Manchester United: 23/24 Season Review
Let's explore Manchester United's 2023/2024 season.
It was a campaign full of drama. There was a lot of controversy throughout, but it finished with glory as they beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
We will now experience some of those key reports and stories from the season.
The season started with a 1-0 win over Wolves. In this match, Raphael Varane secured the decisive goal with just 14 minutes remaining, propelling Manchester United to a somewhat lucky victory. It wasn't a great performance though and perhaps a sign of things to come.
A few weeks later, they lost 3 - 1 at home to Brighton. After this match, we spoke to Liam, a United Season Ticket holder. He said: "This is our worst start to this season since 2014-15 under Louis van Gaal and the harsh truth is it could have been even worse. Against better opposition, Wolves and Nottingham Forest's scrappy victories were exposed for what they were.
Their Champions League campaign started in chaotic fashion with a 4-3 defeat over Bayern Munich. This game saw Harry Kane score his first goal against English opposition since he moved to Germany.
Against Brentford in October, they pulled off a stunning comeback victory with Scott McTominay emerging as the hero in stoppage time. Initially, it seemed like they'd be suffering their third consecutive home league defeat for the first time since 1979, all thanks to Mathias Jensen's first-half goal.
The club came together a couple weeks later after the sad passing of Sir Bobby Charlton. Icons: Sir Bobby Charlton (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
The match after this sadness saw a dramatic Champions League night at Old Trafford. Against FC Copenhagen, Christian Eriksen delivered a superb curling cross to the far post 18 minutes from time, Harry Maguire met it perfectly. In stoppage time, United keeper Andre Onana turned Jordan Larsson's effort wide with what turned out to be the last action of the game. The victory breathed new life into a Champions League campaign that had started with successive defeats for Erik ten Hag's side.
In December, they ultimately exited the Champions League after a 1-0 defeat against Bayern Munich. Finishing with 4 points meant they didn't even drop down into the Europa League.
On Boxing Day, Rasmus Hojlund scored his first goal in the Premier League, propelling them to a spectacular comeback from a two-goal deficit against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
In March, they put up a strong fight in the Manchester Derby, but ultimately fell short as Phil Foden's brace secured victory for City. Marcus Rashford's impressive strike had given United the lead for 48 minutes, withstanding City's constant pressure. However, Foden equalised just before the hour mark with a stunning goal, before scoring again late in the game, followed by a goal from Erling Haaland in injury time.
Not longer after that though came one of the highlights of their season. They secured their spot in the FA Cup semi-final after a dramatic 4-3 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford. After a crazy 120 minutes in the match, it looked like penalties were on the cards, but then, out of nowhere, substitute Amad and Garnacho combined to snatch the win in the dying seconds. Old Trafford erupted for the fourth time and United fans went home happy.
After this, inconsistency remained for the club. There was a chaotic defeat against Chelsea in the Premier League and then very nearly lost against Coventry City in the FA Cup despite 3-0 up. They ultimately progressed after winning on penalties.
After that Coventry match, Darren told us: "We got away with that one. Despite being in charge of the match, it always felt like we had a collapse in us. That being said, we still have something to play for this season now. Onwards and upwards, I suppose."
Another low point in the season could have also been something of a turning point. A 4-0 defeat against Crystal Palace saw United outclassed against South London opponents but defiance in the stands from United fans.
It all ended on a high
Their FA Cup final win was forged through an impressive first-half performance that saw goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo. Garnacho capitalised on a mix-up between City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega and defender Josko Gvardiol, leaving him with an open goal to score half an hour in. Nine minutes later, Mainoo capped off a sweeping move with a composed finish following a delicate touch from Bruno Fernandes.
Kobbie Mainoo’s goal recorded from the stands, UNBELIEVABLE.😍🔴pic.twitter.com/I3H51zBRdC
— 𝗧𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗴’𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘀 ✍🏼🇳🇱 (@TenHagBall_) May 26, 2024
City inevitably ramped up the pressure in the second half, with Erling Haaland hitting the post, United keeper Andre Onana making a superb save from Kyle Walker, and Julian Alvarez missing a golden opportunity.
City substitute Jeremy Doku pulled one back with four minutes remaining, but Ten Hag's side held firm to secure a famous victory and clinch their 13th FA Cup, their first since 2016.
