2018/19 Manchester United season, final position, top scorer, memorable matches

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Looking back at everything you need to know from the 2018/19 Manchester United season.

The 2018/19 season marked the end of the Jose Mourinho era and the beginning of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign as manager.

United missed out on the Champions League places following a tumultuous and ultimately disappointing campaign, heavily impacted by a mid-season managerial change.

• Manager(s): Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Following a poor run of results during the first few months of the season, including a 3-1 defeat against Liverpool, Mourinho was sacked on December 18, 2018.

This led to the appointment of Solskjaer in a caretaker capacity before winning his first eight games in charge. An overall record of 14 wins and two draws in 19 games led to getting the job permanently.

United had some memorable nights in Europe, but were knocked out of the Champions League in the quarter-final stages. Domestically, United reached the FA Cup quarter-finals after being eliminated in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

It was United’s first consecutive trophyless season in 30 years.

Season outcome and top scorer

• Premier League position: 6^th
• Points total: 66
• FA Cup: Quarter-finals
• Carabao Cup: Third round
• Champions League: Quarter-finals
• Trophies: 0

Paul Pogba finished the season as United’s top scorer with 16. The French midfielder scored 13 goals in the Premier League that season.

• Top scorer: Paul Pogba – 16

Signings

• Fred
• Diogo Dalot
• Lee Grant

Memorable matches

There were multiple memorable matches throughout the season, despite United’s low finish and failed attempts to win a trophy.

PSG 1-3 Manchester United

This is undoubtedly the highlight of the 2018/19 season, and a high point of Solskjaer’s career as a manager.

After losing the first leg 2-0 at Old Trafford, United faced an uphill task to progress from their Champions League Round of 16 clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

A United squad full of injuries travelled to Paris and pulled off a historic comeback as Romelu Lukaku scored a brace to put the Red Devils 2-1 up on the night.

In the 94^th minute, VAR awarded United a penalty before it was converted by Marcus Rashford to complete an incredible comeback win.

Manchester United 3-2 Newcastle

This felt like the great escape with Mourinho under intense pressure to keep his job. United were 2-0 down after 10 minutes before goals from Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, and Alexis Sanchez secured three points.

Cardiff City 1-5 Manchester United

Solskjaer returned to Cardiff City, where he experienced management in the Premier League for the first time, for his very first game in charge after replacing Mourinho.

United scored five goals in one match for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Jesse Lingard scored a brace and was joined on the scoresheet by Rashford, Ander Herrera and Martial.

Chelsea 0-2 Manchester United

United issued the perfect response to their first defeat under Solskjaer by beating Chelsea to qualify for the FA Cup quarter-finals. Herrera converted Pogba’s cross in the 31^st minute, while the French midfielder doubled the advantage with a diving header.

Manchester United 3-2 Southampton

A late winner from Lukaku secured United’s 10^th win in 12 Premier League games under Solskjaer, who was still managing in a caretaker capacity. Southampton took a surprise lead through Yan Valery with a shot from 25 yards, but United turned the game on its head with two goals in six minutes after the break.

A long-range strike from Andreas Pereira levelled the scoring before Lukaku made it 2-1. However, more drama would follow as James Ward-Prowse hit the back of the net with a free-kick.

The winner was scored in the 88^th minute when Lukaku completed his brace.

What else happened in 2018/19

The season fizzled out after Solskjaer was rewarded a permanent contract. That saw United lose ground in the race for a top-four finish.

Lukaku, Rashford, Martial and Lingard all reached 100 Premier League appearances during the season. United defender Chris Smalling reached 200 Premier League appearances.

Meanwhile, Mata scored his 50^th goal in the Premier League.