Manchester United 2017/18 Premier League season review

Manchester United finished the 2017/18 Premier League season as runners-up.

Read on for our review of their campaign, complete with the views of Soccer Saturday pundit Charlie Nicholas.

Finishing position: 2nd (+4)
Total points: 81 (+12)
FA Cup: Finalists
Carabao Cup: Quarter-finals
Champions League: Last 16
Top scorer: Romelu Lukaku (16)

Manchester United started the season brightly, winning six of their first seven Premier League games, but keeping pace with City soon became impossible. Defeats to Huddersfield and Chelsea set them back, and Jose Mourinho conceded their title hopes were "probably over" after they were beaten 2-1 by Pep Guardiola's side at Old Trafford in December.

United's form remained patchy in the second half of the season, with Mourinho's tactics and team selections proving divisive among fans and pundits alike. The manager was forced to defend his side's cautious approach on more than one occasion.

For all the criticism, though, the numbers do at least point to progress. United jumped four places in the table from the previous season, claiming more points, scoring more goals and conceding fewer. Lifting the FA Cup next weekend would allow them to finish the season on a high, but it will be down to Mourinho to continue the progress next season.

Best day of 2017/18

The 3-2 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium allowed them to get one over on their rivals and avoid the nightmare scenario of watching them clinch the title against them.

Worst day of 2017/18

The 2-1 defeat to Sevilla in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie, when United were made to pay for their conservative approach.

CHARLIE NICHOLAS' VERDICT

Managerial review

Jose Mourinho is not even close to manager of the season and if they do not win the FA Cup he's under major pressure because of his history of being a serial winner.

He never looks comfortable as United manager and, with a relatively bland team, he's probably got six to 12 months to prove himself because he's not really improved the way this team play.

I'm starting to think the Mourinho factor is losing its impact and if he's not getting results in an entertainment industry then he's under pressure.

Player of the year

I know David De Gea got it from the club but I hate to give it to goalkeepers unless they've been unbelievable for a lesser team. Yes, he's the best goalkeeper in the world, but I would actually give it to Jesse Lingard because he scores goals and brings entertainment to an otherwise bland team. He's now a certainty to start in the World Cup for me.

2018/19 prospects

I don't see them as favourites for the title next season. They're part of the top six but there's so much other sides will do. I see City as big favourites, Liverpool second favourites if they get a goalkeeper, then United as third favourites ahead of Tottenham, who could lose a few key players or their manager.

Credit: Skysports.com