Midfielders
Kobbie Mainoo [Standout Perfomer] – 9.5/10
Kobbie Mainoo. The next big thing may well have been unearthed during the 23/24 pre-season.
Mainoo impressed in the three games he featured in against Leeds, Lyon and Arsenal.
Coincidently, United won and kept a clean sheet in all three.
It all ended somberly for him and United fans when he was set to battle it out against some of the best midfielders in the world against Real Madrid.
Mainoo got injured in the first 5 minutes and is now ruled out for up to 2 months.
His press resistance, calmness on the ball, progressive passing and carrying from the number 6 position were a sight to behold and United fans will hope to see him again as soon as possible in the 23/24 season.
Hannibal Mejbri (8/10) Daniel Gore (7/10) and Isak Hansen-Aarøen (6.5/10)
United’s trio of young midfielders all performed to a good standard.
Hannibal Mejbri’s display against Wrexham was particularly impressive. He was the main creative source of the side, having 82 touches in the game. He also got a player sent off against Bilbao with his tenacity out of possession.
Dan Gore also displayed some real quality in his appearances. He controlled the game against Wrexham through his press resistance, agility on the ball and good range of passing. His assist for Donny van de Beek against Lyon particularly was a highlight.
Hansen-Aarøen played 180 minutes in total and had some bright moments, also getting an assist for Noam Emeran’s goal vs Leeds.
Casemiro (5/10)
The 5 times Champions League winner didn’t have the best of pre-seasons.
Yes, he scored a good goal to give United the lead vs RC Lens but overall he hasn’t quite been up to the pace yet.
His passing under pressure has been patchy, giving away the ball frequently.
Out of possession, the Brazilian was robust as ever.
Let’s hope he starts the season stronger than he was in pre-season.
Mason Mount (7/10)
United’s new number 7 gets a solid 7 as his score.
His out-of-possession work really impressed me in his first games for the club, often dispossessing opposition players high up the pitch and starting dangerous attacks in the process.
That tenacity was a breath of fresh air compared to what we got used to from Christian Eriksen last campaign.
On the ball, the £55 million man was consistent, albeit not flashy, with some strong progressive carries from deep.
Overall, there were good signs from Mason Mount and fans will be hoping that he’s a success in the coming season.
Christian Eriksen (6.5/10)
As mentioned already, we saw the same strengths and weaknesses that we’ve become accustomed to from the Dane.
His passing was ever so creative and progressive, playing some lovely diagonals to United’s wingers from midfield.
On the downside, he once again struggled out of possession and it was evident that he hasn’t quite got up to speed with the intensity of the games.
Bruno Fernandes (8.5/10)
Not a lot more can be said about the Portuguese magnifico apart from the fact he’s getting better and better every time you watch him.
Fernandes certainly seems United’s most important player considering his ironman availability and how hard his creativity is to replace.
He was magnificent this pre-season.
Donny van de Beek (7.5/10)
I’m happy for Van de Beek.
He performed really well in this pre-season and seems to be nearing a move away to Real Sociedad.
He was unlucky to get a long-term injury last season and has constantly struggled for game time at United.
Hopefully, he can revive his career if he is to move to the Spanish side.
