Five reasons to be proud of this Manchester United team

Manchester United’s domestic season has now concluded with the team finishing third in the Premier League.

This was about as strong as we could have aimed for at the start of the season, considering the moderate net spend last summer and lack of investment in midfield.

Lets not forget how terribly we ended last season. Turning that around was no easy task.

So while United are a long way from being title winners, we should still be proud of this team.

Here is a look at five reasons to feel good about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team…

Leicester City v Manchester United - Premier League — Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images

Everybody wrote them off

There were times this season where nobody would have given United a shot of finishing in the top four.

Back in October we languished in the bottom half of the table, while after the Burnley defeat in January we were well adrift.

This United side showed real mental strength to fight back, to shut out the noise, and not be distracted in moments of potential crisis.

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Credit must go to the coaching staff for keeping their focus and transmitting this through to the players.

Finishing third feels like an achievement considering where we had been throughout the season, and it feels deserved.

Faith in youth

What makes this better for United is the way results have been achieved with such a young squad.

Nemanja Matic is the only regular in the side over 30, and in United’s starting XI against Leicester, there were two academy kids who have established themselves as important players this season, Mason Greenwood and Brandon Williams.

Solskjaer deserves credit for creating a pathway for them, and for putting such faith in players like Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, who should all have their best years ahead of them.

Looking at the quality coming through the club’s academy, there are more talented players likely to burst through over the next few seasons.

Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images

Coaches are improving players

One of the reasons supporters are happy with the job Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his coaching staff, is that we can see the improvements they are adding to the players’ games.

Fred has stepped up as an important player this season, while Luke Shaw has shown real signs of progress.

Anthony Martial is the shining light, having switched back to a central striker role, he is flourishing and his performances have got better as the season has gone on.

This ability to improve players can act as an extra reason for new additions to want to sign for the club.

Strong record vs top sides

United know that the reason for our low points tally is down to ourselves, rather than other clubs being outright superior.

We have beaten City home and away in the league this season, likewise Chelsea, and also been one of only a few teams to take points off Liverpool.

Leicester, Wolves and Tottenham all failed to beat us this season, with United winning four and drawing two of these six games.

Our problem has been against the ‘smaller’ teams, and added squad depth we are seeking to sign this summer should help address this.

Photo by CLIVE BRUNSKILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Creating opportunity for future success

One of the reasons to feel proud of this team is that it feels like we are just getting started.

United have created the platform now for a new era of success, and the challenge is to step up and fight for our title.

Now we are back in the Champions League, it will become easier to attract star name players.

This squad has fought hard to secure a top four place, and now we expect the board to really push and make the squad stronger.

United have become a side which are hard to beat, with an unbeaten Premier League run of 14 matches. The foundations for success are here.

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