10 lessons learned from Manchester United most used players in 2023/24

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Manchester United have had a difficult season so far with the squad stretched by injuries. A look at the most used players in the Premier League 2023/24 is quite eye opening.

Per WhoScored, the Manchester United players with the most minutes this season are as followed, and there is lots to take away.

• Andre Onana: 1,080
• Bruno Fernandes: 1,080
• Marcus Rashford: 937
• Diogo Dalot: 924
• Victor Lindelof: 766
• Rasmus Hojlund: 651
• Casemiro: 650
• Christian Eriksen: 606
• Scott McTominay: 518
• Antony: 492

Andre Onana an ever-present

Goalkeeper Andre Onana has played ever single minute of every competition this season. That will change when he heads to the African Cup of Nations in January.

Altay Bayindir is the back-up, although has not yet been trusted to start. Erik ten Hag wants to give Onana time to adapt to English football, and the goalkeeper is showing real signs of improvement in recent weeks.

Bruno Fernandes consistently used

Erik ten Hag has been reliant on Bruno Fernandes in the Premier League, and to some extent, this explains Mason Mount’s struggle for minutes.

While the manager initially tried to play both together, he has been more reluctant to do so in recent weeks, with Paul Scholes theorising the team’s balance is upset when they play together.

Marcus Rashford trying and not succeeding

Marcus Rashford is the team’s most frequently used attacker, despite a lack of goals. He has only netted once this season, which came back in early September.

Rashford retains Ten Hag’s faith, with the manager trying to play him through his slump in form. But it has not worked out successfully so far.

Diogo Dalot has been needed

Unsurprisingly Diogo Dalot has been Manchester United’s most used full-back. This is in part because at times, he has been the only one who was fit. United have even had to use Sofyan Amrabat at left-back.

Dalot has played on the right, and left, and at times his form has been mixed, which could be connected to his lack of a break.

Victor Lindelof is the most used centre-back

This one is a little surprising and speaks to Manchester United’s injury issues. Victor Lindelof has played more Premier League minutes than any other centre-back at the club.

The Swede was a defender who began the season as third choice, and his role in the team is still undefined. Even with Lisandro Martinez injured and Raphael Varane‘s selection uncertain, Lindelof is still not a nailed-on starter.

Rasmus Hojlund has been leaned on

New signing Rasmus Hojlund missed the first month of the season before quickly establishing himself as Manchester United’s first-choice striker. He is a key part of the team, but goals have not come his way in the Premier League.

Erik ten Hag has persisted, mainly due to a lack of credible alternatives. Anthony Martial has been of little use, and more striker options are required to take the pressure off the Dane.

Casemiro pushed to breaking point

Casemiro going down with an injury is not surprising. The Brazilian was played relentlessly for club and country last season, after a busy campaign for Real Madrid, and saw little break this time around either.

When he did play, he was overworked due to United’s dysfunctional and unbalanced midfield. It has been a testing season for the Brazilian.

Christian Eriksen used regularly

Christian Eriksen has played in 11 of 12 Premier League games this season, six times as a starter. We had expected him to get less match time due to Mason Mount’s arrival, but instead, the Dane has played more minutes than the £55 million summer signing.

Scott McTominay’s revival

It had looked in the summer as though Scott McTominay was heading towards a possible exit. But instead he has featured regularly, working his way back into the team in recent weeks.

The Scotland international’s revival points to United’s injury issues, with Erik ten Hag needing to go back to basics, recalling a player who did not appear to be in his plans.

Antony has failed to take his chances

It’s quite remarkable that Antony missed a month of action and has still played more minutes than any player on Manchester United’s right wing. What is depressing is that he has not managed to do anything with those opportunities.

The Brazilian has a total of no goals and no assists, failing to repay Erik ten Hag’s faith. He has dropped to the bench for the last couple of fixtures.