewster for Burke 73’ YELLOW CARDS: Egan, Robinson, Jagielka

UNITED SUBS USED: Mata for Greenwood 74’ • van de Beek for Fernandes 80’ • McTominay for Martial 90’ YELLOW CARDS: Henderson, Pogba

STARTING XI 26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 27 Telles 31 Matic

6 Pogba 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 9 Martial

Left Martial gives United the lead; Rashford makes it 3-1 in South Yorkshire Below United look focused at the back as a Blades corner comes over

This result saw United become just the fourth side in English top-flight history to record 10 straight away league wins.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 61

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 13 SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER 2020 | OLD TRAFFORD | 4.30PM

UNITED 6 LEEDS UNITED 2

McTominay 2, 3, Fernandes 20 , 70 (pen), Lindelof 37, James 66

Cooper 42, Dallas 73

Old adversaries are swept aside in home thriller

le Gunnar Solskjaer’s side clinched a remarkable 6-2 victory over historic rivals Leeds in a stunning and unpredictable Old Trafford clash. The hosts came flying out of the blocks and led after two minutes, thanks to Scott McTominay’s fine strike from a Bruno Fernandes pass. Seconds later, the Scotland midfielder received an Anthony Martial pass and, after a neat step-over, shot firmly into the corner. Leeds responded as Patrick Bamford shot wide, before correctly having an effort ruled out for offside. They were soon made to pay as Daniel James, Fred, Fernandes and Martial combined to allow Bruno to strike a low effort past helpless keeper Illan Meslier to make it 3-0. The Reds were running riot and made it 4-0 with 37 minutes on the clock: Luke Shaw’s corner was flicked on by Martial and Victor Lindelof finished with ease. Leeds hit back before the break through Liam Cooper’s header from Raphinha’s in-swinging corner.

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

14 14 13 14 14

17 9 7 6 11

31 27 26 26 25

Liverpool Leicester UNITED Everton Tottenham

62 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

After a sensational first half, a fifth home goal was almost scored just after the restart, as Martial found space inside the penalty area and slipped a right-footed shot just wide of the post from close range. David De Gea then produced a stunning save to parry Raphinha’s volley on to the post, but any hopes of a Leeds comeback were seemingly extinguished just after the hour mark. McTominay twice beat his marker to find James, who controlled the ball with his right foot and finished with his left. After Martial was tripped by Pascal Struijk, Fernandes made it 6-1 with a nerveless penalty into the

MAN OF THE MATCH SCOTT McTOMINAY The Scot’s two early strikes set United on the way, and he later assisted Daniel James’s goal in a stellar display.

corner after 70 minutes, but this absurd match wasn’t finished there, as Stuart Dallas hit a brilliant reply into the top corner at the other end a few moments later. Jack Harrison missed a sitter for Leeds late on, but there would be no further goals in this pre-Christmas cracker.

“WE’RE ON A RUN NOW, WE’VE BEEN PERFORMING GOOD. HOPEFULLY WE CAN JUST KEEP ON GOING BECAUSE WE KNOW IN THIS PERIOD THERE ARE A LOT OF GAMES” VICTOR LINDELOF

Left James strokes home; Lindelof celebrates netting the Reds’ fourth; Solskjaer cuts a contented figure Below The players line up for what would prove a memorable match-up

This win saw United score six goals in a single PL game for the first time since our 8-2 win over Arsenal in August 2011.

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

SHOTS

39 21

SHOTS ON TARGET

FOULS

17 Fred 21 James 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 9 Martial

STARTING XI

CORNERS

1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

26 29

LEEDS

UNITED SUBS USED: Telles for Shaw 60’ •

van de Beek for Fernandes 71’ • Cavani for Rashford 71’ YELLOW CARDS: James

LEEDS SUBS USED: Struijk for Phillips 45’ •

Shackleton for Klich 45’ • Davis for Cooper 72’ YELLOW CARDS: None

STARTING XI 1 15 2 6 10 23

Meslier Dallas Ayling Cooper Alioski Phillips

18 Raphinha 20 Rodrigo 43 Klich 22 Harrison 9 Bamford

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 63

CARABAO CUP | QUARTER-FINAL WEDNESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2020 | GOODISON PARK | 8PM

EVERTON 0 UNITED 2 Cavani 88, Martial 90+6

Late goals cap dominant cup display at Goodison

dinson Cavani and Anthony Martial struck late on for Manchester United away at Everton, as the Reds deservedly booked a place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals. The visitors started brightly in front of 2,000 home fans – just our second game of the season with supporters present in the stands. On seven minutes, Paul Pogba brilliantly backheeled to Donny van de Beek in the box, but the Dutchman’s effort was well blocked from close range. Cavani almost scored from the resulting corner, although an offside flag was later

MAN OF THE MATCH EDINSON CAVANI Caused the home defence problems all night with his superior movement and link play before netting the opener.

raised. Everton goalkeeper Robin Olsen breathed a sigh of relief soon after when our no.7 just failed to nick the ball off him after closing down a clearance, before the Toffees stopper blocked another effort from the Uruguayan minutes later. As the Reds kept up the pressure, an excellent move on 16 minutes led to Alex Telles crossing, but Cavani was twice denied at the back post. It was Mason Greenwood’s turn to go close next, with a low glancing header that flicked off the outside of the post as Olsen stood watching. Paul Pogba then headed straight at the keeper as United continued to dominate the opening half-hour. Dominic Calvert-Lewin registered the hosts’ first effort on target when he headed straight into the arms of Dean Henderson on 35 minutes and, two minutes later, our no.26 superbly tipped away a Gylfi Sigurdsson free-kick. The Reds ended the first period back in the ascendancy, as Bruno

“IT WAS AN EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE FROM THE BEGINNING, WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN TWO GOALS UP. WE HAD THREE SEMI-FINALS LAST YEAR – THAT’S A STEP NOT FAR ENOUGH” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 64 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Fernandes tested Olsen with a free-kick, but the scoreboard remained goalless at the break. A similar pattern continued following the restart. Cavani took a ball on his chest and turned superbly in the box, but his thumping effort was touched away for a corner. Time seemed to ebb away quickly for the rest of the half as fewer clear-cut chances emerged. Telles curled a free-kick just over late on and with no extra-time, spot-kicks looked to be on the cards. That was until Martial found Cavani with two minutes left, and he supplied the finish we had been missing all night with a glorious, curling effort from 20 yards. Martial then slotted home a second in the dying stages to confirm our place in the last four.

OTHER RESULTS: Brentford 1-0 Newcastle United Arsenal 1-4 Manchester City Stoke City 1-3 Tottenham Hotspur

POSSESSION (%)

EVERTON

SHOTS

16 17

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS 7

FOULS

STARTING XI 21 Gomes 17 Iwobi 10 Sigurdsson 7 Richarlison 9 Calvert-Lewin

Left Martial seals the win; our no.9 celebrates with Rashford Below Man of the Match Cavani finds the net and wheels away in delight

31 18

33 Olsen 23 Coleman 13 Mina 5 Keane 22 Godfrey 16 Doucoure

21 10

7 23

UNITED

EVERTON SUBS USED: Bernard for Richarlison 56’ • Davies for Gomes 58’ • Tosun for Doucoure 89’ YELLOW CARDS: None

UNITED SUBS USED: Rashford for Greenwood 67’ • Martial for van de Beek 67’ • Shaw for Telles 84’

YELLOW CARDS: Tuanzebe, Shaw, Pogba, Martial

STARTING XI 26 Henderson 38 Tuanzebe 3 Bailly 5 Maguire 27 Telles 6 Pogba

31 Matic 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 34 van de Beek 7 Cavani

United reached the League Cup semi-finals for the 16th time, second only to Liverpool (17) in the competition’s 60-year history.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 65

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 14 SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER 2020 | KING POWER STADIUM | 12.30PM

LEICESTER CITY 2 UNITED 2 Barnes 31, Tuanzebe 85 (og)

Rashford 23, Fernandes 79

Reds twice lead but are made to settle for a point

nited’s 100 per cent record of away Premier League wins came to an end at Leicester City in an absorbing 2-2 draw. Any fears that this would be a cagey affair evaporated in the opening exchanges, the first chance of the match coming when Marcus Rashford headed off target from a Bruno Fernandes cross. The Foxes quickly responded, with Jamie Vardy beating Eric Bailly to a James Justin centre and acrobatically volleying over the top. David De Gea survived a nervous moment when Vardy closed him down, with Fred thankfully on hand to nip in and deny Marc Albrighton a

gift. Soon afterwards, Vardy raced clear to shoot wastefully wide but would have been offside in any case. Once things settled down, United took control and went ahead in the 23rd minute. Fernandes, on the stretch, stabbed the ball through to Rashford, and the England international did the rest, firing clinically past Kasper Schmeichel into the corner of the Foxes’ net. Leicester equalised with their first shot on target eight minutes later. Fernandes lost possession in midfield when trying to nutmeg Wilfred Ndidi and the ball made its way to Harvey Barnes, who blasted in with a venomous shot.

Fernandes headed over from Luke Shaw’s free-kick with the last big chance of the opening half, before James Maddison’s set-piece was deflected behind off the wall. United had another opening when Fred slipped a perfect ball through to Rashford. The striker raced clear but Schmeichel won the duel, making a world-class save with his right hand to keep the score level. Anthony Martial had an effort disallowed by VAR and Harry Maguire nodded over the bar before United took the lead, as substitute Edinson Cavani flicked the ball into the path of Fernandes, who rolled it home. Unfortunately, Leicester got a late leveller when Ayoze Perez crossed from the right for Vardy to sweep the ball in via an Axel Tuanzebe diversion. Perez then almost prodded home in injury-time but was offside anyway, as honours finished even.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES A constant menace to the Leicester backline, setting up Rashford to get United on terms and calmly bagging a goal himself.

“WHEN THERE IS 10 MINUTES TO GO AND WE SCORED, YOU THINK: ‘GET ON THE BALL, SEE IT OUT.’ BUT IT WASN’T TO BE. IT WAS CLOSE TO A WIN BUT NOT CLOSE ENOUGH” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 66 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

2 3 4 5 6

15 15 14 14 13

7 9 7 9 14

29 28 27 26 25

Everton Leicester UNITED Man City Aston Villa

LEICESTER

POSSESSION (%) SHOTS

3 25 11

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS 0

STARTING XI 8 11 10 15 9

Tielemans Albrighton Maddison Barnes Vardy

Schmeichel Justin Fofana Evans Castagne Ndidi

FOULS

1 2 3 6 27 25

10 2

UNITED

LEICESTER SUBS USED: Perez for Albrighton 81’ YELLOW CARDS: Maddison, Ndidi

UNITED SUBS USED: Pogba for James 54’ •

Tuanzebe for Lindelof 66’ • Cavani for Martial 75’ YELLOW CARDS: Fernandes

STARTING XI 1 De Gea 2 Lindelof 3 Bailly 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

17 Fred 21 James 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 9 Martial

Rashford scored his 50th PL goal in this game – becoming the 11th Red to hit that landmark in the competition since its inception in 1992.

Left (clockwise from top) The referee talks to the captains before kick-off; McTominay goes to ground with Maddison; Cavani in full flight Above All hail goalscorer Bruno! Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 67

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 15 TUESDAY 29 DECEMBER 2020 | OLD TRAFFORD | 8PM

UNITED 1 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 0 Rashford 90+3

Last-gasp Marcus sees Reds end 2020 on a high

he year ended in dramatic fashion for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United at Old Trafford, thanks to Marcus Rashford’s 93rd-minute winner against Wolves. There were no serious early tests for David De Gea but our goalkeeper had to make three saves from Pedro Neto, Vitinha and Ruben Neves inside the first 15 minutes, before defender Romain Saiss went closer when he hit the top of United’s bar from a free-kick. The Reds’ attack flashed into life in the 34th minute, when Mason Greenwood lofted a delivery to the far post. Bruno Fernandes connected with the cross but Wolves keeper Rui Patricio saved from point-blank range. It was De Gea who was in action next when Saiss flicked on a free-kick from Neto and our Spanish no.1 superbly double-fisted away the goalbound effort. United struggled to create any danger to the visitors early in the

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

15 15 16 15 14

17 8 9 7 14

32 30 29 29 26

Liverpool UNITED Leicester Everton Aston Villa

68 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

second half and, after 64 minutes, the manager decided to add a new dimension up front by bringing on Anthony Martial for Greenwood. After 69 minutes, Edinson Cavani, seeking his first Old Trafford goal, had an effort ruled offside, and the assistant-referee’s decision was confirmed by VAR, despite some suspicion that Conor Coady had accidentally handled in the build-up. Paul Pogba managed to get a shot off after 75 minutes as United grew as an attacking force, but the Frenchman’s long-range drive was saved well by Patricio. Martial

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD A fitting end to 2020, as the man who had done so much good work off the pitch was the hero on it with a late winner.

followed up with a shot from distance but his effort sailed high into the empty stands. Then, in injury-time, Rashford found space in the box and his shot deflected off Saiss to wrong-foot Patricio in goal and seal the points, as the Reds ended the calendar year with a late, late Premier League triumph.

“THE BELIEF IS THERE – THE PLAYERS THINK, ‘WE CAN WIN AGAINST ANYONE, ANYWHERE.’ THIS RESULT IS MASSIVE FOR THE ATTITUDE” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

92:51

Rashford’s strike was our latest winning goal in a PL home game since September 2009, (Michael Owen v Man City, 95:27)

Left The Reds line up; Nemanja Matic in hot pursuit; Greenwood takes control Above You can’t beat the feeling of an injury-time winner!

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

SHOTS

6 11

SHOTS ON TARGET

FOULS

STARTING XI 31 Matic 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 7 Cavani

20 37

1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 3 Bailly 5 Maguire 27 Telles 6 Pogba

CORNERS

11 29

WOLVES

UNITED SUBS USED: Shaw for Telles 45’ • Martial for Greenwood 64’ • McTominay for Fernandes 90+5’ YELLOW CARDS: Rashford

WOLVES SUBS USED: Podence for Vitinha 55’ • Fabio Silva for Neto 68’

YELLOW CARDS: Rui Patricio

STARTING XI 11 Rui Patricio 16 Coady 27 Saiss 49 Kilman 2 Hoever 8 Neves

28 Moutinho 3 Ait-Nouri 20 Vitinha 37 Traore 7 Neto

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 69

JANUARY The new year dawns with progress in one cup following an exit from another, while the two Manchester clubs take charge in the league...

nited set the perfect tone for 2021 with a hard-fought win to open the year, overcoming Aston Villa at Old Trafford thanks to goals from Anthony Martial and a Bruno Fernandes penalty – his fifth succesful spot-kick of the Premier League campaign. There would be disappointment five days later, however, as for the second straight season the Reds were eliminated from the Carabao Cup semis by eventual winners Manchester City, with Pep Guardiola’s side netting from two set-pieces. United hosted Championship high-flyers Watford next in the third round of the FA Cup and successfully progressed courtesy of a superb Scott McTominay header just five minutes into proceedings at Old Trafford. The goal capped a special night for the Academy graduate, who also captained his boyhood club for the first time. A deflected Paul Pogba volley sent the Reds to the top of the Premier League as his goal against Burnley proved to be the matchwinner at Turf Moor. A 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield was to follow before a return to winning ways when Pogba again netted in a 2-1 win over strugglers Fulham. The win at Craven Cottage stretched United’s unbeaten away record to 17 games in the league, equalling the club’s all-time record. As the games continued to come thick and fast, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Reds again met Jurgen 70 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Klopp’s Liverpool, this time in the FA Cup fourth round. United came out 3-2 victors, advancing after a thrilling see-saw battle, with Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Fernandes supplying the goals. Back in the league, a shock home defeat to Sheffield United and a goalless draw at Arsenal left the Reds replaced at the summit by our neighbours City, who won all nine games across all competitions throughout the month. Guardiola’s side scored 24 goals along the way with their 5-0 league win at strugglers West Brom lifting them to top spot for the first time in 2020/21. Meanwhile, Leicester’s hunt for a Champions League place was boosted as they only lost once throughout January. A 2-0 home win over Chelsea provided the pick of the bunch, and also ended Frank Lampard’s tenure as Blues boss after 18 months in charge. Chelsea had slipped to ninth position, with the club soon opting to bring in ex-PSG manager Thomas Tuchel as his replacement. Further down the Premier League table, and despite their Old Trafford upset, Sheffield United were now 13 points adrift of safety come the month’s end, with relegation looking increasingly unavoidable for the Blades.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH PAUL POGBA Pogba claimed the award for the fifth time since his return to the club, for a string of superb performances. Key goals in away wins at both Burnley and Fulham caught the eye, and combined with a string of consistent midfield displays, they ensured our no.6 collected his first monthly prize of 2020/21.

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GOAL OF THE MONTH PAUL POGBA v FULHAM

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END-OF-MONTH PL STANDINGS P GD PTS 1 Manchester City 20 24 44 2 UNITED 21 10 41 3 Liverpool 21 19 40 4 Leicester 21 12 39 5 West Ham 21 4 35 6 Tottenham 20 13 33 7 Chelsea 21 12 33 8 Everton 19 5 33 9 Aston Villa 19 13 32 10 Arsenal 21 6 31 11 Southampton 20 2 29 12 Leeds 20 -1 29 13 Crystal Palace 21 -11 26 14 Wolves 21 -9 23 15 Newcastle 21 -13 22 16 Burnley 20 -13 22 17 Brighton 21 -6 21 18 Fulham 20 -12 14 19 West Brom 21 -33 12 20 Sheffield United 21 -22 8

With 20 minutes left to play in a tightly contested battle with Scott Parker’s Fulham, United once again needed a little bit of magic to make the difference. Enter our inimitable no.6, who

UNITED’S JANUARY RESULTS 01.01.21 PL United 2 Villa 1 06.01.21 LC United 0 Man City 2 09.01.21 FA United 1 Watford 0 12.01.21 PL Burnley 0 United 1 17.01.21 PL Liverpool 0 United 0 20.01.21 PL Fulham 1 United 2 24.01.21 FA United 3 Liverpool 2 27.01.21 PL United 1 Sheffield Utd 2 30.01.21 PL Arsenal 0 United 0

skipped away from Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed before unleashing a superb left-footed rocket across Alphonse Areola’s goal to fire United to three big points. Pogba’s strike was his fourth goal of the campaign and undoubtedly one of his best in a United shirt – more than worthy of collecting January’s award.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 71

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 16 FRIDAY 1 JANUARY 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 8PM

UNITED 2 ASTON VILLA 1 Martial 40, Fernandes 61 (pen)

Traore 58

It’s a happy new year for the Reds after tense win

nited moved level on points with Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table thanks to a stirring 2-1 win against Aston Villa at Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side certainly started with plenty of vitality, as after two minutes Fred created a chance for Bruno Fernandes, who forced an early save from Emiliano Martinez. Fernandes also created one for Anthony Martial and the Frenchman’s stinger brought out another fine save, before Fred flashed an effort over the bar and at the other end, Villa’s John McGinn forced David De Gea into action. Paul Pogba and Fernandes both went close before the opening goal arrived following an excellent United move. De Gea started it, but it was Pogba’s skill in midfield that caught the eye. He played it to Marcus Rashford and, after the cutest of flicks, Aaron Wan-Bissaka crossed for Martial to head in from six yards. The visitors almost levelled soon afterwards when Jack Grealish’s

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

16 16 16 16 16

17 9 9 6 13

33 33 29 29 26

Liverpool UNITED Leicester Everton Chelsea

72 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

cross was headed goalward by Ollie Watkins, with De Gea brilliantly flipping the attempt over the bar. Villa cashed in on an upbeat start after the interval with an equaliser on 58 minutes. A quick free-kick caught the Reds flat-footed and Grealish crossed to the far post, where Bertrand Traore smashed the ball in. The Reds were back in front just three minutes later. Douglas Luiz brought down Pogba in the box and after VAR confirmed it, Fernandes netted the penalty to make it 2-1. Martial was denied by Martinez and Pogba was inches away from adding a third on 73 minutes, after good work from Luke Shaw. Watkins

MAN OF THE MATCH ERIC BAILLY Bailly’s late intervention to deny Davis a certain equaliser was as precious as our goals, capping a fine display.

then went close for Villa, while Fernandes forced a fine save from Martinez and Rashford shot over. It was a nervy finale as Villa pushed for a late equaliser: Matty Cash’s shot was palmed away by De Gea before Eric Bailly put in a vital block to deny Villa substitute Keinan Davis.

“WE WERE HAPPY FOR ERIC AT THE END – IT WAS A KEY MOMENT OF THE GAME THAT COULD HAVE GONE ANOTHER WAY, BUT HE PUT HIS BODY ON THE LINE” AARON WAN-BISSAKA

Left Martial celebrates the opener; Shaw jostles for possession Below Things are heating up in the United area as a Villa corner comes in

Martial’s goal meant he’d scored on all seven days of the week in the PL for United (the fifth Red to do so after Giggs, Cole, Beckham, Rooney).

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

39 10

SHOTS ON TARGET

17 Fred 10 Rashford 18 Fernandes 6 Pogba 9 Martial

FOULS

STARTING XI

CORNERS

1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 3 Bailly 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

17 18

19 29

ASTON VILLA

SHOTS

UNITED SUBS USED: Matic for McTominay 65’ •

James for Fernandes 87’ • Tuanzebe for Fred 90+4’ YELLOW CARDS: Bailly, Maguire, Shaw, Matic

ASTON VILLA SUBS USED: Ramsey for Traore 79’ • Davis for El Ghazi 84’

YELLOW CARDS: None

STARTING XI 26 Martinez 2 Cash 4 Konsa 5 Mings 18 Targett 6 Luiz

7 15 10 21 11

McGinn Traore Grealish El Ghazi Watkins

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 73

CARABAO CUP | SEMI-FINAL WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 7.45PM

UNITED 0 MANCHESTER CITY 2 Stones 50, Fernandinho 83

Second-half goals end Reds’ Carabao Cup run

here was more semi-final heartbreak for United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester City won a Carabao Cup derby 2-0 at Old Trafford. It was almost a superb flying start by the Reds when Marcus Rashford’s shot rebounded off goalkeeper Zack Steffen to hit John Stones and nestle in the back of the City net after just two minutes. Unfortunately, a VAR check confirmed that Rashford was offside when he pulled the trigger. The visitors also had a goal chalked off after five minutes when Ilkay Gundogan passed the ball home, only for the officials to again to be spot-on as the German was in an offside position. Bruno Fernandes had a goalbound effort brilliantly kept out by American keeper Steffen after nine minutes, following a pass by Scott McTominay, as the semi-final kicked off in exciting style. Kevin De Bruyne smacked the post with a screamer before Phil

Foden became the third player to have a goal disallowed when his 24th-minute effort was cancelled out, again due to offside. Rashford had a shot blocked and McTominay lifted an effort well over, while a penalty appeal for a potential handball by Stones was dismissed by ref Martin Atkinson. City broke the derby deadlock five minutes after the interval. A Foden free-kick shot across the penalty area, behind and beyond United’s defenders, and Stones bundled the ball in with his thigh. Dean Henderson, making his first Old Trafford appearance in goal,

MAN OF THE MATCH DEAN HENDERSON Could do little about either goal and made some big stops to keep the contest alive on his Old Trafford bow.

OTHER RESULT: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Brentford

kept the Reds in it after 62 minutes, with an excellent flying save from Riyad Mahrez’s powerful attempt. United stepped up attempts to level the match with Harry Maguire steering a difficult headed chance wide and Fernandes hitting one shot straight at Steffen, and then curling one wide from distance. Going into the closing stages, the tension was rising, but prospects of a dramatic finale were blown out of the water with seven minutes left when Fernandinho drilled in Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s attempt to head away a corner, to make it 2-0 and end the Reds’ hopes of a Carabao Cup trip to Wembley.

“WHEN YOU CONCEDE TWO SET-PLAYS, SIMPLE ONES WE SHOULD HAVE CLEARED, YOU’RE VERY DISAPPOINTED. WE WERE JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH IN THOSE MOMENTS” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 74 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

3/15

Left (bottom) a tense wait for a United set-piece; (top) Greenwood in action Below Stones tackles Martial as the hosts battle to get back into the derby contest

This result meant that the home side had won just three of the past 15 Manchester derbies across all competitions.

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

SHOTS

39 10

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS FOULS

STARTING XI 17 Fred 10 Rashford 18 Fernandes 6 Pogba 9 Martial

Henderson Wan-Bissaka Lindelof Maguire Shaw McTominay

26 29 2 5 23 39

11 29

MAN CITY

UNITED SUBS USED: Greenwood for McTominay 75’ • van de Beek for Fred 88’

YELLOW CARDS: Shaw, Fred CITY SUBS USED: Rodri for Mahrez 79’ YELLOW CARDS: Cancelo, Fernandinho

STARTING XI 13 27 5 3 11 17

Steffen Cancelo Stones Dias Zinchenko De Bruyne

25 Fernandinho 8 Gundogan 7 Sterling 26 Mahrez 47 Foden

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 75

EMIRATES FA CUP | THIRD ROUND SATURDAY 9 JANUARY 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 8PM

UNITED 1 WATFORD 0 McTominay 5

Fast start proves the key in tough Cup encounter

cott McTominay booked Manchester United’s place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with an early winner in a 1-0 victory over Championship promotion-chasers Watford. It may have been a much-changed line-up from the side that faced Manchester City three days earlier but the Reds were all in tune right from the kick-off and got off to a flyer with the Scotland international’s opener after just five minutes. The midfielder powered a header downwards from an Alex Telles corner that took an enormous bounce to loop beyond Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann. However, it didn’t dampen the spirit

MAN OF THE MATCH SCOTT McTOMINAY Started as skipper in the absence of Harry Maguire and led by example, his early goal proving decisive.

of the second-tier high-flyers and the Reds needed Axel Tuanzebe to hack the ball away from near the goal line following Adam Masina’s shot. The Telles corner route to goal almost paid off again in the 19th minute when his delivery was met by Eric Bailly, who stole space for himself in the box, but his header was glanced wide of the target. Watford refused to lie down and Ismaila Sarr lobbed a high ball towards goal after breaking free from Telles. The Reds cleared but were defending desperately again after 32 minutes when our defence blocked several chances. The referee, Andrew Madley, turned down Watford appeals for handball by Bailly and then VAR endorsed the official’s decision. The Reds finally got back into a smooth groove late in the half when an intricate, flowing move involving Mason Greenwood, Donny van de Beek and Juan Mata ended with the latter having his shot saved by Bachmann. Chances were harder to come by after the

“WHEN THE MANAGER TOLD ME I WAS CAPTAIN IT WAS A SURREAL MOMENT. I’VE BEEN HERE SINCE I WAS FIVE AND IT’S A HUGE HONOUR. I LOVE THIS CLUB, IT’S BEEN MY WHOLE LIFE” SCOTT McTOMINAY 76 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

OTHER RESULTS: Aston Villa 1-4 Liverpool Wolves 1-0 Crystal Palace Boreham Wood 0-2 Millwall Everton 2-1 Rotherham United (aet) Luton Town 1-0 Reading Norwich City 2-0 Coventry City Nottingham Forest 1-0 Cardiff City Chorley 2-0 Derby County Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Doncaster Rovers Blackpool 2-2 (3-2 on pens) West Brom Bournemouth 4-1 Oldham Athletic Bristol Rovers 2-3 Sheffield United Burnley 1-1 (4-3 on pens) Milton Keynes Dons Exeter City 0-2 Sheffield Wednesday Queens Park Rangers 0-2 Fulham (aet) Stevenage 0-2 Swansea City Stoke City 0-4 Leicester City Wycombe Wanderers 4-1 Preston North End Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle United (aet) Brentford 2-1 Middlesbrough Huddersfield Town 2-3 Plymouth Argyle Barnsley 2-0 Tranmere Rovers Bristol City 2-1 Portsmouth Chelsea 4-0 Morecambe Cheltenham Town 2-1 Mansfield Town (aet) Crawley Town 3-0 Leeds United Manchester City 3-0 Birmingham City Marine 0-5 Tottenham Hotspur Newport County 1-1 (3-4 on pens) Brighton Stockport County 0-1 West Ham United Southampton 2-0 Shrewsbury Town

break, though Watford’s Ken Sema floated a free-kick just over. It was a close call, although Dean Henderson in the hosts’ goal did watch it all the way to safety. Opportunities were few and far between as the Reds struggled to find top gear on a cold night, with neither a Harry Maguire header, nor a Marcus Rashford shot, really testing Bachmann. Nonetheless, United saw out the tie, securing a fourth-round spot.

2014

Left Anthony Martial holds on to possession Below Scorer McTominay enjoys the moment in the Old Trafford spotlight

The last time United failed to progress in the FA Cup third round was January 2014, when we lost 2-1 to Swansea.

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

39 8

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS FOULS

Henderson Williams Bailly Tuanzebe Telles McTominay

34 van de Beek 8 Mata 14 Lingard 21 James 11 Greenwood

26 33 3 38 27 39

STARTING XI

34 14

19 33

WATFORD

SHOTS

UNITED SUBSTITUTES:

Maguire for Bailly 45+5’ • Rashford for James 69’ • Martial for Greenwood 69’ • Matic for Lingard 80’ YELLOW CARDS: Tuanzebe, Telles WATFORD SUBSTITUTES:

Ngakia for Masina 58’ • Sema for Sarr 58’ • Wilmot for Troost-Ekong ‘76 • Hungbo for Zinckernagel 76’ • Phillips for Chalobah 84’ YELLOW CARDS: Sarr

STARTING XI 26 Bachmann 32 Navarro 5 Troost-Ekong 31 Sierralta 11 Masina 23 Sarr

14 19 7 10 18

Chalobah Hughes Zinckernagel Joao Pedro Gray

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 77

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 17 TUESDAY 12 JANUARY 2021 | TURF MOOR | 8.15PM

BURNLEY 0 UNITED 1 Pogba 71

Ole’s Reds go top after pressure tells at Turf Moor

stunning second-half volley from Paul Pogba helped United ascend to the summit of the Premier League, as the Reds prevailed 1-0 at Burnley. It took around 15 minutes before the Reds hit their stride. There were speculative chances for Bruno Fernandes, which Burnley blocked, and Anthony Martial, who spooned his left-footed shot over the bar. But just as United had seemed to establish some modicum of dominance, Eric Bailly did well at the other end to dive in and deny a goalbound Chris Wood effort. The real drama of the half, however, arrived on 27 minutes.

Luke Shaw put in a strong tackle on Johann Berg Gudmundsson, launching a counterattack that ended with Robbie Brady fouling Edinson Cavani, who appeared to be through on goal. Controversially, after a long wait for a VAR consultation, play was brought back and a Burnley free-kick was awarded, then Shaw’s initial foul was punished by a yellow card. Thankfully, the subsequent Clarets set-piece sailed out of play. Frustration followed for United shortly afterwards when Harry Maguire headed home a deep Shaw cross, only for referee Kevin Friend to blow his whistle for a foul. The

Reds ended the first period well on top, however, with Martial drawing a smart save from Nick Pope. Within 10 minutes of the restart, Fernandes had attempted three further strikes at Pope’s goal, while Cavani had miskicked a decent opening after more intense pressure. The Uruguayan came closer on 67 minutes, when he worked a yard in the box following a United corner, but couldn’t find the top corner with his left foot amid a sea of bodies. Mercifully, the breakthrough finally came when Marcus Rashford chipped a cute ball into the box and found Pogba, who met the cross with a glorious volley that nudged off Matthew Lowton and flew past Pope. Josh Brownhill, Matej Vydra and James Tarkowski all wasted decent chances in the dying moments but United held on, almost scoring again when Pope saved from Martial.

MAN OF THE MATCH PAUL POGBA An assured display capped by a slightly deflected but still impressive and richly deserved winner.

“IT’S VERY HARD TO PLAY HERE; THEY’RE VERY STRONG AND WE HAD TO KEEP OUR HEADS DOWN, FOCUS ON OURSELVES AND BELIEVE THE GOAL WOULD COME, AND IT DID” PAUL POGBA 78 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

17 17 17 17 16

10 16 10 7 14

36 33 32 32 29

UNITED Liverpool Leicester Everton Tottenham

POSSESSION (%)

BURNLEY

SHOTS

13 SHOTS ON TARGET

0 CORNERS

3 9

STARTING XI 18 8 12 9 10

Westwood Brownhill Brady Wood Barnes

FOULS

1 Pope 2 Lowton 5 Tarkowski 6 Mee 23 Pieters 7 Gudmundsson

UNITED

BURNLEY SUBS USED: McNeil for Brady 65’ • Vydra for Wood 80’ • Rodriguez for Barnes 87’ YELLOW CARDS: Westwood

UNITED SUBS USED: Greenwood for Rashford 80’ •

McTominay for Fernandes 89’ • Tuanzebe for Martial 90+5’ YELLOW CARDS: Shaw, Fernandes

STARTING XI 1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 3 Bailly 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 6 Pogba

31 Matic 10 Rashford 18 Fernandes 9 Martial 7 Cavani

Left (clockwise from left) The boss advises Cavani; the winner hits the net; Wan-Bissaka tussles for possession Below Pogba wheels away in delight

This is the first time United have ended the day top of the PL table, having played as many as 17 games, since the final day of 2012/13.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 79

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 18 SUNDAY 17 JANUARY 2021 | ANFIELD | 4.30PM

LIVERPOOL 0 UNITED 0 No killer blow is landed in an even Anfield battle

anchester United remained top of the Premier League after going close to snatching victory late on in a 0-0 draw with Liverpool at Anfield. As expected, it was a cagey opening from both sides, but it’s fair to say the hosts dominated the early possession, with Thiago particularly influential in the Liverpool midfield. The first sight of goal, on 17 minutes, dropped to Roberto Firmino after he was found by Sadio Mane, but he skewed well wide. Soon after, Mohamed Salah volleyed off target after Firmino’s shot had been blocked, before United had our first effort on goal when Bruno Fernandes sent a 25-yard free-kick inches past goalkeeper Alisson’s right-hand post. Liverpool then went up the other end with Salah, who burst into the box before having the ball taken off his toe and Firmino’s scuffed effort was straight at David De Gea. The exchanges after the break were much more even. On 53 minutes, Fernandes’s shot was blocked by Fabinho, before a

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

18 17 18 18 18

10 16 12 16 16

37 35 35 34 33

UNITED Man City Leicester Liverpool Tottenham

80 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

whipped Andy Robertson cross from the left was expertly flicked against Firmino and out for a goal-kick by Harry Maguire as the Brazilian looked to pounce. Space then opened up for Fernandes to shoot from 25 yards. It was well struck, but Alisson kept his eye on it and saved comfortably. Salah had a shot deflected wide soon after as the deadlock continued. On 75 minutes, the best chance thus far arrived when Luke Shaw burst into the box and set up Fernandes, but his snap-shot was blocked by the foot of Alisson. De Gea was then called into action to repel Thiago’s 25-yarder as the game finally became stretched.

MAN OF THE MATCH LUKE SHAW Influential all over the pitch, winning a free-kick curled just wide by Fernandes and setting up Bruno for a glorious chance.

United went so close to snatching it, six minutes from time, when Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s deflected pass dropped for Paul Pogba, but his vicious effort was well saved by Alisson. That proved the last real incident of the game as the spoils were shared at Anfield.

“THEY ARE A GOOD SIDE AND THEY HAVE SOME INJURY PROBLEMS BUT WE DIDN’T POUNCE ON THAT. I FELT WE GREW INTO THE GAME AND GOT STRONGER AND STRONGER” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

Left De Gea and Alisson bump gloves at full-time; Ole makes his instructions clear to his charges Below Jordan Henderson pursues Marcus Rashford

United became the first side to stop Liverpool scoring at Anfield in a PL game since Oct 2018 – this was their 43rd home PL game since then.

LIVERPOOL

POSSESSION (%) 66

17 66

3 6

23 Shaqiri 6 Thiago 5 Wijnaldum 11 Salah 9 Firmino 10 Mane

4 CORNERS

FOULS 15

STARTING XI

8 SHOTS ON TARGET

1 Alisson 66 AlexanderArnold 3 Fabinho 14 Henderson 26 Robertson

UNITED

34 SHOTS

6 LIVERPOOL SUBS USED: Jones for Shaqiri 76’ • Origi for Firmino 85’ • Milner for Wijnaldum 89’ YELLOW CARDS: Fabinho, Shaqiri

UNITED SUBS USED: Cavani for Martial 61’ • Greenwood for Fernandes 89’ YELLOW CARDS: Rashford

STARTING XI 1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

17 Fred 6 Pogba 18 Fernandes 9 Martial 10 Rashford

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 81

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 19 WEDNESDAY 20 JANUARY 2021 | CRAVEN COTTAGE | 8.15PM

FULHAM 1 UNITED 2 Lookman 5

Cavani 21, Pogba 65

Early concession in London can’t keep Reds at bay

nited once again claimed top spot in the Premier League table with a tense but deserved 2-1 win away to Fulham. Ademola Lookman had already had an effort saved by David De Gea by the time he finished coolly to give the hosts the lead after five minutes. Fred had a strong penalty appeal waved away not long afterwards, before Bruno Fernandes struck the post from long range on 20 minutes. Fernandes was again at the heart of it when United got on level terms soon after. His cross was spilled by Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola into the path of Edinson Cavani, who thumped in from close range.

The visitors were on the front foot from that point, as Fernandes forced Areola into a full-length save while Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire both headed off target. Mason Greenwood did have one last effort in first-half injury-time but it was snuffed out by some well-organised Fulham defending. However, it was Fulham who started stronger after the break. Harrison Reed fired one over before Lookman’s curled shot forced De Gea into a smart save with 53 minutes on the clock at Craven Cottage. The Reds were also looking dangerous, with Maguire’s header from a corner fizzing just wide

and then full-back Luke Shaw having a shot deflected behind. A moment of magic gave United the lead on 65 minutes. Paul Pogba picked up the ball on the corner of the box and cut inside on his weaker left foot before curling in a wonderful effort that gave Areola no chance. A Cavani header was then kept out by a sprawling Areola, and at the other end De Gea was called upon to deny Ruben Loftus-Cheek. In the closing stages, Fulham put United under increasing pressure and, after a speculative Fred volley, Loftus-Cheek blazed over for the hosts on 82 minutes. Scott Parker’s side sent in several dangerous crosses and created two opportunities in injury-time, but blocks from Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Eric Bailly diverted the respective efforts of Lookman and Aleksandar Mitrovic wide as United held out.

MAN OF THE MATCH PAUL POGBA Another match-winning contribution from the Frenchman, with his decisive strike one of our goals of the season.

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

19 18 19 18 18

11 18 14 16 16

40 38 38 34 33

UNITED Man City Leicester Liverpool Tottenham

82 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

“I KNOW WHAT POGBA CAN DO. HE DOES EVERYTHING. NOW HE IS PUTTING ALL THE ELEMENTS TOGETHER IN HIS PERFORMANCES AND IT IS GREAT TO SEE” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

FULHAM

POSSESSION (%) SHOTS

1 5

16 21

SHOTS ON TARGET 23

5 CORNERS

FOULS

STARTING XI 21 Reed 23 Bryan 15 Loftus-Cheek 17 Cavaleiro 19 Lookman

Left Maguire congratulates Pogba after his stunning strike; Fernandes resists Fulham pressure Below Cavani capitalises on a goalkeeping error to equalise

1 Areola 34 Aina 5 Andersen 16 Tosin 2 Tete 29 Anguissa

12 34

UNITED

FULHAM SUBS USED: Kamara for Cavaleiro 71’ • Lemina for Anguissa 79’ • Mitrovic for Aina 83’ YELLOW CARDS: Aina, Anguissa, Bryan

UNITED SUBS USED: McTominay for Martial 85’ •

Rashford for Greenwood 85’• Matic for Fernandes 90+5’ YELLOW CARDS: Pogba

STARTING XI 1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 3 Bailly 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 6 Pogba

17 Fred 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 9 Martial 7 Cavani

Edinson Cavani became the first United player whose first four PL goals for the club were all scored away from home.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 83

EMIRATES FA CUP | FOURTH ROUND SUNDAY 24 JANUARY 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 5PM

UNITED 3 LIVERPOOL 2 Greenwood 26, Rashford 48, Fernandes 78

Salah 18, 58

Bruno helps Reds prevail in topsy-turvy Cup clash

uper-sub Bruno Fernandes was Manchester United’s FA Cup matchwinning hero as the Reds won a pulsating fourth-round tie 3-2 at Old Trafford. Mason Greenwood gave Liverpool two early warnings, first seeing a shot saved by Alisson before drilling wide. But it was the visitors who opened the scoring on 18 minutes when Mohamed Salah latched on to a through ball from Curtis Jones before lifting his effort over Dean Henderson. It took just eight minutes for United to level matters. Marcus Rashford arrowed a superb cross-field pass to Greenwood,

MAN OF THE MATCH MARCUS RASHFORD Set up Greenwood with a sublime assist before slotting home a goal of his own after the break.

who controlled the ball on his chest before smashing past Alisson. Luke Shaw’s corners were proving to be a dangerous weapon as both Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay went close with headers from our no.23’s deliveries. The left-back also forced a save from Alisson after sprinting into the box, while McTominay had a powerful drive blocked and Pogba also went close. United deservedly took the lead shortly after the break as Greenwood sent Rashford clear and our no.10 kept cool to steer home. Ten minutes later and the contest was once again all square. After James Milner had shot over, a defensive lapse allowed Salah the chance to fire beyond Henderson for his second goal. It was a real Cup thriller now and Henderson had to come to the Reds’ rescue with a great save from a Trent Alexander-Arnold rocket. Liverpool were a rejuvenated force and Henderson had to save again

“WE PLAYED SOME REALLY GOOD STUFF IN PERIODS. WE KNOW WE HAVE TO DEFEND WELL AGAINST THEM, OF COURSE, AND WE REACTED WELL [TO GOING BEHIND]” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 84 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

OTHER RESULTS: Chorley 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers Southampton 1-0 Arsenal Barnsley 1-0 Norwich City Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 Blackpool Millwall 0-3 Bristol City Sheffield United 2-1 Plymouth Argyle Swansea City 5-1 Nottingham Forest West Ham United 4-0 Doncaster Rovers Cheltenham Town 1-3 Manchester City Chelsea 3-1 Luton Town Brentford 1-3 Leicester City Fulham 0-3 Burnley Everton 3-0 Sheffield Wednesday Wycombe Wanderers 1-4 Tottenham Hotspur Bournemouth 2-1 Crawley Town

in the 67th minute to stop Salah completing a hat-trick. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had brought on Fernandes and Fred moments earlier, trying to win back the initiative. And it was Bruno who made the difference 12 minutes from time. A Fabinho foul on Edinson Cavani inside the ‘D’ was as almost as good as a penalty kick for our Portuguese maestro and he brilliantly curled his free-kick into the bottom corner. Cavani almost put the icing on the cake during a nailbiting finale when he hit the post with a superb 88th-minute header, but it wasn’t needed in the end as Solskjaer’s Reds powered on to round five.

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

42 SHOTS

39 11

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS FOULS

STARTING XI Pogba Greenwood van de Beek Rashford Cavani

6 11 34 10 7

26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

6 34

14 29

LIVERPOOL

UNITED SUBSTITUTES:

Fred for Greenwood 66’ • Fernandes for van de Beek 66’ •

Martial for Rashford 86’ YELLOW CARDS: Lindelof, Pogba LIVERPOOL SUBSTITUTES:

Mane for Wijnaldum 62’ • Shaqiri for Thiago 81’ •

Origi for Firmino 81’ YELLOW CARDS: Fabinho, Mane

STARTING XI 1 Alisson 66 AlexanderArnold 46 Williams 3 Fabinho 26 Robertson

5 6 7 11 9 17

Wijnaldum Thiago Milner Salah Firmino Jones

United have eliminated Liverpool from the FA Cup for the 10th time; in the Cup’s history, only Liverpool (12 v Everton) have knocked a club out more times.

Left Cavani’s header so nearly found the target; the boss watches proceedings anxiously Above Fernandes roars with delight as we go 3-2 up

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 85

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 20 WEDNESDAY 27 JANUARY 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 8.15PM

UNITED 1 SHEFFIELD UNITED 2 Maguire 64

Byran 23, Burke 74

Struggling Blades spring a surprise on Ole’s Reds

he Reds were shocked at Old Trafford as bottom side Sheffield United upset the form book with a 2-1 victory. An early chance fell to Marcus Rashford, who shot wide, before Mason Greenwood ghosted around Blades goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, but our no.11 was then outnumbered and the opening was gone. The away side took a surprise lead in the 23rd minute, when Kean Bryan rose highest to meet a John Fleck corner and beat David De Gea with a glancing header into the net. United seemingly equalised in the 30th minute when Anthony Martial

MAN OF THE MATCH HARRY MAGUIRE On a difficult night at the Theatre of Dreams, the skipper fought hard, and nodded home a well-placed leveller.

prodded home but, frustratingly, referee Peter Bankes ruled that Harry Maguire had fouled Ramsdale. United needed a boost and Bruno Fernandes provided it with a ball slipped through to Greenwood four minutes after the interval. The teenage forward, however, dragged his shot just wide. The Blades continued to threaten, despite seeing little of the ball, and David McGoldrick nonchalantly curled one effort past the post with the outside of his foot. The Reds then had two free-kick chances in quick succession from shooting range but Rashford’s was saved and Fernandes’s effort deflected off the wall for a corner. From the latter set-piece, Alex Telles delivered a pacy cross and Maguire didn’t even have to get off the ground as he stormed through to power home a header against his old club. Alas, the skipper’s example failed to ignite United and 10 minutes later, the visitors were

“WE STOPPED GETTING OUT TO THE BALL – BAD DECISIONS WHICH IS OUT OF CHARACTER. BUT THERE WILL BE NO BIG INQUEST. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ODD RESULTS THIS SEASON” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 86 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

back in front. The Reds allowed the Blades to build pressure before Oliver Burke, enjoying space in the area, cracked in a shot that deflected off Axel Tuanzebe and into the net. Despite some late home pressure, there were few scares for Ramsdale, except for a deflected effort by Telles that clipped the bar, on an evening to forget for the hosts.

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

19 20 20 20 19

23 10 14 6 15

41 40 39 35 34

Man City UNITED Leicester West Ham Liverpool

Sheffield United are only the third side from Yorkshire to win at Old Trafford in any competition during the PL era, after Leeds (2010, FA Cup) and York (1996, League Cup).

Left Nemanja Matic uses his head; Maguire accepts Tuanzebe’s congratulations after scoring our goal Below United walk out on a chilly January evening at Old Trafford

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

16 29

6 11

SHOTS ON TARGET

7 FOULS

STARTING XI 31 Matic 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 9 Martial

De Gea Wan-Bissaka Tuanzebe Maguire Telles Pogba

CORNERS

1 29 38 5 27 6

31 18

SHEFFIELD UTD

SHOTS

UNITED SUBS USED: Cavani for Greenwood 66’ • van de Beek for Tuanzebe 82’ • Shaw for Telles 82’ YELLOW CARDS: Tuanzebe

SHEFFIELD UTD SUBS USED: Bogle for Bryan 53’ • Burke for Sharp 70’ • Brewster for McGoldrick 80’ YELLOW CARDS: Lundstram

STARTING XI 1 Ramsdale 6 Basham 15 Jagielka 22 Ampadu 2 Baldock 7 Lundstram

16 Norwood 4 Fleck 29 Bryan 17 McGoldrick 10 Sharp

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 87

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 21 SATURDAY 30 JANUARY 2021 | EMIRATES STADIUM | 5.30PM

ARSENAL 0 UNITED 0 Bitterly cold night in London ends in stalemate

anchester United claimed a hard-fought point against Arsenal after both sides had chances to win it at the Emirates. Bar a break forward when Alexandre Lacazette shot straight at David De Gea, it was pretty much all United for the opening 25 minutes. Our attacking quartet were lively with Marcus Rashford in a few times down the right, and it was a corner from that side that brought United a first big chance. The ball was cleared but only as far as Fred on the edge of the box. The midfielder tried a brilliant chipped effort, which was tipped just wide by Bernd Leno. Rashford was then unlucky to have the ball just taken off his toe in

the penalty area thanks to Gabriel Martinelli’s clearing header, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s own headed effort dropped narrowly wide. Paul Pogba then put Bruno Fernandes through on 34 minutes

and, after cutting inside David Luiz, the Portuguese playmaker curled his shot inches past the far post. United continued to press as half-time approached. Rashford couldn’t get his shot away when he was found by Luke Shaw just yards from goal, while Fernandes saw his clever free-kick deflected over by Luiz in the Gunners’ wall. Arsenal’s Willian almost made an immediate impact from the bench at the start of the second period, with Wan-Bissaka required to make a superb point-blank block to deflect the Brazilian’s effort wide, before Harry Maguire did the same minutes later as Nicolas Pepe took aim. Just shy of the hour mark, United looked certain to go a goal up when Shaw crossed to Edinson Cavani, whose drive just yards from goal was somehow diverted wide by Leno. The Reds breathed a sigh of relief on 65 minutes when Lacazette crashed a free-kick off the underside of De Gea’s crossbar, before our no.1 made an excellent low block from Emile Smith Rowe. As the clocked ticked down, Pepe curled just wide of United’s far post, and the visiting Reds went even closer to snatching the win when Cavani acrobatically hooked the ball goalwards from Wan-Bissaka’s excellent cross, but the effort dropped narrowly wide.

MAN OF THE MATCH AARON WAN-BISSAKA Brilliantly blocked Willian’s goalbound effort, and set up Cavani for what was so nearly a winner.

“YOU LOOK AT OUR GAMES AGAINST ARSENAL, CHELSEA, CITY, LIVERPOOL – WE DEFENDED WELL AND DIDN’T CONCEDE MANY CHANCES, BUT WE NEED TO TAKE OUR CHANCES” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 88 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

20 21 20 20 20

24 10 14 17 6

44 41 39 37 35

Man City UNITED Leicester Liverpool West Ham

ARSENAL

18 19

SHOTS

UNITED

SHOTS ON TARGET

3 CORNERS 7

STARTING XI 34 Xhaka 19 Pepe 32 Smith Rowe 35 Martinelli 9 Lacazette

ARSENAL SUBS USED: Willian for Martinelli 45’ • YELLOW CARDS: Cedric

UNITED SUBS USED: Martial for McTominay 37’ • Greenwood for Rashford 80’

YELLOW CARDS: Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Pogba

17 18

Odegaard for Smith Rowe 83’ • Nketiah for Lacazette 90+4’

FOULS

1 Leno 2 Bellerin 16 Holding 23 Luiz 17 Cedric 18 Partey

POSSESSION (%)

STARTING XI 1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

17 Fred 10 Rashford 18 Fernandes 6 Pogba 7 Cavani

Left Cavani rises above Arsenal’s Thomas Partey to meet a header; Mason Greenwood fires in a low cross Below Maguire rallies the troops before kick-off at the Emirates

2014

This was the first goalless draw between Arsenal and Manchester United in the Premier League in seven years.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 89

FEBRUARY An unbeaten month sees United through to the last eight of the FA Cup and the Europa League’s Round of 16, with plenty of goals along the way...

ebruary started in spectacular fashion for the Reds, with the equalling of the Premier League’s all-time record victory, as Southampton were smashed for nine goals without reply at Old Trafford. An early dismissal for Saints’ Alexandre Jankewitz after just two minutes helped open the floodgates for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men, who netted five times in the game’s final 20 minutes. Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s opener was also his first for the club on home soil. The goals kept flowing at Old Trafford next time out, albeit in frustrating fashion as a commanding END-OF-MONTH PL STANDINGS P GD PTS 1 Manchester City 26 36 62 2 UNITED 26 21 50 3 Leicester 26 15 49 4 West Ham 26 9 45 5 Chelsea 26 16 44 6 Liverpool 26 13 43 7 Everton 24 4 40 8 Tottenham 25 14 39 9 Aston Villa 24 12 39 10 Arsenal 26 7 37 11 Leeds 26 -1 35 12 Wolves 26 -6 34 13 Crystal Palace 26 -14 33 14 Southampton 25 -12 30 15 Burnley 26 -16 28 16 Brighton 26 -7 26 17 Newcastle 26 -17 26 18 Fulham 26 -11 23 19 West Brom 26 -35 17 20 Sheffield United 26 -28 11

90 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

first-half display ultimately counted for just a point against Everton. A two-goal interval lead was cancelled out early in the second period and, just as Scott McTominay’s late header looked to have ensured a home victory, an even later Dominic Calvert-Lewin equaliser meant the points would be shared. Solskjaer’s side then booked a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals following a 1-0 home win over David Moyes’s West Ham. The Reds were made to work hard on the night, but McTominay powered home an extra-time winner to guarantee progression to the last eight for a seventh consecutive year. Next up, a 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened West Brom at The Hawthorns, with Bruno Fernandes equalising spectacularly just before half-time to notch his 14th league goal of the campaign. The result moved the Reds back above Leicester into second place but trailing leaders Manchester City by seven points. A terrific away display in the Europa League Round of 32 first leg saw United hammer Real Sociedad 4-0, with a pair of Fernandes goals helping us gain a healthy lead in the tie. Newcastle then visited Old Trafford, the Magpies

succumbing to a 3-1 defeat as Solskjaer’s men looked to cement a Champions League spot, before successive goalless draws against Real Sociedad and Chelsea completed the month’s action. Each dropped point proved costly in Premier League terms as Manchester City continued their metronomic winning form, stretching their lead at the top of the table to 12 points. Their German midfielder, Ilkay Gundogan, picked up his second successive Premier League Player of the Month award. As for reigning champions Liverpool, they slipped to sixth after a run of four losses, including a 2-0 defeat to Merseyside rivals Everton – the Toffees’ victory was their first at Anfield for over 20 years. Further down the table, the race to avoid joining doomed Sheffield United began to heat up, with just three points separating Brighton, Newcastle and Fulham in an increasingly tense relegation scrap.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH LUKE SHAW The full-back became the fifth different United player to collect the award in the 2020/21 season after a string of solid displays. Our no.23 contributed four assists across February as well as a superb block away at Chelsea in our final February game, ensuring United left Stamford Bridge with a clean sheet.

BACK TO CONTENTS

UNITED’S FEBRUARY RESULTS 02.02.21 PL United 9 Southampton 0 06.02.21 PL United 3 Everton 3 09.02.21 FA United 1 West Ham 0 (aet) 14.02.21 PL West Brom 1 United 1 18.02.21 EL Real Sociedad 0 United 4 21.02.21 PL United 3 Newcastle 1 25.02.21 EL United 0 Real Sociedad 0 28.02.21 PL Chelsea 0 United 0

WATCH! Click here to enjoy all the Goal of the Month contenders

▶

GOAL OF THE MONTH BRUNO FERNANDES v EVERTON

The Portuguese magician has produced more than his fair share of wonder-strikes as a Red since arriving at the club in January 2020, and this was right up there with the best. Receiving

the ball from Aaron Wan-Bissaka just outside the Everton penalty area, Bruno’s spectacular right-footed effort sailed over the onlooking Robin Olsen to give United a two-goal lead heading into half-time. Our no.18 later admitted this was one of his favourite goals so far in a United shirt.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 91

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 22 TUESDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 8.15PM

UNITED 9

Wan-Bissaka 18, Rashford 25, Bednarek 34 (og), Cavani 39, Martial 69, 90, McTominay 71, Fernandes 87 (pen), James 90+3

SOUTHAMPTON 0

Irrepressible United chalk up joint-record victory

he ruthless Reds destroyed Southampton 9-0, equalling our biggest-ever Premier League win, the 1995 rout of Ipswich. The match exploded into life in just 77 seconds when Alex Jankewitz saw red for a studs-up tackle on Scott McTominay, on the Saints midfielder’s first league start. On 18 minutes, the breakthrough came when Luke Shaw crossed to the far post, where Aaron Wan-Bissaka volleyed in his first Old Trafford goal with a side-footed finish. Shaw was soon involved again, slipping a ball into the box to Mason Greenwood, who cut back for Marcus Rashford to finish. Both keepers were in action as David De Gea denied James Ward-Prowse, while Alex McCarthy saved from Bruno Fernandes and Shaw, but more goals were coming. Rashford’s powerful low delivery was deflected in by Jan Bednarek, then it was 4-0 by the break as Edinson Cavani also registered his maiden strike at the Theatre of Dreams,

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

20 22 21 21 21

24 19 19 12 4

44 44 40 39 35

Man City UNITED Liverpool Leicester West Ham

92 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

with a firm header from another accurate Shaw delivery. The Saints thought they had one back early in the second half when Che Adams drilled home after a quick free-kick, only for VAR to rule it out for offside. Just when it looked like our potency had faded, Anthony Martial struck a thumping fifth, chesting down a pass from Fernandes before turning and crashing the ball home. Two minutes later and United were at it yet again as McTominay seized on a Southampton clearance to return the ball with a powerful, low drilled shot and make it 6-0.

MAN OF THE MATCH AARON WAN-BISSAKA Plenty of contenders but ‘AWB’ took the prize after opening the scoring and proving a real menace all evening.

Adams shot over and Martial fired wide before the night was capped with further late goals. Fernandes scored from the spot after Bednarek was sent off for fouling Martial; the Frenchman got his second on 90 minutes before Daniel James completed a stunning team display by netting in injury-time.

“WE HAD AN EASIER TASK WITH THEM GETTING A SENDING-OFF EARLY BUT IT’S NEVER EASY TO BREAK TEAMS DOWN WHEN THEY SIT AND DEFEND, AND I THOUGHT WE WERE EXCELLENT” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

Left James celebrates finishing the rout; Martial fires home to make it eight Below Rashford thanks Greenwood for setting him up with United’s second

United became only the second side to have seven different scorers in a PL match (after Chelsea v Aston Villa in Dec 2012).

UNITED

POSSESSION (%) 25

75 SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET CORNERS FOULS

17 Fred 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 7 Cavani

STARTING XI

1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

14 10

24 29

SOUTHAMPTON

UNITED SUBS USED: van de Beek for Shaw 45’ • Martial for Cavani 45’ • James for Rashford 60’ YELLOW CARDS: Maguire, van de Beek

SOUTHAMPTON SUBS USED: Redmond for Ings 70’ •

Tchaptchet for Djenepo 78’ YELLOW CARDS: Ramsay,

Stephens, Armstrong RED CARDS: Jankewitz, Bednarek

STARTING XI 1 31 35 5 3 12

McCarthy Ramsay Bednarek Stephens Bertrand Djenepo

8 Ward-Prowse 64 Jankewitz 17 Armstrong 10 Adams 9 Ings

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 93

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 23 SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 8PM

UNITED 3 EVERTON 3

Cavani 24, Fernandes 45, McTominay 70

Doucoure 49, Rodriguez 52, Calvert-Lewin 90+5

Merseysiders battle back twice to frustrate hosts

ld Trafford was the scene of another high-scoring affair following the Southampton rout – but this time the points were shared as United were held to a 3-3 draw after Everton’s late leveller. Before the match, captains Harry Maguire and Lucas Digne laid wreaths in the centre circle to remember the victims of the Munich Air Disaster, with the game taking place on the 63rd anniversary of the crash. The Reds went a goal up after 24 minutes. Marcus Rashford’s floated cross was just over the head of Michael Keane and perfectly flighted for Edinson Cavani to head home at the back post.

Just before the break, Victor Lindelof’s clearance rebounded off Digne into the path of Richarlison, whose curled shot went just wide. Fred dragged a shot past the post before United ended the half on a high with a second goal. Bruno Fernandes appeared to be eyeing a cross on the edge of the box but instead fooled everyone as he bent in a show-stopping finish over the head of goalkeeper Robin Olsen. Cavani set up Luke Shaw two minutes after the break only for his thumping shot to be saved by Olsen. That spurred the visitors on, and they got a goal back when Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s cross was palmed

out to Abdoulaye Doucoure, who stabbed home in the six-yard area. Rejuvenated Everton made it 2-2 in the 52nd minute as Doucoure turned creator, enabling James Rodriguez to control and drill home. After shrugging off these blows, United looked sure to regain the lead 10 minutes later, but Olsen thwarted Rashford at the near post. The goal did come not long after, however, as Shaw’s free-kick was met by the head of Scott McTominay to glance in our third. It was an edge-of-your-seat, end-to-end contest, with Fernandes curling an effort just over the bar and Rashford also going close. Our Portuguese playmaker then sent a free-kick just too high before the final twist in a gripping encounter. With United seconds from victory, Calvert-Lewin pounced on a free-kick delivery to prod past De Gea from close range, denying the Reds from taking all three points.

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES Made it 2-0 with a spectacular effort and was unlucky not to add to his tally with two late second-half attempts.

“WE DESERVED TO WIN THE GAME BUT THAT IS FOOTBALL FOR YOU – YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR CHANCES AND CANNOT CONCEDE WITH EVERY SHOT” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 94 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

21 23 22 22 23

26 19 14 18 6

47 45 42 40 39

Man City UNITED Leicester Liverpool West Ham

UNITED

38 SHOTS

39 11

Left Mason Greenwood challenges Digne; McTominay celebrates United’s third Below Bruno’s late free-kick loops over the wall but just too high

21 9

6 Pogba 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 7 Cavani

5 FOULS

STARTING XI

3 CORNERS

1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

SHOTS ON TARGET 5

14 29

EVERTON

POSSESSION (%) 62

UNITED SUBS USED: Fred for Pogba 39’ • Tuanzebe for Greenwood 90+3’

YELLOW CARDS: Shaw, Tuanzebe EVERTON SUBS USED: Sigurdsson for Rodriguez 69’ • Iwobi for Davies 75’ • King for Doucoure 81’ YELLOW CARDS: Keane

STARTING XI 33 Olsen 4 Holgate 5 Keane 22 Godfrey 12 Digne 16 Doucoure

26 Davies 19 Rodriguez 21 Gomes 9 Calvert-Lewin 7 Richarlison

This was just the fourth time United led a PL home game by at least two goals and failed to win, with Everton responsible for the past two occasions (4-4 in Apr 2012).

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 95

EMIRATES FA CUP | FIFTH ROUND TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 7.30PM

UNITED 1 WEST HAM UNITED 0 McTominay 97 (after extra-time)

OTHER RESULTS: Burnley 0-2 Bournemouth Swansea 1-3 Manchester City Leicester City 1-0 Brighton Sheffield United 1-0 Bristol City Everton 5-4 Tottenham (aet) Wolves 0-2 Southampton Barnsley 0-1 Chelsea

Extra-time is needed but Scott sees us march on

cott McTominay’s extra-time winner against West Ham booked Manchester United an FA Cup quarter-final spot. Anthony Martial had the first opportunity in the 11th minute but his shot was blocked at close range by visiting defender Angelo Ogbonna. United kept up the pressure and it needed another desperate block to stop Mason Greenwood firing in a chance after 16 minutes. The Reds looked certain to take the lead just before the half-hour, but Hammers keeper Lukasz Fabianski somehow turned Victor Lindelof’s deflected header on to the post. A minute later, Alex Telles set up a chance for Donny van de Beek, but

MAN OF THE MATCH SCOTT McTOMINAY Came off the bench to bag the winner, providing the decisive strike for the second time in the Cup in ’20/21.

the Dutchman’s stab goalwards was deflected over. Fabianski proved a stubborn barricade again after 53 minutes when Marcus Rashford looked close to tucking home. The away side threatened considerably more in the second half and broke three-on-two in the 68th minute. Luckily, Pablo Fornals hesitated and United were able to recover. Dean Henderson then needed to be alert to tip Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s wayward clearance over his bar, while at the other end Bruno Fernandes and Martial went close.

“WE NEEDED TO HAVE A GOOD RESULT AND A GOOD FEELING BECAUSE WE WERE LOW AFTER THE EVERTON GAME. TONIGHT WAS PERFECT. IT’S IMPORTANT TO GET THROUGH” HARRY MAGUIRE 96 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Neither side could produce a goal to prevent extra-time, but there was a late scare for United as the Hammers had a corner hacked away by Wan-Bissaka. After 97 minutes of stalemate, it was substitute McTominay who finally broke the deadlock in the tie. The Reds had broken up a West Ham attack and raided at speed. Fred caused panic in the visitors’ ranks with his cross and, eventually, Rashford nicked a pass into the path of the onrushing McTominay, who placed his shot well while on the run. West Ham sub Said Benrahma came close to snatching an equaliser in the second period of extra-time but his header went straight at Henderson. United saw out the final minutes, with Martial almost making it two at the death, only for Fabianski to save.

250

Both Rashford and Martial made their 250th United appearance in the same game – emulating what Mike Duxbury and Frank Stapleton did in 1986, also v West Ham.

Left Lindelof brings the ball out; Shaw considers his options Above McTominay celebrates as extra-time finally brings a goal

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

SHOTS

17 29

17 11

31 34

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS

6 FOULS

STARTING XI 31 Matic 11 Greenwood 34 van de Beek 10 Rashford 9 Martial

26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 27 Telles 17 Fred

WEST HAM

UNITED SUBSTITUTES:

McTominay for Matic 73’ • Fernandes for van de Beek 73’ •

Cavani for Greenwood 86’ • Williams for Wan-Bissaka 90’ • Shaw for Telles 90’ YELLOW CARDS: None

WEST HAM SUBSTITUTES: Diop for Ogbonna 16’ • Fredericks for Diop 45’ • Johnson for Bowen 45’ •

Odubeko for Yarmolenko 54’ • Benrahma for Fornals 88’ • Lanzini for Odubeko 112’ YELLOW CARDS: None

STARTING XI 1 5 15 21 3 16

Fabianski Coufal Dawson Ogbonna Cresswell Noble

41 Rice 20 Bowen 28 Soucek 18 Fornals 7 Yarmolenko

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 97

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 24 SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2021 | THE HAWTHORNS | 2PM

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 UNITED 1 Diagne 2

Fernandes 44

Honours even despite Fernandes’s wonderstrike

dogged West Bromwich Albion frustrated United at The Hawthorns as the sides played out a 1-1 draw despite starting the game at opposite ends of the Premier League table. The hosts made a quick start and had the lead within 90 seconds. Conor Gallagher curled a cross towards Senegalese target man Mbaye Diagne, who rose above Victor Lindelof to head the opener. Fred took aim on the half-volley after eight minutes but it was straight at goalkeeper Sam Johnstone. At the other end, David De Gea had to be alert to tip the ball over on 27 minutes when Robert Snodgrass leapt to meet Conor Townsend’s delivery from the left. The Reds piled on the pressure as half-time approached and, a minute before the break, Bruno Fernandes drew us level in superb fashion. The influential Harry Maguire found Luke Shaw on the left and his centre was brilliantly

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

23 24 24 24 23

32 19 16 13 14

53 46 46 40 39

Man City UNITED Leicester Liverpool Chelsea

98 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

volleyed into the top corner by our no.18, delivering yet another memorable finish for the Reds. Chances were at a premium after the break, with Matheus Pereira dragging a low drive wide of De Gea’s left-hand post. Fernandes saw a shot deflect off Scott McTominay into goalkeeper Johnstone’s path after 58 minutes and, four minutes later, the match’s major talking point arrived. When Fernandes sent a deep free-kick towards the back post, Maguire went down under a challenge from Baggies centre-back

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES Provided a stellar moment when he adjusted to hook a stunning left-footed volley into the top corner and get us on level terms.

Semi Ajayi. Referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot before going over to the pitchside monitor to assess his decision. Replays showed Maguire was possibly offside, but Pawson opted to overturn his decision, with ‘no foul’ flashing up on the big screen. Substitute Mason Greenwood forced Johnstone into a smart save with his feet on 70 minutes, and then Darnell Furlong cleared the ball off the line from McTominay’s follow-up shot. Diagne had the chance to snatch it for the Baggies when through on goal, but De Gea did well to save his initial shot and then leap straight back up to punch the ball clear. The same player also had a golden chance three minutes from time but flicked the ball over, before the Reds were denied a winner with seconds left as Johnstone tipped Maguire’s header on to the post.

“IT’S DISAPPOINTING, AS WE FELT WE DESERVED MORE. WE DOMINATED THE GAME IN THEIR HALF – WE CREATED CHANCES; THEY PUT IN BLOCKS AND CLEARED OFF THE LINE” HARRY MAGUIRE

Left Marcus Rashford chests the ball down with West Brom’s Townsend in pursuit Below Lindelof passes out of defence as Gallagher tracks him

Having registered just seven assists in 156 PL appearances before 2020/21, this game saw Luke Shaw claim his fifth assist of the season.

WEST BROM 1

STARTING XI 1 Johnstone 22 Peltier 6 Ajayi 5 Bartley 14 Townsend 35 Yokuslu

23 Snodgrass 30 Maitland-Niles 18 Gallagher 12 Pereira 17 Diagne

FOULS

7 5

WEST BROM SUBS USED: Furlong for Peltier 45’ • YELLOW CARDS: Bartley, Snodgrass, Maitland-Niles, Gallagher, Diagne

UNITED SUBS USED: Greenwood for Martial 66’ •

Livermore for Yokuslu 67’ • Phillips for Snodgrass 87’

van de Beek for Fred 79’ YELLOW CARDS: None

CORNERS

UNITED

SHOTS ON TARGET

3 18

POSSESSION (%) SHOTS

35 23

STARTING XI 1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

17 Fred 10 Rashford 18 Fernandes 9 Martial 7 Cavani

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 99

EUROPA LEAGUE | ROUND OF 32 FIRST LEG THURSDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2021 | JUVENTUS STADIUM | 5.55PM

REAL SOCIEDAD 0 UNITED 4 Fernandes 27, 57, Rashford 64, James 90

United turn on style in Turin for fine first-leg win

anchester United produced a top-class display on the road in the Europa League, securing a 4-0 first-leg advantage over Real Sociedad in a fixture played at Juventus Stadium, Turin. The match got off to a fast start, with former Red Adnan Januzaj curling a drive inches wide from the first attack of the game, then Marcus Rashford being denied in a one-on-one with goalkeeper Alejandro Remiro at the other end. Alexander Isak then forced Dean Henderson to palm the ball around his near post as an end-to-end contest developed. A clever pass by Bruno Fernandes allowed Scott

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES More midfield mastery, as Bruno bagged himself two goals and created numerous chances to extend the lead.

McTominay to burst into the box, but Remiro blocked the shot with his legs. Soon after, Remiro saved from Rashford, and from the rebound a Fernandes header was cleared off the line by Robin Le Normand. The breakthrough for United deservedly arrived on 27 minutes. Rashford floated a dangerous pass towards Fernandes and, as Igor Zubeldia, Le Normand and Remiro almost collided while failing to cut it out, the Portuguese midfielder produced a confident finish. La Real were bright after the restart and started to ask questions of the United backline, without really extending Henderson, who did have to make one commanding punch. But it was Fernandes who struck again just before the hour. Excellent work from Fred and Rashford led to Bruno dummying and receiving the ball when it bounced to him, before curving in an inch-perfect drive. After initially being ruled out for offside, the goal was given following a VAR check.

“WE’VE BEEN THROUGH A DIFFICULT SPELL AND I THOUGHT WE FOUND OURSELVES TONIGHT. THE BOYS HAD THAT LITTLE BIT OF ZIP IN THEIR LEGS AGAIN” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 100 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

OTHER RESULTS: Dynamo Kiev 1-1 Club Brugge Young Boys 4-3 Bayer Leverkusen Sporting Braga 0-2 Roma Red Star Belgrade 2-2 AC Milan Krasnodar 2-3 Dinamo Zagreb Olympiacos 4-2 PSV Eindhoven Wolfsberger 1-4 Tottenham Hotspur Slavia Prague 0-0 Leicester City Royal Antwerp 3-4 Rangers Benfica 1-1 Arsenal Granada 2-0 Napoli Lille 1-2 Ajax Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-2 Shakhtar Donetsk Molde 3-3 Hoffenheim Red Bull Salzburg 0-2 Villarreal

It soon got better still for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men as Fred set up Rashford to steer a right-foot finish wide of Remiro for number three. Mason Greenwood was denied a goal by a marginal offside call, before he and Daniel James were both thwarted by the home goalkeeper. James did make it four late on though, after galloping on to Eric Bailly’s pass down the right flank and cutting inside. Debutant Amad, who had come on for the final seven minutes, got into a good position in the middle, but the Welshman went it alone, squeezing a shot past Remiro to round things off superbly on a memorable evening in Italy.

REAL SOCIEDAD

POSSESSION (%) SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET

2 21

8 2

CORNERS 5

4 11

STARTING XI 4 8 11 19 10

Illarramendi Merino Januzaj Isak Oyarzabal

FOULS

1 Remiro 2 Zaldua 5 Zubeldia 24 Le Normand 20 Monreal 21 Silva

UNITED

REAL SOCIEDAD SUBSTITUTES:

Gorosabel for Zaldua 73’ • Guevara for Illarramendi 73’ • Portu for Januzaj 80’ • Barrenetxea for Isak 80’ •

Bautista for Oyarzabal 86’ YELLOW CARDS: Le Normand UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Matic for McTominay 60’ • Martial for Rashford 68’ • Mata for Fernandes 83’ •

Amad for Greenwood 83’ YELLOW CARDS: Wan-Bissaka

STARTING XI 26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 3 Bailly 5 Maguire 27 Telles 39 McTominay

17 Fred 21 James 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 11 Greenwood

4-0

This was the biggest away victory by an English side against a Spanish club in the Uefa Cup/ Europa League, surpassing Newcastle’s 3-0 win at Mallorca in 2004.

Left Mata fires in a shot; debutant Amad takes flight Above Rashford makes it three as the visitors turn the screw against Imanol Alguacil’s side

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 101

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 25 SUNDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 7PM

UNITED 3 NEWCASTLE UNITED 1

Rashford 30, James 57, Fernandes 75 (pen)

Saint-Maximin 36

Reds go through the gears to see off Tynesiders

nited’s second-half power play broke down a resilient Newcastle team, as the Reds got back to winning ways with a deserved 3-1 victory at Old Trafford. David De Gea was called into action early on when he tipped Joelinton’s deflected effort over the bar, while Jonjo Shelvey shot over. A low Daniel James attempt, easily gathered by Newcastle keeper Karl Darlow, was the closest the hosts came to turning the tide before Miguel Almiron responded with his own long-distance effort comfortably saved by De Gea.

MAN OF THE MATCH DANIEL JAMES Continued his impressive upturn in form when he clinically drilled in at the far post to restore our lead after 57 minutes.

It was Marcus Rashford who finally broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark. After tormenting Emil Krafth wide on the left, our no.10 cut inside on to his right foot and smashed a thunderous shot past Darlow at his near post. Newcastle, however, weren’t noticeably disheartened by the setback and, after De Gea superbly denied Allan Saint-Maximin, the French winger fired in a powerful equaliser in the 36th minute. Fred then had a cracking drive from distance that was well covered by Darlow, before Saint-Maximin was quickest out of the attacking blocks in the second half as the Frenchman forced De Gea into yet another save after 50 minutes. The Reds, though, broke through in the 57th minute. Rather than prodding down the left, Nemanja Matic turned inside to wrongfoot the Magpies’

“IT FEELS GREAT. EVERYONE IN THE ACADEMY IDOLISES MARCUS AND MASON – THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PATH WE WANT TO FOLLOW, AND I CAN LEARN FROM THEM” SHOLA SHORETIRE 102 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

rearguard, before feeding Daniel James to sweep a shot past Darlow. United were buzzing and the Newcastle goalkeeper had to pull off an excellent save to deny Anthony Martial scoring with a powerful hit three minutes later. Matic and Rashford combined in the move that led to the final strike of the game, with the latter being brought down inside the area by Joe Willock. Bruno Fernandes stepped up to tuck home the penalty and give the Reds some breathing space. Matic and Harry Maguire (twice) couldn’t quite turn home corners from Luke Shaw as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side sought to add further gloss to the scoreline. With the Reds finally now cruising, there was a lovely moment for Shola Shoretire as the Newcastle-born 17-year-old replaced Rashford for his senior Reds debut.

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

25 25 25 25 25

35 21 17 10 16

59 49 49 45 43

Man City UNITED Leicester West Ham Chelsea

UNITED

POSSESSION (%) 28

72 SHOTS

17 21

FOULS

STARTING XI 31 21 18 10 9

Matic James Fernandes Rashford Martial

8 9

De Gea Wan-Bissaka Lindelof Maguire Shaw Fred

6 CORNERS

1 29 2 5 23 17

SHOTS ON TARGET 7

31 18

15 29

NEWCASTLE

UNITED SUBS USED: Greenwood for Martial 70’ • Mata for James 88’ • Shoretire for Rashford 89’ YELLOW CARDS: Fernandes

NEWCASTLE SUBS USED: Fraser for Joelinton 55’ •

Murphy for Saint-Maximin 77’ • Gayle for Almiron 79’ YELLOW CARDS: Hayden, Joelinton

STARTING XI 26 Darlow 17 Krafth 6 Lascelles 2 Clark 15 Lewis 28 Willock

14 Hayden 24 Almiron 8 Shelvey 9 Joelinton 10 Saint-Maximin

Left Matic battles for possession with Newcastle’s Joelinton; young Shoretire comes on for Rashford Below James enjoys the feeling of putting United back in front

After this 25th PL game of 2020/21, United had scored 53 goals – our most at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 2012/13 (60).

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 103

EUROPA LEAGUE | ROUND OF 32 SECOND LEG THURSDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 8PM

UNITED 0

(United win 4-0 on aggregate)

REAL SOCIEDAD 0 No goals, but no problems as Ole’s men progress

anchester United eased into the last 16 of the Europa League 4-0 on aggregate despite being held to a second-leg goalless draw at Old Trafford against La Liga side Real Sociedad. Our former player Adnan Januzaj was a thorn in United’s side in the opening stages and almost teed up an early goal to potentially set a few nerves jangling in the home camp. In the 12th minute it was his pass into Andoni Gorosabel that forced Daniel James into a mistimed challenge to give away a penalty. While Bruno Fernandes makes his trademark jump-and-shoot spot-kick look simple, Mikel

Oyarzabal proved it is anything but, as he skied his copycat effort high over the bar into the Stretford End. Januzaj then delivered a tempting low cross that needed a timely interception by Victor Lindelof to turn the ball away for a corner, and Januzaj also put one on a plate for Ander Guevara, who blasted over. United’s only effort among that initial burst from the Spaniards was a Fernandes attempt on the turn. Anthony Martial then rattled in a shot after 22 minutes and Fernandes hit the bar with a cracking strike two minutes later as the Reds came alive. Fernandes was warming to the task and he crafted a chance for

MAN OF THE MATCH NEMANJA MATIC Our Serbian no.31 was a composed presence in the midfield, breaking up opposition attacks and starting raids forward.

OTHER RESULTS: Tottenham 4-0 Wolfsberger (agg 8-1) Ajax 2-1 Lille (agg 4-2) Arsenal 3-2 Benfica (agg 4-3) Hoffenheim 0-2 Molde (agg 3-5) Napoli 2-1 Granada (agg 2-3) Rangers 5-2 Royal Antwerp (agg 9-5) Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv (agg 3-0) Villarreal 2-1 Red Bull Salzburg (agg 4-1) AC Milan 1-1 Red Star Belgrade (agg 3-3, AC Milan win on away goals) Bayer Leverkusen 0-2 Young Boys (agg 3-6) Club Brugge 0-1 Dynamo Kiev (agg 1-2) Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 Krasnodar (agg 4-2) Leicester City 0-2 Slavia Prague (agg 0-2) PSV Eindhoven 2-1 Olympiacos (agg 4-5) Roma 3-1 Braga (agg 5-1)

James with a glorious delivery that our winger met with a firm header, but goalkeeper Alejandro Remiro saved from point-blank range. Marcus Rashford came on at half-time and almost immediately got on the scoresheet with a free-kick after 48 minutes that swerved late to just pass by the post. The visitors responded with a header from Modibo Sagnan. It was an unlikely source of inspiration who looked like he’d given United a second-leg lead, when Axel Tuanzebe powered in a header after 63 minutes from an Alex Telles corner. However, a VAR check showed that Lindelof had fouled Jon Bautista before the ball reached his fellow centre-back. Lindelof was yellow-carded as a result and the goal chalked off. Martial fired over soon after as the Reds looked for that elusive strike that never came. Nevertheless, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men marched on to the last 16.

“IF YOU FAIL IN THREE SEMIS, YOU WANT TO DO BETTER AND IMPROVE. THIS IS A GROUP OF PLAYERS THAT WILL IMPROVE BECAUSE WE’RE STILL A YOUNG TEAM. IT’S EXCITING” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 104 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

United have progressed from all five of our last-32 ties in the Europa League (also in 2011/12, 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2019/20).

Left At 17 years and 23 days, sub Shola Shoretire became the youngest player to appear for United in Europe Above Fernandes leads the Reds out

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

11 29

17 11

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS FOULS

31 Matic 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 21 James 9 Martial

STARTING XI

26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 3 Bailly 2 Lindelof 27 Telles 17 Fred

31 18

REAL SOCIEDAD

SHOTS

UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Willliams for Wan-Bissaka 45’ • Tuanzebe for Fred 45’ • Rashford for Fernandes 45’ • Amad for James 59’ • Shoretire for Greenwood 76’ YELLOW CARDS: Williams, Lindelof, Fred REAL SOCIEDAD SUBSTITUTES:

Bautista for Gorosabel 45’ • Portu for Isak 45’ •

Barrenetxea for Oyarzabal 45’ • Merquelanz for Januzaj 66’ • Guridi for Guevara 72’ YELLOW CARDS: None

STARTING XI 1 18 5 15 12 16

Remiro Gorosabel Zubeldia Sagnan Munoz Guevara

36 Zubimendi 8 Merino 11 Januzaj 19 Isak 10 Oyarzabal

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 105

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 26 SUNDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2021 | STAMFORD BRIDGE | 4.30PM

CHELSEA 0 UNITED 0 No way through for either side at Stamford Bridge

he spoils were shared at Stamford Bridge as Manchester United drew 0-0 with Chelsea in the Premier League. In a frenetic start full of end-to-end action, Marcus Rashford registered the first shot on target from a free-kick on 12 minutes, which Edouard Mendy punched clear. Chelsea then had their first goalbound attempt via Hakim Ziyech, which was well saved by David De Gea, before Callum Hudson-Odoi fired one wide. It took until around the half-hour mark for the next chance to arrive, when Olivier Giroud thrashed over after latching on to a misplaced kick from De Gea.

A few minutes later, the veteran French forward was inches away from connecting with Hudson-Odoi’s delicious cross into the United box, but it was just ahead of the former Arsenal striker. United ended the half on top and Bruno Fernandes saw his shot deflected wide on 40 minutes, before N’Golo Kante got a toe to the ball to deny Rashford a shooting opportunity in the box. It was the hosts who started quicker after the interval. Within a few minutes, De Gea had produced an excellent reaction save from Ziyech’s shot inside the box, then Luke Shaw threw himself in front of Reece James’s powerful follow-up.

MAN OF THE MATCH DAVID DE GEA An excellent display from our no.1, with key saves, particularly from Ziyech and Kovacic, to preserve a clean sheet.

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

26 26 26 26 26

36 21 15 9 16

62 50 49 45 44

Man City UNITED Leicester West Ham Chelsea

106 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

After weathering that spell of pressure, the Reds went close themselves on the hour mark from Mason Greenwood’s driven strike, but it sailed just wide. Mendy was then called into action to make saves from both McTominay and Rashford, not long before our Scottish no.39’s strike from outside the box was blocked by Antonio Rudiger. Fred went close on 68 minutes from a curled effort at the edge of the box, before a Chelsea foray forward resulted in a Mateo Kovacic shot, which was comfortably held by De Gea. As the game entered the latter stages, the hosts pressed in vain for a winner. Victor Lindelof was on hand to steer a dangerous James cross wide of the mark, while Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic had strikes on goal. Kovacic later had a shot from distance in injury-time which failed to test De Gea, and it proved to be the game’s final chance as both teams took a point.

“QUALITY ON THE BALL LET US DOWN. IT WAS A POOR GAME REALLY AND THE FIRST HALF WAS SCRAPPY. WHEN WE SETTLED WE CREATED A FEW CHANCES BUT WE DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

This fixture has finished goalless in both matches in a league campaign for just the second time, the other occasion coming in 1921/22.

Left Harry Maguire moves in on Giroud; (bottom left) Luke Shaw in action Above Solskjaer thanks Fernandes for his efforts at full-time

CHELSEA

21 19

17 Kovacic 21 Chilwell 22 Ziyech 19 Mount 18 Giroud

FOULS

4 4

YELLOW CARDS: Chilwell

UNITED SUBS USED: Martial for Greenwood 79’ YELLOW CARDS: Maguire, Fred

CHELSEA SUBS USED: James for Hudson-Odoi 45’ • Pulisic for Giroud 65’ • Werner for Ziyech 78’

CORNERS

STARTING XI 16 Mendy 28 Azpilicueta 4 Christensen 2 Rudiger 20 Hudson-Odoi 7 Kante

SHOTS

UNITED

SHOTS ON TARGET

6 20

POSSESSION (%)

STARTING XI 1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

17 Fred 21 James 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 11 Greenwood

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 107

MARCH The Reds display solid foundations at the back to edge games both domestically and in Europe, although loss in Leicester ends FA Cup journey...

ollowing an unbeaten February, the Reds entered the spring competing on three fronts as the finish line for 2020/21 began to appear on the horizon. Premier League matters remained the primary concern as United looked to close the gap on Manchester City at the top, but March began how the previous month had ended, with a 0-0 draw, this time at Crystal Palace on a misty evening in south-east London. Nearly a year to the day since there were last supporters inside Old Trafford for a memorable win against Manchester City, the rivalry was reunited as the Reds secured the bragging rights with a 2-0 league victory once again, this time at the Etihad, before attention turned to the Europa League and a two-legged last-16 date with AC Milan. Having gone in all-square at the halfway point in the tie following a 1-1 draw in the first leg at home, Paul Pogba made a timely return from injury in the return fixture a week later, coming off the bench at the San Siro to grab the all-important goal and secure our progression. Sandwiched in the middle of those two meetings with the Rossoneri was our second one-goal victory in as many months over West Ham at Old Trafford, with this one coming in the Premier League. Elsewhere in the top flight, Chris Wilder departed from his role as manager of Sheffield United with the Yorkshire side rooted to the bottom. 108 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Both the Blades and West Brom were starting to cut themselves adrift while Brighton overcame Newcastle to create some breathing room in a clash between two sides placed just above the drop zone. At the top, the battle for the European places continued to twist and turn. Successive 1-0 defeats at home, to Chelsea and Fulham, left Liverpool with just one win in seven league games, although victory over Wolves at Molineux later in the month would spark a strong return to form for Jurgen Klopp’s side. A Goal of the Season frontrunner from Erik Lamela wasn’t enough for Tottenham as they lost out to Arsenal in the 203rd north London derby before the Gunners produced a thrilling comeback a week later to bounce back from three goals down and take a point at West Ham. On the same weekend, the FA Cup quarter-finals saw Southampton, Manchester City and Chelsea all book their Wembley places in the last four while the Reds’ month had a disappointing end with Leicester condemning Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side to defeat at the King Power ahead of the international break.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH LUKE SHAW The full-back secured his second successive Player of the Month award, having been key to the Reds’ four clean sheets from six throughout the month. Luke also displayed his continued prowess going forward on the left with a fine solo run that led to his goal in the derby that put us 2-0 ahead.

UNITED’S MARCH RESULTS 03.03.21 PL Palace 0 United 0 07.03.21 PL Man City 0 United 2 11.03.21 EL United 1 AC Milan 1 14.03.21 PL United 1 West Ham 0 18.03.21 EL AC Milan 0 United 1 21.03.21 FA Leicester 3 United 1

BACK TO CONTENTS

END-OF-MONTH PL STANDINGS P GD PTS 1 Manchester City 30 43 71 2 UNITED 29 24 57 3 Leicester 29 21 56 4 Chelsea 29 19 51 5 West Ham 29 10 49 6 Tottenham 29 19 48 7 Liverpool 29 12 46 8 Everton 28 3 46 9 Arsenal 29 8 42 10 Aston Villa 28 9 41 11 Leeds 29 -2 39 12 Crystal Palace 29 -16 37 13 Wolves 29 -10 35 14 Southampton 29 -15 33 15 Burnley 29 -15 33 16 Brighton 29 -4 32 17 Newcastle 29 -20 28 18 Fulham 30 -15 26 19 West Brom 29 -37 18 20 Sheffield United 29 -34 14

WATCH! Click here to enjoy all the Goal of the Month contenders

▶

GOAL OF THE MONTH AMAD v AC MILAN Having been introduced as a half-time substitute for the injured Anthony Martial, the teenager wasted no time in making an impact in our first-leg meeting with the Italians. Less

than five minutes after his entrance, the young Ivorian netted his first senior goal for United to open the scoring. Having met Bruno Fernandes’s lobbed ball in behind following a well-timed run, Amad executed a superb back-headed flick to send the ball into the Rossoneri net and give United the lead.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 109

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 27 WEDNESDAY 3 MARCH 2021 | SELHURST PARK | 8.15PM

CRYSTAL PALACE 0 UNITED 0 Another goalless draw in the capital for the Reds

anchester United were held 0-0 by a resolute Crystal Palace side on a foggy night at Selhurst Park in the Premier League. Christian Benteke shot well over with the first effort of the night, before Dean Henderson – replacing David De Gea, who was absent ahead of the birth of his first child – comfortably gathered a corner after Jordan Ayew’s cross had been deflected behind. From that point, United were on top, with Vicente Guaita called into action to tip Nemanja Matic’s deflected strike behind for a corner. Edinson Cavani then hooked an effort over the bar from the

subsequent set-play, having seen Harry Maguire’s header cleared off the line, but the threat to Palace didn’t ease for long. Marcus Rashford was played in superbly by Luke Shaw, and his low shot appeared to have the Palace stopper beaten as it slipped the wrong side of the upright. Cavani almost had an opening a minute before the interval, but a desperate Joel Ward lunge towards his own goal successfully stopped the ball from reaching the Uruguayan forward and kept the scores level at the break. Benteke was unsuccessful with another early shooting opportunity at the start of the second half, albeit

from a harder chance which he tried to execute acrobatically. The Belgium striker then tried to turn creator, laying the ball off to Ayew, who shot on target, but it was easily saved by Henderson. Scott McTominay and Daniel James were introduced around the 75-minute mark in a bid to find a breakthrough and the Wales winger nearly did it immediately, leaping in the box to meet the ball but only winning a corner for the Reds. It was then the turn of Mason Greenwood to threaten, as he cut inside to unleash a powerful shot, but it was just over the Eagles’ bar. With the spoils looking destined to be shared, Patrick van Aanholt got in behind the United defence in the 89th minute but Henderson was on hand and out quickly to close the angle and make sure there was no late winner for Roy Hodgson’s side.

MAN OF THE MATCH DEAN HENDERSON Kept a clean sheet after a number of key saves, crucially denying van Aanholt late on.

“WHEN YOU HAVE THREE CLEAN SHEETS IN A ROW, THAT WILL HELP YOU WIN GAMES – BUT WE HAVEN’T PRODUCED THE QUALITY. WE JUST HAVE TO FIND A SPARK AGAIN” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 110 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

27 27 27 26 26

39 21 15 9 16

65 51 50 45 44

Man City UNITED Leicester West Ham Chelsea

CRYSTAL PALACE 31

37 8

2 10

4 9

STARTING XI 31 Guaita 2 Ward 8 Kouyate 24 Cahill 3 van Aanholt 10 Townsend

22 McCarthy 4 Milivojevic 25 Eze 9 J Ayew 20 Benteke

Left (clockwise from top) Rashford tries to find an opening; Bruno Fernandes on the ball; Cavani takes aim at goal Below Palace striker Benteke is denied by Aaron Wan-Bissaka

POSSESSION (%) SHOTS SHOTS ON TARGET CORNERS FOULS

CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS USED:

Riedewald for McCarthy 62’ • Schlupp for Eze 84’ YELLOW CARDS: Riedewald

UNITED SUBS USED: McTominay for Fred 74’ • James for Cavani 76’

YELLOW CARDS: None

UNITED

11 29

1 6

STARTING XI 26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 3 Bailly 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 17 Fred

31 Matic 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 7 Cavani

United have drawn three consecutive matches 0-0 for the first time since Oct 2015 – with the third game in that run also being a 0-0 draw at Palace.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 111

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 28 SUNDAY 7 MARCH 2021 | ETIHAD STADIUM | 4.30PM

MANCHESTER CITY 0 UNITED 2 Fernandes 2 (pen), Shaw 50

Clinical United end the Blues’ long winning streak

he Reds ended Manchester City’s 21-game winning run with a superb 2-0 derby victory at the Etihad Stadium. United couldn’t have wished for a better start, being awarded a penalty within a minute after Anthony Martial was tripped by Gabriel Jesus. Bruno Fernandes duly dispatched from the spot. It could have been two soon after, but Luke Shaw didn’t connect properly with his right-footed effort inside the box. The hosts registered their first shot on target after nine minutes, but Ilkay Gundogan failed to seriously test Dean Henderson.

Marcus Rashford then forced goalkeeper Ederson to scramble across his goal line to deny the attacker’s shot from distance. City began to apply more pressure from around 20 minutes. Victor Lindelof was called into action to block Jesus’s shot, before Gundogan fired over. Riyad Mahrez and Joao Cancelo produced dangerous strikes, and Oleksandr Zinchenko forced Henderson into a smart stop with a blasted effort. The United keeper had to be on his toes again to deny Gundogan as well as tipping over Kevin De Bruyne’s free-kick. Soon after,

MAN OF THE MATCH LUKE SHAW Played a key role in another clean sheet and showed precision to net our second with a clinical finish into the corner.

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

28 28 28 27 26

37 23 16 17 6

65 54 53 47 46

Man City UNITED Leicester Chelsea Everton

112 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Mahrez fizzed a right-foot shot just inches past the far post, with Jesus also close to converting as he slid in, although replays showed he would have been offside. It was a similar story at the start of the second half as Rodri clipped the top of the crossbar within three minutes of the restart. That proved a big miss as United doubled our lead soon after. Shaw pushed forward after receiving the ball from Henderson and linked up with Rashford, before being played in to shoot past Ederson. United were looking dangerous on the counter, with Daniel James seeing his shot deflect wide and Martial going close with a header. Jesus then flashed an effort across goal, before Martial shot straight at Ederson after going through one-on-one. Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling and John Stones all had further chances for City, but United held out to clinch a third straight derby win at the Etihad.

“WE STARTED BOTH HALVES BRILLIANTLY – THE ONLY DISAPPOINTMENT IS THAT NO FANS WERE HERE TO CELEBRATE, BECAUSE I REMEMBER THE ATMOSPHERE WHEN WE WON HERE LAST YEAR” HARRY MAGUIRE

Left Harry Maguire celebrates victory; (bottom left) Fred holds off Stones Below Rashford, Scott McTominay and Martial rush to congratulate Fernandes

Rashford’s assist for United’s second goal was his 10th in all competitions this season – the first time he’s reached double figures.

MAN CITY 31

23 3

8 17

STARTING XI 31 27 5 3 11 16

Ederson Cancelo Stones Dias Zinchenko Rodri

8 Gundogan 26 Mahrez 17 De Bruyne 7 Sterling 9 Jesus

POSSESSION (%) SHOTS

CORNERS

Foden for Jesus 71’

YELLOW CARDS: None UNITED SUBS USED: Greenwood for Rashford 73’ • Matic for Martial 88’ • Williams for Fernandes 90+3’

MAN CITY SUBS USED: Walker for Cencelo 65’ •

YELLOW CARDS: Henderson, Maguire, Shaw

SHOTS ON TARGET

FOULS

UNITED

STARTING XI 26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

17 21 18 10 9

Fred James Fernandes Rashford Martial

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 113

EUROPA LEAGUE | ROUND OF 16 FIRST LEG THURSDAY 11 MARCH 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 5.55PM

UNITED 1 AC MILAN 1 Amad 50

Kjaer 90+2

Late equaliser leaves last-16 tie in the balance

anchester United suffered stoppage-time agony at Old Trafford in the Europa League’s Round of 16 first leg, as AC Milan struck a last-gasp leveller to cancel out Amad’s first Reds goal. The visitors had the ball in our net after just five minutes when Rafael Leao broke clear to put his shot past Dean Henderson, but the Portuguese forward was clearly offside and the goal was chalked off. Soon afterwards, Anthony Martial produced a fine chest-and-swivel to force a tip-over from Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Milan had another goal disallowed on 11 minutes. Franck Kessie controlled a throw-in and crashed

MAN OF THE MATCH AMAD Made an instant impact from the bench and took his goal like a seasoned pro with a looping header into the net.

a half-volley past Henderson, but after a lengthy VAR consultation it was ruled out for handball. Henderson saved from Brahim Diaz and Alexis Saelemaekers as the Italians continued to threaten. Despite that pressure, United had a glorious chance on 38 minutes when Harry Maguire somehow hit the woodwork from virtually on the goal line, after being found from a Bruno Fernandes corner. Martial had picked up an injury in the first 45 and was replaced at the interval by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. It proved an inspired switch when, five minutes later, replacement Amad opened up his senior United goal account by putting us ahead. Fernandes was the architect, picking out the teenager’s run with a superb ball behind the Milan defence, and Amad did the rest with a brilliant back-headed flick over Donnarumma. Milan almost levelled in the 65th minute as a Davide Calabria cross found Rade Krunic, but he headed wastefully

“IT’S DISAPPOINTING TO CONCEDE WITH ONE OF THE LAST KICKS – OR HEADERS. THAT MAKES IT HARDER, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE GOING DOWN TO THE SECOND LEG OUT THERE” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 114 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

OTHER RESULTS: Ajax 3-0 Young Boys Dynamo Kiev 0-2 Villarreal Slavia Prague 1-1 Rangers Granada 2-0 Molde Olympiacos 1-3 Arsenal Roma 3-0 Shakhtar Donetsk Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Dinamo Zagreb

over. As the rain lashed down, Solskjaer tried to protect the lead, bringing on Fred, Brandon Williams and Luke Shaw for Fernandes, Wan-Bissaka and James, but the reshuffled United side couldn’t quite hold on for the win. In the 92nd minute, centre-back Simon Kjaer headed home from a corner, with Henderson getting a touch but unable to keep it out, to level the scores up and snatch a valuable away goal for the Rossoneri.

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

SHOTS

39 11

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS 3

FOULS

STARTING XI 31 Matic 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 21 James 9 Martial

26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 3 Bailly 5 Maguire 27 Telles 39 McTominay

7 29

AC MILAN

UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Amad for Martial 45’ •

Fred for Fernandes 74’ • Williams for Wan-Bissaka 74’ • Shaw for James 74’ YELLOW CARDS: McTominay

AC MILAN SUBSTITUTES: Castillejo for Saelemaekers 69’ • Tonali for Diaz 69’ • Kalulu for Calabria 74’ YELLOW CARDS: Saelemaekers

STARTING XI 99 Donnarumma 2 Calabria 24 Kjaer 23 Tomori 5 Dalot 18 Meite

79 Kessie 56 Saelemaekers 21 Diaz 33 Krunic 17 Leao

Left Maguire hits the post; Fernandes shoots; a Red wall is formed to keep Milan at bay Below Amad celebrates his clever finish alongside Fernandes and Bailly

503

AC Milan’s late equaliser ended a run of 503 minutes in which United hadn’t conceded a goal in all competitions.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 115

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 29 SUNDAY 14 MARCH 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 7.15PM

UNITED 1 WEST HAM UNITED 0 Dawson 53 (og)

Solitary second-half goal sees off the Hammers

nited earned a valuable victory against West Ham at Old Trafford thanks to a second-half own goal from Hammers defender Craig Dawson. The visitors looked the slicker initially, but their only real moment of goal threat came with a looping Aaron Cresswell cross that needed Dean Henderson to leap through a ruck of players to punch clear. United finally created a major chance after 25 minutes. Mason Greenwood sent over a delightful cross from the right and Marcus Rashford had an unchallenged, free header at the back post but didn’t catch the delivery correctly and it glanced well wide.

Greenwood was at the sharp end of the Reds’ next best chance after 37 minutes. After being set up by Bruno Fernandes, our no.11’s effort was sneaking in but West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski got

a glove on it and turned the ball on to the post. Rashford had another headed chance that didn’t overly extend Fabianski as we started to get our momentum going in attack and finished the half in charge. Just when the second half looked like it was starting as tightly as the first, the game came into life when United took the lead. Daniel James drove over a low cross that Vladimir Coufal turned away at the last second as Rashford was set to pounce. However, from the resulting corner by Fernandes, visiting defender Dawson turned the ball into his own net with a header, to make it 1-0 to the Reds. It was almost two on the hour when a Fernandes snap-shot flashed towards goal but keeper Fabianksi got down to save well. At the other end, Jarrod Bowen headed wide from a cross after 64 minutes but he would have been offside, even if the connection had been effective. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were pinned back but did break on West Ham on 77 minutes and Greenwood struck a post on a swift counterattack, after being fed by Rashford. West Ham continued to press but United saw the game out well, with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof in command at the back.

MAN OF THE MATCH LUKE SHAW A second straight PL prize for Shaw, linking up well with Rashford going forward and once again proving solid in defence.

“IT’S A PLEASING WIN FROM A DIFFICULT GAME. THAT’S WHY THEY’RE SO HIGH UP THE TABLE. BUT WE KNEW WE WOULD BE IN THEIR HALF FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE GAME” SCOTT McTOMINAY 116 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

30 29 29 29 28

43 24 21 19 10

71 57 56 51 48

Man City UNITED Leicester Chelsea West Ham

UNITED

38 SHOTS

39 21

FOULS

17 Fred 21 James 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 11 Greenwood

STARTING XI

0 CORNERS

26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

SHOTS ON TARGET 4

15 29

WEST HAM

POSSESSION (%) 62

UNITED SUBS USED: None

YELLOW CARDS: Wan-Bissaka, McTominay, James, Rashford

WEST HAM SUBS USED: Lanzini for Noble 62’ • Benrahma for Johnson 62’ YELLOW CARDS: None

STARTING XI 1 23 15 3 41 5

Fabianski Diop Dawson Cresswell Rice Coufal

16 Noble 28 Soucek 31 Johnson 20 Bowen 30 Antonio

United have kept four straight clean sheets in the PL for the first time under Solskjaer, last doing so in January 2018.

Left (clockwise from top) Scott McTominay celebrates the winning goal; Fred gets his toe to the ball; the boss appeals Above Henderson punches clear

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 117

EUROPA LEAGUE | ROUND OF 16 SECOND LEG THURSDAY 18 MARCH 2021 | SAN SIRO | 8PM

AC MILAN 0 UNITED 1

Pogba 48 (United win 2-1 on aggregate)

Returning Red Pogba makes the difference in Italy

aul Pogba proved to be the matchwinner in Milan as he returned from injury to score the vital away goal that sent Manchester United through to the Europa League quarter-finals. United’s intent was clear from the off, with a lively start featuring plenty of early possession. The first clear opening came on 13 minutes when Luke Shaw linked up well with Bruno Fernandes but our no.18 fired over. Midfielder Franck Kessie was buzzing around for the hosts, but his shot on 15 minutes was bread and butter for Dean Henderson. Soon after at the other end, United had a penalty shout turned

down when Daniel James was barged over by Fikayo Tomori. Milan grew stronger through the half. Henderson had to push away an Alexis Saelemaekers shot from the edge of the area, then Rade Krunic fired wide just before the break.

MAN OF THE MATCH PAUL POGBA What an introduction! Back for the first time since early February, and it took him just three minutes to deliver the winner.

“WE’VE COME THROUGH A VERY DIFFICULT TIE AGAINST A FANTASTIC CLUB. WE’VE MISSED PAUL. HE’S BEEN OUT [INJURED] AND TODAY HE MADE A VERY BIG DIFFERENCE TO US” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 118 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

OTHER RESULTS: Arsenal 0-1 Olympiacos (agg 3-2) Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 Tottenham (aet, agg 3-2) Molde 2-1 Granada (agg 2-3) Shakhtar Donetsk 1-2 Roma (agg 1-5) Young Boys 0-2 Ajax (agg 0-5) Rangers 0-2 Slavia Prague (agg 1-3) Villarreal 2-0 Dynamo Kiev (agg 4-0)

Pogba entered the fray, in place of Marcus Rashford, at the restart and took up the Mancunican’s position out on the left. And the Frenchman made an immediate impact. Our no.6 took control of a frenzied situation inside the Milan box, feigning to shoot before curling the ball home brilliantly from a tight angle to net a vital away goal. Saelemaekers then shot straight at Henderson before Mason Greenwood forced a decent save from Gianluigi Donnarumma. Current Reds defender Diogo Dalot and former United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic both joined the action from the bench on 65 minutes and Milan immediately looked for the big Swedish frontman with a couple of high balls. It was Kessie who had a go soon after as he tried to flick a shot on goal from close range, but Victor Lindelof blocked brilliantly. United needed another superb stop soon afterwards, this time from Henderson, as he reacted instinctively to punch away Ibrahimovic’s point-blank header from a Hakan Calhanoglu cross. The Reds’ work ethic and fighting spirit were decisive factors in the final stages as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men held out for a superb and well-deserved victory, both on the night and on aggregate.

Left Solskjaer celebrates; Lindelof helps Ibrahimovic up Below Pogba tees up the winner at the start of the second half

United have progressed from our past two knockout ties with AC Milan in European competition, having been eliminated in the four ties beforehand.

AC MILAN

POSSESSION (%) 51

SHOTS

18 56

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS 4

FOULS

STARTING XI 79 Kessie 56 Saelemaekers 10 Calhanoglu 33 Krunic 7 Castillejo

99 Donnarumma 20 Kalulu 24 Kjaer 23 Tomori 19 Hernandez 18 Meite

79 10

10 20

UNITED

AC MILAN SUBSTITUTES:

Dalot for Kalulu 65’ • Ibrahimovic for Castillejo 65’ • Diaz for Krunic 72’

YELLOW CARDS: Kalulu, Kjaer, Hernandez, Dalot UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Pogba for Rashford 45’ YELLOW CARDS: Shaw

STARTING XI 26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

17 Fred 21 James 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 11 Greenwood

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 119

EMIRATES FA CUP | QUARTER-FINAL SUNDAY 21 MARCH 2021 | KING POWER STADIUM | 5PM

LEICESTER CITY 3 UNITED 1 Iheanacho 24, 78, Tielemans 52

Greenwood 38

Second-half goals curtail the Reds’ FA Cup run

ur 2020/21 FA Cup run sadly came to an end at the quarter-final stage as Leicester City ran out 3-1 winners at the King Power Stadium. The hosts had the better of the early chances, first when Jamie Vardy’s cross rebounded back to him and Dean Henderson palmed away his follow-up shot. Harry Maguire blocked from the striker again soon after, before Leicester found the opener. Kelechi Iheanacho seized on a wayward backpass before rounding Henderson and slotting home. Vardy continued to be the Foxes’ main threat and Aaron Wan-Bissaka had to cover brilliantly with the

MAN OF THE MATCH MASON GREENWOOD Plenty of effort from the striker, who took his goal well and was at the heart of much of our attacking play.

striker almost in on goal threatening to add a second for the Foxes. Seven minutes from the break, United produced our best move of the half and drew level. Paul Pogba received the ball on the left and cleverly dropped the shoulder before rolling a cross into the box, which Donny van de Beek dummied and Mason Greenwood blasted home. A Pogba daisy-cutter, which Kasper Schmeichel collected, and an Ayoze Perez curled effort, which dropped wide, were the last main bits of action in the half as it ended honours even at the break. The home side went back in front seven minutes after the restart. Youri Tielemans played a one-two with Iheanacho before powering towards the area and shooting low into the bottom corner past the outstretched arm of Henderson. United responded with a strong run from Greenwood into the box, before Alex Telles fired wide. Leicester went straight down the other end and almost bagged a third as Vardy flicked the ball past

“WE DIDN’T HAVE THE SPARK TONIGHT, BUT IT’S UNDERSTANDABLE. WE’VE PLAYED EVERY THREE DAYS AND BEEN ON A GREAT RUN. WE DIDN’T HAVE THE EXTRA ZIP AND AUTHORITY” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 120 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

OTHER RESULTS: Bournemouth 0-3 Southampton Everton 0-2 Manchester City Chelsea 2-0 Sheffield United

Maguire to get himself through on goal but, thankfully, the Foxes’ no.9 dragged his shot past the near post. Unfortunately, we were undone at a set-piece, 12 minutes from time. Marc Albrighton’s free-kick from the left dropped over Scott McTominay and on to the head of the unmarked Iheanacho at the back post, with Henderson unable to keep it out. It was an uphill task now and the Foxes held firm right to the last, with Schmeichel making a great save from a Bruno Fernandes free-kick.

LEICESTER

POSSESSION (%) SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS 7

17 14

STARTING XI Schmeichel Fofana Evans Soyuncu Albrighton Tielemans

25 27 17 14 9

Ndidi Castagne Perez Iheanacho Vardy

FOULS

1 3 6 4 11 8

5 11

11 3

UNITED

LEICESTER SUBSTITUTES:

Praet for Perez 73’ • Choudhury for Vardy 83’ YELLOW CARDS: Evans, Albrighton UNITED SUBSTITUTES:

Shaw for Telles 64’ • Fernandes for Matic 64’ • Cavani for van de Beek 64’ • McTominay for Pogba 64’ • Amad for Fred 84’ YELLOW CARDS: Maguire, McTominay

STARTING XI 26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 27 Telles 17 Fred

31 Matic 11 Greenwood 34 van de Beek 6 Pogba 9 Martial

Left (from top) the managers at full-time; van de Beek hails Pogba; a dejected Fred and Greenwood Below Maguire tries to get a Red move started against his old club

This was Leicester’s first victory in 14 attempts against United, since their 5-3 Premier League win in September 2014.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 121

APRIL An unbeaten month and goals galore as Ole’s Reds display both consistency and quality in pursuit of a strong finish to the ’20/21 season…

ith the final international break of the season in the rearview mirror, the Reds’ focus was firmly fixed on club action again as the campaign entered its penultimate month. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side made a winning return to the pitch, coming from behind to beat Brighton in the league at Old Trafford before taking a huge step towards the Europa League semi-finals with a 2-0 quarter-final first-leg victory over Granada in Andalusia, Spain. When the Premier League action resumed the following weekend, United showed great character to come from behind yet again and win for the first time at Tottenham’s new stadium. Things were more plain sailing in Europe four days later as the Reds put in a professional performance to repeat the first-leg scoreline against Granada in the return outing at Old Trafford, thus booking a place in the competition’s last four. A victory against Burnley was followed by a stalemate with Leeds in our first Premier League visit to Elland Road since 2003. Then came the Europa League semi-final first leg in which the Reds were 122 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

rampant, thrashing Roma 6-2 in what was another come-from-behind victory from Solskjaer’s men. Across England in April, the Premier League featured several surprise results – none more so than struggling West Brom’s 5-2 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. That put a dent in the Blues’ Champions League hopes, with their competitors for those spots, including West Ham, continuing to pick up winning momentum. The Hammers won back-to-back games against Wolves and Leicester, in which on-loan Red Jesse Lingard continued to be at the heart of the Londoners’ success. He netted three PLAYER OF THE MONTH EDINSON CAVANI The spearhead of a fine month in both domestic and European competitions. Following a sublime diving header to complete the turnaround in the win at Spurs, Cavani went on to net in successive games against Granada and Burnley before his brace against Roma helped United put one foot in a European final.

times across those two victories, taking his goal tally in claret and blue to nine by the end of April, having started his loan in January. Another surprise this month was Spurs’ parting of ways with former United manager Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese was relieved of his duties just days before the club’s Carabao Cup final meeting with Manchester City. Former Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason would go on to take charge for that one, and for the remainder of ’20/21, in a showpiece where City came out on top to win the trophy for the fourth successive season, courtesy of Aymeric Laporte’s header. It meant City ended the month with the first piece of 2020/21 silverware and in touching distance of another in the form of the Premier League. Although Pep Guardiola’s side would lose at home to Leeds midway through April, they would end the month requiring just two more wins from their remaining five games to be crowned champions. UNITED’S APRIL RESULTS 04.04.21 PL United 2 Brighton 1 08.04.21 EL Granada 0 United 2 11.04.21 PL Tottenham 1 United 3 15.04.21 EL United 2 Granada 0 18.04.21 PL United 3 Burnley 1 25.04.21 PL Leeds 0 United 0 29.04.21 EL United 6 Roma 2

END-OF-MONTH PL STANDINGS P GD PTS 1 Manchester City 33 45 77 2 UNITED 33 29 67 3 Leicester 34 22 63 4 Chelsea 33 20 58 5 West Ham 33 10 55 6 Liverpool 33 16 54 7 Tottenham 33 18 53 8 Everton 32 4 52 9 Leeds 33 0 47 10 Arsenal 33 7 46 11 Aston Villa 32 9 45 12 Wolves 33 -13 41 13 Crystal Palace 32 -20 38 14 Southampton 33 -18 37 15 Burnley 33 -15 36 16 Newcastle 33 -18 36 17 Brighton 33 -6 34 18 Fulham 33 -18 27 19 West Brom 33 -34 25 20 Sheffield United 33 -38 17

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GOAL OF THE MONTH EDINSON CAVANI v ROMA

With the Reds 2-1 down in the tie, Cavani rose to the occasion to net a much-needed equaliser early in the second half. Having been picked out by Bruno Fernandes on the counterattack,

our Uruguayan no.7 was positioned perfectly to latch on to the low pass and place an emphatic first-time side-footed effort into the top corner to draw us level. It would be the catalyst for a free-scoring second period from United – the first of five goals after the break as we hit the Italians for six on the night.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 123

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 30 SUNDAY 4 APRIL 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 7.30PM

UNITED 2 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 Rashford 62, Greenwood 83

Welbeck 13

Second-half surge ensures three big home points

he Reds came from behind at Old Trafford to beat Brighton 2-1 with goals from Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood. After Greenwood struck the post early on, United were unlucky to fall behind after 13 minutes. Danny Welbeck had a header saved by Dean Henderson but the former Reds striker headed in from the rebound. United were almost caught out again five minutes later, with Henderson brilliantly tipping Lewis Dunk’s header on to the bar and over. The Reds were finding it a struggle to get back into the match and it wasn’t until the 38th minute that we really threatened, but Paul Pogba dragged a good chance wide from a Bruno Fernandes lay-off. On the hour there was a spark of ingenuity from Pogba as he released Fernandes, but Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was swiftly on to our midfielder to smother his attempt and the danger was cleared.

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

31 30 30 30 30

45 25 19 16 19

74 60 56 51 49

Man City UNITED Leicester Chelsea Tottenham

124 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

But Brighton were not off the hook and Bruno was the source of United’s equaliser in the 62nd minute as he slipped a lovely ball into Rashford and the striker coolly finished to level up the match. Welbeck had a penalty appeal dismissed by VAR before Sanchez spilled a ferocious low shot from Fernandes in the 76th minute and sub Dan James touched the loose ball to Greenwood, who fired over. But he made no mistake shortly afterwards to put us in front. Fernandes found Pogba, who drove his shot into the ground and it

MAN OF THE MATCH MASON GREENWOOD Mason had gone close a few times before getting his goal, showing predatory instinct to head the winner.

popped up nicely for Greenwood to stoop and force his header – a first for the senior team – beyond the visitors’ desperate attempts to keep the ball out. Despite some late pressure from the Seagulls, United held on to claim a vital Premier League victory.

“MASON WAS MATURE. HE WAS CLEAN, HE WAS TIDY AND HE GOT THE GOAL. IT’S A HEADER INSIDE THE SIX-YARD BOX – THAT’S WHAT WE NEED MORE FROM MASON” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

United have beaten Brighton twice in the ’20/21 PL despite conceding first in both games – the only previous time this happened in the PL was v Southampton in ’12/13.

Left Edinson Cavani congratulates scorer Rashford; a proud moment for Greenwood Above Pogba holds off the visitors

UNITED

POSSESSION (%) 42

58 SHOTS

6 11

STARTING XI 17 11 18 10 7

Fred Greenwood Fernandes Rashford Cavani

FOULS

Henderson Wan-Bissaka Lindelof Maguire Shaw Pogba

3 CORNERS

26 29 2 5 23 6

SHOTS ON TARGET 7

15 29

BRIGHTON

UNITED SUBS USED: James for Rashford 72’ •

van de Beek for Cavani 82’ • McTominay for Pogba 84’ YELLOW CARDS: Greenwood, Cavani

BRIGHTON SUBS USED: Mac Allister for Trossard 63’ • Zeqiri for Lallana 87’ • Jahanbakhsh for Moder 87’ YELLOW CARDS: Gross, White

STARTING XI 26 Sanchez 3 White 5 Dunk 34 Veltman 13 Gross 14 Lallana

8 15 11 9 18

Bissouma Moder Trossard Maupay Welbeck

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 125

EUROPA LEAGUE | QUARTER-FINAL FIRST LEG THURSDAY 8 APRIL 2021 | ESTADIO LOS CARMENES | 8PM

GRANADA 0 UNITED 2 Rashford 31, Fernandes 90 (pen)

A great Europa League last-eight result in Spain

sublime Marcus Rashford strike and a late penalty from Bruno Fernandes ensured United built a significant 2-0 advantage away to Granada in the Europa League quarter-final first leg. The Reds’ first chance came when Fernandes was fouled 30 yards from goal. Rashford sent the free-kick just over the bar and went close again when he curled narrowly off target soon afterwards. Just after the half-hour mark, Kenedy looked to benefit from a rare move forward by the Spanish side, but he lashed his shooting chance high into the stand.

Moments later, the Reds were in front. Victor Lindelof received the ball from a goal-kick and found Rashford, who controlled it sweetly before rolling past oncoming goalkeeper Rui Silva for 1-0. The trailing home side created a couple of chances before the interval as they looked to hit back. Yangel Herrera’s shot ricocheted off the outside of the post, before Roberto Soldado found himself with an opportunity at the back post but couldn’t seriously trouble David De Gea. The second half action began in earnest with a United free-kick,

MAN OF THE MATCH VICTOR LINDELOF Solid at the back with some key interventions, and also provided the assist for Rashford to open the scoring.

“IT’S A MASSIVE WIN, AND TO GET THE CLEAN SHEET WAS VERY IMPORTANT. WE ALWAYS KNEW IT WOULD BE PHYSICAL – WE JUST HAD TO MATCH THAT AND PLAY OUR FOOTBALL” DANIEL JAMES 126 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

OTHER RESULTS: Ajax 1-2 Roma Arsenal 1-1 Slavia Prague Dinamo Zagreb 0-1 Villarreal

which was driven in purposefully by Alex Telles towards Scott McTominay, only for it to be turned away from danger by a defender. Reds skipper Harry Maguire then looked to demonstrate his attacking potential as he collected the ball in the Granada half. Driving towards goal, he unleashed a shot past the lunges of several defenders, but also past the post. Despite trailing, Granada weren’t showing many signs of throwing caution to the wind and leaving gaps by committing players in a bid to draw level. However, Lindelof was twice called into action, cutting out dangerous-looking crosses from Herrera and then Carlos Neva. Eight minutes before time, Fernandes had a chance to double our advantage as he latched on to a ball from a break by Daniel James but as he cut back and shot, the goalkeeper was equal to his effort. With United looking likely winners, a late penalty guaranteed the victory as Fernandes was fouled by Yan Eteki before our Portuguese ace slotted home from the spot.

1st

This win meant United had won consecutive away games against Spanish opposition for the first time, after beating Real Sociedad two months earlier.

Left The Reds walk out in Andalusia; Shaw drives forward for the visitors Above Fernandes is all smiles after scoring the second from the spot

GRANADA

POSSESSION (%) SHOTS

21 10

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS 5

FOULS

STARTING XI 4 Gonalons 10 Puertas 19 Montoro 24 Kenedy 9 Soldado

1 Silva 16 Diaz 22 Duarte 20 Vallejo 15 Neva 21 Herrera

11 16

UNITED

GRANADA SUBSTITUTES:

Sanchez for Duarte 54’ • Foulquier for Neva 74’ • Machis for Kenedy 75’ • Eteki for Gonalons 86’ •

Suarez for Soldado 87’ YELLOW CARDS: Duarte, Eteki UNITED SUBSTITUTES:

Telles for Shaw 45’ • Cavani for Rashford 66’ •

Matic for Pogba 74’ • van de Beek for Greenwood 85’

YELLOW CARDS: Maguire, Shaw, Pogba, McTominay, Matic

STARTING XI 1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 6 Pogba

39 McTominay 21 James 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 11 Greenwood

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 127

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 31 SUNDAY 11 APRIL 2021 | TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM | 4.30PM

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 UNITED 3 Son 40

Fred 57, Cavani 79, Greenwood 90+6

Another resilient display is rewarded in London

superb second-half comeback helped Manchester United to a 3-1 victory away to Tottenham Hotspur. After a scrappy opening, the first big opening came when Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani combined to set up Marcus Rashford, whose effort was deflected behind by Eric Dier’s block. There was then controversy just after the half-hour mark. Pogba set up Cavani to finish skifully, but the goal was ruled out by VAR after Scott McTominay was adjudged to have fouled Heung-min Son in the

MAN OF THE MATCH EDINSON CAVANI Shrugged off his disallowed goal and forced the save that led to Fred’s leveller, before showing his class with a fine headed goal.

build-up – a decision met with utter disbelief from the United contingent. The feeling of frustration was soon added to, when that man Son slotted home the opener at the back post from Lucas Moura’s delivery. United hit back with a deserved equaliser shortly before the hour. After Hugo Lloris saved well from Cavani, Fred was on hand to hammer into the unguarded net. Three minutes later, Spurs almost regained the lead when the ball deflected to Son in the box, but his shot was saved superbly by Dean Henderson in the United goal. More chances fell the way of the Reds as Lloris saved from Fernandes before Pogba’s close-range backheel was blocked by Dier. Spurs still looked a threat and Henderson had to be alert to deny Harry Kane, with Mason Greenwood shooting just wide at the other end.

“WE OWED SPURS A PROPER GAME – WE HAD THAT IN OUR MINDS – AND TODAY WAS MUCH BETTER THAN LAST TIME. THE BOSS WILL BE PLEASED WITH A LOT OF PLAYERS TODAY” SCOTT McTOMINAY

128 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Then 11 minutes from time, Cavani had the ball in the net again and this time it counted, as the Uruguayan met Greenwood’s delicious cross with a diving header into the corner. But there was then drama at the other end when a Spurs corner was flicked on by Pogba and Cavani, who headed it against his own post. It was the Reds who topped off the victory instead, as the hugely impressive Pogba found Greenwood, who fired home to seal a fantastic comeback success.

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

32 31 31 31 31

44 27 18 12 19

74 63 56 55 54

Man City UNITED Leicester West Ham Chelsea

TOTTENHAM 1

47 12

STARTING XI 1 Lloris 24 Aurier 15 Dier 14 Rodon 3 Reguilon 18 Lo Celso

5 Hojbjerg 28 Ndombele 27 Lucas Moura 10 Kane 7 Son

FOULS

7 5

Lamela for Ndombele 78’ • Bale for Lucas Moura 82’ YELLOW CARDS: Sissoko

UNITED SUBS USED: Greenwood for Rashford 72’ • Matic for Fernandes 90’ YELLOW CARDS: Maguire,

TOTTENHAM SUBS USED: Sissoko for Lo Celso 61’ •

Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Cavani

CORNERS

7 27

SHOTS

UNITED

SHOTS ON TARGET

3 18

POSSESSION (%)

STARTING XI 26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

17 Fred 10 Rashford 18 Fernandes 6 Pogba 7 Cavani

Left (from top) Cavani heads home to make it 2-1; referee Chris Kavanagh consults VAR before harshly ruling out a first-half effort from our no.7; Greenwood hits number three Below Fred shows his delight at equalising for the visiting Reds

Fred scored just the second goal of his Premier League career – his previous one came against Wolves in September 2018.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 129

EUROPA LEAGUE | QUARTER-FINAL SECOND LEG THURSDAY 15 APRIL 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 8PM

Roma 1-1 Ajax (agg 3-2) Slavia Prague 0-4 Arsenal (agg 1-5) Villarreal 2-1 Dinamo Zagreb (agg 3-1)

UNITED 2

Cavani 6, Vallejo 90 (og) (United win 4-0 on aggregate)

GRANADA 0

Two more Europa League goals seal a semi spot

anchester United secured a deserved semi-final berth in the Europa League, with an Edinson Cavani volley and a late own goal sealing a 2-0 second-leg win against Granada at Old Trafford. There were no signs of complacency after building a healthy lead in Spain, as the Reds went ahead on the night after just six minutes. Paul Pogba’s header found Cavani, who struck home with a controlled left-footed volley. Granada gave a reminder that they still wanted to leave their mark on the club’s first visit to England when Yangel Herrera nodded just wide two minutes later.

OTHER RESULTS:

The same man popped up again on 20 minutes with another header that flew just past the post from a free-kick to fire another warning. Bruno Fernandes almost added a second goal for Ole Gunnar

MAN OF THE MATCH EDINSON CAVANI His first continental goal for United was his 50th in European competition and set the tone for a comfortable victory.

Solskjaer’s side on 34 minutes when he crashed a volley narrowly over the top after being picked out from midfield by Nemanja Matic. Our no.18 then dragged one well wide before Mason Greenwood was also off target, with the Reds in the lead and in control at the break. Both United and our Andalusian visitors had early second-half headed chances, with Granada’s sub Jorge Molina and Greenwood frustrated that they didn’t do better with their close-range chances. Cavani added to the missed header category when he was picked out by Fernandes in the 56th minute. The striker’s run was perfection, but the execution was misjudged as his unopposed attempt glanced off his shoulder and wide. Donny van de Beek was next to go close, drilling a shot just inches wide following a penetrating run from Greenwood. Granada’s late flurry saw them almost get a much sought-after consolation goal, but a hit from sub Nehuen Perez was handled easily by David De Gea and our goalkeeper, who had been largely unoccupied all evening, then pulled off a point-blank save from Herrera to secure a clean sheet. United went forward to snatch a second in the final minute of normal time when an Alex Telles cross just brushed over Juan Mata’s head and came off the unfortunate Jesus Vallejo to make it a routine victory.

“I HAD TO COME OFF [AT HALF-TIME FOLLOWING A YELLOW CARD]. BUT I KNOW THAT IF I COME OFF THE OTHER PLAYERS WHO COME IN, THEY WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE AS WELL” PAUL POGBA 130 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Left van de Beek bursts clear; Mata is elated after the second goal Below Cavani opens United’s account with just six minutes on the clock

2008

This win meant United had won three consecutive knockout stage games without conceding in European competition for the first time since April 2008.

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

17 11

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS 4

31 Matic 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 6 Pogba 7 Cavani

19 21

STARTING XI

4 24

FOULS

1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 38 Tuanzebe 2 Lindelof 27 Telles 17 Fred

31 18

9 29

GRANADA

SHOTS

UNITED SUBSTITUTES:

van de Beek for Pogba 45’ • James for Cavani 60’ •

Mata for Fernandes 73’ • Williams for Wan-Bissaka 82’ • Amad for Greenwood 82’ YELLOW CARDS: Pogba GRANADA SUBSTITUTES:

Molina for Gonalons 32’ • Puertas for Kenedy 45’ •

Suarez for Soldado 45’ • Diaz for Neva 74’ • Perez for

Sanchez 82’ YELLOW CARDS: Sanchez, Neva, Soldado

STARTING XI 1 Silva 2 Foulquier 6 Sanchez 20 Vallejo 15 Neva 4 Gonalons

19 24 21 11 9

Montoro Kenedy Herrera Machis Soldado

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 131

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 32 SUNDAY 18 APRIL 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 4PM

UNITED 3 BURNLEY 1 Greenwood 48, 84, Cavani 90+3

Tarkowski 50

Dogged Burnley are undone by pair of late strikes

anchester United saw off Burnley as Mason Greenwood’s double and a late Edinson Cavani strike gave the Reds a thrilling 3-1 victory. It was almost a nightmare start for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side when Chris Wood headed home at the Stretford End after just 25 seconds. However, the Reds’ fears were quelled when the referee’s assistant raised his flag for offside against Wood and VAR was in agreement. Scott McTominay then had a shot blocked and Paul Pogba had a header turned aside by Clarets goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, before Bruno Fernandes sent a bending attempt wide. Marcus Rashford’s thunderous shot was tipped over and Pogba couldn’t cleanly connect with a header, before the former’s penalty appeal was turned down. It was a bittersweet opening to the second half, which first saw Rashford crossing for Fernandes to step over the ball and Greenwood to ram the ball home.

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

32 32 31 32 31

44 29 18 11 19

74 66 56 55 54

Man City UNITED Leicester West Ham Chelsea

132 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

But all the joy disappeared moments later as Burnley found a quick equaliser. James Tarkowski got on the end of Ashley Westwood’s corner to head the visitors level. It was a struggle for the Reds to regain control of proceedings against determined visitors, and we didn’t have another clear chance until the 70th minute. Shaw raced on to a Rashford pass and crossed for Fernandes to steer a header towards goal, where keeper Peacock-Farrell was well positioned to save. But the Reds stuck at it and finally broke through on 84 minutes. It was Greenwood again who was on the end of a spell of a

MAN OF THE MATCH MASON GREENWOOD Two more key goals by the prodigious forward, first sweeping home before beating Peacock-Farrell with a deflected strike.

United power-play, firing a shot that deflected off Jack Cork to wrong-foot the keeper. Burnley went all out for another equaliser but the Reds made them pay on the break with Cavani finishing off Donny van de Beek’s cross for a tap in to complete a battling win.

“WE BUILT SOME PRESSURE, ESPECIALLY DOWN THE LEFT, AND WE GOT THE GOALS WE WANTED. WE WILL KEEP CONCENTRATING ON WHAT WE’RE DOING” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

This win meant that United had won five league games on the spin for the first time since Solskjaer’s first six league matches in charge.

Left Pogba rises highest at Old Trafford; Victor Lindelof brings the ball out Below Fernandes congratulates van de Beek after the latter’s assist for the third goal

UNITED

31 SHOTS

39 11

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS

FOULS

STARTING XI 17 Fred 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 6 Pogba 10 Rashford

26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

17 29

BURNLEY

POSSESSION (%) 69

UNITED SUBS USED: Cavani for Fred 45’ • van de Beek for Rashford 84’

YELLOW CARDS: Wan-Bissaka BURNLEY SUBS USED: Rodriguez for

Gudmundsson 88’ • Vydra for Brownhill 88’ YELLOW CARDS: Tarkowski, Cork

STARTING XI 15 PeacockFarrell 2 Lowton 5 Tarkowski 6 Mee 3 Taylor

7 Gudmundsson 18 Westwood 4 Cork 11 McNeil 8 Brownhill 9 Wood

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 133

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 33 SUNDAY 25 APRIL 2021 | ELLAND ROAD | 2PM

LEEDS UNITED 0 UNITED 0 Long-awaited return to Elland Road ends goalless

he Reds’ unbeaten Premier League away run in 2020/21 was extended with a 0-0 draw away to Leeds United. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer oversaw a positive start as Mason Greenwood’s header from a Bruno Fernandes free-kick was held by Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier. Marcus Rashford then got his finish all wrong after streaking on to a glorious long pass out of defence by Victor Lindelof, providing a let-off for the exposed home defence. Another Fernandes set-piece from the left threatened but it came to Harry Maguire at an awkward height and the skipper couldn’t steer

it on target with his knee. Leeds also had a handball shout against Luke Shaw denied by VAR in an opening half-hour of few clear-cut chances. Fernandes clipped a free-kick over the bar a few minutes before Stuart Dallas had the hosts’ first shot on target, which forced a simple save from Dean Henderson in the United goal. The closest we came to a goal was in the closing stages of the half as Meslier produced a top save to tip away Rashford’s free-kick, with Maguire nodding the resulting corner over the top. Both sides looked to inject some more passion into the proceedings

after the interval. Greenwood’s through ball should have created a clear opening, only for a mix-up between Daniel James and Fernandes over who would take it on allowed Leeds to clear. Fernandes pushed further forward and crashed a drive wide before Meslier was forced into action to deny Greenwood, as the home defence appealed for offside. Seconds later, Fernandes fired a fine ball to Rashford, who fed James, but the Wales international was unable to work it through to Greenwood, who was in space on the left-hand side of the box. Leeds reacted as Helder Costa’s shot deflected off Aaron Wan-Bissaka and landed on top of the net. Dallas and Luke Ayling also tested Henderson but, with few chances in the closing minutes, the game fizzled out into a draw.

MAN OF THE MATCH AARON WAN-BISSAKA Beat his man brilliantly to create an opening for Fernandes and his vital touch deflected Costa’s shot away.

“WE HAD CONTROL OF THE GAME WITHOUT PUNISHING THEM. WE KNEW HOW THEY WOULD PLAY – OUR ATTACKING PLAYERS LOVE A ONE v ONE BUT TODAY IT WASN’T TO BE” HARRY MAGUIRE 134 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

33 33 32 33 33

45 29 21 20 10

77 67 59 58 55

Man City UNITED Leicester Chelsea West Ham

LEEDS 14

56 SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET 4

3 CORNERS

FOULS

STARTING XI 17 Costa 15 Dallas 11 Roberts 22 Harrison 9 Bamford

1 Meslier 2 Ayling 14 Llorente 21 Struijk 10 Alioski 23 Phillips

23 17

UNITED

POSSESSION (%) 44

LEEDS SUBS USED: Poveda-Ocampo for Harrison 68’ • Klich for Costa 72’ • Koch for Roberts 77’

YELLOW CARDS: Ayling, Alioski, Roberts, Bamford UNITED SUBS USED: Pogba for James 76’ •

Cavani for Rashford 86’ • van de Beek for Fred 89’ YELLOW CARDS: Maguire

STARTING XI 26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

17 Fred 21 James 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 11 Greenwood

Left Solskjaer with opposite number Marcelo Bielsa; Donny van de Beek fends off Ezgjan Alioski Below Rashford takes on Pascal Struijk as the Reds push for a winner

Leeds were restricted to just six shots in this match – their joint-fewest in a home league game under Marcelo Bielsa until this point.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 135

EUROPA LEAGUE | SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG THURSDAY 29 APRIL 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 8PM

OTHER RESULT: Villarreal 2-1 Arsenal

UNITED 6

Fernandes 9, 71 (pen), Cavani 48, 64, Pogba 75, Greenwood 86

ROMA 2

Pellegrini 15 (pen), Dzeko 33

The Reds roar back in a thrilling first-leg display

thrilling, destructive five-goal second-half blitz from Manchester United against Roma gave the Reds a 6-2 Europa League semi-final first-leg lead, after a sensational night at Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side could not have wished for a better start when Edinson Cavani knocked a pass from Paul Pogba into Bruno Fernandes, who beat goalkeeper Pau Lopez with a chipped finish. The lead didn’t last long, however, thanks to a controversial moment as Rick Karsdorp’s cross from the right hit Pogba’s hand in the box as the Frenchman was sliding in to block a cross. Roma were awarded a

penalty, which was duly smashed home by Lorenzo Pellegrini. United rallied with two efforts by Fernandes, before Lopez was called into action to save Pogba’s piledriver, injuring himself in the process and being replaced by Antonio Mirante. The disruption failed to derail the visitors, who took the lead after 33 minutes. United old boy Henrikh Mkhitaryan found Pellegrini, whose cross was tapped in by one-time Manchester City hitman Edin Dzeko. A stray pass from Roger Ibanez gave Cavani the chance to equalise in the last seconds of the half, but Mirante saved his shot before another former United player, Chris

MAN OF THE MATCH EDINSON CAVANI Two goals and two assists from the no.7 in a devastating display from both himself and his team.

Smalling, blocked the follow-up. However, Cavani made up for the missed opportunity within three minutes of the restart, latching on to a Fernandes pass and rifling in an unstoppable effort. It was developing into a really hectic night for our no.7 as he then scooped a great opportunity over the bar at the Stretford End from a Luke Shaw cross after 53 minutes. But it was that man Cavani who did it again, just after the hour, tapping us back in front when Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s shot was parried into his path by Mirante. United were on a roll and added another on 71 minutes. A VAR check confirmed a penalty for a Smalling foul on Cavani, with Fernandes doing what he does so well and dispatching coolly from the spot. Pogba headed his team’s fifth soon afterwards, set up by Fernandes, before Greenwood ran on to Cavani’s pass and beat Mirante to round off a memorable win.

“WE DID WELL BUT WE KNOW THEY HAVE QUALITY. MAYBE FIVE OR 10 MINUTES AT THE END OF THE FIRST HALF, WE DIDN’T LOOK GREAT, BUT WE GOT OURSELVES TOGETHER” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 136 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Left (bottom) Pogba hails Cavani; (top) McTominay wins an aerial battle Below Greenwood makes it six to round off a night of high drama

1964

United became the first side to score six in the semi-final of a European competition since 1964 (Real Madrid v Zurich in the European Cup).

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

SHOTS

39 10

11 6

CORNERS 2

6 FOULS

STARTING XI 17 Fred 10 Rashford 18 Fernandes 6 Pogba 7 Cavani

1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

SHOTS ON TARGET

20 29

ROMA

UNITED SUBSTITUTES:

Greenwood for Rashford 76’ • Matic for Fred 83’ • Mata for Fernandes 89’ YELLOW CARDS: Pogba ROMA SUBSTITUTES:

Villar for Veretout 5’ • Mirante for Lopez 27’ •

Peres for Spinazzola 37’ YELLOW CARDS: Smalling, Villar

STARTING XI 13 6 4 3 2 17

Lopez Smalling Cristante Ibanez Karsdorp Veretout

42 Diawara 37 Spinazzola 7 Pellegrini 77 Mkhitaryan 9 Dzeko

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 137

MAY Europa League glory is denied, but fans return as an unbeaten away campaign in the top flight is achieved, along with a runners-up berth...

near-perfect and unbeaten April saw United march into the season’s final month with plenty of momentum in search of a strong finish. An impressive 6-2 victory over Roma in the first leg of our Europa League semi-final meant that despite kicking-off May with a narrow defeat in the return at the Stadio Olimpico, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Reds advanced to the final at the end of the month. With 20 days between that game in Rome and the meeting with Villarreal in Gdansk, the Premier League’s finale was the sole focus for most of May, with a busy domestic schedule to negotiate. Indeed, the Reds would play three league games in the space of five days, starting with a 3-1 comeback victory at Aston Villa on the Sunday, before back-to-back defeats against Leicester City and Liverpool at Old Trafford in the following midweek. The loss to the Foxes saw Manchester City confirmed as champions, while at the foot of the table defeats for West Brom and Fulham in the two days prior saw them join Sheffield United in being relegated to the Championship. Having edged out the Reds in M16, Leicester then overcame Chelsea in the FA Cup final four days later to lift the trophy for the first time, in front of around 21,000 spectators in the capital. That was a precursor for what was to come across the country in 138 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

the days that followed, with Premier League grounds able to welcome 10,000 fans back for their final home games as social distancing restrictions started to ease. United’s turn came against Fulham on 18 May, where an Edinson Cavani wonder strike and a 1-1 draw helped secure a second-place finish in the Premier League table. With one eye on the Europa League final, Solskjaer named a much-changed side for the final day where the Reds rounded off the domestic campaign with a 2-1 win against the departing Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves, concluding an entire league season unbeaten on the road. Elsewhere, Liverpool secured Champions League football for next season with a win over the retiring Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace. Chelsea did the same, despite defeat at Aston Villa, and Thomas Tuchel’s Blues would lift the Champions League trophy six days later, beating Manchester City in the final in Porto. Sadly, the season would not end with European glory for United, with the Reds edged out 11-10 on penalties by Villarreal in the Europa League final after the sides drew 1-1 over 120 minutes in Gdansk.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH EDINSON CAVANI United’s no.7 continued his brilliant late-season form, claiming this accolade in back-to-back months. Cavani started May with a brace against Roma before a fine header at Aston Villa and that stunner against Fulham, which preceded his equalising strike in the Europa League final.

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GOAL OF THE MONTH EDINSON CAVANI V FULHAM

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WATCH!

UNITED’S MAY RESULTS 06.05.21 EL Roma 3 United 2 09.05.21 PL Aston Villa 1 United 3 11.05.21 PL United 1 Leicester 2 13.05.21 PL United 2 Liverpool 4 18.05.21 PL United 1 Fulham 1 23.05.21 PL Wolves 1 United 2 26.05.21 EL Villarreal 1 United 1 (Villarreal win 11-10 on pens)

Cavani lit up our fans’ return to Old Trafford with a delightful long-range chip against the Londoners. With the ball running through to him following David De Gea’s low pass into the centre

FINAL PREMIER LEAGUE STANDINGS P GD PTS 1 Manchester City 38 51 86 2 UNITED 38 29 74 3 Liverpool 38 26 69 4 Chelsea 38 22 67 5 Leicester 38 18 66 6 West Ham 38 15 65 7 Tottenham 38 23 62 8 Arsenal 38 16 61 9 Leeds United 38 8 59 10 Everton 38 -1 59 11 Aston Villa 38 9 55 12 Newcastle 38 -16 45 13 Wolves 38 -16 45 14 Crystal Palace 38 -25 44 15 Southampton 38 -21 43 16 Brighton 38 -6 41 17 Burnley 38 -22 39 18 Fulham 38 -26 28 19 West Brom 38 -41 26 20 Sheffield United 38 -43 23

of the pitch, the Uruguayan found himself through on goal, but stayed composed around 40 yards out. Edinson spotted the keeper off his line and lobbed the ball over him with a first-time effort (left). It opened the scoring at the Stretford End, sending the 10,000 fans inside the stadium into raptures.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 139

EUROPA LEAGUE | SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG THURSDAY 6 MAY 2021 | STADIO OLIMPICO | 8PM

Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal (agg 1-2)

ROMA 3

Dzeko 57, Cristante 60, Telles 83 (og)

UNITED 2

Cavani 39, 68 (United win 8-5 on aggregate)

Defeat on the night but a ticket to Gdansk is ours

rare loss on the road was not enough to stop United reaching the Europa League final with an aggregate triumph. Hosts Roma attacked from the off as Gianluca Mancini was denied by a brilliant David De Gea save before Edin Dzeko headed just wide. For United, Edinson Cavani went close when he lobbed goalkeeper Antonio Mirante, only to see his attempt clip the bar and go behind. He had another chance when sent through one-on-one by Bruno Fernandes, but Mirante saved. Ex-Red Henrikh Mkhitaryan headed wide while De Gea was

MAN OF THE MATCH DAVID DE GEA Showed his world-class ability and reflexes with incredible saves to prevent Roma from getting back in the tie.

called into action again to deny Lorenzo Pellegrini and then Mancini. On 39 minutes, Cavani showcased his immense finishing quality to put United ahead. Fred released the Uruguayan with a precise pass and he fired home with a devastating strike. A few minutes later, Mason Greenwood, on his 100th United appearance, performed his trademark step-over dribble before dragging a shot just wide. De Gea then stopped an attempt from Mkhitaryan before Fernandes had the last two chances of the half, missing the ball with a spectacular scorpion kick and shooting wide from the edge of the box. Roma had the first chance after the interval, with Dzeko testing De Gea but once again the Spaniard was quick to react. However, there was little our keeper could do to deny the same player an equaliser just before

“IT’S A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT TO GET TO THE FINAL. WE DIDN’T WIN THE GAME TONIGHT AND THAT’S DISAPPOINTING BUT WE DID THE HARD WORK IN THE FIRST LEG” HARRY MAGUIRE 140 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

OTHER RESULT: the hour, as the Bosnian made no mistake inside the six-yard box from Pedro’s volleyed cross. Three minutes later and the home side struck again. Pellegrini won the ball from Fred just outside the area before Bryan Cristante smashed a powerful strike into the top corner. Only the brilliance of De Gea prevented us going further behind, as he saved from Pedro, Dzeko and Mkhitaryan in quick succession. Greenwood fired wide before Cavani headed home Fernandes’s cross to equalise once more. With seven minutes to play, Nicola Zalewski’s shot deflected in off Alex Telles but by then, our progression to the final was all but assured.

POSSESSION (%)

ROMA

SHOTS

22 2

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS 11

FOULS

STARTING XI 11 4 7 77 9

Pedro Cristante Pellegrini Mkhitaryan Dzeko

Left Rashford on the ball; De Gea punches clear; Cavani wheels away after scoring United’s second goal Below United congratulate the no.7

83 Mirante 2 Karsdorp 6 Smalling 3 Ibanez 33 Peres 23 Mancini

UNITED

ROMA SUBSTITUTES: Darboe for Smalling 30’ • Santon for Peres 69’ • Zalewski for Pedro 76’ • Mayoral for Dzeko 76’ YELLOW CARDS: Karsdorp, Cristante

UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Williams for Wan-Bissaka 45’ • Telles for Shaw 45’ • Matic for Pogba 64’ • Rashford for Cavani 73’ • Mata for Fernandes 84’

YELLOW CARDS: Wan-Bissaka, Williams, Fred, Cavani

STARTING XI 1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 3 Bailly 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 6 Pogba

17 Fred 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 34 van de Beek 7 Cavani

13 The total of 13 goals over the two legs is the biggest ever tally in a UEFA Cup/Europa League semi-final.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 141

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 34 SUNDAY 9 MAY 2021 | VILLA PARK | 2.05PM

ASTON VILLA 1 UNITED 3 Traore 24

Fernandes 52 (pen), Greenwood 56, Cavani 87

Captain’s injury mars fine win in West Midlands

anchester United once again came from behind on the road to take all three league points at Villa Park. The Reds started brighter, with Mason Greenwood shooting just wide with the first effort after five minutes. Emiliano Martinez pulled off a great reaction save from Luke Shaw’s powerful strike, before dealing with shots from Paul Pogba and Fred. A rare home foray into the United half resulted in a deflected Bertrand Traore shot, after which Bruno Fernandes poked wide from a half-chance inside the box. Marcus Rashford was then inches away from converting when he connected with Greenwood’s smashed delivery, but he couldn’t quite react quick enough. Despite our early dominance, it was Villa who got the opening goal when Traore unleashed a powerful strike past Dean Henderson after the ball had deflected back to him off Victor Lindelof. United were still making opportunities – Fernandes fired over

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

35 34 35 35 35

46 31 23 20 10

80 70 64 63 58

Man City UNITED Chelsea Leicester West Ham

142 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

from distance, before Martinez was called into action to hold Rashford’s effort from the edge of the box. Greenwood stung the palms of the Villa keeper on 40 minutes, with Martinez at full stretch to push the youngster’s powerful shot wide, while Ollie Watkins’s drilled effort was kept out by Henderson. Within minutes of the restart, Pogba had a shot deflected wide and, soon afterwards, earned a penalty after being brought down by Douglas Luiz. Fernandes coolly converted to level the scores. It didn’t take long for another United goal. Greenwood shrugged off the challenge of Tyrone Mings on

MAN OF THE MATCH BRUNO FERNANDES Bounced back from a frustrating first half to be as reliable as ever from the spot, and played key roles in several attacks.

the edge of the box and blasted past Martinez at his near post. Maguire nodded over before Henderson had to claw away the defender’s header back towards his own goal, while Rashford went close from distance and Cavani cleared a header from Anwar El Ghazi. More worryingly, Maguire was then forced off with an injury after a collision with El Ghazi – a cause for concern for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Aaron Wan-Bissaka blocked from Watkins and Henderson saved from Traore before Cavani got on the end of Rashford’s cross to head home our third. Watkins then got a second booking for simulation as the Reds comfortably saw out the closing stages of the victory.

“WE DON’T REALLY WANT TO GO BEHIND BUT IT GIVES US A BOOST TO COME BACK. IT WAS WELL IMPROVED [IN THE SECOND HALF]. OLE SAID HIS BITS IN THE CHANGING ROOM – IT PAID OFF” MASON GREENWOOD

This was United’s 10th Premier League win of 2020/21 after conceding first – a record by a team in a single season in the competition.

Left Cavani with Villa keeper Martinez; Maguire is injured in a collision with El Ghazi Above Wan-Bissaka hails scorer Greenwood

ASTON VILLA

59 SHOTS

11 2

7 15

18 29

SHOTS ON TARGET 5

6 20

7 CORNERS

FOULS

STARTING XI 26 Martinez 2 Cash 4 Konsa 5 Mings 18 Targett 7 McGinn

UNITED

POSSESSION (%) 41

6 Luiz 15 Traore 20 Barkley 21 El Ghazi 11 Watkins

ASTON VILLA SUBS USED: Ramsey for Luiz 65’ • Davis for Barkley 77’ • Wesley for El Ghazi 78’

YELLOW CARDS: McGinn, Watkins RED CARDS: Watkins UNITED SUBS USED: Cavani for Greenwood 65’ • Bailly for Maguire 78’ • Matic for Fernandes 86’ YELLOW CARDS: Maguire

STARTING XI 26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 5 Maguire 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

17 Fred 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 6 Pogba 10 Rashford

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 143

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 35 TUESDAY 11 MAY 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 6PM

UNITED 1 LEICESTER CITY 2 Greenwood 15

Thomas 10, Soyuncu 66

Solskjaer’s reshuffled Reds are narrowly beaten

he Reds were beaten at a rain-sodden Old Trafford as Leicester City won 2-1 against a United line-up much-altered due to a packed fixture schedule. It was the Foxes who dominated the early possession and they took

MAN OF THE MATCH MASON GREENWOOD The in-form frontman got United level when he eluded several Foxes defenders before clinically slotting home.

the lead on 10 minutes when Youri Tielemans’s cross was met by Luke Thomas, who fired his first Premier League goal past David De Gea. United made a quick response and were level five minutes later. Amad, on his league debut, set up Mason Greenwood to beat goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel with a right-footed drive. After the early goal rush, neither side could then summon up any further chances as the half settled into an uneventful affair. Jamie Vardy did threaten late in the half as he ran on to a pass but his push on Axel Tuanzebe ended the chance for the visitors to score. After the break Greenwood had a chance for his second when he connected with a free-kick from Alex Telles, but his header was deflected behind for a corner. At the other end, it took a near-post stop from De Gea to foil Kelechi Iheanacho after the striker was put through by Tielemans.

“OF COURSE WE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE RESULT, BUT WE PLAYED SOME GOOD FOOTBALL. THE YOUNGSTERS DID WELL AND SHOWED CHARACTER AGAINST A GOOD SIDE” NEMANJA MATIC 144 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer provided an attacking injection from the bench when Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford were introduced on 66 minutes, but just 16 seconds later Leicester regained the lead. Turkish defender Caglar Soyuncu climbed above Nemanja Matic and thumped a header past De Gea from Marc Albrighton’s right-wing corner. The visitors were almost further ahead in the 73rd minute when an Iheanacho cross was met by Vardy, who sent a header to the back post. Tielemans, racing in, just couldn’t connect with the ball. Bruno Fernandes came on for the hosts in the 78th minute and had the only real chance to salvage a point but the normally dead-eyed Portuguese midfielder could only screw his attempt well wide, after good work in the build-up by team-mates Telles and Juan Mata.

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

35 35 36 35 35

46 30 21 23 10

80 70 66 64 58

Man City UNITED Leicester Chelsea West Ham

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS

STARTING XI 31 Matic 19 Amad 8 Mata 56 Elanga 11 Greenwood

FOULS

1 De Gea 33 Williams 3 Bailly 38 Tuanzebe 27 Telles 34 van de Beek

4 38

LEICESTER

UNITED SUBS USED: Rashford for Elanga 66’ •

Cavani for Greenwood 66’ • Fernandes for Amad 78’ YELLOW CARDS: None

LEICESTER SUBS USED: Maddison for Perez 65’ • Choudhury for Vardy 80’ YELLOW CARDS: None

STARTING XI 1 27 3 4 33 11

Schmeichel Castagne Fofana Soyuncu Thomas Albrighton

8 25 17 14 9

Tielemans Ndidi Perez Iheanacho Vardy

Left (clockwise from far left) Brandon Williams crosses; Greenwood salutes his strike; Cavani’s effort is saved by Schmeichel Below Amad takes on the Foxes

2006

Amad’s assist for Greenwood was the first time a teenager assisted another teenager for a PL goal since Middlesbrough achieved the feat in May 2006.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 145

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 36 THURSDAY 13 MAY 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 8.15PM

UNITED 2 LIVERPOOL 4 Fernandes 10, Rashford 68

Jota 34, Firmino 45+3, 47, Salah 90

Tough run-in continues as Klopp’s men battle back

nited fell to a second successive defeat in just over 48 hours as Liverpool ran out 4-2 winners at Old Trafford. After a brief VAR check for a potential penalty to the visitors, when Roberto Firmino’s cross struck Eric Bailly’s trailing hand, Edinson Cavani shot wide when inexplicably presented with the ball by Alisson. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men continued to press and took the lead on 10 minutes, when a bending shot from Bruno Fernandes found the net via a deflection off Nat Phillips. Liverpool were initially awarded a penalty just before the half-hour mark when Bailly was adjudged to have fouled Phillips. However, the decision was overturned when VAR replays showed our no.3 had played the ball. Diogo Jota had a shot tipped over by Dean Henderson but it was only a brief let-off. From the corner, Phillips shot at goal and Jota was on hand to expertly flick in the equaliser. Paul Pogba hit the side-netting before Liverpool went ahead in first-half injury-time, when Trent

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

35 36 36 36 35

46 28 21 22 20

80 70 66 64 60

Man City UNITED Leicester Chelsea Liverpool

146 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick to the back post was headed in by Firmino. The momentum continued for the away side early in the second period. Alexander-Arnold’s shot proved too hot for Henderson to handle, and Firmino reacted quickest to tap in his second. Out of nothing, the hosts found a lifeline in the 68th minute. Luke Shaw and Cavani were involved in the build-up, with the latter threading a pass through to Marcus Rashford who finished superbly to make it 2-3. The balance of play had now shifted, with Mason Greenwood having a shot cleared off the line before his follow-up was also

MAN OF THE MATCH AARON WAN-BISSAKA Our right-back was one of the better home performers on a tough night, providing the assist for Fernandes to open the scoring.

blocked by the Liverpool defence. However, as United continued the search for a dramatic escape, we were hit on the break and Mohamed Salah ended all hopes of us salvaging a point when he broke forward and finished calmly in the 90th minute.

“THEY DESERVED THE WIN. WE CONCEDED GOALS IN KEY MOMENTS – IT’S A BAD MOMENT TO CONCEDE JUST BEFORE HALF-TIME. WE GAVE THEM TWO GOALS, REALLY” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

5/5

Left Fernandes celebrates the opener; Fred challenges Firmino Below The teams line up ahead of the 207th meeting between the local rivals

Rashford has five goals in his last five home games v Liverpool, with this latest one being his 50th at Old Trafford for United.

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED 3

CORNERS FOULS

17 Fred 10 Rashford 18 Fernandes 6 Pogba 7 Cavani

STARTING XI

26 Henderson 29 Wan-Bissaka 3 Bailly 2 Lindelof 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

17 18

SHOTS ON TARGET

18 2

LIVERPOOL

SHOTS

UNITED SUBS USED: Greenwood for Fred 63’ • Matic for Bailly 86’

YELLOW CARDS: Bailly, McTominay, Cavani LIVERPOOL SUBS USED: Jones for Wijnaldum 74’ • Mane for Jota 74’ • N Williams for Salah 90+2’ YELLOW CARDS: None

STARTING XI 1 Alisson 66 AlexanderArnold 47 Phillips 46 R Williams 26 Robertson

6 Thiago 3 Fabinho 5 Wijnaldum 11 Salah 9 Firmino 20 Jota

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 147

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 37 TUESDAY 18 MAY 2021 | OLD TRAFFORD | 6PM

UNITED 1 FULHAM 1 Cavani 15

Bryan 76

Returning fans see a wondergoal... but no victory

nited and Fulham shared the points in front of 10,000 supporters at Old Trafford, in our first home game with fans in attendance for 14 months. Paul Pogba had the first attempt of the game in the fifth minute when he headed over from Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s corner, before Edinson Cavani’s penalty claim was dismissed by referee Lee Mason. But our no.7 was celebrating soon afterwards when he produced a moment of magic that will be shown over and over for years to come. David De Gea’s ball forward was flicked on by Bruno Fernandes to Cavani, who floated a glorious

MAN OF THE MATCH EDINSON CAVANI Gave the returning fans a moment to savour, and received a standing ovation when he was substituted late on.

40-yard effort over helpless Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola to send the returning fans wild with delight. The attacks kept coming as Mason Greenwood nodded over and Fernandes saw a long-range effort held by Areola. Fabio Carvalho had a chance for the visitors when he escaped from Victor Lindelof, but De Gea got down well to stop the shot. The half ended with Fernandes once again testing Areola and Luke Shaw sending an effort wide. Five minutes after the interval, Fernandes stepped up with a free-kick and wrong-footed Areola, only for his effort to fly inches wide. On the hour mark, De Gea showcased his world-class ability with a superb double save. First, he got a hand to Ademola Lookman’s attempt towards the near post before saving Carvalho’s header from the rebound inside the six-yard area. Areola parried another Fernandes set-piece and was

“IT WAS REALLY GOOD [TO HAVE FANS BACK]. IT’S SUCH A GOOD FEELING. WE DIDN’T GIVE THEM WHAT WE WANTED WITH THE VICTORY BUT WE’LL FOCUS ON THE NEXT GAME” BRUNO FERNANDES 148 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

also there to deny Greenwood after he had been sent in behind by Cavani. The Cottagers had managed to stay in the game and got an equaliser with 15 minutes remaining, when Bobby Decordova-Reid’s precise cross was headed in at the back post by Joe Bryan. It was a tight offside call but, after a VAR check, the goal was given. United turned the screw in the final stages but couldn’t find a goal, meaning the team – and the 10,000 Reds in full voice in the stands – had to settle for just a point.

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

37 37 37 37 36

46 28 23 20 21

83 71 67 66 63

Man City UNITED Chelsea Leicester Liverpool

POSSESSION (%)

UNITED

SHOTS

SHOTS ON TARGET

CORNERS 1

17 Fred 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 6 Pogba 7 Cavani

19 17

STARTING XI

FOULS

1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 2 Lindelof 38 Tuanzebe 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

13 38

FULHAM

UNITED SUBS USED: Rashford for McTominay 62’ •

Amad for Greenwood 83’ • van de Beek for Cavani 87’ YELLOW CARDS: Shaw, Fernandes

FULHAM SUBS USED: Andersen for Reed 32’ •

Loftus-Cheek for Carvalho 63’ • Tete for Lookman 89’ YELLOW CARDS: Areola, Lemina, Lookman

STARTING XI 1 18 16 13 14

Areola Lemina Tosin Ream DecordovaReid

29 Anguissa 21 Reed 23 Bryan 48 Carvalho 19 Lookman 17 Cavaleiro

Left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer addresses Old Trafford after the game; (above left) De Gea and Mata applaud the returning fans Below Cavani enjoys the crowd’s acclaim after his stunning strike

Cavani became the 25th man to score 10+ goals in a single PL season for United – no other club has seen so many players reach that figure.

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 149

PREMIER LEAGUE | MATCHDAY 38 SUNDAY 23 MAY 2021 | MOLINEUX | 4PM

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1 UNITED 2 Semedo 39

Elanga 13, Mata 45+4 (pen)

First-half strikes seal stunning away milestone

le Gunnar Solskjaer’s side ended the Premier League season with a victory at Wolves as the Reds made it a whole campaign unbeaten away from home, on a day when the hosts said goodbye to departing manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Youngster Anthony Elanga caught the eye from the off and could have had a hat-trick inside 13 minutes. He just couldn’t control an Alex Telles pass when through on goal, before blasting over after being found by Daniel James. The 19-year-old made no mistake with his third chance, however. Telles slipped the ball into James on the left wing and his cross was met by a bullet header from the Swede. Six minutes from the break, it was 1-1. The ball dropped to Fabio Silva as Wolves headed forward and he picked out Nelson Semedo to clip home, via a slight deflection. The Reds responded well as half-time approached as Brandon

POST-MATCH TABLE POS

PTS

1 2 3 4 5

38 38 38 38 38

51 29 26 22 18

86 74 69 67 66

Man City UNITED Liverpool Chelsea Leicester

150 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Williams, put through by Nemanja Matic, saw his strong shot well saved by Rui Patricio, before Telles fired the follow-up over. There was still more action to come before the break when Donny van de Beek went down under the challenge of Romain Saiss. After not initially giving the penalty, Mike Dean referred to a VAR check and a spot-kick was awarded. Juan Mata sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to restore the lead. It was a poignant moment for our no.8 who pointed to the sky in tribute to his late mother as he was engulfed

MAN OF THE MATCH ANTHONY ELANGA Was unlucky to not have scored before his opener, when he powered home a textbook header for his first senior goal.

by his jubilant team-mates. United then created the first big chance of the second half after 58 minutes as Amad put James through on goal, but the Wales international couldn’t keep his attempted flicked finish on target. Axel Tuanzebe did brilliantly to get back and clear when Silva was through, before twice thwarting the same player again minutes later. United subs Hannibal and Will Fish came on for their debuts late on as the Reds held out to end the league season with a win.

“IT WAS A GAME IN THE SPIRIT OF UNITED – SIR ALEX AND SIR MATT – IN THAT YOU GIVE PLAYERS A CHANCE. I’M PROUD OF THEM; THEY TOOK THE BALL WELL AND CREATED CHANCES” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER

Elanga became the 19th different teenager to score a PL goal for United – only Arsenal (20) have had more in the competition’s history.

Left Hannibal makes his debut; Telles holds off Semedo Above Elanga celebrates his first goal for United

WOLVES

14 15

STARTING XI 11 Rui Patricio 27 Saiss 16 Coady 15 Boly 22 Semedo 32 Dendoncker

8 Neves 28 Moutinho 3 Ait-Nouri 37 Traore 17 Fabio Silva

SHOTS

CORNERS

6 37

FOULS

4 2

YELLOW CARDS: Boly, Dendoncker, Gibbs-White, Ait-Nouri

YELLOW CARDS: Henderson

WOLVES SUBS USED: Willian Jose for Traore 27’ •

Shoretire for Amad 82’ • Fish for James 90+5’

Gibbs-White for Dendoncker 60’ • Marcal for Ait-Nouri 82’

UNITED SUBS USED: Hannibal for Mata 82’ •

UNITED

SHOTS ON TARGET

4 22

POSSESSION (%)

STARTING XI 26 Henderson 33 Williams 3 Bailly 38 Tuanzebe 27 Telles 34 van de Beek

31 Matic 56 Elanga 8 Mata 21 James 19 Amad

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 151

EUROPA LEAGUE | FINAL WEDNESDAY 26 MAY 2021 | STADION GDANSK | 8PM

VILLARREAL 1

Gerard 29 (aet, Villarreal win 11-10 on penalties)

UNITED 1 Cavani 55

Tense European final ends in shoot-out agony

anchester United suffered Europa League heartache in Gdansk as we lost out in an agonising marathon penalty shoot-out against Villarreal. Scott McTominay had the first attempt of the game against the Spanish side on seven minutes, dragging his low effort well wide. The Reds were enjoying plenty of possession, but Luke Shaw’s drilled cross-cum-shot lacked a decisive touch from an attacker in the box. Meanwhile, the opposition showed they had threats of their own, as centre-back Pau Torres headed over for Villarreal after 23 minutes. Meanwhile, Edinson

Cavani couldn’t quite bring Mason Greenwood’s high delivery under control in a threatening position. The opening goal came just before the half-hour mark, when Dani Parejo sent a free-kick into the

MAN OF THE MATCH SCOTT McTOMINAY Put in an industrious display from start to finish, standing strong in midfield as he gave everything for his side.

box and Gerard Moreno outfoxed the United defence to dart in and prod past David De Gea. For a while, United struggled to regroup. Greenwood made an encouraging and dangerous driving run in the closing seconds of the half, but it was a yellow shirt that was able to get contact on it as it dropped into the arms of Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli. Early in the second half there was a check from the video assistant referee for a potential penalty after a foul on Greenwood, but the appeal was quickly dismissed. However, there was VAR joy for the Reds soon after as the equaliser came. McTominay’s tenacity won a corner and though Villarreal cleared Shaw’s delivery it was powered back in by Marcus Rashford, with Cavani on hand to strike. The 2,000 United fans in the stadium held their breaths as VAR checked for offside, but cheers of relief erupted as the goal was given. Rashford, however, would have been delighted that an offside flag was raised in the 70th minute against Fernandes after the English striker shot wide with a golden chance from the midfielder’s cross. Cavani headed against a defender but there was no further breakthrough in 90 minutes as the teams headed into extra-time. Chances were few as the tension heightened. There was a worry for substitute Fred when the ball struck his hand in the box but VAR ruled out any penalty. It meant the game would be decided by spot-kicks and, after a remarkable sequence of 21 converted attempts, Rulli saved from De Gea to clinch the trophy for Villarreal.

“WE HAD THE MAJORITY OF POSSESSION BUT WE DIDN’T PLAY AS WELL WE KNOW WE CAN DO AND THEY DEFENDED WELL. WE DIDN’T CREATE ENOUGH BIG CHANCES” OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER 152 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Left (top to bottom) Cavani heads back to the centre-spot after levelling; tense Reds watch the shoot-out; United fans in the stadium Below De Gea’s penalty – the 22nd kick of the shoot-out – is saved

VILLARREAL

With every player on the pitch taking a kick, this was the longest penalty shoot-out in the final of a major European club competition.

POSSESSION (%) SHOTS

12 8

SHOTS ON TARGET

1 30

CORNERS 3

7 7

STARTING XI 25 5 14 7 9

Capoue Parejo Trigueros Gerard Bacca

FOULS

13 Rulli 8 Foyth 3 Albiol 4 Torres 24 Pedraza 30 Pino

UNITED

VILLARREAL SUBSTITUTES: Coquelin for Bacca 60’ • Alcacer for Pino 77’ • Gomez for Trigueros 77’ • Mario for Foyth 88’ • Moreno for Pedraza 88’ • Raba for Capoue 120+3’ YELLOW CARDS: Foyth, Capoue

UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Fred for Greenwood 100’ •

Tuanzebe for Bailly 116’ • James for Pogba 116’ • Mata

for Wan-Bissaka 120+3’ • Telles for McTominay 120+3’ YELLOW CARDS: Bailly, Cavani

STARTING XI 1 De Gea 29 Wan-Bissaka 3 Bailly 2 Lindelof 23 Shaw 39 McTominay

6 Pogba 11 Greenwood 18 Fernandes 10 Rashford 7 Cavani

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 153

MEN’S TEAM: PROFILES & STATS

We assess the individual progress of our first-team regulars throughout 2020/21, as well as the other squad members and those out on loan...

1 DAVID DE GEA

Position Goalkeeper Born Madrid, Spain, 07.11.90 Signed from Atletico Madrid, 29.06.11 United debut v Manchester City, 07.08.11 Previous clubs Atletico Madrid UNITED RECORD: Premier League 339 games FA Cup 21 games League Cup 14 games Europe 63 games Other 4 games Total 441 games INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 45 caps for Spain

Few would have predicted at the start of 2020/21 that David De Gea’s 10th season at United would have concluded with him taking the 22nd penalty in an epic shoot-out in the Europa League final, but you have to expect the unexpected these days. Such fine margins mean the Spaniard could have headed into the summer as the hero of the hour, but instead was left to reflect on what might have been. Despite Dean Henderson’s return to the club and place in the senior squad for the first time, De Gea began the season as first-choice goalkeeper once more, starting the first nine league games and five of the six Champions League group matches. As the second half of 2020/21 commenced, the pattern of De Gea for league games and Henderson for the cups was generally set, although the joyous news of the arrival of De Gea’s first child in early March meant he was

given a period of leave to be by his partner’s side in Spain. This left the door open for Henderson to stake his claim for the goalkeeper’s jersey on a more regular basis and when David returned the roles were switched, with the Englishman mainly selected for league games, although the no.1 did start against Fulham in our final home game, when he was able to take the acclaim of United fans in Old Trafford for the first time in over a year. In the Europa League, De Gea was picked for our ties against Granada, Roma and that heartbreaking final against Villarreal.

*All statistics correct up to 10 June 2021. Substitute appearances in brackets

26 DEAN HENDERSON They say patience is a virtue, and that certainly bears witness when it comes to Dean Henderson’s United career. The Cumbrian goalkeeper came through the Academy ranks with Marcus Rashford, but the striker racked up over 200 first-team appearances before his mate had the chance to make his senior Reds debut in September 2020. This was the result of Henderson’s long journey through the levels of English football as a loan player at four different clubs, before returning to stake a claim as United’s first-choice keeper. His long-awaited debut came in the League Cup away to Luton, and his first league start for United followed in the 3-1 triumph at West Ham in December, then another in the dramatic win over his previous team, Sheffield United. An excellent performance in the League Cup at Everton served further notice of his talents and he enjoyed another 156 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

night to remember in the Old Trafford victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup. David De Gea’s spell of paternity leave in March gave Henderson his first unbroken run in the team and he enjoyed a streak of seven consecutive matches, including a clean sheet away to Manchester City. Upon De Gea’s return, Henderson mainly remained the keeper on Premier League duty and started our final league game of the season, away to Wolves. The no.26 ended the campaign with 26 United games to his name across all five competitions we competed in.

Position Goalkeeper Born Whitehaven, England, 12.03.97 Signed from Trainee United debut v Luton Town, 22.09.20 Previous clubs Stockport County (loan), Grimsby Town (loan), Shrewsbury Town (loan), Sheffield United (loan) UNITED RECORD: Premier League 12 (1) games FA Cup 4 games League Cup 4 games Europe 5 games Other 0 games Total 25 (1) games INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 1 cap for England

2 VICTOR LINDELOF

Position Defender Born Vasteras, Sweden, 17.07.94 Signed from Benfica, 14.06.17 United debut v Real Madrid, 08.08.17 Previous clubs Vasteras SK, Benfica UNITED RECORD: Premier League 106 (5) games, 3 goals FA Cup 14 games, 0 goals League Cup 8 games, 0 goals Europe 26 (1) games, 0 goals Other 1 game, 0 goals Total 155 (6) games, 3 goals

In his fourth season at Old Trafford, Swedish international defender Victor Lindelof turned in some of the finest performances of his Reds career to date, seemingly upping his game in some of United’s biggest fixtures. “We are always confident going into every game – we know we can beat every team,” said Victor after a peerless outing in March’s rousing 2-0 win at Manchester City, a display he arguably topped with an outstanding performance in our narrow 1-0 win at AC Milan, where compatriot Zlatan Ibrahimovic was impressively shackled throughout.

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 41 caps for Sweden, 3 goals

With so many players vying for inclusion, the centre of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s defence was a focus point for much discussion during the course of 2020/21, with skipper Harry Maguire a virtual ever-present. No player started more games in tandem with the England monolith than Lindelof, who also capped his defensive contribution with a neat finish in December’s 6-2 romp against Leeds. Only four players – Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford – started more games than the Swede, despite him playing for much of the campaign with a niggling back injury. “If the team needs me, I’m going to do my best to be there and try to perform at the highest level,” he said. “It’s been difficult, particularly after games, but I’m trying to be as smart as possible with it when I’m playing, when I’m doing my recovery and having treatment.”

3 ERIC BAILLY The award of a new contract, lasting until at least 2024, outlined the continued faith in Eric Bailly within Old Trafford’s walls, despite him having to contend with injury issues for long spells of 2020/21. The Ivorian’s season skipped 10 weeks between early October and late December, plus stretches of late winter and mid-spring, before he returned to full fitness in the late weeks of the campaign. Such is his standing in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s eyes that he was selected to replace injured skipper Harry Maguire in the Europa League final, where he partnered Victor Lindelof. Eric performed in typically dominant fashion in Gdansk, even if the evening ultimately ended in disappointment. An aggressive and powerful yet deceptively skilful presence in defence, the Reds’ no.3 is also a deeply popular, charismatic presence in the United dressing

room. He was thrilled to pen an extension at Old Trafford towards the end of the campaign and quickly set his sights forward. “This decision is something I didn’t have to think about,” said the 27-year-old. “I love this club and I love playing for Manchester United. A new contract is like a new challenge and I’m ready for this. For me, it’s the dream to be here. Now it’s my fifth season and I hope to be here a long time. I believe in my team-mates. We are a good, young team. The team wants to improve and that’s very important for the group for next season.”

Position Defender Born Bingerville, Ivory Coast, 12.04.94 Signed from Villarreal, 08.06.16 United debut v Leicester City, 07.08.16 Previous clubs Espanyol, Villarreal UNITED RECORD: Premier League 54 (12) games, 1 goal FA Cup 6 (1) games, 0 goals League Cup 5 games, 0 goals Europe 27 games, 0 goals Other 1 game, 0 goals Total 93 (13) games, 1 goal INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 37 caps for Ivory Coast, 2 goals

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 157

5 HARRY MAGUIRE

Position Defender Born Sheffield, England, 05.03.93 Signed from Leicester City, 05.08.19 United debut v Chelsea, 11.08.19 Previous clubs Sheffield United, Hull City, Wigan Athletic (loan), Leicester City UNITED RECORD: Premier League 72 games, 3 goals FA Cup 8 (1) games, 2 goals League Cup 6 games, 0 goals Europe 20 games, 0 goals Other 0 games Total 106 (1) games, 5 goals

A defensive mainstay ever since his arrival at Old Trafford, Harry Maguire showed himself as one of the Reds’ most important players during 2020/21. Until an ankle ligament injury sustained in May’s win at Aston Villa, the England international was an ever-present in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s defence throughout the Premier League campaign – setting a new club record for most successive divisional minutes played. During that period, skipper Maguire demonstrated his value to the cause, growing in stature throughout the campaign and

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 32 caps for England, 3 goals

turning in a string of magnificent performances prior to the England international’s badly timed injury, just weeks before the start of this summer’s Euros. Though Maguire’s campaign was most memorable for a string of dominant defensive displays and key organisational performances, Harry also punctuated his season with excellent headed goals against Newcastle and Sheffield United. Even though he could reflect on a fine personal effort and collective improvement, however, the captain ended 2020/21 with his focus firmly on the future and how his club can pick up major honours. “We know we can do better in some games and be more ruthless in others, and really have great belief in the bigger games that we can go and win,” he said. “The main thing is improvement – second isn’t good enough, and I’m sure the lads all agree on that.”

23 LUKE SHAW “I knew where I wanted to get to and I wanted to prove people wrong,” said Luke Shaw, looking back on his 2020/21 campaign. “A lot of people were doubting me and I always believe in my ability to get back to where I can be.” It’s safe to say that, having been named Players’ Player of the Year by his team-mates, taken a spot in the PFA Team of the Year and played his way into England’s belated Euro 2020 campaign, Shaw had returned to his finest form. But for the sustained genius of Bruno Fernandes, the England international would almost certainly have walked away with his second Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year trophy after a stellar campaign’s work in which he registered a careerbest 47 appearances and established himself as one of the modern game’s finest full-backs. In addition to flawless defensive work week in, week out, Shaw’s thrusting 158 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

performances in forward positions made him one of the Reds’ most consistent attacking outlets, best evidenced by his superb goal away to Manchester City in March (pictured). “I’m on a much better path and setting a higher bar than I have done before,” he admitted. “Consistency for me is key. I don’t want to get too comfortable, I want to keep pushing myself and try to deliver high, consistent performances each week. I need to set the bar high because I believe I can do that and it only benefits the team and myself when I do push myself.”

Position Defender Born Kingston-upon-Thames, England, 12.07.95 Signed from Southampton, 27.06.14 United debut v West Ham United, 27.09.14 Previous clubs Southampton UNITED RECORD: Premier League 116 (12) games, 2 goals FA Cup 15 (3) games, 1 goal League Cup 6 (3) games, 0 goals Europe 29 (1) games, 0 goals Other 1 game, 0 goals Total 167 (19) games, 3 goals INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 10 caps for England, 0 goals

27 ALEX TELLES

Position Defender Born Caxias do Sul, Brazil, 15.12.92 Signed from Porto, 05.10.20 United debut v Paris Saint-Germain, 20.10.20 Previous clubs Juventude, Gremio, Galatasaray, Internazionale (loan), Porto UNITED RECORD: Premier League 8 (1) games, 0 goals FA Cup 3 games, 0 goals League Cup 1 game, 0 goals Europe 8 (3) games, 0 goals Other 0 games Total 20 (4) games, 0 goals INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 4 caps for Brazil, 0 goals

When announced as a United player on transfer deadline day in October 2020, Telles enthused: “To join a club with the prestige of Manchester United is a huge honour. I can’t wait to pull on the famous shirt.” By the time the season finished, the Brazilian had worn that Red jersey 24 times in compiling a maiden campaign with which he declared himself “really happy”. When you play in the same position as the man later named as the club’s Players’ Player of the Year, then your first challenge as a United player is already in front of you. But Telles – described as a “fighter” by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – soon got about the business of earning his stripes as a Red. His debut, in the 2-1 Champions League win at PSG on 20 October (pictured), was one to remember, described by Alex as his “best moment of the season”. Though it was a month before he

featured on the pitch again, his patience was rewarded with 10 more appearances before the turn of the year. During that time he set up his first goal, a moment the Brazilian also enjoyed: “Another important game for me was against West Ham in London, where I got my first assist for Mason [Greenwood].” A further 13 appearances followed in 2021, plus two more assists, to round off a pleasing first Reds campaign. “I believe I’ve made the most of this season,” Telles reflected. “I’ve learnt a great deal, I’ve developed as a player and a person as well.”

29 AARON WAN-BISSAKA The London-born right-back ended 2020/21 with his 100th appearance in a red shirt, a statistic that reflects how essential a part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United defence he has quickly become in the two years since his move from Crystal Palace. His second season saw him spend more minutes on the pitch than any Red across all competitions, and he also opened his goalscoring account: his emphatic finish to grab United’s third of four goals at Newcastle in October was his first-ever senior goal. Man-of-the-Match displays in consecutive league games, at

Arsenal and home to Southampton, saw him repeatedly nick the ball off the home attackers’ toes, block shots and build rapid counterattacks, as well as netting our opener against the Saints after ghosting in at the back post. Most impressively, AWB topped the United stats for most tackles, most blocks and most interceptions, highlighting his ability to get a foot in when it matters most. Aaron is now frequently referred to as the best English defender in one-on-one situations, which made it a surprise when he wasn’t included in Gareth Southgate’s Euros squad. England’s loss could be United’s gain, though, and such are his defensive abilities, he could even step inside and play at centre-half. “I think he’s done remarkably well,” the boss said of his no.29 in April. “It’s still very early in his full-back career, and I think we’ll see a lot of improvement from Aaron.”

Position Defender Born Croydon, England, 26.11.97 Signed from Crystal Palace, 29.06.19 United debut v Chelsea, 11.08.19 Previous clubs Crystal Palace UNITED RECORD: Premier League 68 (1) games, 2 goals FA Cup 5 games, 0 goals League Cup 6 games, 0 goals Europe 20 games, 0 goals Other 0 games Total 99 (1) games, 2 goals INTERNATIONAL RECORD: England U20s-U21s

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 159

33 BRANDON WILLIAMS

Position Defender Born Manchester, England, 03.09.2000 Signed from Trainee United debut v Rochdale, 25.09.19 Previous clubs None UNITED RECORD: Premier League 13 (8) games, 1 goal FA Cup 4 (4) games, 0 goals League Cup 5 (2) games, 0 goals Europe 8 (6) games, 0 goals Other 0 games Total 30 (20) games, 1 goal

After a promising breakthrough season in 2019/20, in which the Academy full-back made 36 appearances, 2020/21 proved a touch more difficult for Brandon Williams. Injury to Luke Shaw had paved the way for his initial first-team chance in the autumn of 2019, but Williams regularly had to sit patiently on the bench this term, as both Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka performed stoutly throughout a uniquely demanding campaign. Nevertheless, Williams showed all his usual tenacity when called upon. His first appearance of the year was

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: England U20s-U21s

a classic example. With United struggling to break down a highly motivated Luton Town in the third round of the Carabao Cup, Williams’s alertness and bravery drew a foul and won the Reds a penalty just before the interval. The local lad was solid again in the next round – a 3-0 win away to Brighton – but had to wait until January for his next starting opportunity, in the FA Cup win against Watford (pictured). Bar substitute appearances, that was it until the final weeks of the season. With second place in the league virtually assured, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opted for rotation, and Williams started two of our final three league games, against Leicester and Wolves. He finished particularly strongly at Molineux, where he helped an inexperienced side to a 2-1 victory, ensuring a positive end to a frustrating term and confirming his commitment to the United cause.

38 AXEL TUANZEBE Axel Tuanzebe began the season desperate to impress and establish himself as United’s first-choice centre-back alongside Harry Maguire, and his first appearance of 2020/21 could hardly have gone any better. In Paris, he was drafted into the starting XI for the first time in 10 injury-plagued months, for our first Champions League game of the season, where he found himself up against PSG’s lethal attack of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. Tuanzebe nervelessly dealt with the pair on their own patch (pictured), in a stunning display that had every Red cooing with excitement. Sadly, the defender’s season did not kick on from that glorious 2-1 win. Injury niggles and irregular opportunities meant it was another campaign of what-ifs for the much-loved Axel, who has captained the club at every level. After a tough night away to Istanbul Basaksehir, Tuanzebe had to wait until January 160 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

for his next start in central defence (despite impressing at right-back in the Carabao Cup win at Everton), and by Christmas he’d played just 24 Premier League minutes. Even a first United goal was cruelly taken away from him when a brilliant header against Real Sociedad was ruled out due to a mistimed Victor Lindelof challenge yards away. But Tuanzebe put his frustrations behind him to finish the season encouragingly, starting three of our final four league games. He’ll no doubt hope for better luck next term, and more nights like that memorable evening in Paris.

Position Defender Born Bunia, DR Congo, 14.11.97 Signed from Trainee United debut v Wigan Athletic, 29.01.17 Previous clubs Aston Villa (loan) UNITED RECORD: Premier League 10 (9) games, 0 goals FA Cup 1 (1) games, 0 goals League Cup 4 (0) games, 0 goals Europe 6 (6) games, 0 goals Other 0 games Total 21 (16) games, 0 goals INTERNATIONAL RECORD: England U19s-U21s

6 PAUL POGBA

Position Midfielder Born Lagny-sur-Marne, Paris, 15.03.93 Signed from Juventus, 09.08.16 United debut v Leeds United, 20.09.11 Previous clubs Le Havre (youth), Manchester United, Juventus UNITED RECORD: Premier League 122 (15) games, 28 goals FA Cup 9 (3) games, 1 goal League Cup 8 (4) games, 2 goals Europe 34 (10) games, 7 goals Other 1 game, 0 goals Total 174 (32) games, 38 goals INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 80 caps for France, 10 goals

The 2020/21 season was one defined by versatility and coming up big in the key moments for Paul Pogba, with the midfielder’s crucial matchwinning goals against Fulham and Burnley helping United to the top of the league in January. The Frenchman had begun the season playing centrally but displays against Everton and PSG showed his potential as a wide player. That would become clearer as the campaign progressed with appearances in the middle rarer, and those out wide more common. A hamstring injury in February cut short a purple patch of form and prevented both Pogba and United from continuing a brilliant start to 2021. When he returned, three assists in three victories made clear his importance to the team. As United’s run in the Europa League progressed, Pogba proved pivotal, the standout moment being a goal of class in Milan just after coming off

the bench. Nominated for the club’s Goal of the Season, the winner was the type only a composed, confident and relaxed footballer could score. Receiving a loose ball, Pogba paused in the box, and then paused again. Chaos ensued around him but he deftly finished through a crowd of bodies. He captained United against Granada before finding the net again in a 6-2 rout of Roma in the semis. He finished a solid campaign with six goals and six assists, while in April he surpassed 200 appearances for the Reds since his senior debut, which came 10 years ago in September.

8 JUAN MATA In what was his eighth season as a Red, amicable Spaniard Juan Mata continued to have an influence on and off the pitch, offering advice to the young players making their first-team bows while breaking the 50-goal mark for the club. Mata began the season in fine fashion, picking up the club’s Player of the Month award for September. Goals against Luton and Brighton in the Carabao Cup helped us progress in the competition, with a captain’s performance on the south coast in the latter fixture drawing particular praise. Mata continued to be a highly

valuable option for his manager beyond that early flourish, putting in a fine display at Newcastle in October, in which the visiting Reds played some very attractive football. The sad passing of his mother in March made spring a difficult time for Juan, who shared a close relationship with the woman he described as a “source of extra motivation” in his life. Following her death, Juan paid tribute to the support he received from his United team-mates and the fans: “It’s something I’ll always remember.” It made for a poignant moment, then, when Mata celebrated a goal against Wolves on the final day of the league season by pointing to the sky and blowing a kiss (pictured). After the game, fellow scorer Anthony Elanga praised Mata for his words of advice pre-match – it summed up what an important role our no.8 holds within the squad and across the whole club.

Position Midfielder Born Burgos, Spain, 28.04.88 Signed from Chelsea, 25.01.14 United debut v Cardiff City, 28.01.14 Previous clubs Real Oviedo (youth), Real Madrid Castilla, Valencia, Chelsea UNITED RECORD: Premier League 147 (42) games, 34 goals FA Cup 18 (4) games, 6 goals League Cup 9 (2) games, 5 goals Europe 35 (15) games, 6 goals Other 0 (1) game, 0 goals Total 209 (64) games, 51 goals INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 41 caps for Spain, 10 goals

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 161

17 FRED

Position Midfielder Born Belo Horizonte, Brazil, 05.03.93 Signed from Shakhtar Donetsk, 21.06.18 United debut v Leicester City, 10.08.18 Previous clubs Internacional, Shakhtar Donetsk UNITED RECORD: Premier League 63 (13) games, 2 goals FA Cup 7 (3) games, 0 goals League Cup 7 (1) games, 0 goals Europe 24 (3) games, 2 goals Other 0 games Total 101 (20) games, 4 goals INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 13 caps for Brazil, 0 goals

The Brazilian has become an increasingly important figure in United’s midfield in his three years at the club, and the 2020/21 season was surely his best yet. Once again over this campaign, he hasn’t caught the eye with flashy play – Fred’s been noticed more when he hasn’t been part of the side, as was arguably the case when injury meant he couldn’t start the Europa League final in Gdansk. “When I came [to the club as manager] he was a boy that was struggling a bit,” Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said of Fred when he made his 100th United appearance back in February. “For players coming into a new country, it takes time to settle. Now that he has, he’s grown in confidence.” The man himself knows he doesn’t often appear on the scoresheet – his vital equaliser in April’s 3-1 league win at Spurs was his only strike of the season – but his value to the team lies elsewhere.

“Sometimes players say, ‘it was my best season, I scored so many goals’, but my job is totally different,” said Fred recently. “My role is to support the attack, for them to do a good job, also for the defence, on the ball, I think this work is being done well, I’m very happy with this.” He’s not the only one – his displays saw him recalled to Brazil’s squad for the summer’s Copa America, held in his homeland. All last season Fred tirelessly broke up opposition moves and helped start our own, making the hard yards in the Red engine room. Long may he run.

18 BRUNO FERNANDES Our ‘Portuguese magnifico’ is the man who makes Manchester United tick, as demonstrated by him being voted Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year two years running. Few could argue with either award, with Bruno Fernandes transforming United’s attack in half a season in 2019/20, then finishing top scorer (28) in an even more influential ’20/21. He was an almost instant crowd favourite upon joining and has continuously added to his standing in fans’ affection with sterling displays, assists and goals at a prolific rate. Likened to Eric Cantona for his impact – quite the compliment – he again pulled the strings last term and was as reliable as ever from the spot, scoring 13 penalties. The first of those demonstrated just how cool he is under the most immense of pressure, netting with the last kick of the game in our 3-2 league win at Brighton. Stunning efforts littered his 162 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

CV, with his curled chip against Everton at Old Trafford being voted our Goal of the Season. The variety of his goals was also impressive, with memorable strikes coming at Newcastle (finishing a lightning counter), at Everton (a steepling header), at home to Istanbul Basaksehir (a rocket of a shot) and against Liverpool in the FA Cup (a wonderfully flighted free-kick). Bruno, who has often captained the side in the absence of Harry Maguire, promised to give his everything upon his arrival at Old Trafford and he’s undoubtedly been true to his word.

Position Midfielder Born Maia, Portugal, 08.09.1994 Signed from Sporting Libson, 30.01.2020 United debut v Wolves (h), 01.02.2020 Previous clubs Novara, Udinese, Sampdoria, Sporting Lisbon UNITED RECORD: Premier League 49 (2) games, 26 goals FA Cup 3 (3) games, 2 goals League Cup 2 (1) games, 0 goals Europe 18 (2) games, 12 goals Other 0 games Total 72 (8) games, 40 goals INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 29 caps for Portugal, 4 goals

21 DANIEL JAMES

Position Midfielder Born Beverley, England, 10.11.97 Signed from Swansea, 12.06.19 United debut v Chelsea, 11.08.19 Previous clubs Swansea City, Shrewsbury Town (loan) UNITED RECORD: Premier League 37 (11) games, 6 goals FA Cup 4 games, 0 goals League Cup 3 (2) games, 0 goals Europe 9 (6) games, 3 goals Other 0 games Total 53 (19) games, 9 goals

After an impressive first campaign at Old Trafford in 2019/20, Daniel James saw his game-time limited until February in his sophomore season, but the winger worked hard in training throughout and showed enough to earn himself a spot back in the side in 2020/21’s latter months. Used primarily as a rotation player, the Welshman offers something different with his blistering pace, brilliant work ethic, plus a few goals. He played in some of the Reds’ most dominant displays over the course of the season, scoring in convincing victories against Istanbul Basaksehir,

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 20 caps for Wales, 4 goals

Leeds, Southampton and Real Sociedad. Daniel was especially pleased with his goal against La Real in the Europa League as United won 4-0 in Spain (pictured), but he said his best moment was simply forcing himself back into the first team. “I set myself a few targets,” he revealed in June as he looked back on the campaign. “I’m developing every single game and I reflect on every game. I’m nowhere near my potential and I just want to keep improving.” After representing Wales at this summer’s Euros, the 23-year-old will be working hard to make sure he has more of a role at club level in the opening months of 2021/22. United’s no.21 may be one player in particular who will benefit from the return of fans to stadiums. “You just want to hear that roar of when you’re running with the ball,” he says. “You remember it well in your head... it will be great to have that back.”

31 NEMANJA MATIC In his fourth campaign as a Red, Nemanja Matic once again displayed the game-reading, positioning and intelligence that make him a high-class performer in the deeper midfield position. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer relied on the Serbian to rotate with Fred and Scott McTominay as his three chief proponents of that role, freeing up the attacking players further ahead. One such beneficiary, Bruno Fernandes, was eager to shine a light on Matic’s value alongside Fred after the dramatic 3-2 comeback win at Southampton in November. “Fred

and Nema were really important to us,” said Bruno. “They worked and they worked, and they were two players who calmed down the game and moved the ball. In the second half, that was crucial.” A month later it was his manager namechecking Nemanja, picking him out for his diligence in snuffing out Wolves counterattacks after our tight win at Old Trafford, and recognition via a fan-voted Man of the Match award also arrived after Nemanja’s shift in the Europa League last-32 second leg against Real Sociedad, helping nullify the Spaniards and control the 0-0 draw that sealed the tie. Those examples of appreciation – from team-mate, boss and fans – demonstrate the value the Serbian brings. And with 36 appearances made, passing the landmark of 150 Reds matches on the way, Nemanja can be well satisfied with his personal contribution to 2020/21.

Position Midfielder Born Sabac, Serbia, 01.08.88 Signed from Chelsea, 31.07.17 United debut v Real Madrid, 08.08.17 Previous clubs Kolubara, Kosice, Chelsea, Vitesse (loan), Benfica, Chelsea UNITED RECORD: Premier League 93 (12) games, 2 goals FA Cup 13 (2) games, 1 goal League Cup 5 (2) games, 1 goal Europe 22 (7) games, 0 goals Other 1 game, 0 goals Total 134 (23) games, 4 goals INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 48 caps for Serbia, 2 goals

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 163

34 DONNY VAN DE BEEK

Position Midfielder Born Amersfoort, Netherlands, 18.04.97 Signed from Ajax, 02.09.20 United debut v Crystal Palace, 19.09.20 Previous clubs Ajax UNITED RECORD: Premier League 4 (15) games, 1 goal FA Cup 4 games, 0 goals League Cup 3 (1) games, 0 goals Europe 4 (5) games, 0 goals Other 0 games Total 15 (21) games, 1 goal INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 19 caps for Netherlands, 3 goals

Signed from Ajax in early September 2020 to much excitement, the midfielder experienced a lengthy settling-in period at Old Trafford, punctuated by moments of creativity and quality that has left fans wanting more next season. The Dutchman scored on his debut for the Reds – albeit in a disappointing opening-day defeat to Crystal Palace – pouncing on a loose ball in the box and punching a sidefooted strike into the net. As the season progressed, United’s new no.34 regularly showed his ability to play off the striker, making darting runs into and across the opposition box and dragging defenders with him. He also showed great awareness, with one particular highlight being his dummy against Leicester City in the FA Cup, as Mason Greenwood ran on to the ball and fired home to equalise. That was van de Beek’s fourth and final FA Cup start of his

maiden term in Manchester, which matched his tally of Premier League starts, with 21 of his 36 appearances coming from the bench. But such is his strength at keeping the ball and recycling possession, much hope remains for van de Beek , who can take inspiration from team-mates Fred and Victor Lindelof, both of whom kicked on in their second seasons at the club. As disappointed as he was at missing the Netherlands’ Euros campaign after suffering a groin injury, Donny will be hoping to hit 2021/22 refreshed and ready to help the Reds compete for trophies.

39 SCOTT McTOMINAY The 2020/21 season was the year in which Scott McTominay proved himself a key member of United’s first-team squad. Not only was he frequently seen bringing the ball out of defence and driving the first phases of our attacks, but he was also found waiting for chances in order to finish them. Scott carried the ball forward more often than any United player besides Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford, and also had more touches in the final third than any other Red. That may be one reason why Scott’s goalscoring threat has also increased noticeably, with the result that he netted a career-best seven across all competitions. At 6ft 3in, it was no surprise to see the Scotland international pop up to head three of those goals from set-pieces, but he’s also become a very cool finisher with both feet. In December he controlled and slotted home against Leeds with 164 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

his left foot, just minutes after arrowing home a right-footed finish from outside the box. In the weeks after that, he achieved similarly laser-guided placed goals against Southampton in the league, and then West Ham in the FA Cup. On an ultimately disappointing night in Gdansk, Scott showed his big-game pedigree by earning our Man of the Match award, but this is not a player likely to rest on any laurels. “I expect high standards of myself and always expect more,” says the midfielder. “I can never settle for just playing well – I always want to go to the next level.”

Position Midfielder Born Lancaster, England, 08.12.96 Signed from Trainee United debut v Arsenal, 07.05.17 Previous clubs None UNITED RECORD: Premier League 61 (29) games, 10 goals FA Cup 8 (4) games, 2 goals League Cup 5 (1) games, 1 goal Europe 19 (6) games, 1 goal Other 0 games Total 93 (40) games, 14 goals INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 23 caps for Scotland, 0 goals

7 EDINSON CAVANI

Position Forward Born Salto, Uruguay, 14.02.87 Signed from Paris Saint-Germain, 05.10.20 United debut v Chelsea, 24.10.20 Previous clubs Danubio, Palermo, Napoli, Paris Saint-Germain UNITED RECORD: Premier League 13 (13) games, 10 goals FA Cup 1 (2) games, 0 goals League Cup 1 game, 1 goal Europe 6 (3) games, 6 goals Other 0 games Total 21 (18) games, 17 goals

When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took the opportunity to snap up Paris Saint-Germain’s all-time leading scorer in October, Edinson Cavani’s class was never in doubt. But could he still offer the same impact approaching his mid-30s as his old PSG team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic did at United a few years previously? Well, he’s already on his way to exceeding it. His introduction to the side at a time when early results had been patchy offered an important new outlet, and Edinson’s clinical finishing and shrewd build-up play was showcased in his first strike,

INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 118 caps for Uruguay, 51 goals

away to Everton in November, which he soon followed up with an eye-catching brace and assist off the bench at Southampton. Meanwhile, Edinson’s cool head under pressure allowed him to make breakthroughs such as the late long-range strike at Everton in the Carabao Cup, and the all-important leveller against Roma in the Europa League, which opened the floodgates. That was a stage of the campaign when the Uruguayan was really firing United to new heights. Another trademark diving header against Spurs in the league was the first of 10 goals in 11 games during the run-in, the last of which were a long-range stunner against Fulham and the equaliser in the Europa League final. “I haven’t been surprised by Edinson, just impressed,” Solskjaer said in February, and the no.7’s contract extension suggests the boss sees him wowing the Stretford End for some time to come.

9 ANTHONY MARTIAL The French no.9 headed into ’20/21 fresh from his best-ever season at United: a 23-goal campaign that ended with him being named our Players’ Player of the Year. With Edinson Cavani joining, there was undoubtedly some pressure on Martial’s place, but it was surely hoped the Uruguayan could inspire and drive his younger team-mate on, in the same way Alex Telles’s arrival motivated Luke Shaw. But Anthony’s season got off to a less than ideal start: in just his third game he was red-carded for a spat with Spurs’ Erik Lamela. The decision seemed a

tad harsh, while the three-game ban that followed hindered his form, not helped by how limited the team’s pre-season had been. Martial scored his first goal of the season from the penalty spot against RB Leipzig, but had just two as Christmas approached. He found some form over the festive period, thanks to goals against Sheffield United and Everton, plus a brave header in the New Year’s Day win against Aston Villa. But he would find the net just twice more before a sprained knee on international duty prematurely ended his season in late March. Nevertheless, Martial gave a clear indication that 2021/22 could bring better things with a fine display in the 2-0 win at Manchester City in March. The only thing missing was a goal, but Martial was a menace throughout, proving that few can live with the talented Frenchman when he finds the best of himself.

Position Forward Born Massy, France, 05.12.95 Signed from Monaco, 01.09.15 United debut v Liverpool, 12.09.15 Previous clubs Lyon, Monaco UNITED RECORD: Premier League 131 (36) games, 55 goals FA Cup 16 (9) games, 5 goals League Cup 9 (6) games, 6 goals Europe 36 (14) games, 12 goals Other 1 game, 0 goals Total 193 (65) games, 78 goals INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 27 caps for France, 1 goal

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 165

10 MARCUS RASHFORD

Position Forward Born Manchester, England, 31.10.97 Signed from Trainee United debut v Midtjylland, 25.02.2016 Previous clubs None UNITED RECORD: Premier League 134 (45) games, 55 goals FA Cup 15 (8) games, 7 goals League Cup 10 (6) games, 8 goals Europe 36 (15) games, 18 goals Other 0 (2) games, 0 goals Total 195 (76) games, 88 goals INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 41 caps for England, 12 goals

Marcus Rashford earned virtually the entire country’s adulation during the first Covid-19 lockdown in spring 2020, by forcing the government to extend their free school meals programme over the holiday period. So heroic was the young Academy graduate’s campaigning, it was easy to overlook that he eventually finished 2019/20 with his best goals tally yet (22). And despite continuing his phenomenal campaigning work during ’20/21, he still managed to surpass 20 goals once more (21) – the first United player to reach that milestone in successive campaigns since Wayne Rooney between 2008-10. Highlights were numerous: another late winner in Paris to fell PSG, a white-hot hat-trick against RB Leipzig (as a substitute) and an injury-time winner against Wolves in December that had fans dreaming of a serious title challenge that, sadly, could not quite be sustained.

As the draining, pandemic-affected season headed towards the final straight, Rashford’s form slowed – and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted his no.10 had rarely been pain-free for any of the run-in. But still he contributed, with either goals, assists or just selfless hard work. Like many of the squad, Rashford will feel that a less intensive calendar next term will offer him a much-needed chance to put together full fitness and top form in harmony. But either way, Marcus will again will earn the respect and admiration of everyone who follows the club – both on and off the field.

11 MASON GREENWOOD Mason Greenwood overcome a slow start to the 2020/21 season to end it on a high. It was perhaps inevitable that the prodigious equal-footed attacker – who played most of his games on the right-hand side of our forward line – should come in for closer scrutiny from opposition defences in his sophomore season. Such had been his impact in his breakthrough term, Greenwood was forced to spend the opening months of 2020/21 adjusting his game, and although he scored in just his second appearance, at Luton Town in the third round of the Carabao Cup, he netted only twice more before the end of the year. Niggling injuries didn’t help, but his all-round game continued to develop and inevitably he rediscovered his form. A stunning strike in our 3-2 FA Cup win against Liverpool in January kick-started a run of strong displays and by the end of the campaign he’d added a further 166 Manchester United '20/21 Yearbook

eight goals to finish on 12 – fewer than the 17 in his debut season, but still a fine return as he became the third-youngest player in our history to play 100 games, and behind only George Best and Norman Whiteside as a teenage goalscorer for the Reds (29). His final appearance of 2020/21, the Europa League final, was Greenwood’s 52nd in all competitions, the joint-most of any teenager with a team from Europe’s big five leagues, along with Barcelona’s Pedri, although injury would see Greenwood miss out on the Euros with England.

Position Forward Born Bradford, England, 01.10.01 Signed from Trainee United debut v Paris Saint-Germain, 06.03.19 Previous clubs None UNITED RECORD: Premier League 34 (31) games, 17 goals FA Cup 7 (2) games, 3 goals League Cup 5 (2) games, 2 goals Europe 17 (7) games, 7 goals Other 0 games Total 63 (42) games, 29 goals INTERNATIONAL RECORD: 1 cap for England, 0 goals

Solskjaer sends on Fish at Molineux

Amad and Elanga take to the field ahead of May’s home meeting with Leicester

SQUAD MEMBERS Others reporting for first-team duty in ’20/21

Shoretire and Galbraith warm up at Old Trafford, with the pair on the bench as we faced Real Sociedad in the Europa League

Giving youth a chance has always been an integral part of the club’s philosophy, with 2020/21 seeing a number of youngsters take their first steps with the senior team. It was Amad who perhaps most caught the eye, arriving in January from Atalanta, where he had already played and scored in Serie A. It was fitting, then, that he opened his United goalscoring account against Italian opposition, heading home against AC Milan in his third of eight appearances. The Ivorian impressed again on his Premier League debut, against Leicester in May, when he set up Mason Greenwood to score. Also finding the net towards the season’s end was Anthony Elanga. Following his first-team bow against the Foxes, the Swedish forward was handed a start against Wolves on the league’s final day, and took his chance in style when he opened the scoring with a thumping header. The bright future of our attack was further highlighted by Shola Shoretire, who in February beat Norman Whiteside’s record as the youngest-ever player to line up for United in Europe, shortly after the 17-year-old had been given his debut from the bench against Newcastle at Old Trafford. Others to make their maiden appearances were Will Fish and Hannibal, who came on to see out the aforementioned win at Wolves after fine seasons with the U23s. “I was really proud of them,” said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of his young debutants, as well as Shoretire and Elanga, in the Molineux victory. Goalkeepers Nathan Bishop and Lee Grant, as well as midfielder Ethan Galbraith, did not ultimately take to the pitch during 2020/21, but were all involved as unused substitutes, while long-serving defender Phil Jones remained out all season due to a knee problem. Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 167

It wasn’t just at Old Trafford where Reds were impressing throughout 2020/21, with several players heading out on loan to gain either valuable match experience or vital first-team action. Young Uruguayan winger Facundo Pellistri was signed by United from Penarol in October 2020 and was on the bench for our Champions League fixtures away to Paris Saint-Germain and at home to Istanbul Basaksehir, before making a temporary move to La Liga outfit Alaves in January. Pellistri’s time with the Basque side was disrupted by injuries, but he still managed to make 12 appearances, including five starts, helping them climb out of the drop zone to secure their top-flight status with a 16th-place finish. Midfielder James Garner began the season with Watford, departing Vicarage Road in January to join Below Garner bagged some important goals for Forest in the second tier Above Pellistri warms up for Alaves; Levitt on national duty with Wales

LOANEES There were many Reds who spent last season away from their parent club 168 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

fellow Championship club Nottingham Forest. He featured regularly, playing 20 times in the league for both and bagging four goals with the latter. “All I can say is we’ve been absolutely delighted with him,” Forest manager Chris Hughton remarked at the end of the campaign. “He’s come in and made an impact.” Teden Mengi was another youngster picking up experience in England’s second tier, as he headed to Derby County to work under Reds legend Wayne Rooney in February. Mengi made nine appearances for the Rams before injury forced an early return to Old Trafford, with manager Rooney saying: “He’s been fantastic for us. I’ve seen him grow with each game.” Like Garner, Tahith Chong and Dylan Levitt each spent time with two sides during 2020/21. Chong played on 13 occasions for Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga and helped himself to a goal in the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) before joining Club Brugge in Belgium, where he managed an impressive four assists in seven league matches, again netting in the cup. Levitt, meanwhile, began the season at Charlton Athletic before a drastic change of scenery in January saw him loaned to Istra 1961, whom he helped to avoid relegation and reach the final of the Croatian ▶

Above Mengi received plenty of praise from Rams manager Rooney Top Chong started the season in Bremen before his switch to Belgium

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 169

Football Cup for only the second time in their history. Levitt would end a positive campaign by being named in the Wales squad for Euro 2020. Two Reds spent a term in Italy, with Andreas Pereira and Diogo Dalot turning out for Lazio and AC Milan respectively. The pair both managed 33 games across all competitions, helping their teams finish sixth and second, with Dalot appearing in both legs of Milan’s Europa League defeat to United. Closer to home, Jesse Lingard enjoyed a productive spell at West Ham, linking up with former United manager David Moyes. In 16 Premier League appearances, he netted nine times and provided four assists, winning both the division’s Player and Goal of the Month awards in April after earning a recall to the England squad. His efforts helped West Ham to a club-record points tally in the competition, and their highest top-flight finish since 1999.

Above Lingard enjoyed a superb stint with the Hammers Right Laird, Kovar and Bernard

170 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Andreas lines up for Lazio

Dalot faced United in the Europa League

Ethan Laird followed up his Reds debut in 2019/20 with a productive loan stint at League One side Milton Keynes Dons from January onwards, with the defender appearing in all but one league game after his arrival and registering four assists en route to the Dons finishing in 13th place. Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar was involved at the same level as Swindon Town’s first-choice stopper between August and January before being recalled. The Robins were 23rd at the time of his departure and unfortunately remained in that position at the season’s end, resulting in relegation. Finally, Di’Shon Bernard was a key figure in Salford City’s League Two promotion bid as they narrowly missed out on a play-off spot. The 20-year-old played 30 times in total and chipped in with two goals and two assists for the Ammies from the heart of their defence.

FAREWELL TO A FEW... Those who departed United on a permanent basis Among those moving from M16 at the end of the 2020/21 season was Sergio Romero after the expiration of his contract. The Argentina international managed an impressive 39 clean sheets in 61 appearances after signing in 2015, including in the 2017 Europa League final as he helped United lift the trophy with a 2-0 triumph over Ajax. Leaving at the same time was fellow stopper Joel Pereira. He played three times for the first team – once each in the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup – and spent time away on loan with various clubs during his spell at Old Trafford, at clubs in England, Portugal, Belgium and Scotland, and most recently with Huddersfield Town in the Championship. At the start of the 2020/21 campaign, United waved goodbye to Chris Smalling after 10 years, 323 games and five major honours, including when he captained the team to League Cup glory against Southampton in 2017. Smalling spent 2019/20 on loan at Roma before making the move permanent in October 2020, later reuniting with his former team-mates in the Europa League semi-finals. Two defenders made mid-season departures, with Marcos Rojo returning to his native Argentina with Boca Juniors and Timothy Fosu-Mensah joining Bayer Leverkusen. Rojo made over a century of first-team appearances, including the 2016 FA Cup final and 2017 League Cup final, while Fosu-Mensah featured 30 times after coming through as an Academy graduate. Odion Ighalo rejoined parent club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua after the end of his loan spell at United. He spell with the Reds was extended after an impressive scoring record in the cups, with his final outing coming against Paris

Romero was a consistent performer between the sticks

Above Rojo returned to South America in February Below Ighalo and Fosu-Mensah

Pereira joined the Reds in 2012

Smalling back at Old Trafford with the Giallorossi

Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Ighalo has since moved again, to Saudi club Al Shabab. Six members of the Academy were also released over the summer of 2021: Jacob Carney, Mark Helm, Iestyn Hughes, Arnau Puigmal, Max Taylor and Aliou Traore. The club would like to thank all the aforementioned players for their efforts and service with United, and we wish them all the very best in their careers for the future. Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 171

COMP

DATE

OPPOSITION

MEN’S TEAM: RESULTS AND LINE-UPS, 2020/21 SEASON KICK-OFF KICK-OFF SCORE SCORE STARTING STARTINGLINE-UP LINE-UP

SEPTEMBER PL LC PL LC

Sat 19 Tue 22 Sat 26 Wed 30

Crystal Palace (H) Luton Town (A) (R3) Brighton & Hove Albion (A) Brighton & Hove Albion (A) (R4)

5.30pm 8.15pm 12.30pm 7.45pm

1-3 3-0 3-2x 3-0

De Gea Henderson De Gea Henderson

Fosu-Mensah Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Dalot

Lindelof Bailly Lindelof Bailly

Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © Lindelof

Shaw Williams Shaw Williams

Pogba Fred Pogba McTominay 1

Tottenham Hotspur (H) Newcastle United (A) Paris Saint-Germain (A) (MD1) Chelsea (H) RB Leipzig (H) (MD2)

4.30pm 8pm 8pm 5.30pm 8pm

1-6 4-1 2-1 0-0 5-0

De Gea De Gea De Gea De Gea De Gea

Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka 1 Tuanzebe Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka

Bailly Lindelof Lindelof Lindelof Lindelof

Maguire © Maguire © 1 Shaw Maguire © Maguire ©

Shaw Shaw Wan-Bissaka Shaw Shaw

Matic McTominay McTominay McTominay Matic

Arsenal (H) Istanbul Basaksehir (A) (MD3) Everton (A) West Bromwich Albion (H) Istanbul Basaksehir (H) (MD4) Southampton (A)

4.30pm 5.55pm 12.30pm 8pm 8pm 2pm

0-1 1-2 3-1 1-0 4-1 3-2

De Gea Henderson De Gea De Gea De Gea De Gea

Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka

Lindelof Tuanzebe Lindelof Lindelof Lindelof Lindelof

Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © Maguire ©

Shaw Shaw Shaw Telles Telles Telles

Fred van de Beek McTominay Matic van de Beek Fred

Paris Saint-Germain (H) (MD5) West Ham United (A; att: 2,000) RB Leipzig (A) (MD6) Manchester City (H) Sheffield United (A) Leeds United (H) Everton (A; att: 2,000) (QF) Leicester City (A) Wolverhampton Wanderers (H)

8pm 5.30pm 8pm 5.30pm 8pm 4.30pm 8pm 12.30pm 8pm

1-3 3-1 2-3x 0-0 3-2 6-2 2-0 2-2 1-0

De Gea Henderson De Gea De Gea Henderson De Gea Henderson De Gea De Gea

Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Lindelof Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Tuanzebe Lindelof Wan-Bissaka

Lindelof Lindelof Maguire © Lindelof Lindelof Lindelof 1 Bailly Bailly Bailly

Maguire © Maguire © Shaw Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © Maguire ©

Telles Telles Wan-Bissaka Shaw Telles Shaw Telles Shaw Telles

McTominay McTominay McTominay McTominay Matic McTominay 2 Matic McTominay Pogba

Aston Villa (H) Manchester City (H) (SF) Watford (H) (R3) Burnley (A) Liverpool (A) Fulham (A) Liverpool (H) (R4) Sheffield United (H) Arsenal (A)

8pm 7.45pm 8pm 8.15pm 4.30pm 8.15pm 5pm 8.15pm 5.30pm

2-1 0-2 1-0 1-0 0-0 2-1 3-2 1-2 0-0

De Gea Henderson Henderson De Gea De Gea De Gea Henderson De Gea De Gea

Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Williams Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka

Bailly Lindelof Bailly Bailly Lindelof Bailly Lindelof Tuanzebe Lindelof

Maguire © Maguire © Tuanzebe Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © 1 Maguire ©

Shaw Shaw Telles Shaw Shaw Shaw Shaw Telles Shaw

McTominay McTominay McTominay © 1 Pogba 1 McTominay Pogba 1 McTominay Pogba McTominay

Tue 2 Sat 6 Tue 9 Sun 14 Thu 18 Sun 21 Thu 25 Sun 28

Southampton (H) Everton (H) West Ham United (H) (R5) West Bromwich Albion (A) Real Sociedad (A) (R32, 1st leg) Newcastle United (H) Real Sociedad (H) (R32, 2nd leg) Chelsea (A)

8.15pm 8pm 7.30 pm 2pm 5.55pm 7pm 8pm 4.30pm

9-0x 3-3 1-0* 1-1 4-0 3-1 0-0 0-0

De Gea De Gea Henderson De Gea Henderson De Gea Henderson De Gea

Wan-Bissaka 1 Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka

Lindelof Lindelof Lindelof Lindelof Bailly Lindelof Bailly Lindelof

Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © Lindelof Maguire ©

Shaw Shaw Telles Shaw Telles Shaw Telles Shaw

McTominay 1 McTominay 1 Fred McTominay McTominay Fred Fred McTominay

Wed 3 Sun 7 Thu 11 Sun 14 Thu 18 Sun 21

Crystal Palace (A) Manchester City (A) AC Milan (H) (R16, 1st leg) West Ham United (H) AC Milan (A) (R16, 2nd leg) Leicester City (A) (QF)

8.15pm 4.30pm 5.55pm 7.15pm 8pm 5pm

0-0 2-0 1-1 1-0x 1-0 1-3

Henderson Henderson Henderson Henderson Henderson Henderson

Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka

Bailly Lindelof Bailly Lindelof Lindelof Lindelof

Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © Maguire ©

Shaw Shaw 1 Telles Shaw Shaw Telles

Fred McTominay McTominay McTominay McTominay Fred

Sun 4 Thu 8 Sun 11 Thu 15 Sun 18 Sun 25 Thu 29

Brighton & Hove Albion (H) Granada (A) (QF, 1st leg) Tottenham Hotspur (A) Granada (H) (QF, 2nd leg) Burnley (H) Leeds United (A) Roma (H) (SF, 1st leg)

7.30pm 8pm 4.30pm 8pm 4pm 2pm 8pm

2-1 2-0 3-1 2-0x 3-1 0-0 6-2

Henderson De Gea Henderson De Gea Henderson Henderson De Gea

Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka

Lindelof Lindelof Lindelof Tuanzebe Lindelof Lindelof Lindelof

Maguire © Maguire © Maguire © Lindelof Maguire © Maguire © Maguire ©

Shaw Shaw Shaw Telles Shaw Shaw Shaw

Pogba Pogba McTominay Fred McTominay McTominay McTominay

Thu 6 Sun 9 Tue 11 Thu 13 Tue 18 Sun 23 Wed 26

Roma (A) (SF, 2nd leg) Aston Villa (H) Leicester City (H) Liverpool (H) Fulham (H; att: 10,000) Wolverhampton W’rers (A; att: 4,500) Villarreal (N, att: 9,412) (Final)

8pm 2.05pm 6pm 8.15pm 6pm 4pm 8pm

2-3 3-1 1-2 2-4 1-1 2-1 1-1* ↓

De Gea Henderson De Gea Henderson De Gea Henderson De Gea

Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Williams Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka Williams Wan-Bissaka

Bailly Lindelof Bailly Bailly Lindelof Bailly Bailly

Maguire © Maguire © Tuanzebe Lindelof Tuanzebe Tuanzebe Lindelof

Shaw Shaw Telles Shaw Shaw Telles Shaw

Pogba McTominay van de Beek McTominay McTominay van de Beek McTominay

OCTOBER PL PL UCL PL UCL

Sun 4 Sat 17 Tue 20 Sat 24 Wed 28

NOVEMBER PL UCL PL PL UCL PL

Sun 1 Wed 4 Sat 7 Sat 21 Tue 24 Sun 29

DECEMBER UCL PL UCL PL PL PL LC PL PL

Wed 2 Sat 5 Tue 8 Sat 12 Thu 17 Sun 20 Wed 23 Sat 26 Tue 29

JANUARY PL LC FAC PL PL PL FAC PL PL

Fri 1 Wed 6 Sat 9 Tue 12 Sun 17 Wed 20 Sun 24 Wed 27 Sat 30

FEBRUARY PL PL FAC PL UEL PL UEL PL

MARCH PL PL UEL PL UEL FAC

APRIL PL UEL PL UEL PL PL UEL

MAY UEL PL PL PL PL PL UEL

172 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

PL – Premier League

Scorers Bold

First sub

FA – Emirates FA Cup

Penalty (underlined)

Second sub

Red card

LC – Carabao Cup

x Own goal

Third sub

UCL – UEFA Champions League

* After extra-time

Fourth sub

(United score listed first; attendance n/a unless stated)

↓

KEY:

UEL – UEFA Europa League

↓ Won/lost on pens

Yellow card

Fifth sub

SUBSTITUTES USED McTominay Matic Matic Fred

James Mata 1 Greenwood Mata © 1

Fernandes van de Beek Fernandes 1 van de Beek

Rashford Lingard Rashford 1 James

Martial Ighalo Martial Ighalo

Greenwood Greenwood 1 Fred Pogba 1

van de Beek 1 Fernandes Bailly Rashford

Ighalo Rashford 1 van de Beek Lingard

– – – –

Pogba Fred Fred Fred Fred

Greenwood Mata Telles Mata Pogba

Fernandes 1 Fernandes 1 Fernandes © 1 Fernandes van de Beek

Rashford James Martial James Greenwood 1

Martial Rashford 1 Rashford 1 Rashford Martial 1

Fred Pogba Pogba Cavani Rashford 3

McTominay van de Beek van de Beek Pogba McTominay

van de Beek Matic James Greenwood Fernandes

– – – – Tuanzebe

– – – – Cavani

McTominay Matic Fred Fred Fred Matic

Pogba Mata Mata Mata Rashford 1 van de Beek

Fernandes Fernandes Fernandes 2 Fernandes 1 Fernandes 2 Fernandes 1

Greenwood Rashford Rashford Rashford Martial Greenwood

Rashford Martial 1 Martial Martial Cavani Rashford

Matic McTominay Tuanzebe Cavani Tuanzebe Henderson

Cavani Cavani Pogba van de Beek James 1 Cavani 2

van de Beek Pogba Cavani 1 McTominay Williams Williams

– Greenwood – – Greenwood –

– Fosu-Mensah – – Matic –

Fred Pogba 1 Matic Fred Pogba Fred Pogba Fred Matic

Rashford 1 Greenwood 1 Telles Greenwood Greenwood James 1 Greenwood James Greenwood

Fernandes van de Beek Fernandes 1 Fernandes Fernandes Fernandes 2(1) Fernandes Fernandes 1 Fernandes

Martial Martial Greenwood Pogba Rashford 2 Rashford van de Beek Rashford 1 Rashford 1

Cavani Cavani Rashford Rashford Martial 1 Martial Cavani 1 Martial Cavani

Pogba Rashford 1 van de Beek Martial Mata Telles Martial 1 Pogba Shaw

Greenwood Fernandes Pogba – van de Beek Cavani Rashford Tuanzebe Martial

van de Beek Mata Williams – McTominay van de Beek Shaw Cavani McTominay

Ighalo – Fosu-Mensah – – – – – –

– – Tuanzebe – – – – – –

Fred Fred van de Beek Matic Fred Fred Pogba Matic Fred

Rashford Rashford Mata Rashford Pogba Greenwood Greenwood 1 Greenwood Rashford

Fernandes 1 Fernandes Lingard Fernandes Fernandes Fernandes van de Beek Fernandes Fernandes

Pogba Pogba James Martial Martial Martial Rashford 1 Rashford Pogba

Martial 1 Martial Greenwood Cavani Rashford Cavani 1 Cavani Martial Cavani

Matic Greenwood Maguire Greenwood Cavani McTominay Fernandes 1 Cavani Martial

James van de Beek Rashford McTominay Greenwood Rashford Fred Shaw Greenwood

Tuanzebe – Martial Tuanzebe – Matic Martial van de Beek –

– – Matic – – – – – –

– – – – – – – – –

Fred Pogba Matic Fred Fred Matic Matic Fred

Greenwood Greenwood Greenwood Rashford James 1 James 1 Greenwood James

Fernandes 1 Fernandes 1 van de Beek Fernandes 1 Fernandes 2 Fernandes 1 Fernandes © Fernandes

Rashford 1 Rashford Rashford Martial Rashford 1 Rashford 1 James Rashford

Cavani 1 Cavani 1 Martial Cavani Greenwood Martial Martial Greenwood

van de Beek Fred Fernandes Greenwood Matic Greenwood Rashford Martial

Martial 2 Tuanzebe McTominay 1 van de Beek Martial Mata Tuanzebe –

James 1 – Cavani – Amad Shoretire Williams –

– – Williams – Mata – Amad –

– – Shaw – – – Shoretire –

Matic Fred Matic Fred Fred Matic

Greenwood James Greenwood James James Greenwood 1

Fernandes Fernandes 1 Fernandes Fernandes Fernandes van de Beek

Rashford Rashford James Rashford Rashford Pogba

Cavani Martial Martial Greenwood Greenwood Martial

McTominay Greenwood Amad 1 – Pogba 1 McTominay

James Matic Fred – – Fernandes

– Williams Williams – – Shaw

– – Shaw – – Cavani

– – – – – Amad

Fred McTominay Fred 1 Matic Fred Fred Fred

Greenwood 1 James Rashford Greenwood Greenwood 2 James Rashford

Fernandes Fernandes 1 Fernandes Fernandes Fernandes Fernandes Fernandes 2(1)

Rashford 1 Rashford 1 Pogba Pogba © Pogba Rashford Pogba 1

Cavani Greenwood Cavani 1 Cavani 1 Rashford Greenwood Cavani 2

James Telles Greenwood 1 van de Beek Cavani 1 Pogba Greenwood 1

van de Beek Cavani Matic James van de Beek Cavani Matic

McTominay Matic – Mata – van de Beek Mata

– van de Beek – Amad – – –

– – – Williams – – –

Fred Fred Matic © Fred Fred Matic © Pogba

Greenwood Greenwood 1 Amad Rashford 1 Greenwood Elanga 1 Greenwood

Fernandes Fernandes 1 Mata Fernandes 1 © Fernandes © Mata 1 Fernandes ©

van de Beek Pogba Elanga Pogba Pogba James Rashford

Cavani 2 Rashford Greenwood 1 Cavani Cavani 1 Amad Cavani 1

Williams Cavani 1 Rashford Greenwood Rashford Shoretire Fred

Telles Bailly Cavani Matic Amad Hannibal James

Matic Matic Fernandes – van de Beek Fish Tuanzebe

Rashford – – – – – Mata

Mata – – – – – Telles

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 173

APPEARANCES, GOALS & ’20/21 PL STATISTICS

UNITED APPEARANCES AND GOALS FOR 2020/21 SEASON PLAYER

LEAGUE

GLS

APP

GLS

Amad

2(1)

0(1)

Eric Bailly

10(2)

Edinson Cavani

W D L GF GA GD Pts

EUROPE

TOTAL

APP

GLS

APP

GLS

APP

0(4)

2(6)

19(2)

0 17

GLS

13(13)

1(2)

6(3)

21(18)

David De Gea

Anthony Elanga

Bruno Fernandes

35(2)

0(3)

2(1)

14(1)

51(7)

Will Fish

Team

LEAGUE CUP

Diogo Dalot

Timothy Fosu-Mensah

PREMIER LEAGUE FINAL TABLE

FA CUP

APP

0(1)

0(2)

1(2)

Fred

27(3)

2(1)

10(2)

42(6)

Mason Greenwood

21(10)

1(2)

10(4)

36(16)

Manchester City

38 27 5 6 83 32 +51 86

Hannibal

0(1)

UNITED

38 21 11 6 73 44 +29 74

Dean Henderson

12(1)

25(1)

Liverpool

38 20 9 9 68 42 +26 69

Odion Ighalo

0(1)

2(2)

Chelsea

38 19 10 9 58 36 +22 67

Daniel James

11(4)

5(4)

18(8)

Leicester City

38 20 6 12 68 50 +18 66

Victor Lindelof

West Ham United

38 19 8 11 62 47 +15 65

Jesse Lingard

1(1)

2(1)

Tottenham Hotspur 38 18 8 12 68 45 +23 62

Harry Maguire

3(1)

51(1)

Arsenal

38 18 7 13 55 39 +16

Anthony Martial

17(5)

2(2)

1(1)

7(1)

27(9)

Leeds United

38 18 5 15 62 54 +8

Juan Mata

6(3)

1(5)

10(8)

10 Everton

38 17 8 13 47 48

-1

Nemanja Matic

12(8)

2(1)

6(5)

22(14)

Aston Villa

38 16 7 15 55 46 +9

Scott McTominay

24(8)

2(2)

9(2)

37(12)

Newcastle United

38 12 9 17 46 62 -16

Paul Pogba

21(5)

2(1)

6(5)

31(11)

Wolves

38 12 9 17 36 52 -16

Marcus Rashford

33(4)

2(1)

1(3)

10(3)

46(11)

Crystal Palace

38 12 8 18 41 66 -25 44

Luke Shaw

30(2)

1(2)

1(1)

9(1)

41(6)

Southampton

38 12

Shola Shoretire

0(2)

0(1)

0(3)

7 19 47 68 -21

16 Brighton

-6

Alex Telles

8(1)

8(3)

20(4)

Burnley

38 10 9 19 33 55 -22

Axel Tuanzebe

4(5)

3(5)

9(10)

Fulham (R)

5 13 20 27 53 -26

Donny van de Beek

4(15)

3(1)

4(5)

15(21)

19 West Brom (R)

11 22 35 76 -41

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

20 Sheffield United (R) 38

2 29 20 63 -43 23

Brandon Williams

2(2)

1(1)

0(6)

5(9)

9 14 15 40 46

PREMIER LEAGUE TOP GOALSCORERS Player

Club

Gls

Harry Kane

Tottenham Hotspur

Mohamed Salah

Liverpool

Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United

Patrick Bamford

Leeds United

Heung-min Son

Tottenham Hotspur

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Everton

Jamie Vardy

Leicester City

Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa

Ilkay Gundogan

Manchester City

Alexandre Lacazette

Arsenal

UNITED TEAM STATS (ALL COMPETITIONS) Played: 61 Wins: 35*

PREMIER LEAGUE TOP ASSISTS Gls

Harry Kane

Tottenham Hotspur

Bruno Fernandes

Draws: 13 Losses: 13+

Player

Date

Biggest win: 9-0 v Southampton (H, 02.02.21)

Donny van de Beek

19.09.20

Biggest crowd (home):

Manchester United

Dean Henderson

22.09.20

10,000 v Fulham (18.05.21)

Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City

Alex Telles

20.10.20

Biggest crowd (away):

Jack Grealish

Aston Villa

Edinson Cavani

24.10.20

4,500 v Wolves (23.05.21)

Heung-min Son

Tottenham Hotspur

Amad

18.02.21

Longest winning sequence:

Raphinha

Leeds United

Shola Shoretire

21.02.21

5 games (04.04.21 – 18.04.21)

Marcus Rashford

Manchester United

Anthony Elanga

11.05.21

Longest unbeaten run:

Jamie Vardy

Leicester City

Will Fish

23.05.21

14 games (30.01.21 – 18.03.21)

Aaron Cresswell

West Ham United

Hannibal

23.05.21

* inc extra-time win + inc penalties defeat

174 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

▶

Club

▶

Player

UNITED FIRST-TEAM DEBUTS

BACK TO CONTENTS

BREAKDOWN OF UNITED’S 121 GOALS

UNITED CAREER STATISTICS PLAYER

LEAGUE

LEAGUE CUP

EUROPE

OTHERS

TOTAL

GLS

APP

GLS

APP

GLS

APP

GLS

APP

GLS

APP

2(1)

0(1)

0(4)

2(6)

54(12)

6(1)

93(13)

Amad Eric Bailly

FA CUP

APP

GLS

Gls

Di’Shon Bernard

Edinson Cavani

13(13)

1(2)

6(3)

21(18)

Marcus Rashford

Tahith Chong

0(5)

1(2)

2(5)

4(12)

Edinson Cavani

Diogo Dalot

13(7)

5(1)

5(2)

25(10)

Mason Greenwood

David De Gea

339

441

Anthony Martial

Anthony Elanga

Scott McTominay

Bruno Fernandes

49(2)

3(3)

2(1)

18(2)

72(8)

40 0

▶

Player Bruno Fernandes

Paul Pogba

Will Fish

Daniel James

Fred

Juan Mata

Harry Maguire Aaron Wan-Bissaka

0(1)

63(13)

7(3)

7(1)

24(3)

101(20)

Ethan Galbraith

0(1)

James Garner

0(2)

0(1)

3(1)

3(4)

Lee Grant

0(1)

1(1)

0 29

Amad

Mason Greenwood

34(31)

7(2)

5(2)

17(7)

63(42)

Anthony Elanga

Hannibal

0(1)

Fred

Dean Henderson

12(1)

25(1)

Victor Lindelof

Daniel James

37(11)

3(2)

9(6)

53(19)

Luke Shaw

Phil Jones

150(15)

11(3)

10(2)

24(7)

1(1)

196(28)

Donny van de Beek

Ethan Laird

1(1)

Own goals

Dylan Levitt

BREAKDOWN OF UNITED’S 65 ASSISTS Player

Victor Lindelof

106(5)

26(1)

155(6)

Jesse Lingard

86(47)

16(6)

11(4)

24(14)

139(71)

Harry Maguire

Assists

8(1)

106(1)

Anthony Martial

131(36)

16(9)

9(6)

36(14)

193(65)

78 51

Bruno Fernandes

Juan Mata

147(42)

18(4)

9(2)

35(15)

0(1)

209(64)

Marcus Rashford

Nemanja Matic

93(12)

13(2)

5(2)

22(7)

134(23)

Paul Pogba

Scott McTominay

61(29)

8(4)

5(1)

19(6)

93(40)

Luke Shaw

D’Mani Mellor

0(1)

Edinson Cavani

Teden Mengi

0(1)

Mason Greenwood

Andreas Pereira

24(21)

3(6)

5(3)

4(9)

36(39)

Anthony Martial

Paul Pogba

122(15)

9(3)

8(4)

34(10)

174(32)

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Marcus Rashford

134(45)

15(8)

10(6)

36(15)

0(2)

195(76)

Juan Mata

Luke Shaw

116(12)

15(3)

6(3)

29(1)

167(19)

Alex Telles

Shola Shoretire

0(2)

0(1)

0(3)

Fred

Alex Telles

8(1)

8(3)

20(4)

Daniel James

Axel Tuanzebe

10(9)

1(1)

6(6)

21(16)

Victor Lindelof

Donny van de Beek

4(15)

3(1)

4(5)

15(21)

Scott McTominay

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

68(1)

99(1)

Donny van de Beek

Brandon Williams

13(8)

4(4)

5(2)

8(6)

30(20)

Amad

Eric Bailly

Harry Maguire

WHEN UNITED’S 121 GOALS WERE SCORED

(Players on the club’s books as of 30.06.21)

UNITED GOAL STATS (ALL COMPETITIONS)

UNITED’S TOP SCORERS (U18s)

Time

Gls

Player

Gls

Average goals scored per game: 1.98

Charlie McNeill

0-9 mins

Total goals conceded: 68

Dillon Hoogewerf

10-19 mins

Average goals conceded per game: 1.11

Alejandro Garnacho

20-29 mins

Clean sheets: 24 (De Gea 12, Henderson 12)

Joe Hugill

30-39 mins

Hat-tricks: 1 (Rashford)

40-49 mins

Doubles: 12

50-59 mins

(Fernandes 5, Cavani 3, Greenwood 1,

60-69 mins

Martial 1, McTominay 1, Rashford 1)

Player

70-79 mins

Penalties scored (not inc shoot-outs):

Anthony Elanga

80-89 mins

17 (Fernandes 13, Mata 2, Martial 1, Rashford 1)

Shola Shoretire

90+ mins

Penalties missed (not inc shoot-outs):

Joe Hugill

Extra-time

1 (Fernandes)

Arnau Puigmal

Total goals scored: 121

UNITED’S TOP SCORERS (U23s) Gls

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 175

UNITED WOMEN The full story of another eventful campaign on and off the field for the Reds, which began and ended in Leigh, and featured a momentous springtime win in the Old Trafford sunshine...

CHASING DOWN THE ‘BIG THREE’

SEASON REVIEW

Reds narrow gap to the WSL’s elite, in a term that ends with a big departure...

he headline news at the end of United Women’s 2020/21 season surrounded Casey Stoney, who said farewell to the Reds when she stepped down after three years, one promotion and plenty of unforgettable memories. Having been appointed head coach when the side was formed in 2018, Stoney led her squad to top spot in the FA Women’s Championship at the first time of asking, before firmly establishing the Reds as a Women’s Super League outfit with back-to-back fourth-place finishes. “It has been an honour to lead the women’s team at this great club and this has been an incredibly tough decision,” said Stoney following the announcement of her departure in May. “I have loved leading this group and I am proud of what we have achieved together. However, after a difficult season with disruption caused by the pandemic, I now feel the time is right to take some time away and for someone else to come in and lead the team on the next stage of its journey. I want to thank 178 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

the club, all of the fantastic staff, the fans, and most of all the players, for the incredible experience we have shared over the past three years.” The news came at the end of the Reds’ most encouraging season yet. While United had marked a first top-flight campaign in 2019/20 with an impressive finish in fourth – behind only the established ‘big three’ of Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal – the early conclusion due to the pandemic had created a feeling of unfinished business in the camp, and what might have been had the squad had a full term under their belts. Aiming to build on that solid start to WSL life, Stoney and the backroom team spent much of the off-season working towards strengthening the squad. First to arrive was Lucy Staniforth – an England international who knew the league well, with spells at five different clubs since the WSL’s inaugural campaign in 2011, most recently Birmingham City. “This is the biggest club in the world and I’m so proud to be part of it,” said the midfielder. “I’ve been impressed

...

with the performances from last season and the club’s future ambitions. I wanted to come here to win trophies and make history.” Staniforth was joined by Spain international and full-back Ona Batlle, who came in from Levante, and teenage Brazilian forward Ivana Fuso, following the conclusion of her contract at Swiss side Basel. Fuso had represented Germany at youth level but would go on to win her first senior cap for her home country before the end of the ’20/21 season. Departing ahead of the new season were Aurora Mikalsen and Aimee Palmer, as well as Siobhan Chamberlain and Mollie Green – two players who played a key role in the Reds’ 2019 promotion – with goalkeeper Chamberlain announcing her retirement. Lizzie Arnot, who will forever be remembered for scoring the Reds’ first-ever goal, also moved on to pastures new, heading to Scotland with Rangers. The big kick-off for ’20/21 finally arrived on 6 September, six months and two weeks after the team’s last competitive fixture. It couldn’t have been a much tougher opening, with

Above Batlle makes her bow as the season begins with a tricky test against Chelsea Below Press (centre of photo) was another new arrival who quickly struck up a close rapport with the more established players in the squad

the Reds at home to reigning WSL champions Chelsea, but Leah Galton tapped home from a Jackie Groenen cross to give United a first-ever league point against the Blues and a highly promising start with a 1-1 draw.

After that, further additions to the squad gave Stoney’s side some serious firepower to call on. First, a pair of blockbuster signings from the United States, as two-time World Cup winners Christen Press and ▶

THE EARLY CONCLUSION OF THE PREVIOUS SEASON DUE TO THE PANDEMIC HAD CREATED A FEELING OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS IN THE CAMP Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 15

SEASON REVIEW

Above James makes history in late March as she nets the Reds’ opening goal at Old Trafford Right Heath would claim four goals in 11 impressive appearances, only for injury to end her season early; Sigsworth leads the charge out on the training ground

Tobin Heath arrived, catching the eyes of the football globe in the process. “To be here and to wear the badge is huge,” noted Heath. “I always wanted to play for the biggest clubs and this is something I am very proud of.” Press added: “I’m grateful to have the opportunity to play for such an elite club. I feel blessed.” The pair were soon joined by newly capped Lionesses forward Alessia Russo, who returned to England after spending three years in America with North Carolina Tar Heels. She was straight into the action, coming off the bench in the next outing, away to Birmingham, to help overturn a 2-1 half-time deficit in a 5-2 triumph, setting up Kirsty Hanson for the Reds’ final goal. After that, United went from strength to strength. There may have been a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Continental League Cup, but that was offset by WSL victories over Brighton (3-0), 180 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Tottenham (1-0) and West Ham (4-2), with Russo, Heath and Press all finding the net for the first time as United players in the process. Russo’s season would end prematurely in November following surgery on a hamstring injury – a real blow, but the month did prove to be a positive one in terms of on-pitch performances. It started with a famous victory over Arsenal as Ella Toone struck to clinch a maiden league win against one of the WSL’s ‘big three’ – and sending United to the top of the table in the process. “I’m proud of every single one of them,” declared a delighted Stoney after the game at her side’s Leigh

Sports Village home. “We now believe we can go toe-to-toe and beat the best teams in the league.” That was followed by two Manchester derby draws, with Heath’s rocket first inspiring a fightback from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 in the league, before the Reds won on penalties after a 0-0 encounter in Leigh in the Continental Cup. Such form didn’t go unnoticed, as Stoney and Heath were rewarded with the WSL Manager and Player of the Month awards respectively – the first time either prize had been won by a United figure. It’s sometimes said that these honours can act as a curse and disrupt the form of the team in question, but far from it. The Continental Cup journey ended with defeat to Everton, but wins at Aston Villa and Reading in December, followed by a 6-1 dismantling of Bristol City – the Reds’ biggest-ever top-flight victory – meant United finished 2020 proudly sat at the WSL’s summit.

“WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND THERE WAS NO WOMEN’S TEAM, I DIDN’T THINK I’D PLAY AT OLD TRAFFORD. IT’S A SPECIAL MOMENT” – ELLA TOONE

There was more to celebrate, as Stoney retained the monthly managerial prize and Galton picked up the WSL’s player award. Despite such a strong opening half to the campaign, the boss was still hoping for further improvement in 2021. “In terms of the way we’re performing, I still think there’s a lot more to come from us,” she said. “But we are winning. We’re putting points on the board consistently and we’re in a really good position.” The new year began as the season had, with a meeting against Chelsea, as the Reds were narrowly edged out for a first WSL defeat of the season. Heath was an unused substitute in that game, but would sadly not feature again, as an ankle problem ruled her out for the remaining months. Reasons to be cheerful soon returned, however. On 22 January, defender Maria Thorisdottir signed from Chelsea, replacing the outgoing Lotta Okvist, and United got back to

winning ways with consecutive 2-0 WSL victories, at home to Birmingham and away to Everton. It meant the Reds finished January trailing leaders Chelsea only on goal difference, albeit having played a game more than Emma Hayes’ side. It was around this time when results started to become more mixed. A first home league defeat in over a year came against Reading, with the Royals claiming a shock 2-0 win after two goals in the space of three second-half minutes. That was followed by a chastening 3-0 defeat to local rivals City as injuries began to take their toll, with Lauren James, Kirsty Smith, Heath, Staniforth and Russo all unavailable. Stoney’s team were now in third place, in the final European spot, with the loss compounded by an injury to Galton that would rule her out of the next five matches. “We need to learn very quickly that if you don’t get the basics right at this level, you’re going to get punished,” said Stoney after the derby loss. “We’ve conceded five in two games – if you’re going to win a title you can’t do that. But Champions League qualification is still in our hands and that has always been our aim.” A swift response was needed, and it came at home to Aston Villa for the team’s opening March fixture.

Hanson broke the deadlock with the Reds’ 100th goal in all competitions at Leigh Sports Village, in what was the team’s 34th game there, with Jess Sigsworth and captain Katie Zelem also netting in a 3-0 success. Unfortunately, another key defeat to a Champions League hopeful followed. A 2-0 win for Joe Montemurro’s Arsenal in Borehamwood resulted in the Londoners moving to within three points of United, with a superior goal difference and a game in hand. It meant that every match from here on was crucial, and what better way to get geared up for a late-season push than by an inaugural fixture for the Reds at Old Trafford? With West Ham the visitors, 27 March 2021 will go down in history as the day Manchester United Women played for the very first time at the Theatre of Dreams. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase the women’s game, which has seen huge growth over the last few years,” Stoney observed before the behind-closed-doors fixture. “But, of course, we will miss our fans. They are such an important part of this club and we have felt their amazing support from afar this season. We are all eager to get them back in the stands as soon as possible and hope there will be many more opportunities to play at Old Trafford in the future.” On a landmark occasion, the Reds stepped up to the plate in the second half following a nervy start. James got the historic first goal, continuing a remarkable sequence that has also seen her bag the team’s maiden strike in the Championship, the WSL and the FA Cup, before Press thumped in the second to wrap up the three points. Among the players, Toone – a graduate of United’s highly respected Regional Talent Club – was particularly delighted to mark the momentous day with a victory: “When I was younger at the club and there was no women’s team, I didn’t think I’d be playing at Old Trafford, so today was a special moment, being a lifelong United fan,” said Toone, who would finish the season as the Reds’ top scorer with 10. “It’s going to be special every time we step out at Old Trafford, hopefully many times in the future. We always want the fans ▶ Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 181

SEASON REVIEW

and our families here; today would have been nice with them to enjoy the occasion. In the future, with a lot of people, it would be even better.” From Old Trafford to The People’s Pension Stadium in Crawley, where the Reds’ next outing proved a difficult one to swallow. United went down to a third straight away defeat, losing 1-0 to Brighton. On the same weekend Arsenal climbed to third, level on points with United but with a superior goal difference and a game in hand. Dropping out of the European places after so long in the top three was tough to take, but there was at least the distraction of the start of the delayed FA Cup adventure in the next game. The Cup had been cut short at the fifth-round stage in 2019/20, with Manchester City lifting the trophy as late as October 2020 when it eventually resumed. For the Reds, it was a first FA Cup outing since losing to City in January 2020, and they made a fine return with a commanding 6-0 fourth-round success away to Burnley – a maiden meeting between the two sides. Efforts from Millie Turner, Toone (below), Staniforth, Amy Turner and a Hanson brace resulted in a biggest win of the season, while Toone’s goal – United’s second on the day – was the Reds’ 200th as a club, 16 minutes into the team’s 73rd game. “We look at the first season when we scored a boatload of goals in the Championship – we knew it was going to be more difficult in the Super League to sustain that, so to hit the 200 mark is really pleasing,” Stoney reflected. “We’d like more, though!” That message was received as Spurs were hit for four when WSL action resumed. Toone’s double bookended the triumph, as Press and Sigsworth added strikes of their own, but at this point it was a case of needing Arsenal to drop points in order to reclaim third place. The Reds kept fighting until the very end, securing hard-fought wins away to Bristol City and at home to Everton to see out the WSL 182 Manchester United 2020/21

Above Both Turners were on target as the FA Cup campaign began with a huge win against Burnley Below High emotion in the Cup’s fifth round, as the players celebrate a goal with Stoney during her last game in charge

season, but ultimately it wasn’t quite enough to claim that coveted European spot. United finished fourth for the second year in a row, just one point behind Arsenal, although two would really have been required to overtake them due to their vastly superior goal difference. “We’ve massively progressed,” Stoney said when summing up the campaign. “That’s credit to the players and staff. But I’ll always be looking back on this season thinking, ‘what if?’ Had we had everyone fit, had our circumstances been slightly different, could we have qualified for the Champions League? If we had picked up a result against Brighton or Reading, it might be a different story.” Three days after beating the Toffees in our WSL finale, it was announced that Casey would be stepping down as boss, bringing an end to three excellent years of growth that took United Women from the first steps as a team to the brink of European qualification.

“I’ll never forget the first day when I walked in and welcomed everybody,” she recalled ahead of her final game, against Leicester in the FA Cup. “We had very clear ambitions on where we wanted to go. We’ve progressed every year – not just in terms of personnel. If you look at the players we had then [at the start], the nucleus of the squad is still the same. But the amount those players have developed, they’ve progressed so much. We’ve made youngsters into senior internationals. They’re an incredible group. I’ve got fantastic staff around me and we’ve been on a hell of a journey. It’s very sad it’s come to an end. “We’ve massively missed the fans this year,” she added. “I’ll never forget that first year, when I had a real feeling of what it was like to be at Manchester United because of them. They’ve been incredible. They’ve followed us up and down the country, through thick and thin. Privately, I’m probably glad they’re not there [for the final game], because it would make it even more emotional for me.” Ultimately, there would be no winning sign-off as the newly promoted Foxes claimed a surprise

THE REDS KEPT FIGHTING UNTIL THE END, BUT ULTIMATELY IT WASN’T QUITE ENOUGH TO CLAIM THAT COVETED EUROPEAN PLACE 3-2 win at Leigh Sports Village, but the love the players had for their departing manager was clear for all to see when the players raced over to embrace her after Sigsworth opened the scoring. Afterwards, Stoney spoke of her belief that the side could continue to grow after she was gone: “I believe this team has a bright future and I will be their biggest supporter moving forward. I’ve got huge pride in the foundations that are set now for the new manager. It’s a fantastic group they’re coming into.” In her final message as a Red, Casey took

to social media for one last goodbye: ‘There are not enough words or actions that can do justice to how grateful and thankful I am to my players, my staff and the fans. It has been an honour and a privilege to lead this group of incredible people. “They inspired me every day to work harder to be a better manager and a better person. I have memories that I will take with me forever. They will always have a special place in my heart. I would like to thank my family who have been by my side through everything. We have shared and celebrated the

good moments together and they have given me strength and purpose in the tough moments. Thank you for standing with me always.’ Now, United Women look ahead to the future with new faces and new challenges on the horizon. The end of June saw the departure of forwards Sigsworth and Jane Ross upon the expiry of their contracts. American duo Heath and Press, having signed one-year deals in the summer of 2020, also left the club, as did defender Amy Turner, who joined National Women’s Soccer League side Orlando Pride. At the time of writing, the new head coach had yet to be announced, but whoever steps in will be tasked with leading this special group of players on to the next stage of their impressive progression, with United’s third WSL campaign beginning on the weekend of 3-5 September. ⬤

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BACK TO CONTENTS Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 183

UNITED WOMEN

1 EMILY RAMSEY

WOMEN’S TEAM: PROFILES & STATS A player-by-player review of the 27 Reds to wear the famous shirt during the 2020/21 campaign...

Ramsey began 2020/21 as back-up to regular goalkeeper Mary Earps, appearing on the bench in each of the Reds’ opening eight WSL games. Her first match action came against Liverpool in the Continental Cup, and she enjoyed a memorable night in the same competition when, after a 0-0 draw against Manchester City, Ramsey saved a spot-kick from Laura Coombes en route to a penalty shoot-out win. In March, she joined West Ham on an emergency loan, playing in their 11-0 FA Cup win over Chichester & Selsey before returning to her parent club in April.

22 FRAN BENTLEY

27 MARY EARPS

Young goalkeeper Bentley agreed to join Championship side Blackburn on a season-long loan in September 2020, quickly establishing herself as first choice and starting their opening four league fixtures. An injury later kept her out of the squad and she was recalled by the Reds in December, first appearing on the subs’ bench against Reading before doing so in each fixture until the end of the season. In April, she came on against Burnley in the FA Cup for her second United appearance, helping preserve a clean sheet in a 6-0 victory.

Last season saw Nottingham-born stopper Earps maintain her record of playing every minute of every WSL game for the Reds since her July 2019 arrival, with her assured displays between the sticks seeing her sign a new contract in February, keeping her at the club to at least June 2023. Hugely dedicated to her craft – “I eat, sleep, breathe, dream the game!” she admits – the no.27 would have been reasonably happy with 11 clean sheets from 25 appearances in ’20/21, but no doubt eager to boost those figures next term, while pushing to reclaim a place in the England team.

Position Goalkeeper DOB 26/06/2001 Nationality English Previous clubs Manchester City, Sheffield United (loan), Blackburn Rovers (loan)

184 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Position Goalkeeper DOB 16/11/2000 Nationality English Previous clubs Liverpool, Sheffield United (loan), West Ham United (loan)

Position Goalkeeper DOB 07/03/1993 Nationality English Previous clubs Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Coventry City (loan), Birmingham City, Bristol City, Reading, Wolfsburg

2 MARTHA HARRIS

4 AMY TURNER

After featuring regularly in 2019/20, an ankle problem meant full-back Harris had to wait until our final game of 2020 for her first appearance of the latest campaign. “I was out for a long time,” she noted. “But I had great support from the staff and team-mates, and I’m just glad to be back.” Unfortunately, another knock, picked up against Birmingham in January, meant Martha didn’t play for the next three matches, but afterwards she began to appear more often, starting four of the final nine games of the season and coming off the bench in another two.

A natural leader and a mentor to the younger players, vice-skipper Amy Turner wore the armband seven times in 2020/21 in Katie Zelem’s absence, with her 21 league runouts being a career-high tally for the Sheffield-born no.4. In addition to a string of commanding displays at the back, Amy displayed her skills at the other end with an opportunist finish in the FA Cup romp at Burnley. Following 67 Reds appearances – only namesake Millie, Ella Toone and Zelem have more – Amy departed the club in June to join National Women’s Soccer League side Orlando Pride.

Position Defender DOB 19/08/1994 Nationality English Previous clubs Lincoln Ladies, Liverpool

3 MARIA THORISDOTTIR

5 ABBIE McMANUS

A commanding defender with plenty of top-division experience and 45 Norway caps to her name, Thorisdottir signed for the Reds from Chelsea in late January, having previously won two WSL titles, one FA Cup and one Continental Cup during her time with the west London club. Maria – who is also a gifted handball player – made her United debut at home to Reading in February and appeared eight times in total before the season’s end, notably providing the assist for Lauren James to score the team’s first-ever Old Trafford goal, against West Ham in March.

McManus began the season by starting each of United’s first six games across all competitions, helping to keep clean sheets at home to Brighton and away to Spurs as well as finding the net in the Continental Cup visit to Liverpool. Fierce competition for places in defence meant she had to wait until December for her next runout, before sealing a January loan switch to Tottenham. McManus became a key figure for the London club, playing every minute of every game following her arrival other than against United, when she was ineligible.

Position Defender DOB 05/06/1993 Nationality Norwegian Previous clubs Klepp, Chelsea

Position Defender DOB 04/07/1991 Nationality English Previous clubs Doncaster Rovers Belles, Hofstra Pride, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Leeds United, Sheffield FC, Notts County, Liverpool

Position Defender DOB 14/01/1993 Nationality English Previous clubs Manchester City, Sheffield FC Manchester City Tottenham Hotspur (loan)

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 185

17 ONA BATLLE

20 KIRSTY SMITH

As far as debut seasons go, Batlle’s was highly encouraging. The Spanish international full-back joined from Levante in July 2020 and started the first two games of the campaign before injury kept her on the sidelines throughout October. But from then on, she was back in Stoney’s first XI for 20 straight games through to May, with only three Reds appearing from the off on more occasions across the season. Ona’s lung-busting displays were rewarded when she was named United’s Player of the Year, as chosen by team-mates and backroom staff members.

Smith continued to be a solid presence for United in defence, making 16 appearances in total in 2020/21, including 14 starts. Injuries in November and February restricted her from adding to that tally but she was still able to feature in some impressive successes, and she ended the campaign by starting each of the final five fixtures. That included helping the Reds to a clean sheet with a 1-0 win away to Bristol City in early May – a victory made all the more special for the Scottish international as she reached a half-century of matches for the Reds.

Position Defender DOB 10/06/1999 Nationality Spanish Previous clubs Madrid CFF, Levante

21 MILLIE TURNER

32 TARA BOURNE

There can be few more reliable figures in football than defender Millie Turner. The imposing centre-back did not miss a single minute of first-team action during 2020/21, meaning she has now played in 76 of the team’s 77 fixtures so far – more than any other Red. As well as providing a commanding influence at the back, Millie also demonstrated her effectiveness at the other end, scoring three times – including the winner away to Spurs – and also provided an assist. In September 2020 she also received her first call-up to England’s senior squad.

It was a landmark term for homegrown player Bourne, as the teenager made her first steps in the professional game, starting by being named on the bench for February’s meeting at home to Reading in the WSL. Tara was back among the subs for eight subsequent fixtures, including away to Burnley in the FA Cup, when she replaced Amy Turner just before the hour to make her senior debut. “All the players were really delighted for her,” said Casey Stoney of the young defender. “It was really pleasing and a calm, assured performance.”

Position Defender DOB 07/07/1996 Nationality English Previous clubs Everton, Bristol City

186 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Position Defender DOB 06/01/1994 Nationality Scottish Previous clubs Hibernian

Position Defender DOB 17/07/2003 Nationality English Previous clubs None

10 KATIE ZELEM

12 HAYLEY LADD

Zelem’s second season as skipper saw her once again hold a pivotal role in linking defence and attack, with the silky-footed no.10 playing in 23 of the team’s 27 games. She was on target with goals in high-scoring wins away to Birmingham – where she once again showed her set-piece expertise with a superb free-kick – and also headed home against Aston Villa at Leigh Sports Village in March. The ex-Juventus midfielder will additionally go down in history as the first captain to lead United Women out at Old Trafford, skippering her team to victory over West Ham in March.

It was another strong season for Ladd. In September, she was belatedly named the team’s Player of the Year for her sterling efforts in 2019/20, and she followed that up with a crucial winner away to Reading in December. February saw Hayley pen a new contract, keeping her with United until at least 2023, and she played in every one of the Reds’ first 21 games of the campaign before a hamstring injury in April brought it to a premature end. Ladd also demonstrated her creative ability by laying on five assists, a total second only to Ella Toone.

Position Midfielder DOB 20/01/1996 Nationality English Previous clubs Liverpool, Juventus

14 JACKIE GROENEN

28 CARRIE JONES

As the first overseas player to join United Women at the start of ’19/20, Dutch international Groenen quickly played her way into a starting berth and maintained that indispensability during the course of 2020/21. One of only four Reds to appear in every WSL game – starting 18 times, with four sub outings – the midfield schemer was a hub of creativity. Although she didn’t find the net, only Ella Toone, Hayley Ladd and Leah Galton claimed more assists, and Jackie best demonstrated her vision with a sublime pass for Christen Press’s goal in March’s win at Old Trafford.

The United tradition of giving youth a chance continued in the women’s team when Jones, aged 17, came on for Jess Sigsworth against Aston Villa in March to make her Reds debut. The composed midfielder, who made her senior international bow for Wales as early as 2019, was first named as a sub against Reading and followed this up by being included in every matchday squad through to the end of the season. In total she made four appearances, also being introduced off the bench against Burnley and Leicester in the FA Cup, and Spurs in the WSL.

Position Midfielder DOB 17/12/1994 Nationality Dutch Previous clubs SGS Essen, FCR 2001 Duisburg, MSV Duisburg, Chelsea, FFC Frankfurt

Position Midfielder DOB 06/10/1993 Nationality Welsh Previous clubs Arsenal, Kokkola Futis 10 (loan), Coventry City, Bristol City, Birmingham City

Position Midfielder DOB 04/09/2003 Nationality Welsh Previous clubs Cardiff City Ladies

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 187

37 LUCY STANIFORTH

7 ELLA TOONE

A new arrival with plenty of top-flight experience, having joined from WSL regulars Birmingham, Staniforth made her debut as a sub in October’s home win over Brighton. She continued to feature regularly from the bench as she recovered from a knee injury, making her first start against Manchester City in the Continental Cup, before a hamstring problem ruled her out until March. Upon returning, Lucy established herself in the first team, starting eight of the nine closing fixtures and opening her goalscoring account with a well-taken finish against Burnley.

Since rejoining United in 2018, former youth-team talent Toone has shown her eye for goal time and time again – never more so than in 2020/21, when she finished as the Reds’ top scorer. Notching nine, plus five assists, across the WSL season, the all-action forward turned in an eye-catching performance level all term and was nominated for the WSL Player of the Month award in January. Ella also won her first England cap in February, marking the occasion by scoring a late penalty against Northern Ireland, and she finished the season with 10 United goals in all competitions.

Position Midfielder DOB 02/10/1992 Nationality English Previous clubs Sunderland, Lincoln Ladies, Bristol City, Liverpool, Sunderland, Birmingham City

9 JESSICA SIGSWORTH

11 LEAH GALTON

Sigsworth was involved in one of the most notable goals in United’s brief history in November, when she set up Ella Toone’s goal against Arsenal that secured a first WSL triumph over one of the ‘big three’. The no.9 scored three times in the WSL in 2020/21 – against Bristol City, Aston Villa and Spurs – while supplying two assists. In our final game, against Leicester in the Cup, Jess opened the scoring before providing a touching celebration, as she ran over to the departing Casey Stoney. That too would be Jess’s last game, as she left in June upon the expiry of her contract.

Dynamic winger Galton was one of United’s standout performers in the opening weeks of the season, starting when she tapped home from close range to earn a 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea. A fine return of four strikes in as many games in December resulted in Leah being named WSL Player of the Month for the first time, and she’d end the season with six goals and four assists in all competitions, despite missing five games through injury. Always a menace down the wing, the talented no.11 put pen to paper on a new deal in February, keeping her at United until 2024.

Position Forward DOB 13/10/1994 Nationality English Previous clubs Doncaster Rovers Belles, Notts County, Doncaster Rovers Belles

188 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Position Forward DOB 02/09/1999 Nationality English Previous clubs Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City

Position Forward DOB 24/05/1994 Nationality English Previous clubs Leeds United, Hofstra Pride, Sky Blue FC, Bayern Munich

13 IVANA FUSO

16 LAUREN JAMES

It was a frustrating start to life in England for Fuso, as two separate muscle and ligament tears meant her debut was delayed until December, when she came off the bench against Everton. Five more sub appearances followed before an ankle injury sustained in March – the month in which she turned 20 – meant she’d miss the rest of the campaign. Like fellow forward Alessia Russo, she’ll hope to be back fit and showing her best in 2021/22. However, there was a big moment of personal pride for Fuso in February when she won her first senior Brazil cap at the SheBelieves Cup.

Injuries heavily disrupted James’s involvement in 2020/21, but she still managed several memorable contributions and earned herself a PFA Young Player of the Year nomination in the process. Having missed much of the first half of the campaign, she started 2021 in style, coming off the bench against Chelsea to score a stunning solo strike. She followed that up with an assist for Leah Galton against Birmingham, before continuing her habit of netting landmark goals for the team, heading home the opener in the Reds’ first Old Trafford outing.

Position Forward DOB 12/03/2001 Nationality Brazilian Previous clubs SC Freiburg, FC Basel

18 KIRSTY HANSON

19 JANE ROSS

Last season proved to be Hanson’s most prolific so far, as the winger hit seven goals in all competitions, including five in the WSL. The most crucial of these efforts was undoubtedly in November’s Manchester derby, when the Scotland international was on hand to net from close range and complete a thrilling comeback from 2-0 down to draw 2-2. February saw Kirsty claim her first international goal, in a Euro 2022 qualifier away to Cyprus, while she also signed a new contract at United, ensuring the popular no.18 would extend her stay until at least the summer of 2024.

The vastly experienced Ross began the campaign in fine scoring style with two goals in the first three games, opening the deadlock against Birmingham before coming off the bench to wrap up a 3-0 triumph over Brighton. With so many attackers in good form, Ross’s playing opportunities became more limited as the season went on, although she did appear in all seven of the final outings. Against Leicester, Jane scored the 213th and final United goal of Casey Stoney’s reign, with the no.19 departing the club in June upon the expiry of her contract.

Position Forward DOB 17/04/1998 National team Scotland Previous clubs Sheffield FC, Doncaster Rovers Belles

Position Forward DOB 29/09/2001 Nationality English Previous clubs Arsenal

Position Forward DOB 18/09/1989 Nationality Scottish Previous clubs Paisley Saints Ladies, Glasgow City, Vittsjo GIK, Manchester City, West Ham United

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 189

23 ALESSIA RUSSO

24 CHRISTEN PRESS

An explosive start to life with United would have left many wondering how things may have turned out differently had Russo’s involvement not been cut short so early by injury. The Kent-born England international scored on her full debut, against one of her old clubs, Brighton, and claimed three goals and two assists in her first five games before surgery on a hamstring issue brought her season to an early end. She didn’t play after October but was named on the bench for April’s home meeting with Spurs, and will hope to build on her explosive opening impact next term.

Two-time World Cup winner Press arrived with a reputation as one of the best in the business, and it didn’t take her long to make an impact, bagging her first goal in her fourth game, away to West Ham. She managed four goals across her 17 appearances, including one (also against West Ham) made very memorable by wrapping up the points in the team’s Old Trafford debut. The forward’s class was also in evidence in her final game, against Everton, when she provided an inch-perfect assist for Ella Toone – a fitting farewell from Christen before her one-year deal ended.

Position Forward DOB 08/02/1999 Nationality English Previous clubs Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion, North Carolina Tar Heels

77 TOBIN HEATH Big things were expected of USA legend Heath when she joined in September 2020, and she didn’t disappoint. November’s thunderous strike against Manchester City will live long in the memory, also helping her become the first Red to be named WSL Player of the Month. It was a tough blow to take when the tireless Heath missed the entirety of the second half of the season, having proved her importance with four goals and two assists in 11 games to help lift the Reds to top spot at Christmas. Tobin left the Reds in June as her one-year contract came to an end.

Position Forward DOB 29/12/1988 Nationality American Previous clubs Stanford Cardinal, Pali Blues, MagicJack, Kopparbergs/Goteborg, Tyreso FF, Chicago Red Stars, Kopparbergs/Goteborg, Utah Royals FC

MOVING ON...

Position Forward DOB 29/05/1988 Nationality American Previous clubs North Carolina Tar Heels, New Jersey Wildcats, Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues, Pali Blues, Atlanta Beat, Sky Blue FC, New York Fury, Paris Saint-Germain, Portland Thorns

190 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Following the numerous pre-season departures, which included forwards Mollie Green and Lizzie Arnot, as well as goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain, saying farewell to the Reds during 2020/21 was Lotta Okvist, who returned to her native Sweden with BK Hacken in January. The full-back made 10 appearances across all competitions for United after joining in the summer of 2019, including in the team’s inaugural WSL game, away to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. ‘It’s been a pleasure to play for this amazing club,’ she wrote on Instagram. ‘I have learned so much here, as a person and player.’

APPEARANCES, GOALS & ’20/21 WSL STATISTICS P

Chelsea

Manchester City

Arsenal

4 5

PLAYER

LEAGUE

FA CUP

LEAGUE CUP

TOTAL

APP

GLS

APP

GLS

APP

GLS

APP

GLS

Ona Batlle

1(1)

22(1)

Fran Bentley

0(1)

Tara Bourne

0(1)

Mary Earps

Ivana Fuso

0(5)

0(1)

0(6)

Leah Galton

15(2)

2(1)

18(3)

Jackie Groenen

18(4)

21(4)

Kirsty Hanson

11(9)

1(2)

14(11)

Martha Harris

4(3)

5(3)

Tobin Heath

7(1)

2(1)

9(2)

Lauren James

5(5)

6(5)

Pts

Carrie Jones

0(2)

0(4)

12(6)

2(1)

14(7)

2(2)

FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE FINAL TABLE Team

2020/21 APPEARANCES AND GOALS

Hayley Ladd

Abbie McManus

Lotta Okvist

1(2)

UNITED

Christen Press

12(2)

0(1)

0(2)

12(5)

Everton

Emily Ramsey

0 3

Brighton

-20

Jane Ross

3(9)

7(9)

Reading

-16

Alessia Russo

3(1)

4(1)

Tottenham Hotspur

-23

Jessica Sigsworth

6(8)

1(1)

9(9)

West Ham United

-18

Kirsty Smith

11(2)

14(2)

10 Aston Villa

-32

Lucy Staniforth

6(8)

1(1)

9(9)

Birmingham City*

-29

Maria Thorisdottir

4(2)

1(1)

5(3)

Bristol City (R)

-54

Ella Toone

21(1)

1(1)

1(2)

23(4)

Amy Turner

19(2)

22(2)

Millie Turner

Katie Zelem

16(2)

2(1)

20(3)

* Point deducted for fielding an ineligible player against Reading

FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TOP SCORERS Sam Kerr (Chelsea)

Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal)

ALL-TIME APPEARANCES/GOALS, AUGUST 2018-PRESENT Apps

Goals

Fran Kirby (Chelsea)

Chloe Kelly (Manchester City)

Millie Turner (right)

Caitlin Foord (Arsenal)

Ella Toone

Ellen White (Manchester City)

Katie Zelem

Ella Toone (Manchester United)

Amy Turner

Pernille Harder (Chelsea)

Kirsty Hanson

Caroline Weir (Manchester City)

Jessica Sigsworth

Inessa Kaagman (Brighton)

Lauren James

Jill Roord (Arsenal)

Leah Galton

Kirsty Smith

Martha Harris

Mary Earps

Tobin Heath

Hayley Ladd

Lotta Okvist

FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE TOP ASSISTS

Jackie Groenen

Maria Thorisdottir

Lizzie Arnot

Emily Ramsey

Jane Ross

Ivana Fuso

Mollie Green

Alessia Russo

Beth England (Chelsea)

Siobhan Chamberlain

Carrie Jones

Beth Mead (Arsenal)

Alex Greenwood

Naomi Hartley

Lauren Hemp (Manchester City)

Abbie McManus

Fran Bentley

Sam Kerr (Chelsea)

Ona Batlle

Rebecca May

Izzy Christiansen (Everton)

Charlie Devlin

Aurora Mikalsen

Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea)

Lucy Staniforth

Tara Bourne

Ella Toone (Manchester United)

Christen Press

Hayley Ladd (Manchester United)

Aimee Palmer

(Names in italics have left the club, as of 30.06.21)

Fran Kirby (Chelsea)

Chloe Kelly (Manchester City) Katie McCabe (Arsenal)

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 191

WOMEN’S TEAM: RESULTS & LINE-UPS, 2020/21 SEASON COMP

DATE

OPPOSITION

KICK-OFF

SCORE

STARTING LINE-UP

Chelsea (H) Birmingham City (A)

2.30pm 2pm

1-1 5-2

Earps Earps

Smith Smith

McManus McManus

M Turner M Turner

Batlle Batlle

Ladd Groenen

Brighton (H) Liverpool (A) (GS) Tottenham Hotspur (A) West Ham United (A)

12pm 2pm 12.30pm 12.30pm

3-0 1-3 1-0 4-2

Earps Ramsey Earps Earps

McManus McManus 1 McManus McManus

M Turner M Turner M Turner 1 M Turner

Groenen Ladd Ladd Groenen

Arsenal (H) Manchester City (H) Manchester City (H) (GS)

2.30pm 12.30pm 7pm

1-0 2-2 0-0

Earps Earps Ramsey

Batlle Batlle Batlle

M Turner M Turner M Turner

Galton Galton Galton

Aston Villa (A) Reading (A; att: 623) Everton (A) (GS) Bristol City (H)

12.30pm 12.30pm 7pm 12pm

2-0 2-1 0-1 6-1

Earps Earps Earps Earps

Smith Batlle Batlle Batlle

M Turner M Turner M Turner M Turner 1

Batlle Smith Okvist Smith

Chelsea (A) Birmingham City (H) Everton (A)

2.30pm 12pm 2.30pm

1-2 2-0 2-0

Earps Earps Earps

Batlle Harris Smith

M Turner M Turner M Turner

Smith Batlle Batlle

Sun 7 Fri 12

Reading (H) Manchester City (A)

12.30pm 7pm

0-2 0-3

Earps Earps

Thorisdottir Thorisdottir

A Turner A Turner

M Turner M Turner

Batlle Batlle

Sun 7 Fri 19 Sat 27

Aston Villa (H) Arsenal (A) West Ham United (H)

12pm 6.30pm 11.30am

3-0 0-2 2-0

Earps Earps Earps

Harris Harris Thorisdottir

A Turner A Turner A Turner

M Turner M Turner M Turner

Batlle Batlle Batlle

Sun 4 Sun 18 Sun 25

Brighton (A) Burnley (A) (R4) Tottenham Hotspur (H)

2pm 2pm 12.30pm

0-1 6-0 4-1

Earps Earps Earps

Harris Batlle Batlle

Thorisdottir A Turner 1 A Turner

M Turner M Turner 1 M Turner

Batlle Smith Smith

Sun 2 Sun 9 Sun 16

Bristol City (A) Everton (H) Leicester City (H) (R5)

2pm 2.30pm 12pm

1-0 x 2-0 2-3

Earps Earps Earps

Batlle Batlle Harris

A Turner A Turner Thorisdottir

M Turner M Turner M Turner

Smith Smith Smith

SEPTEMBER WSL WSL

Sun 6 Sun 13

OCTOBER WSL LC WSL WSL

Sun 4 Wed 7 Sat 10 Sun 18

NOVEMBER Sun 8 Sat 14 Thu 19

DECEMBER WSL WSL LC WSL

Sat 5 Sun 13 Wed 16 Sun 20

↓

WSL WSL LC

JANUARY WSL WSL WSL

Sun 17 Sun 24 Sun 31

FEBRUARY WSL WSL

MARCH WSL WSL WSL

APRIL WSL FA WSL

MAY WSL WSL FA

192 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

KEY:

WSL – Women’s Super League

Scorers Bold

First sub

FA – Women’s FA Cup

Penalty (underlined)

Second sub

Red card

x Own goal

Third sub

* After extra-time

Fourth sub

(United score listed first; attendance n/a unless stated)

LC – FA Continental League Cup (GS) = Group stage

↓ Won/lost on pens

Yellow card

Fifth sub

↓

Hanson Hanson 2

Toone Toone 1

Galton 1 Galton

Ross Ross 1

Groenen Ladd

James A Turner

Okvist Russo

– Okvist

– –

Hanson Russo Russo Heath 1

Toone 1 Toone Groenen Toone

Galton Heath Heath Galton

Russo 1 Ross Press Russo 2

Staniforth Hanson Toone Hanson

Heath Galton Hanson Ladd

Press Staniforth Smith Staniforth

Ross 1 Zelem Staniforth Press 1

– Press – –

Groenen Groenen Groenen

Hanson Sigsworth Hanson

Toone 1 Toone Staniforth

Heath Heath 1 James

Press Press Heath

Sigsworth Hanson 1 Press

Zelem James Toone

James Staniforth Sigsworth

Staniforth – Ladd

– – –

Heath Heath Groenen Galton 2

Toone 1 Toone Sigsworth Heath 2

Galton 1 Galton 1 Ross Sigsworth 1

James Hanson Galton Toone

Staniforth Staniforth Hanson Fuso

Ross Ross Heath Ladd

– Zelem Toone Ross

– – Fuso Harris

– – Hanson

Groenen Ladd Ladd

Hanson Toone 1 Toone 1

Galton Galton 1 Galton

Press James Press 1

James 1 Smith Sigsworth

Sigsworth Fuso Hanson

– Hanson James

– – –

Ladd Ladd

Hanson Toone

Toone Groenen

Galton Galton

Press Press

Groenen Hanson

Sigsworth Sigsworth

Fuso Fuso

– –

Toone Toone Toone

Staniforth Staniforth Staniforth

Hanson 1 James James 1

Sigsworth 1 Press Press 1

Fuso Sigsworth Ladd

Ladd Ladd Hanson

Thorisdottir – Harris

Ross – Ross

Jones

Hanson Staniforth 1 Toone 2 (1)

Toone Sigsworth Sigsworth 1

James Ross Press 1

Sigsworth Hanson 2 Hanson

Staniforth Bourne Ross

Ross Thorisdottir Galton

A Turner Press Groenen

– Bentley Jones

Jones Thorisdottir

Staniforth Staniforth Staniforth

Sigsworth Ross Hanson

Press Groenen Sigsworth 1

Hanson Press Galton

Groenen Hanson 1 Batlle

Ross Galton Toone

– Harris Jones

– Sigsworth –

– – –

Sigsworth

BACK TO CONTENTS

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 193

POTY PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Saluting the Reds who shone brightest in 2020/21, with either the fans or the players casting the votes...

or the second successive year the club’s annual awards night could not take place due to Covid-19 restrictions, but that didn’t stop Manchester United honouring the club’s star performers across the various teams. Just as he did last season, Bruno Fernandes took the big prize as he was once again named Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year. The Portuguese midfielder became just the fifth player to win the award in consecutive campaigns, after Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Cristiano Ronaldo and David De Gea. ‘Thank you to all the United fans!’ Fernandes tweeted after receiving the trophy following our final home outing, against Fulham. ‘A true honour to get my second Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award.’ Our no.18 later added: “I always said that individual trophies are really good for players. It lifts you up. You’re doing something well, you’re doing something good, doing the right things means you can do a little bit more, improve a little bit more. 194 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer presents Fernandes with the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award ahead of the Reds’ home meeting with Fulham

PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

“But at the same time, it means that the people are liking you, like the way you play, the way you are trying to help the team, the way you do things – that’s very important for me.” Fernandes was a worthy winner after being a driving force behind the

Reds’ run to the Europa League final, as well as finishing second in the Premier League. He scored 28 goals in 58 games across all competitions, with a number of standout stats highlighting his influence. Bruno achieved an incredible tally of 30

Premier League goal contributions (18 goals and 12 assists) in just 37 appearances, beating Frank Lampard’s previous record tally for a midfielder after finding the net against Liverpool in May. In European competition, Fernandes ▶

BRUNO ACHIEVED 30 PREMIER LEAGUE GOAL CONTRIBUTIONS, BEATING FRANK LAMPARD’S RECORD TALLY FOR A MIDFIELDER

WATCH! Click here to relive Bruno’s brilliant 2020/21 season

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 195

PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

registered a further nine goals and five assists, with his efforts rewarded when he was named in the Europa League Squad of the Season for the second year in a row. He picked up United’s Player of the Month prize on two occasions, and was later among the nominees for both the PFA Player of the Season and Premier League Player of the Season, honours eventually won by Manchester City pair Kevin De Bruyne and Ruben Dias respectively. Bruno was also one of two Reds named in the Premier League Team of the Season, with the other, Luke Shaw, being rewarded for a superb campaign by receiving the club’s Players’ Player of the Year award. It was the second time Shaw had been voted as the star performer by his team-mates, having also topped the polls in 2018/19, and is a fitting tribute to a campaign that has seen him go from strength to strength on the left side of the United defence. The no.23 supplied an impressive six assists and also managed a

Bruno’s beautiful whipped shot against Everton was voted our season’s best goal

memorable strike to seal a 2-0 win in the Manchester derby at the Etihad, beating keeper Ederson with a precise finish into the far corner. Shaw also earned a deserved recall to the England squad in March, setting up Harry Kane to open the scoring away to Albania in a 2-0 World Cup qualifying success, and was later named in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the delayed European Championship. “Luke has been the standout for me”, noted fellow full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka of United’s 2020/21 campaign. “He’s been positive throughout, making the most of

every game. He’s not taken his foot off the pedal.” There were more plaudits for Bruno Fernandes as he won the club’s Goal of the Season award for 2020/21, becoming the first Red since Robin van Persie in 2013 to hold both the annual Player and Goal accolades at the same time. Bruno’s winning strike, as decided by a fan vote, was his incredible effort in February’s 3-3 draw with Everton (above). Bruno also came second in the voting, with his breakaway strike at Newcastle in October. Congratulations to both Bruno and Luke for their respective awards.

Copp

Keane

“LUKE’S MADE THE MOST OF EVERY GAME. HE’S NOT TAKEN HIS FOOT OFF THE PEDAL” Shaw was proud to collect his second Players’ Player of the Year award, two years on from being – AARON WAN-BISSAKA recognised in the same manner by his team-mates 194 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

WATCH!

Shaw’s super season had many highlights – just click here!

HALL OF PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

FAME The complete roll call of Player of the Year winners, dating back to 1971/72...

Coppell, 1978

Keane, 1999

MANCHESTER UNITED SUPPORTERS’ CLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2001/02 Ruud van Nistelrooy

1971/72 Willie Morgan

2004/05 Gabriel Heinze

1972/73 Willie Morgan

2005/06 Wayne Rooney

1973/74 Jim Holton

2006/07 Cristiano Ronaldo

1974/75 Lou Macari

2007/08 Cristiano Ronaldo

1975/76 Lou Macari

2008/09 Nemanja Vidic

1976/77 Brian Greenhoff

2009/10 Wayne Rooney

1977/78 Steve Coppell

2010/11 Javier Hernandez

1978/79 Jimmy Greenhoff

2011/12 Antonio Valencia

1979/80 Joe Jordan

2012/13 Robin van Persie

1980/81 Joe Jordan

2013/14 David De Gea

1981/82 Ray Wilkins

2014/15 David De Gea

1982/83 Bryan Robson

2015/16 David De Gea

1983/84 Ray Wilkins

2016/17 Ander Herrera

1984/85 Mark Hughes

2017/18 David De Gea

2003/04 Cristiano Ronaldo

2018/19 Luke Shaw SHARP MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2019/20 Bruno Fernandes

1985/86 Paul McGrath

MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYERS’ PLAYER OF THE YEAR

1986/87 Paul McGrath

van Nistelrooy, 2002

Ronaldo, 2007

2002/03 Ruud van Nistelrooy

Morgan, 1972

2020/21 Bruno Fernandes

SIR MATT BUSBY PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2005/06 Ryan Giggs

1987/88 Brian McClair

2007/08 Cristiano Ronaldo

1988/89 Bryan Robson

2008/09 Nemanja Vidic

1989/90 Gary Pallister

2009/10 Wayne Rooney

1990/91 Mark Hughes

2010/11 Nani

1991/92 Brian McClair

2011/12 Antonio Valencia

1992/93 Paul Ince

2012/13 Michael Carrick

1993/94 Eric Cantona

2013/14 David De Gea

1994/95 Andrei Kanchelskis

2014/15 David De Gea

1995/96 Eric Cantona

2015/16 Chris Smalling

1996/97 David Beckham

2016/17 Antonio Valencia

1997/98 Ryan Giggs

2017/18 David De Gea

1998/99 Roy Keane

2018/19 Luke Shaw

1999/00 Roy Keane

2019/20 Anthony Martial

2000/01 Teddy Sheringham

2020/21 Luke Shaw

2006/07 Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 197

WOMEN’S TEAM

PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Batlle takes prize on back of stellar first season

solid first season in English football from Ona Batlle was recognised when the Spain international full-back was declared the winner of Manchester United Women’s Player of the Year award for 2020/21. Batlle arrived from Levante in the summer of 2020 and quickly became a fixture in Casey Stoney’s side, making her debut against Chelsea and starting all but one of every game between November and the end of the campaign. That gave her a final total of 22 starts across all competitions – a number beaten only by Millie Turner, Ella Toone and goalkeeper Mary Earps, as she helped the Reds to a second consecutive fourth-place finish in the Women’s Super League, narrowly missing out on European qualification. ‘Well, I have no words to describe how grateful I am for everything I experienced this year,’ she posted on social media. ‘Thanks for the support and affection, since I arrived I’ve felt at home. It’s been a very special first year, but now we have to look ahead and continue learning and improving on what we’ve done.’ Batlle then took the time to pay tribute to departing manager Stoney, adding: ‘This trophy is dedicated to Casey, as you’ve made me grow in terms of football and personally. It’s been short but it’s been a real pleasure to learn from you. I wish you all the best.’ In a later interview, she spoke further on her pride at receiving the award, stating: “I’m so glad and so grateful. I just want to say thanks to all the team, the staff and the club for making this year easier, because it’s been complicated with Covid. “I feel comfortable here and I like to be surrounded by the people who always bring out the best in me. This team wants to improve and get to the top level. We want to make the Champions League, of course. But 198 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

now it’s time to rest, and come back focused to get what we want.” Batlle, who turned 22 in June, was chosen as this year’s winner by votes from her fellow players as well as the

coaching staff, and becomes the third recipient of the award, following in the footsteps of club captain Katie Zelem and midfielder Hayley Ladd. She is also quickly becoming an important figure for Spain, making her international debut in May 2019 and helping achieve a second-place finish at the SheBelieves Cup the following February. Ona will hope to feature on familiar territory at the 2022 European Championship in England, with Old Trafford and Leigh Sports Village among the selected venues.

WATCH!

Batlle proudly poses with her trophy before the Reds’ final game of the season

Click here to see Ona look back on a strong first season

ACADEMY Hannibal and Shoretire celebrate fine campaigns H

annibal became the latest recipient of the Denzil Haroun trophy when he was named Manchester United’s Under-23s Player of the Year after an encouraging campaign that saw him make his senior debut at both club and international level. The teenage midfielder was a key figure as Neil Wood’s side finished eighth in Premier League 2, contributing four goals and eight assists as well as making 20 starts

– the latter tally bettered only by defender Will Fish. Hannibal capped off a fine year by coming on as a late substitute for Juan Mata to make his senior bow against Wolves, before winning his first cap for Tunisia in June, switching allegiance to the country of his parents’ birth after himself having been born in France. “It’s a very proud moment for me and my family,” Hannibal said after receiving the award. “I will say thank

“I WAS MORE CONSISTENT, WITH MORE GOALS AND ASSISTS THAN THE SEASON BEFORE. IT’S GOOD TO TAKE THAT STEP” – HANNIBAL

Shoretire and Hannibal show off their silver plates alongside the first-team manager

PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

you to the coaches, to my team-mates and everyone who helped me. I learned a lot. I had to be stronger. I was more consistent in the games and I had more goals and assists than the season before. It’s always good to take that step.” At Under-18 level, it was Shola Shoretire who took top honours, being crowned Jimmy Murphy Player of the Year after a similarly impressive campaign. He only turned 17 in February but still managed 10 goals in 21 games at the higher level of Premier League 2 (alongside one appearance at U18 level), in addition to playing three times for the first team, against Newcastle, Real Sociedad and Wolves. “It means a lot to me and I’m sure it means a lot to my family as well,” said the young forward. “I feel very proud and very thankful to everyone who has helped me to achieve it. “At the start of the season, it was a big step for me, going from the Under-18s to the Under-23s. But with my team-mates’ help in training and welcoming me into the team, that’s really helped me kick on.”

BACK TO CONTENTS

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 199

Looking back on a season with plenty of positives and stacks of goals for the Reds’ youth teams, as our young talents continue on the right path to the professional game...

WATCH!

Click here for goals and interviews from across the Academy

THE ACADEMY

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

Free-scoring U18s cope with the challenges as they push City for top spot

he young Reds may have been pipped to the Northern title in the U18 Premier League by just a point, but it was the circumstances the teenagers overcame to get to that position that they will likely take more from looking back on the ’20/21 campaign. The restrictions imposed by the pandemic provided a very different set of challenges to normal for the squad, which included spending an extended period away from their families, while weekly Covid testing and strict social distancing guidelines were added to their routines throughout the season.

With some Reds also having to quarantine in parts of the year, along with the usual obstacles as a result of injuries, it made the performances on the pitch even more impressive – something that lead coach Neil Ryan paid tribute to the group for. “As a coach you want to give credit to all the boys, because they’re all on a different part of their journey – their individual journey coming through the Academy,” he said. “There’s been a sliding scale of players, up and down the groups throughout the season – lots of young boys from the Under-18s stepping up to Under-23 level

Midfielder Zidane Iqbal celebrates the Reds’ opening goal in the home win against Everton in November

202 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

and playing consistently. The U18s have had a number of schoolboys training and playing throughout the season as well which we’ve been really pleased with.” Wins over Blackburn and Burnley kicked off the 2020/21 season before a narrow defeat in the first derby of the campaign. Thankfully, that loss only served to spark a nine-game unbeaten run in the league for Ryan’s Reds, a spell of form that included six four-goal hauls. Ryan was particularly pleased with the attacking prowess his side showed in that run across the final months of 2020, saying: “You hope it represents what Manchester United is all about. You want the young boys to be playing with a freedom and attacking flair. Once you create and score goals, you play true to the Manchester United DNA.” Two defeats in three games followed soon into the new year, against Burnley and Derby, but Ryan explained that the young Reds will have taken just as much from those games as the winning streak that preceded it. “Our job is to get the boys through to professional level,” he said. “Every footballer in their career is going to have disappointment, so you’re trying to develop the all-round character of the player. When we see the high-level skills and performances at times from players, it’s great to see and that’s a good reference point for where they’re at, but also how they cope with

UNDER-18s

U18 PREMIER LEAGUE NORTH TABLE Team

Lining up in the delayed 2019/20 Youth Cup semi-final in October

PTS

1 Man City

24 19 4

1 76 19

2 UNITED

24 20 0

4 79 27 60

3 Liverpool

24 17

6 75 26 52

4 Middlesbrough 24 12 3

9 48 48 39

5 Everton

11 42 42 35

6 Blackburn

24 10 3

11 37 43 33

7 Derby

24 10 3

11 43 54 33

8 Wolves

24 10 3

11 38 50 33

9 Burnley

10 Newcastle

3 14 50 57 24

11 Stoke

5 13 28 61

12 Leeds

17 30 73

13 Sunderland

2 18 35 77

4 12 34 38 28 23

U18 APPEARANCES/GOALS (ALL COMPS)

Noam Emeran takes on Liverpool in a 4-3 victory

Dillon Hoogewerf nets the Reds’ second of eight against Boro

“THE LAST GAME WAS ONE OF THE BEST WE’VE SEEN FROM THE GROUP... A NICE REFLECTION OF THE WORK THE BOYS PUT IN” – NEIL RYAN

PLAYER

APPS

Charlie Savage

23(2)

Charlie McNeill

22(1)

Martin Svidersky

20(2)

Dillon Hoogewerf

14(5)

Rhys Bennett Charlie Wellens

16(2)

Noam Emeran

15(3)

Isak Hansen

13(5)

Alejandro Garnacho

10(8)

Bjorn Hardley Iestyn Hughes Zidane Iqbal

10(4)

Marc Jurado

10(4)

Omari Forson

10(3)

Logan Pye

disappointment and adversity is vital for the players.” A 4-2 win over City in February – the Blues’ only defeat of their league campaign – came in the middle of the two aforementioned losses, with forward Charlie McNeill netting all four against his former club before following it up with the winner in a 1-0 away victory over Liverpool. Those goals were part of a run that saw the prolific United forward net in five successive matches on his way to becoming the country’s leading scorer at U18 level for the season, with 24 goals in 21 league matches. There were further setbacks to overcome in the spring however, as a 1-0 defeat in the fourth round of the

FA Youth Cup (following a 2-0 win at Salford City in the previous round) to Liverpool preceded a 3-2 loss at Newcastle that swung the league title race out of the Reds’ favour. But Ryan’s side never gave up and responded in emphatic style, scoring 21 times across four successive victories to finish the campaign, including an 8-1 win over Middlesbrough on the final day to round off the season as the team with most wins and most goals scored. “The last game was one of the best we’ve seen from the group with regards to the way we played, the concentration level, the focus, and how we wanted to play the game,” said Ryan. “It was a nice reflection of the work the boys put in.”

GOALS

Kobbie Mainoo

2(9)

Radek Vitek

Alvaro Fernandez

Johan Guadagno

Dermot Mee

Joe Hugill

Daniel Gore

3(3)

Sam Murray

1(5)

Will Fish

Louis Jackson

2(1)

Mateo Mejia

2(1)

Max Oyedele

1(1)

Sam Mather

0(2)

Hannibal

Willy Kambwala

Jack Kingdon

Shola Shoretire

Owen Dodgson

0(1)

Oliver Kilner

0(1)

Finley McAllister

0(1)

James Nolan

0(1)

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 203

UNDER-18s

2020/21 LINE-UPS

UNDER-18 PREMIER LEAGUE NORTH UNITED 2 (Hugill 29, 74) BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 (Lonsdale 88) 19 September 2020 United: Vitek; Hughes, Bennett, Hardley, Pye; Svidersky, Hansen (Hoogewerf 63), Savage; Wellens (Forson 78), Hugill, Emeran (Mejia 72) Subs not used: Fernandez, Guadagno UNITED 5 (Forson 8, 74, Fernandez 65, Hugill 89, Emeran 90+2) BURNLEY 1 (Ratchford 80) 26 September 2020 United: Guadagno; Hughes (Dodgson 80), Bennett, Hardley, Fernandez; Hansen, (Iqbal 69), Savage; Hoogewerf, Forson, Emeran; Mejia Subs not used: Mee, Pye, Gallagher-Allison MANCHESTER CITY 2 (Sodje pen 57, Borges 66) UNITED 1 (Svidersky 63) 3 October 2020 United: Mee; Hughes, Bennett, Hardley, Pye; Svidersky, Savage (Iqbal 75), Hoogewerf, Forson, Emeran; Mejia (Mainoo 16 (Garnacho 77)) Subs not used: Guadagno, Murray 204 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

UNITED 2 (Iqbal 51, Garnacho 87) EVERTON 0 7 November 2020 United: Vitek; Jurado, Bennett, Hardley, Pye; Iqbal (Svidersky 66), Savage; Wellens (Garnacho 71), Hansen, Forson; McNeill (Hoogewerf 65) Subs not used: Hughes, Mee MIDDLESBROUGH 1 (Willis 81) UNITED 4 (Hugill 3, 58, Wellens 60, Hansen 90+1) 13 November 2020 United: Guadagno; Hughes, Bennett, Hardley, Fernandez; Iqbal (Savage 66), Svidersky; Wellens (Hansen 71), Hoogewerf, Garnacho (McNeill 66); Hugill Subs not used: Vitek, Jurado STOKE CITY 0 UNITED 1 (Hoogewerf 88) 21 November 2020 United: Mee; Hughes, Bennett, Hardley, Pye; Svidersky, Savage; Wellens (Hansen 79), Iqbal (Forson 69), Emeran; McNeill (Hoogewerf 69) Subs not used: Guadagno, Jurado UNITED 4 (Hoogewerf 37, 53, 61, Savage 84) NEWCASTLE UNITED 1 (De Bolle 50) 28 November 2020 United: Guadagno; Jurado, Bennett, Hardley, Pye; Iqbal (Svidersky 62), Savage; Hoogewerf, Hansen, Garnacho (Emeran 55); McNeill (Wellens 62) Subs not used: Hughes, Vitek

UNITED 4 (Wellens 7, McNeill 42, Hugill 79, 85) LIVERPOOL 3 (Stewart 59, 73, Morton 66) 5 December 2020 United: Vitek; Hughes (Jurado 90+1), Bennett, Hardley, Pye; Hansen, Svidersky; Wellens (Garnacho 86), McNeill (Savage 77), Emeran; Hugill Subs not used: Mee, Iqbal ▶

DERBY COUNTY 0 UNITED 4 (Emeran 28, Forson 54, McNeill 61, 73) 24 October 2020 United: Mee; Hughes (Hansen 65), Kambwala, Hardley, Pye (Garnacho 74); Iqbal (Jurado 65), Svidersky; Wellens, Forson, Emeran; McNeill Subs not used: Guadagno, Savage ▶

All the team and goalscorer details from a goal-laden campaign for the United youngsters...

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 0 UNITED 1 (McNeill 62) 12 December 2020 United: Mee; Jurado, Bennett, Hardley, Hughes; Svidersky, Savage; Wellens (Hoogewerf 65), Iqbal, Emeran (Garnacho 82); McNeill (Hansen 74) Subs not used: Guadagno UNITED 4 (McNeill pen 7, 45+1, Savage 60, Iqbal 79) LEEDS UNITED 0 17 December 2020 United: Guadagno; Hughes, Bennett, Svidersky, Pye (Murray 77); Iqbal, Savage (Mainoo 83); Wellens, McNeill, Garnacho; Hugill (Emeran 68) Subs not used: Vitek BLACKBURN ROVERS 3 (Gilsenan 54, 69, 80) UNITED 4 (McNeill 1, 36, Emeran 40, Savage 88) 23 January 2021 United: Guadagno; Jurado, Bennett, Hardley, Pye; Svidersky, Savage; Wellens, Hoogewerf, Emeran; McNeill Subs not used: Murray, Vitek, Mainoo, Jackson BURNLEY 1 (Unwin 3) UNITED 0 30 January 2021 United: Vitek; Jurado (Mainoo 86), Hardley, Hughes, Pye; Savage,

UNDER-18s

UNITED 4 (McNeill 12, 19, 43, 90+1) MANCHESTER CITY 2 (Sodje 41, 48) 13 February 2021 United: Vitek; Jurado, Bennett, Hardley (Murray 46), Hughes; Svidersky, Savage; Wellens, Mainoo (Gore 64), Emeran; McNeill Subs not used: Guadagno, Mather, Oyedele UNITED 1 (McNeill 36) DERBY COUNTY 3 (Mothersille 44, Clarke 52, Aghatise 71) 27 February 2021 United: Guadagno; Hughes (McAllister 21), Jackson, Hardley, Murray; Savage, Oyedele; Mainoo (Kilner 64), Gore (Mather 78), Garnacho; McNeill Subs not used: Wooster, Kingdon LIVERPOOL 0 UNITED 1 (McNeill 35) 6 March 2021 United: Vitek; Hughes, Fish, Hardley, Fernandez; Svidersky, Savage; Hoogewerf (Gore 83), McNeill, Emeran (Garnacho 70); Hugill Subs not used: Murray, Mee, Mainoo UNITED 6 (Emeran 33, 63, McNeill 48, Garnacho 53, 65, Hoogewerf 58) SUNDERLAND 0 13 March 2021 United: Mee; Hughes, Jackson, Hardley (Murray 74), Jurado; Hansen (Mainoo 68), Savage; Garnacho, Hoogewerf, Emeran (Wellens 64); McNeill Subs not used: Guadagno, Gore ▶

EVERTON 0 UNITED 2 (Forson 18, Fish 44) 20 March 2021

United: Guadagno; Wellens, Fish, Svidersky, Jurado; Hansen, Gore (Hoogewerf 62), Savage (Mainoo 46); Emeran, McNeill, Forson Subs not used: Vitek, Murray, Norkett UNITED 6 (Garnacho 3, 39, 71, Hansen 23, Forson 37, McNeill 65) STOKE CITY 1 (Verma 30) 10 April 2021 United: Mee; Wellens, Bennett, Svidersky, Jurado (Murray 46); Hansen, Savage; Hoogewerf (Gore 70), Forson, Garnacho; McNeill Subs not used: Guadagno, Norkett, Mainoo NEWCASTLE UNITED 3 (Scott 37, Crossley 62, Huntley 89) UNITED 2 (Iqbal 75, Hoogewerf 81) 17 April 2021 United: Guadagno; Jurado, Kingdon, Bennett, Emeran (Murray 46 (Mainoo 73)); Hansen, Savage; Hoogewerf, Forson, Garnacho (Iqbal 65); McNeill Subs not used: Vitek, Gore UNITED 5 (McNeill 9, 44, Iqbal 31, 59, Hoogewerf 66) WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1 (Campbell pen 55) 24 April 2021 United: Vitek; Fernandez, Bennett, Svidersky, Savage; Iqbal (Nolan 70), Hansen; Garnacho, Hoogewerf, Forson (Mainoo 79); McNeill Subs not used: Jackson, Mee, Murray SUNDERLAND 1 (Baggs 70) UNITED 4 (McNeill 14, Fernandez 75, Hoogewerf 78, Hansen 90+3) 27 April 2021 United: Mee; Wellens (Garnacho 80), Bennett, Fish, Fernandez; Savage, Svidersky; Hoogewerf, Hansen, Forson (Iqbal 67); McNeill Subs not used: Guadagno, Jackson ▶

Svidersky; Wellens, Hoogewerf, Emeran; McNeill Subs not used: Guadagno, Murray, Jackson

LEEDS UNITED 2 (Dean 20, Snowdon 81) UNITED 4 (Hoogewerf 48, McNeill 54, 57, Wellens 89) 1 May 2021 United: Guadagno; Wellens, Bennett, Fish, Fernandez; Svidersky, Savage; Hoogewerf, Iqbal (Forson 74), Garnacho (Mainoo 82); McNeill Subs not used: Vitek, Oyedele UNITED 8 (Iqbal 12, Hoogewerf 33, 39, 47, McNeill 45, pen 66, 79, Garnacho 84) MIDDLESBROUGH 1 (Willis 52) 8 May 2021 United: Vitek; Wellens (Oyedele 58), Bennett, Svidersky, Fernandez (Jackson 71); Iqbal, Savage; Forson, Hansen (Garnacho 59), Hoogewerf; McNeill Subs not used: Mee, Murray FA YOUTH CUP (2019/20) SEMI-FINAL: CHELSEA 1 (Fiabema 49) UNITED 0 30 October 2020 United: Mastny; Bejger, Fish, Mengi, Devine (Hardley 77); McCann, Svidersky; Shoretire (Forson 86), Hannibal, Elanga; Helm (Wellens 72) Subs not used: Mee, Neville, Savage, Iqbal FA YOUTH CUP (2020/21) THIRD ROUND: SALFORD CITY 0 UNITED 2 (Gore 36, McNeill 68) 10 March 2021 United: Vitek; Hughes, Fernandez, Hardley, Savage; Svidersky (Mainoo 85), Hansen; Garnacho, Gore (Jurado 64), Emeran (Mather 90+3); McNeill Subs not used: Mee, Murray, Hoogewerf FOURTH ROUND: UNITED 0 LIVERPOOL 1 (Morton 17) 3 April 2021 United: Vitek; Hughes, Fish, Fernandez, Pye (Jurado 64); Svidersky, Savage (Hansen 71); Shoretire, McNeill (Emeran 80), Hannibal, Hugill Subs not used: Mee, Hoogewerf, Forson, Wellens Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 205

U18s ROLL CALL

2021/22 ROLL CALL Who will be representing the Reds when the new U18 campaign begins?

• Rhys Bennett

• Omari Forson

• Marc Jurado

SECOND YEARS PLAYER

Rhys Bennett Omari Forson Alejandro Garnacho Isak Hansen Joe Hugill Marc Jurado Willy Kambwala Charlie McNeill Logan Pye Shola Shoretire Radek Vitek

POSITION

DOB

PLACE OF BIRTH

DATE SIGN

POSITION

DOB

PLACE OF BIRTH

DATE SIGN

Defender Midfielder Forward Midfielder Forward Defender Defender Forward Defender Forward Goalkeeper

30.10.03 20.07.04 01.07.04 22.08.04 19.10.03 13.04.04 25.08.04 09.09.03 26.10.03 02.02.04 24.10.03

Ashton-under-Lyne Hammersmith Boadilla del Monte Tromso Durham Sabadell Kinshasa Manchester Sunderland Newcastle Vsetin

June 2020 June 2020 Sep 2020 Aug 2020 June 2020 July 2020 Oct 2020 Sep 2020 June 2020 July 2020 Jan 2020

FIRST YEARS PLAYER

Sonny Aljofree Daniel Gore Eric Hanbury Kobbie Mainoo Sam Mather Sam Murray Manni Norkett Maximillian Oyedele Tom Wooster

Defender Midfielder Goalkeeper Midfielder Midfielder Defender Forward Defender Goalkeeper

206 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

19.12.04 26.09.04 25.10.04 19.04.05 03.09.04 25.09.04 30.10.04 07.11.04 30.03.05

Plymouth Manchester The Hague Stockport Salford Manchester Nottingham Manchester Sheffield

July 2021 July 2021 July 2021 July 2021 July 2021 July 2021 July 2021 July 2021 July 2021

U18s ROLL CALL

• Kobbie Mainoo

• Logan Pye

• Alejandro Garnacho

• Radek Vitek

U18 STUDENT PLAYER

Daniel Polakowski

POSITION

DOB

PLACE OF BIRTH

DATE SIGN

POSITION

DOB

PLACE OF BIRTH

DATE SIGN

Goalkeeper

25.10.03

Lubin, Poland

July 2020

U17 STUDENTS PLAYER

Tyler Fredricson Marcus Lawrence

Defender Defender

23.02.05 24.06.05

Stockport Manchester

July 2021 July 2021

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 207

CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT

U23s pick up senior experience alongside some big Premier League 2 wins

he 2020/21 season was one rich in entertaining football from our Under-23s while it provided a great deal of experience for the young Reds going forward. It is one that lead coach Neil Wood can look back on fondly, with his side managing the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic to put together a productive campaign on the pitch. While the aim to adapt around a season like none before was prevalent, the objective of developing youngsters for first-team football remained right at the forefront, with 40 players used by Wood in total. Along with several of the club’s Academy prospects getting professional experience in the first team or out on loan, the benefit of the EFL Trophy – a tournament in which the Reds would advance from the group stage for the second consecutive season – meant that exposure to senior football was also available, with the competition enabling the players to face first-team opposition from both League One and League Two. A 6-0 win at Salford City in the EFL Trophy ensured an emphatic start to the campaign, with Wood admitting: “I think the Salford game surprised us a little bit. I thought we performed really well that night. The EFL games are always great games, we always look forward to them. We know they’re going to be really challenging, so we were really pleased with the way we performed.” 208 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

“WE KNEW WE COULD ATTACK AND REALLY IMPOSE OUR POWER AND SPEED ON GAMES” – NEIL WOOD

UNDER-23s

DIVISION ONE TABLE Team 1 Man City

Hugill hits home the first of his 10 goals for the season, against Blackburn in October

Despite such early success in the cup, a difficult start to the Premier League 2 schedule was to come in the following weeks, with back-to-back defeats to Leicester and Liverpool. With United having been promoted in the previous season, and with the departure of several more-established players, it was always going to be a testing term for Wood’s side, but they rose to the challenge and began to build momentum with high-scoring draws against Blackburn and Arsenal, before registering three victories on the spin in the league. “They bounced back well,” said Wood of that autumn period. “It gave us confidence we could compete against the teams you’d think would be challenging at the top of the division. I think the performance was the most important thing. Once we started to perform the way we knew we could, we knew we could attack and really impose our power and speed on games. It started to come together; we started to play entertaining, attacking football and it was pleasing to see.” Another promising league showing garnered a point against Manchester City in December before a heavy defeat away to Chelsea just before Christmas.“It was just one of those games that you try and forget about as soon as you can,” Wood would reflect. It meant that the young Reds had to mount a response again and so they did in the new year, scoring six goals twice in wins against Liverpool

PTS

24 17 5

2 79 30 56

2 Chelsea

24 12 6

6 50 36 42

3 Tottenham

8 45 44 38

4 Blackburn

24 10 7

7 48 41

5 Everton

24 10 6

8 44 28 36

6 Derby

7 Liverpool

24 10 5

8 UNITED

24 10 4 10 58 59 34

9 Brighton

10 Arsenal

8 10 37 43 26

11 West Ham

6 12 32 48 24

12 Leicester

4 14 41 55 22

13 Southampton 24

4 16 29 65

3 10 43 49 36 9 48 50 35 8 36 42 30

U23 APPEARANCES/GOALS (ALL COMPS)

Hannibal and the Reds were too sharp for Salford in the EFL Trophy

and Blackburn before a 3-0 victory over Arsenal – a run which highlighted the talents of January signing Amad and 17-year-old forward Shola Shoretire. Shoretire went on to win the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award, while team-mate Hannibal claimed the Denzil Haroun U23s’ prize for his impressive efforts across the season (see p197). The pair, alongside Amad, Anthony Elanga and Will Fish, would also make first-team debuts in the closing months of 2020/21 while helping Wood’s side finish the season as PL2’s second-highest scorers behind champions Manchester City, with late-season victories over Chelsea and Derby providing a boost towards that. With all those goals scored, it was a shame there were no spectators in attendance to witness them, but there is hope for a return for fans next season, just as there is with the opportunity for the young Reds to test themselves against some of the continent’s best teams once again in the UEFA Youth League.

PLAYER

APPS

GOALS

Will Fish

Hannibal

Shola Shoretire

22(1)

Mark Helm

14(9)

Alvaro Fernandez

16(5)

Joe Hugill

13(8)

Anthony Elanga

19(1)

Charlie McCann

17(3)

Ethan Galbraith

17(1)

Reece Devine Arnau Puigmal

Teden Mengi

Harvey Neville

8(2)

Ondrej Mastny

Paul Woolston

8(1)

Martin Svidersky

7(2)

0 0

Matej Kovar

Facundo Pellistri

Charlie Wellens

6(1)

Luca Ercolani

5(1)

Max Taylor

5(1)

Lukasz Bejger

3(3)

Dillon Hoogewerf

1(5)

Di’Shon Bernard

Brandon Williams

Noam Emeran Ethan Laird Connor Stanley

1(4)

2(2)

Amad

Nathan Bishop

Isak Hansen James Garner

2(1)

0 0

Dylan Levitt

Omari Forson

1(1)

Charlie McNeill

1(1)

Charlie Savage

0(2)

Logan Pye Marcos Rojo

Bjorn Hardley

0(1)

Max Haygarth

0(1)

Zidane Iqbal

0(1)

Marc Jurado

0(1)

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 209

UNDER-23s

United: Woolston; Bejger, Fish, Mengi, Fernandez; Galbraith, Hannibal, Puigmal (Helm 84); Pellistri (Hugill 84), Elanga, Shoretire Subs not used: Carney, Devine, McCann

2020/21 LINE-UPS

UNITED 0 LEICESTER CITY 2 (Reghba 59, Clark 85) 14 September 2020 United: Mastny; Ercolani, Fish, Bernard, Svidersky; Garner, Galbraith; Stanley (Shoretire 65), Hannibal, Elanga; Helm Subs not used: Carney, Neville, Taylor, McCann UNITED 3 (Elanga 36, Hannibal 79, McCann 88) LIVERPOOL 5 (Clarkson 11, Woodburn 22, Bearne 30, 45+1, Longstaff 50) 25 September 2020 United: Mastny; Bejger (Ercolani 46), Fish, Bernard, Svidersky; McCann, Wellens; Shoretire, Hannibal, Elanga; Helm (Hugill 23) Subs not used: Carney, Neville, Stanley BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 (McBride 25 pen, Lyons 59) UNITED 2 (Hugill 1, 87) 2 October 2020 United: Mastny; Neville, Fish, Bernard, Ercolani; McCann (Bejger 66), Hannibal; Wellens (Stanley 46), Hansen (Emeran 86), Elanga; Hugill Subs not used: Carney 210 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

UNITED 2 (Elanga 74, Galbraith pen 90+6) EVERTON 1 (Simms 60) 23 October 2020 United: Mastny (Woolston 70); Williams, Mengi, Fish, Rojo (Hugill 46), Fernandez; Hannibal (Helm 68), Galbraith, Pellistri, Elanga, Shoretire Subs not used: Ercolani, McCann BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 2 (Weir pen 58, 59) UNITED 5 (Hannibal 9, Shoretire 17, Helm 36, Fernandez 70, Puigmal 83) 6 November 2020 United: Woolston; Ercolani (Neville 69), Devine, Fish; Puigmal, Galbraith (McCann 86), Hannibal, Helm (Hugill 64), Fernandez; Shoretire, Elanga Subs not used: Carney, Stanley UNITED 4 (Shoretire 13, Puigmal 32, 45+3, Elanga 90+3) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2 (Etete 22, White 52) 22 November 2020

▶

PREMIER LEAGUE 2 DIVISION ONE

ARSENAL 3 (Nelson 18, Balogun 64, 70) UNITED 3 (Puigmal 3, 50, Hugill 56) 17 October 2020 United: Mastny; Ercolani, Fish, Mengi, Fernandez; Galbraith, Shoretire; Puigmal (Helm 71), Hannibal, Elanga; Hugill Subs not used: Neville, Woolston, McCann, Stanley ▶

See who wore the shirt and found the net for the U23s during the course of the campaign...

WEST HAM UNITED 2 (Fish og 33, Afolayan pen 47) UNITED 0 27 November 2020 United: Woolston; Laird (Hugill 58), Fish, Mengi, Fernandez; Puigmal, Galbraith (Helm 58), Hannibal; Pellistri (Bejger 83), Shoretire, Elanga Subs not used: Carney, McCann UNITED 3 (Elanga 39, Pellistri 46, Puigmal 90+5) SOUTHAMPTON 1 (Obafemi 52) 4 December 2020 United: Woolston; Bejger (Devine 52), Fish, Mengi, Fernandez; Helm, McCann (Hoogewerf 71), Puigmal, Pellistri; Shoretire, Elanga Subs not used: Carney, Neville, Stanley UNITED 2 (Galbraith pen 13, Pellistri 39) MANCHESTER CITY 2 (McAtee 7, Harwood-Bellis 53) 13 December 2020 United: Woolston; Laird, Fish, Devine (Fernandez 77), Williams; Galbraith, Puigmal; Pellistri (Hugill 64), Hannibal, Shoretire; Elanga Subs not used: Mastny, Helm, McCann CHELSEA 6 (Lewis 2, 68, Soonsup-Bell 3, Anjorin 34, pen 51, Brown 72) UNITED 1 (Hugill 84) 18 December 2020 United: Woolston; Puigmal, Laird, Fish, Mengi, Fernandez; Shoretire, Galbraith (Helm 69), Hannibal; Pellistri (Hugill 65), Elanga Subs not used: Mastny, Devine, McCann LEICESTER CITY 4 (Wright 1, Suengchitthawon 14, 71, Wakeling 48) UNITED 2 (Elanga 16, 45+1) 18 January 2021 United: Kovar; Neville, Fish, Mengi, Devine; Levitt, Hannibal, Galbraith; Shoretire, Hugill (McCann 72), Elanga (Helm 53) Subs not used: Mastny, Stanley

UNDER-23s

UNITED 0 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0 12 March 2021 United: Kovar; Neville, Taylor, Fish, Devine; Galbraith, Svidersky (Fernandez 65); Helm, McCann, Shoretire (Hoogewerf 64); Hugill Subs not used: Vitek, Savage

▶

BACK TO CONTENTS LIVERPOOL 3 (Morton 34, Longstaff 43, Hardy 83) UNITED 6 (Amad 14, pen 74, Hugill 24, 56, pen 65, 71) 30 January 2021 United: Kovar; Williams (McCann 68), Fish (Neville 46), Devine, Fernandez; Galbraith, Shoretire, Puigmal; Amad; Hugill (Helm 79), Hannibal Subs not used: Mastny, Stanley UNITED 6 (Hannibal 20, Shoretire 39, 73, 78, Hugill 74, Amad 85) BLACKBURN ROVERS 4 (McBride 13, pen 54, Barnes 32, Nolan 56) 5 February 2021 United: Mastny; Neville, Galbraith, Devine, Fernandez; McCann, Levitt; Amad, Shoretire, Hannibal; Hugill Subs not used: Vitek, Hardley, Helm, Stanley UNITED 3 (Neville 22, Hugill 60, Shoretire pen 89) ARSENAL 0 12 February 2021 United: Kovar; Neville, Galbraith, Devine, Fernandez; McCann, Helm; Stanley, Shoretire, Hannibal (Hardley 23); Hugill Subs not used: Mastny, Svidersky

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3 (Bowden pen 27, Lavinier 64, Etete 85) UNITED 0 19 March 2021 United: Kovar; Helm, Taylor, Fernandez, Devine (Svidersky 84); Galbraith, McCann; Hoogewerf (Emeran 65), Shoretire, Hannibal; Hugill Subs not used: Mee, Forson, Savage UNITED 2 (Helm 49, Elanga 55) WEST HAM UNITED 3 (Odubeko 59, 72, 90+3) 9 April 2021 United: Bishop; Williams (Jurado 46), Fish, Devine, Fernandez; Helm, McCann (Savage 66); Emeran (Hoogewerf 66), Shoretire, Hannibal; Elanga Subs not used: Mastny, Svidersky MANCHESTER CITY 3 (Edozie 14, Palmer 53, 77) UNITED 0 16 April 2021 United: Mastny; Wellens, Fish, Devine, Fernandez; McCann, Svidersky; Shoretire, Hannibal, Elanga; Hugill (Emeran 78) Subs not used: Mee, Jurado, Helm, Savage

EVERTON 3 (Broadhead 26, 57, 65) UNITED 1 (McCann 45+1) 22 February 2021 United: Kovar; Neville, Fish, Devine, Fernandez; Galbraith, Svidersky; Helm, Puigmal (Hoogewerf 16), McCann; Hugill (McNeill 70) Subs not used: Hughes, Mastny

UNITED 4 (Shoretire 45, 45+5, Amad 70, Helm 81) CHELSEA 2 (Peart-Harris 6, Lawrence 90+2) 23 April 2021 United: Bishop; Wellens, Fish, Devine, Williams (Fernandez 78); Helm, McCann; Shoretire (Svidersky 78), Hannibal, Amad; Elanga Subs not used: Mastny, Hoogewerf, Savage

SOUTHAMPTON 1 (Olaigbe 74) UNITED 2 (McCann 83, 85) 27 February 2021 United: Kovar; Neville (Emeran 79), Taylor, Fish, Devine, Fernandez; Svidersky, Galbraith, McCann; Hugill (Hoogewerf 64), Helm Subs not used: Mastny

DERBY COUNTY 2 (Ibrahim 4, Cresswell 31) UNITED 6 (Elanga 1, 71, Galbraith 33, Shoretire 39, 76, Forson 45+1) 3 May 2021 United: Kovar; Helm, Taylor, Fish (Fernandez 46), Devine; McCann,

Galbraith (Wellens 57), Shoretire; Forson (Iqbal 77), Hannibal, Elanga Subs not used: Mastny, McNeill UNITED 1 (Hannibal 26) DERBY COUNTY 3 (Cresswell 52, 69, Watson 60) 10 May 2021 United: Mastny; Wellens, Taylor (Fernandez 63), Fish, Devine; McCann, Helm (Savage 33); Shoretire, Hansen (Forson 63), Hannibal; McNeill Subs not used: Mee EFL TROPHY SALFORD CITY 0 UNITED 6 (Hannibal 8, Puigmal 29, Helm 46, 73, McCann 70, Elanga 74) 9 September 2020 United: Bishop; Laird (Taylor 57) Fish, Bernard, Mengi; McCann, Garner, Hannibal (Stanley 80); Puigmal (Haygarth 46), Helm, Elanga Subs not used: Mastny, Ercolani, Galbraith, Neville ROCHDALE 0 UNITED 0 (United win 5-4 on penalties) 29 September 2020 United: Mastny; Ercolani, Bernard, Fish, Pye (Hansen 69); Svidersky, McCann; Wellens, Hannibal, Elanga; Hugill Subs not used: Carney, Neville, Stanley, Emeran MORECAMBE 4 (Cooney 24, 28, Davis 34, Price 62) UNITED 0 18 November 2020 United: Woolston; Neville (Elanga 61), Fish, Mengi, Devine (Bejger 78); McCann (Helm 78), Hannibal, Puigmal; Pellistri, Hugill, Shoretire Subs not used: Carney, Fernandez, Hardley, Stanley ACCRINGTON STANLEY 3 (Burgess 8, Pritchard 67, 85) UNITED 2 (Pellistri 39, Elanga 61) 8 December 2020 United: Woolston; Fernandez, Fish, Mengi, Devine; Puigmal (Hugill 45 +1), Hannibal, Galbraith; Pellistri (Helm 78), Shoretire, Elanga Subs not used: Ercolani, Carney, McCann, Stanley, Neville Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 211

Regardless of location, fans around the world devote themselves to following United, with many of these like-minded Reds coming together to form official groups...

SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS Regardless of location, fans around the world devote themselves to following United, with many of these like-minded Reds coming together to form official groups...

MUSC SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS

rters’ clubs, including 2019/20’s

THE MUSC MAP Check out the full list of our supporters’ clubs, including 11 new additions...

Are you part of the movement? If you are interested in starting your own official supporters’ club, email musc@manutd.co.uk

⊲ NORTH AMERICA

4 6

13 8

10 14

3 17

SOUTH AMERICA ⊲

1 Canada 2 USA 3 USA – Atlanta 4 USA – Chicago 5 USA – Dallas Reds 6 USA – Denver Reds 7 USA – Los Angeles 8 USA – Memphis Reds 9 USA – New York Reds 10 USA – North Texas Reds 11 USA – Philadelphia 12 USA – Phoenix Red Devils 13 USA – Red Devils DC 14 USA – San Diego 15 USA – Seattle 16 Mexico 17 Bermuda (new in 2020/21)

AFRICA ⊲ 19 18

⊲

214 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

29 24

18 Brazil 19 Peru (new in 2020/21)

Our global supporters’ club for LGBT+ Reds: @RainbowDevils

47 27

20 Botswana (new in 2020/21) 21 Egypt 22 Ghana (new in 2020/21) 23 Kenya 24 Liberia 25 Mauritius (new in 2020/21) 26 Mauritius Red Devils (new in 2020/21) 27 Morocco 28 Rodrigues Island 29 Sierra Leone 30 South Africa 31 South Africa – Cape Town 32 Tunisia 33 Zimbabwe

SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS

ASIA

⊲

EUROPE

51 Hungarian Fanatics 52 Hungary 53 Iceland 54 Italy 55 Liechtenstein Red Devils 56 Luxembourg 57 Malta 58 Poland 59 Russia – Moscow Reds 60 Russia – Krasnodar Reds 61 Scandinavia 62 Slovenia 63 Switzerland – Swiss Devils 64 Switzerland – Suisse 65 Ukraine 66 Ukraine – Kyiv Reds

34 Austria 35 Austria Red Devils 36 Baku Reds 37 Belarus 38 Belgium – Flanders Mancunians 39 Belgium – Red Flag 40 Bulgaria 41 Croatia 42 Cyprus 43 Cyprus Fan Club 44 Finland 45 France 46 Germany 47 Gibraltar 48 Greece – Athens 49 Greece – Hellenic 50 Netherlands – Dutch Mancunians

88 India – Nagaland 89 India – Nagpur 90 India – New Delhi 91 India – Pune 92 Indonesia 93 Japan 94 Japan – Tokyo 95 Korea 96 Malaysia 97 Malaysia – My Malaysia 98 Malaysian Fan Club 99 Myanmar 100 Myanmar Glory 101 Nepal 102 Pakistan 103 Singapore 104 Taiwan 105 Thailand 106 Vietnam 107 Maldives (new in 2020/21) 108 Maldives Glory (new in 2020/21)

67 Bangladesh 68 China – Beijing 69 China – Changsha Reds 70 China – Dongguan Reds 71 China – Foshan Reds 72 China – Guangzhou 73 China – Hangzhou 74 China – Hong Kong 75 China – Shanghai 76 China – Shenzhen 77 China – Shenzhen Red Devils 78 India – Bangalore 79 India – Chennai 80 India – Delhi NCR 81 India – Goa 82 India – Goan Red Devils 83 India – Hyderabad 84 India – Kerala 85 India – Kolkata 86 India – Mizoram 87 India – Mumbai

MAKE CONTACT! To find the details for your nearest supporters’ club, visit ManUtd.com/en/ fans/supporters-clubs

50 38

39 56

63 64

59 66

55 34 35

62 41

65 51 52 60 40

54 48

36 68

93 95

42 43

114 111

110

112

109

21 117

116

80 90

102

113

101

89 87

67 86 99

⊲

83 81 82 78 79

Bahrain Iraq Israel Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates UAE – Red Maniacs

104

70 77 74

100 105

MIDDLE EAST 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119

119 118 115

106

96 97 98 103

OCEANIA ⊲

120 Australia – Brisbane 121 Australia – New South Wales 122 Australia – Perth

120 122

(Turn the page for UK and Ireland ▶) Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 215

121

SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS

UK & Ireland ENGLAND

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65

Bedfordshire Bristol, Bath & District Cheshire – Chester & North Wales Cheshire – Crewe & Nantwich Cheshire – High Peak Cheshire – Macclesfield Cheshire – Newton-le-Willows Cheshire – Stalybridge Cheshire – Warrington Cumbria – Barrow-in-Furness Cumbria – Carlisle & South West Scotland Cumbria – West Cumbria Cumbria – Westmorland Devon – Plymouth Devon – Torbay Dorset Durham & North East East Anglia East Sussex – Brighton East Sussex – Hastings East Yorkshire Gloucester & Cheltenham Hampshire Hereford Hertfordshire Isle of Man Kent – Invicta Reds Lancashire – Fleetwood Lancashire – Heywood Lancashire – Lancaster Lancashire – Middleton & District Lancashire – Royton (new in 2020/21) Lancashire – Southport Leicestershire Lincolnshire – Grimsby Lincolnshire – Lincoln London London – London Association (MULA) London – London Fan Club Norfolk – East Anglia North Devon North Yorkshire Northampton – Wellingborough Northamptonshire – Corby & Kettering Northumberland – Berwick-upon-Tweed Nottinghamshire – Mansfield Nottinghamshire – Nottingham Oxfordshire – Oxford & Banbury Shrewsbury Somerset – Bridgwater & South West Somerset – Yeovil South Yorkshire – Barnsley South Yorkshire – Doncaster & District Staffordshire – North Staffs Surrey Warwickshire – Leamington Spa Warwickshire – Rugby & Nuneaton West Midlands – Birmingham West Midlands & Hereford West Midlands – Walsall Worcestershire – Redditch Yorkshire – Bradford & Leeds Yorkshire – Featherstone Yorkshire – Keighley Yorkshire – South Elmsall

Are you part of the movement? If you are interested in starting your own official supporters’ club, email musc@manutd.co.uk

75 91 69

82 86 72 89 8870 81 80 95 79 85 71 98 84 92 76

78 96 87

102

100

101

11 17

120

112

130

129

122 133

33 121 123 107

128

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NORTHERN IRELAND Ballymoney Banbridge Bangor Carryduff Cavehill City of Derry Cookstown Craigavon Downpatrick Dungannon Fermanagh

216 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

134

21 35 36

47 60

111

124

132 127 131 110 125

66 Guernsey 67 Jersey

29 64 32 63 31 65 62 9 8 52 53 6 7 5 3 4 54 46

114 113

115

10 30 28

126 118

119

CHANNEL ISLANDS

68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78

93 83

103

40 18

24 59

1 25

117 109

108

105

106 104 2

79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98

First North Down (Bangor) Iveagh Youth (Belfast) Lagan (Belfast) Larne Limavady Lisburn Lurgan Muckamore Abbey Newry Newtownards Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (Belfast) Omagh Portadown Portaferry Portstewart Rostrevor South Belfast South Down Strabane Tower Ards

SCOTLAND

99 Ayrshire 100 Edinburgh 101 Glasgow (see 11 for South West Scotland) 102 Perth (new in 2020/21)

WALES 103 104 105 106 107 108 109

Aberystwyth Cardiff South and Vale Reds Chepstow Glamorgan & Gwent Gwynedd Pontypridd Swansea

37 38 39

55 23

51 16 14

27 20

REP. OF IRELAND 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134

Abbeyfeale Arklow/Wicklow Bundoran Carlow – Bagenalstown Reds Carlow Clare Clonmel Cork (new in 2020/21) County Longford County Roscommon Donegal Dublin Kells Kevin Moran (Dublin) Killaoe Killarney Killeshandra/Ballinagh Co Cavan Kilmallock Limerick Mayo Sligo Tralee West Limerick Westmeath/Castlepollard Wexford

66 67

SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS

GLOBAL GALLERY A selection of supporters’ club pictures from across the planet!

• South Africa

• Ukraine

• South Down, Northern Ireland

• USA

• Tralee, Ireland

• Thailand Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 217

SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS

• Pakistan

• Rostrevor, Northern Ireland

• Poland

• San Diego, USA

• Saudi Arabia 218 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

• Liechtenstein

SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS

• Rugby & Nuneaton

• Oxford & Banbury

• Perth, Scotland

• North Texas, USA

• West Limerick, Ireland

• Nepal

• Nagpur, India

• New South Wales, Australia

• Moscow, Russia Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 219

SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS

• Memphis, USA

• Malaysia

• Goa, India

• Malta

• Mexico

• Mizoram, India

220 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS

• Iceland

• Kerala, India

• Kolkata, India

• High Peak, Cheshire

• Leicestershire

• Hangzhou, China Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 221

SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS

• Dungannon, Northern Ireland

• Dutch Mancunians

• Vietnam

• Westmorland, Cumbria

• Iraq 222 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS

• East Anglia

• Fermanagh, Northern Ireland

• Maldives

• Finland

Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 223

SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS

• Cyprus

• Cyprus Fan Club

• Dallas, USA

• Delhi, India

• Ayrshire 224 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

• Washington DC, USA

SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS

• Cork, Ireland

• Clare, Ireland

• Cape Town, South Africa

• Maldives Glory

• Chepstow

• Mauritius Red Devils

• City of Derry, Northern Ireland

• Bridgwater & South West Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook 225

SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS

• Flanders Mancunians, Belgium

• Belgium – Red Flag

• Mauritius

• Belarus

• Austria

• Fleetwood

• Atlanta, USA 226 Manchester United 2020/21 Yearbook

SUPPORTING MANCHESTER UNITED

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20/08/2020 12:44 11:24 27/08/2020

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