Where do you even start with a Man United season review these days? How do you review something ruled by chaos? What is a good season for Man Utd in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era? Does anyone even know any more?
(There’s nothing more effective than writing about Man United in bringing out an existential crisis in a blog writer…)
Erik ten Hag was tasked with building on a pretty decent season in 2022-23 – although I imagine that short sentence in itself will have many Manchester United fans questioning my ability to pass judgement. But Champions League qualification was what the club needed, and he’d got it. Plus a trophy. There were plenty of signs of promise.
So we wanted to chronicle his efforts over the course of the season, for you to make up your own mind whether it was good enough or not. And whether he did enough to earn another crack at it in 2024-25. Then, at the end of this piece, we will let you know how you can secure Manchester United hospitality tickets for the new season, so you can be there in person to see for yourself whether he is doing enough. Let’s get on with it.
Pre-Season preparation
A bit of a clear out was in order. Ten hag streamlined his squad, getting rid of more than 30 players over the course of the season – names like Phil Jones, Fred, David de Gea, Eric Bailly and Alex Telles were all asked to find new clubs. Many of these players had been at the club for a long time, but there was no room for sentiment.
Big money was spent on improving the first team – André Onana was brought in to play in goal (a player ten Hag knew well), Gareth Southgate’s favourite player Mason Mount was brought in to bring goals and creativity in midfield, while Rasmus Højlund came into the side to score goals. Young, hungry players, bringing energy and enthusiasm. That’s where the focus was in recruitment. (And Jonny Evans came in too).
After a pre-season tour of America, and a few other friendlies closer to home, they were ready for the start of the Premier League season…
August
Results
Premier League
14 August 2023 Wolverhampton Wanderers H 1–0 W
19 August 2023 Tottenham Hotspur A 2-0 L
26 August 2023 Nottingham Forest H 3–2 W
The season kicked off with a home game against Wolves. Raphaël Varane put United 1-0 up with a quarter of an hour to go, which proved to be enough to win the match. Some have suggested that United were fortunate to hold on for a win, when Onana was adjudged not to have fouled a Wolves player in the box late on. Still, three points, and a good start.
That was quickly undermined with a 2-0 defeat away at Spurs. The performance wasn’t good enough, and Man Utd were outclassed in truth. But they bounced back at home to Forest, recovering from an awful start, going 2-0 down in the first five minutes, only to come back and win 3-2. Six points from three games is a respectable start.
September
Results
Premier League
3 September 2023 Arsenal A 3–1 L
16 September 2023 Brighton & Hove Albion H 1–3 L
23 September 2023 Burnley A 1–0 W
30 September 2023 Crystal Palace H 0–1 L
League Cup
26 September 2023 Third round Crystal Palace H 3–0 W
Champions League
20 September 2023 Bayern Munich A 4–3 L
The second month of the season brought about the first major wobble. Simply put – it just wasn’t good enough. A tight match away at Arsenal was settled very late on, with United conceding two goals in injury time to add insult to injury, having had a Alejandro Garnacho goal disallowed following a VAR check. United had done enough to get a point, but couldn’t hold on. It got worse from there.
Manchester United suffered their first home defeat for over a year when they faced Brighton at Old Trafford Stadium – they weren’t outplayed, but they were outscored. Goals conceded were becoming increasingly concerning, and many fingers were being pointed at Andre Onana, but in truth it was the defensive unit as a whole, with far too much space for opposing players in the box. Onana pulled off a few great saves to keep United in the game.
The Champions League campaign with an epic encounter away to Bayern – United on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller, both scoring and conceding in injury time.
A battling win over Burnley brought some much-needed relief, and this was followed by a convincing win over Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup. But this build up of hope was extinguished a few days later when United suffered their second home defeat, against the team they had just brushed aside in the Cup. Palace turned up to Old Trafford with a plan, and it worked. United had more of the ball, and more chances, but Palace were more clinical. The unrest amongst the United faithful was beginning to make itself known…
October
Results
Premier League
7 October 2023 Brentford H 2–1 W
21 October 2023 Sheffield United A 1–2 W
29 October 2023 Manchester City H 0–3 L
Champion League
3 October 2023 Galatasaray H 2–3 L
24 October 2023 Copenhagen H 1–0 W
The Galatasaray match didn’t help things. Former player Wilfried Zaha came back to haunt United, and back-to-back defeats was far from the ideal start in the competition.
Manchester United knew that they needed to bounce back with a win against Brentford, and they did… Just. The Bees took the lead in the first half, and held onto it, past 90 minutes. Scott McTominay, who had only been brought on on 87 minutes, then scored an incredible double to win the game for United. Could this be ten Hag’s Mark Robins moment…?
They followed it up with a decent win against strugglers Sheffield United, plus a win away at Copenhagen, but then suffered a humbling defeat in the Manchester Derby against City. The gulf in class was a stark reminder of how much work was still needed.
November
Results
Premier League
4 November 2023 Fulham A 0–1 W
11 November 2023 Luton Town H 1–0 W
26 November 2023 Everton A 0–3 W
League Cup
1 November 2023 Fourth round Newcastle United H 0–3 L
Champions League
8 November 2023 Copenhagen A 4–3 L
29 November 2023 Galatasaray A 3–3 D
United’s defence of the Carabao Cup ended against the team they had beaten in the previous year’s final. A second consecutive 3-0 home defeat, followed by a really disappointing defeat in Champions League away to Copenhagen, again rekindled the discontent… But, and this theme would continue throughout the season – just when you think manager Erik ten Hag was about to have to scrap for his job, he turned it all around. Three wins in the Premier League, and everything looked alright again. United surged up the table, and the late Bruno Fernandes winner at Fulham, plus an incredible overhead kick from Garnacho against Everton would have brought joy to every United fan. They were back!
But then a draw away to Galatasaray all but sealed their fate in the Champions League – they would finish bottom of a group that they should have got out of.
December
Results
Premier League
2 December 2023 Newcastle United A 1–0 L
6 December 2023 Chelsea H 2–1 W
9 December 2023 Bournemouth H 0–3 L
17 December 2023 Liverpool A 0–0 D
23 December 2023 West Ham United A 2–0 L
26 December 2023 Aston Villa H 3–2 W
30 December 2023 Nottingham Forest A 2–1 L
Champ. League
12 December 2023 Bayern Munich H 1-0 L
A mammoth month in December epitomised the inconsistency that United would embody for the entire season. Disappointing result, followed by impressive result, followed by disappointing result and repeat. A win at home to Chelsea and a draw (unbelievably the first of the season) away at Liverpool was either side of a humiliating home defeat to Bournemouth. Defeats to West Ham and Nottingham Forest were either side of a win against high-flying Aston Villa, having been 2-0 down at half time.
A defeat to Bayern confirmed that United would finish bottom of the group – no Europa League consolation prize this year.
It was all over the place – not so bad that ten Hag needed to fear for his job (any more than usual), but at the same time, no momentum for fans to really get behind. It wasn’t one thing or the other.
January
Results
Premier League
14 January 2024 Tottenham Hotspur H 2–2 D
FA Cup
8 January 2024 Third round Wigan Athletic A 2–0 W
28 January 2024 Fourth round Newport County A 4–2 W
January presented the side with time to regroup. A pulsating 2-2 draw with Spurs was the only Premier League game, and the FA Cup draw was kind – two away draws, but at places where you would expect United to win. And they did, without too many problems. Could this provide them a platform on which they could build…?
February
Results
Premier League
1 February 2024 Wolverhampton Wanderers A 3–4 W
4 February 2024 West Ham United H 3–0 W
11 February 2024 Aston Villa A 1–2 W
18 February 2024 Luton Town A 1–2 W
24 February 2024 Fulham H 1–2 L
FA Cup
28 February 2024 Fifth round Nottingham Forest A 0-1 W
The best month of the season. A sensational win away at Wolves, courtesy of a last minute wonder-goal from Kobbie Mainoo, set the standard. That was followed by a comfortable home win against West Ham (there hadn’t been enough of them), and then a gritty 2-1 win against Aston Villa, who were starting to buckle under the pressure of a top four race. United were in sixth, and had them in their sights.
An away win against Luton Town, with two early goals from Højlund (four in three now for him) was the fourth win on the trot – they were the form team of the league. And then a home defeat to Fulham brought them back down to earth.
A great month did finish on a high, though, with a late, late winner in the FA Cup away to Forest. Into the quarter-finals…
March
Results
Premier League
3 March 2024 Man City A 3-1 L
9 March 2024 Everton H 2–0 W
30 March 2024 Brentford A 1–1 D
FA Cup
17 March 2024 Quarter-finals Liverpool H 4–3 W
One of each in the league in March. A defeat against Man City, who were made to work hard for it following a stunning early strike from Marcus Rashford, was disappointing if not unexpected. That was followed by a routine win against Everton, courtesy of two penalties, and then a late Mason Mount goal looked like it would win the match, only for Brentford to score an even later equaliser.
By then, though, United were riding high thanks to a fantastic victory in a brilliant match in the cup. United took the lead, Liverpool scored two just before half time to go in at the break 2-1 up. Then a late equaliser from Antony took it to extra time. Harvey Elliot put Liverpool ahead, before United fought back with an equaliser, and then a winner in injury time of extra time. It was a sensational game.
April
Results
Premier League
4 April 2024 Chelsea A 4–3 L
7 April 2024 Liverpool H 2–2 D
13 April 2024 Bournemouth A 2–2 D
24 April 2024 Sheffield United H 4–2 W
27 April 2024 Burnley H 1–1 D
FA Cup
21 April 2024 Semi-finals Coventry City N 3–3 (a.e.t.)(4–2 p)
The push for the top four fizzled out in April. It all started with an insane match at Stamford Bridge. United went 2-0 down early on, but with twenty minutes to go found themselves 3-2 up. It stayed like that until the TENTH minute of injury time, when Cole Palmer equalised for Chelsea. And then, a minute later, he scored again to win it. The fact that it was one of the matches of the season will be no consolation to ten Hag’s men.
That was followed by a respectable draw away to Liverpool, and a ‘meh’ draw away to Bournemouth. A win against relegation certainties Sheffield United was more stressful than it should have been (which was fast becoming a club motto), before a disappointing draw at home to a poor Burnley side. In short, it wasn’t good enough.
However, in the background, the cup run was keeping the season alive. The semi final against Coventry was ‘more stressful than it should have been’ – three nil up and cruising, there is no way that match should have gone to extra time, and penalties, but all that matters is that they won. Through to another final at Wembley.
May
Results
Premier League
6 May 2024 Crystal Palace A 4–0 L
12 May 2024 Arsenal H 1–0 L
15 May 2024 Newcastle United H 3–2 W
19 May 2024 Brighton & Hove Albion A 0-2 W
FA Cup
25 May 2024 Final Man City N 2–1 W
I think it’s fair to say that the Premier League was not the priority in May. A humiliating defeat away at Palace meant that United dropped to 8th in the table, and that’s where they would stay. Wins against Newcastle and Brighton put a bit of shine on a campaign that flattered to deceive. It could have been better. It should have been better.
None of that mattered on the 25th of May, though. A derby Cup Final against Man City, who were hoping, and expected, to complete a double. But it didn’t go that way. A masterful performance from ten Hag and his team gave United the win, and how fitting that the goals were scored by two of their young stars – Garnacho and Mainoo. Suddenly there was hope – a platform to build on. Victory was deserved, and another trophy for ten Hag.
Manchester United Season Review In Brief
I don’t know what to say here. It was a season of promise and disappointment, excitement and pragmatism, hope for the future and despair for the present. I’m envious of anyone who can say, with any confidence, whether it was a success or not. Finishing 8th isn’t good enough. Winning the cup and qualifying for the Europa League is decent. The football played wasn’t always exciting, but there were some incredible matches.
It seems that United will stick with Erik ten Hag, and that seems fair. He’s done enough – just about. Another season of transition won’t be tolerated, especially with the emergence of teams like Newcastle United and Aston Villa, the battle for those top four spots has never been tougher. But that’s what’s expected at a club like United. And if you fail to get it, you pay for it with your job.
One thing is for sure though – the Manchester United 2024-25 season will be fascinating.
Manchester United hospitality tickets
For guaranteed seats at Old Trafford next season, hospitality packages are the way to go. Not only will you get your seat, but you’ll get to experience some first class hospitality for a day out you’ll remember. The club offer a range of packages, you can opt for an off site package located in the city, or you can opt for one of our packages, all within the stadium, including:
The Champions Club
Here you’ll get VIP, padded seats in the middle tier, near the halfway line, as well as a drinks reception, a three course meal and a complementary bar (beer, house wine and soft drinks). You may get to meet a Man United legend, as well as a discount at the club shop and a complimentary match programme.
500 Club
A great fan experience – padded seats for the match, and a great, spacious bar (away from the huge queues!), both before and after the match. A simple meal, a programme and fast-track entrance to the stadium. Here you’ll be mingling with plenty of other fans as the pre-match anticipation builds.
If you are interested in these, or any other, hospitality packages at Old Trafford – get in touch with us today, and our dedicated team will be on hand to help you plan your perfect matchday. Watch the Red Devils in person, with the ultimate VIP experience.
