Looking back at everything you need to know from the 2015/16 Manchester United season.
The 2015/16 season marked Louis van Gaal’s second and final campaign as Manchester United manager.
It was an underwhelming season in terms of Premier League results, but United still managed to lift a trophy in May.
- Manager: Louis van Gaal
The Red Devils missed out on a Champions League qualification spot to Man City on goal difference, with United recording their lowest tally of goals in the league since 1989/90.
Moreover, United were eliminated in the Champions League group stages after finishing third behind VfL Wolfsburg and PSV Eindhoven.
The highlight of the season came when United beat Crystal Palace to win the FA Cup, but it wasn’t enough to save Van Gaal from getting sacked.
United also reached the League Cup fourth round after losing to Middlesbrough on penalties.
Season outcome and top scorer
- Premier League position: 6th
- Points total: 66
- FA Cup: Winners
- League Cup: Fourth round
- Champions League: Group stage
- Europa League: Round of 16
- Trophies: 1
Anthony Martial finished the season as United’s top scorer with 18. The French striker scored 11 goals in the Premier League that season.
- Top scorer: Anthony Martial – 18
Signings
- Anthony Martial
- Morgan Schneiderlin
- Memphis Depay
- Matteo Darmian
- Bastian Schweinsteiger
- Sergio Romero
Memorable matches
Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United (A.E.T)
Although it was Van Gaal’s final game as United manager, a win over Crystal Palace secured a 12th FA Cup in the club’s history.
Crystal Palace took the lead late in the second half thanks to a Jason Puncheon goal in the 78th minute, but that prompted an equaliser from Juan Mata just three minutes later.
United were reduced to 10 men in extra time when Chris Smalling was sent off for a second bookable offence, but Jesse Lingard scored the winner with a spectacular volley just five minutes after the dismissal.
It was the only trophy Van Gaal won during his time at United.
Manchester United 2-1 Everton
To reach the FA Cup Final, Manchester United overcame Everton in a dramatic semi-final at Wembley.
It was a 90 minutes that had everything. Marouane Fellaini had given United the lead against his former club in the first half.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah gave away a penalty in the second half, but David de Gea pulled off an impressive rare penalty save against future teammate Romelu Lukaku.
Everton did equalise via a Chris Smalling own goal and the tie looked to be going to extra-time.
But there was just about time for Anthony Martial to break through and score a late winner, sparking dramatic scenes among the travelling United fans.
Manchester United 5-1 Midtjylland
United’s European campaign was disappointing because United got knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages before landing in the Europa League.
In the round of 32, United took on Danish side Midtjylland, but the second leg was significant as it marked the debut and immediate impact of Rashford.
Martial pulled out of the warm-up with an injury as Van Gaal put faith in an 18-year-old with Rashford named in the starting line-up.
The Red Devils overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit to win 6-3 on aggregate as Rashford scored a brace to become United’s youngest-ever goalscorer in European competition to break a record previously set by George Best.
Other United players on the scoresheet included: Ander Herrera and Memphis Depay.
Manchester United 3-2 Arsenal
Just three days on from graduating from United’s academy, Rashford found himself back in the starting line-up to face an Arsenal side that was challenging for the title.
The 18-year-old scored another impressive brace in the first half to mark his first appearance in the Premier League. It was a chaotic affair that will also be remembered for Van Gaal throwing himself to the ground on the touchline.
United’s third and winning goal came from Herrera.
Manchester United 3-1 Liverpool
Remembered for being Martial’s debut following a mega-money move from AS Monaco, this was up there with the best Premier League ties of the season.
United opened the scoring when Daley Blind curled home a clever free-kick from the edge of the box before Herrera made it 2-0 from the penalty spot.
Christian Benteke pulled one back for Liverpool with a bicycle kick, but any hope of a comeback was crushed in the 86th minute when Martial announced himself with a stunning solo goal.
What else happened in 2015/16?
Rumours began almost immediately after the FA Cup triumph that Van Gaal would be sacked, but he was officially dismissed only days later. The Dutchman departed Old Trafford two years into a three-year contract.
Several youngsters graduated from the academy, such as Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Donald Love and James Weir.
Meanwhile, United’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa in April led to their relegation from the Premier League after 28 consecutive campaigns in the top flight.
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