Manchester United 2020 review: From finishing 3rd to heartbreak in Europe

In five days, Manchester United manr Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will celebrate his two-year anniversary as Red Devils boss. fallen Premier League giants have shown glimpses of ir potential and have at times delivered on ir promises under rwegian in what has been a topsy turvy but fairly intriguing spell so far. With 2020 drawing to a close in a matter of weeks, here is our Man United 2020 recap. 

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Man United 2020 review: How Solskjaer's Red Devils fared over past 12 months 

fall of 2019

When Manchester United kicked off new year, y were in dire straits. Solskjaer's side lacked fluidity with his men languishing behind ir rivals in race for a Champions League spot. Star midfielder Paul Pogba was out injured, while Red Devils laboured relentlessly - towards mediocrity. first game of new year saw Man United fall against Mikel Arteta's Arsenal and questions were raised on Solskjaer's future at club. However, as Red Devils weared through maelstrom, Marcus Rashford injured his back and was ruled out for a significant part of season. It certainly seemed end of ro for Solskaer and ar dark tunnel for Man United to recover from. Enter Bru Fernandes. 

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Best of 2020: arrival of Bru Fernandes and Red Devils' resurgence 

arrival of Bru Fernandes signified Manchester United's return to form and reinforced desire for a top-four finish. Portuguese international ded that much-needed spark in centre of park as Red Devils rallied around him to string a good run of results including 2-0 win against Manchester City in local derby. lockdown did t slow Man United down as y started Project Restart in fine style. With Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford returning from ir respective injuries, Solskjaer's side huffed and puffed before eventually sealing a third-placed finish, which h seemed unthinkable at an earlier point of time. Champions League qualification was achieved, which h financial and sporting benefits for Red Devils, giving Solskjaer a much-needed breathing and a platform to finish what he started. 

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Bru Fernandes in Man United colours since joining January

• Games: 40
• Goals: 23
• Assists: 14

Europa League heartbreak, FA Cup semi-final defeat 

While Manchester United were back up and running, Solskjaer's side still h a long way to go before sealing silverware. Red Devils were blown away by Chelsea in FA Cup semi-final, while a month later y endured a similar heartbreak in Germany when Sevilla kcked m out of Europa League semi-final. defeats came after Manchester United h earlier lost Carabo Cup semi-final to rivals Man City over two legs despite best of efforts from Marcus Rashford.  Although reaching three semi-finals underlines progress me under Solskjaer, three losses also show unpredictability and lack of big game mentality from players. 

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A summer transfer window to forget 

It is teworthy that summer transfer window for Manchester United will be kwn more for ir inability to sign Jon Sancho than for five signings y me during that period. Dortmund star was earmarked as Solskajer's .1 priority, but shoddy decision making and a laid back approach from Man United board saw Sancho slip out of ir hands and stay put at Dortmund for ar season. Red Devils only completed signing of Donny van de Beek before deline day, with Edinson Cavani and Alex Telles, along with youngsters Facundo Pellistri and Am Diallo following suit. lack of proper planning in summer meant that Man United started season behind ir rivals, who used opportunity to strengn ir squs for a gruelling season. 

A taste of Champions League before Europa League returns

Manchester United's season so far has been a seesaw battle between ir form in different competitions. Red Devils started Premier League season on worst possible te, losing at home to Crystal Palace, and later endured a humiliating 6-1 defeat at hands of Tottenham. However, on greener side of scenario, Solskjaer's side registered ar famous win over Paris Saint-Germain before dismantling RB Leipzig at home. However, tide seems to have turned slightly in ir favour and Red Devils are currently on a five-match unbeaten run in Premier League. y did crash out of Champions League, though. A horrendous defeat in Turkey followed by PSG capitulation at home meant that Man United needed a point from ir game against RB Leipzig, but eventually fell short and returned to Europa League. 

What next for Solskajer and his Man United side? 

At time of writing this, Manchester United are set to face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in Premier League. A win will see Red Devils go within five points of table-toppers Liverpool, with a game in hand. And while a title challenge is a gift too early to expect from Solskjaer and his young squ, season remains unpredictable still,  and any side with a good string of results can nick trophy. While achieving results in Premier League is paramount, Red Devils need some silverware, with club last winning a trophy in 2017, when y lifted Europa League.  It has been a year of mixed results for Man United, as club continues its restoration procedure in an effort to get back among elites across Europe. Wher or t Solskjaer is man to take m to promised land, will remain a persistent question for a long while. 

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Man United record so far 

• Matches: 109
• Wins: 61
• Draws: 21
• Losses: 27
• Win Percent: 55.05%

(Im Courtesy: Man United Instagram)