The 2025–26 campaign for Manchester United unfolded in two distinct stretches. A difficult end to 2024–25 left the club with a long list of issues to address, after six defeats and five points from the final nine matches, a worst league finish in 51 years and no European football. Expectations were modest at kick-off.

Ruben Amorim began the season with clear signs of progress. An opening-day defeat to Arsenal was decided by a controversial set-piece, but by mid-December United had matched the Gunners for goals scored, 30 in 16 matches, with only Manchester City having a higher total across the division. A run of 10 games that included just one loss suggested momentum, yet the side still looked disjointed at times. Amorim left suddenly after a 1–1 draw with Leeds on Jan. 4, the conclusion of a run with one win in five and three draws. That solitary victory came against Newcastle when Amorim abandoned his preferred 3-4-2-1.

After a short caretaker spell from Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick’s appointment proved decisive. Carrick simplified instructions and reset the team’s approach. The immediate response was four straight wins, then a draw and two more victories that took United into the top three by the start of March. Carrick finished the season having managed 17 games, winning 12 and collecting 39 points, more than any other Premier League side in the same period. Champions League qualification was secured with a victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford with three matches to spare. A two-year contract agreed in the days before the final game means Carrick will begin next season in charge.

Individually Bruno Fernandes enjoyed a landmark year. He was Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year for a record-breaking fifth time, United’s Players’ Player of the Year for the second season running, FWA Footballer of the Year, Premier League Player of the Season and set a new all-time Premier League record for assists in a single season. He created 136 chances across the campaign compared with 78 for the next player. “I genuinely love the club,” he said in December.

Other notable developments included the signing and rapid impact of Senne Lammens on the recommendation of Tony Coton, the emergence of Patrick Dorgu as a left-sided attacker in Carrick’s first games, a remarkable availability turnaround for Luke Shaw who started all 38 Premier League matches, and Kobbie Mainoo’s return from a freeze-out to become a key starter and sign a new contract in April. United finished third in the Premier League and exited the FA Cup at the Third Round.

Bruno Fernandes’s 21st Premier League assist, recorded from a first-half corner in Manchester United’s final league game, has become the focus of a narrow but persistent dispute.

Fernandes later admitted: “Jonny believed more than me in that set piece we prepared for Patrick because I was not so sure he would be able to score with his head,” and the delivery found Dorgu, who did get his head on the ball. Replays showed the header strike the underside of the crossbar before the ball bounced against the outstretched glove of Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen. Manchester United finished the match 3–0.

That sequence prompted debate because Opta’s in-house guidance is clear: “In the event of an own goal … an assist will not be awarded.” Several outlets contacted the Premier League seeking clarification on whether the sequence should be classified as an own goal for the goalkeeper and therefore deny Fernandes the landmark assist that surpasses the previous joint record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

The Premier League response was brief. “It was determined a Dorgu goal yesterday,” a spokesperson first told football.london. “Initially by Opta, then no change from the Goal Accreditation Panel.” The panel, previously known as The Dubious Goals Committee, is described by the Premier League as a mysterious trio which “usually consists of a representative of the PGMOL and two football experts,” and it upheld the decision to credit Dorgu with the goal.

Dorgu’s effort came off the crossbar and struck Verbruggen’s wrist almost immediately, leaving limited scope to determine whether the ball would have crossed the line without the goalkeeper’s intervention. The Premier League elected to stand by the accredited scorer and the assist allocation.

Fernandes marked the milestone respectfully. “It was already special being in their [Henry and De Bruyne] company,” he said, and later shared a social video showing their shirts alongside his with the caption: “Inspired by those who set the standard.” There was no animosity from those he surpassed. Steven Bartlett contacted the Arsenal legend before interviewing him for his podcast and published Henry’s warm appraisal. “Please send my regards to him!” the retired World Cup winner wrote. “I love him! Braino Fernandes!”

A season that divided spectators nonetheless produced clear individual standouts. “Most of the games I see in the Premier League are not, for me, a joy to watch,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted back in March, but within that contested landscape a handful of performers emerged with compelling cases for special recognition.

Between the posts, the familiar excellence of David Raya stood out. It is not normal to keep a clean sheet in more than half of your Premier League appearances and it certainly isn’t standard to win three consecutive Golden Gloves. It is increasingly normal for Raya to be the champions’ bravest passer and a defensive cornerstone.

Brentford’s Michael Kayode became a modern curiosity and a creative force. The fullback’s gender reveal in February — hurling a throw-in into an empty goal at the Gtech Community Stadium that prompted pink flares — captured his commitment to the long throw. “People think that you can play in the Premier League just because you have a good throw-in?” the Italy U21 international scoffed. “That’s crazy!” Kayode, a nominee for Best Young Player, completed the fourth-most dribbles in the division, ranking above Rayan Cherki, Bukayo Saka and Florian Wirtz, and helped drive the over-performing Bees upfield.

William Saliba approached defending with efficient precision, while Gabriel’s aggressive conception of beauty produced a consistently dominant campaign. “I think beautiful football is not only a beautiful pass,” the Brazilian theorized, “but also when you defend, the way you defend.”

Versatility shone at Manchester City through Nico O’Reilly, who spent most of the season at left back, offered ballast in Rodri’s absence and even operated as a box-crashing No. 8. “He has been a surprise,” Guardiola admitted, “even for me.”

Dominik Szoboszlai answered his own challenge: “I need to improve in a lot of things.” He did, dominating matches with a blend of power and finesse even as Liverpool colleagues did not match his trajectory.

At Manchester United, Casemiro rediscovered form, supplying defensive coverage and nine Premier League goals — a tally Ryan Giggs never matched for Manchester United after turning 22. Arsenal’s Declan Rice remained the team’s dependable linchpin after Arteta warned the squad their tilt would be a “roller coaster.” “There’s going to be ups, downs, so much talk,” the midfielder reflected. “The good thing with Declan is he’s so consistent, so reliable,” Arteta acknowledged.

Finally, Antoine Semenyo produced a standout season: after carrying Bournemouth’s frontline for six months he moved to Manchester City and, since his debut in January, no City player has matched his seven non-penalty Premier League goals.