How did Man United do this season? 2021/22 FPL review
With the Premier League season over, it’s time to assess each of the 20 teams one by one. So here is Man United’s FPL review of 2021/22.
Another trophy-less year at Old Trafford. In fact, the season has been so bad that it’s very easy to forget that they somehow finished second in the previous campaign.
It began with optimism, having signed the highly-rated Jadon Sancho and brought a club legend, Cristiano Ronaldo, back to the Premier League in their attempt to close the 12-point gap on Man City. Bruno Fernandes bagged an opening day hat-trick, whilst youngster Mason Greenwood scored in the first three outings.
Instead – one caretaker and one interim manager later – they ended up 35 points behind.
FPL review
Standards have slightly dropped from Fernandes’ wonderful first season-and-a-half in Manchester. Having said that, ending with ten goals is decent. Perhaps he could blame his team mates – only Trent Alexander-Arnold created more chances than Fernandes, yet 19 players provided more assists.
Additionally, Man United’s defence repeatedly ranks in the lower half of the table for a variety of underlying stats. Only four sides kept fewer clean sheets and Ralf Rangnick’s side conceded more goals than relegated Burnley.
Best FPL asset
Some may be surprised to see Cristiano Ronaldo finish as the game’s second-best forward, with the 37-year-old seemingly left out of FPL discussions for a while. He arrived in Gameweek 4 with a brace against Newcastle United, the first of six double-digit hauls.
Goals came at a steady rate until missing the Gameweek 22 trip to Aston Villa. After that, Ronaldo scored once in seven matches, before alternating between non-appearances and hat-tricks.
Harry Kane and Mo Salah are the only players to shoot more often and Ronaldo comes second for shots inside the box. A commendable effort, considering what he was surrounded with.
An honourable mention to goalkeeper David De Gea. His 127 saves were the third-most throughout the league.
Biggest FPL disappointment
Unfortunately, it has to be Marcus Rashford. Whilst Sancho had an underwhelming campaign, he could be excused because it was his first Premier League season. But Rashford’s form has nosedived to a concerning level. He looks a completely different player and, having been named in 28 matchday squads, Rashford only started 13 times and scored four goals.
Seven Paul Pogba assists arrived right at the beginning, including four in Gameweek 1. He ended up playing less than 40% of league minutes and will depart over the summer.
Looking ahead to next season
Man United will be one of the summer’s most fascinating clubs. The new manager Erik ten Hag is already here and was present at Selhurst Park for their final day defeat at Crystal Palace. What will his revolution look like?
Expect Donny van de Beek to get a second chance, whilst his new ideas could reinvigorate stagnating talents like Rashford and Harry Maguire. Players will come, players will go. Ronaldo looks set to stay.
In terms of FPL, expect many starting prices to be lower than before, with only youngster Anthony Elanga likely getting a rise.
Check out our other season reviews, as well as regular summer round-ups of FPL news and gossip.
