A look back at everything that happened in Manchester United’s 2020/21 season.
The 2020/21 campaign is the closest Manchester United have come to the Premier League title since last lifting it under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.
Under the tenure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United showed signs of improvement and salvaged their European campaign with a strong run in the Europa League.
- Manager: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (2nd full season)
The start of the season was delayed due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning the opening match against Crystal Palace was pushed back until September 19th.
Season outcome and top scorer
- Premier League position: 2nd
- Points total: 74
- FA Cup: Quarter-finals
- Carabao Cup: Semi-finals
- Champions League: Group stage
- Europa League: Runners-up
- Trophies: 0
Bruno Fernandes finished as United’s top goalscorer with 28 goals across all competitions, he also topped United’s Premier League figures with 18. He finished third in the league scoring charts, only behind Mohamed Salah and Golden Boot winner Harry Kane.
- Top scorer: Bruno Fernandes (28)
Fernandes also finished joint-second in the assists chart after registering 12 in the Premier League – only two behind Kane.
Signings
- Donny van de Beek
- Amad Diallo
- Alex Telles
- Facundo Pellistri
- Edinson Cavani
READ: Comparing Manchester United’s first and last line-ups in 2020/21
Memorable matches
Manchester United 6-2 Leeds United
Scott McTominay scored the earliest double in Premier League history as Manchester United ruined Leeds United’s return to the top flight for the first time in 16 years.
Bruno Fernandes also bagged a brace against United’s bitter rivals, while Dan James (who is now on the books at Leeds) also etched his name on the scoresheet.
Manchester United 5-0 RB Leipzig
Marcus Rashford scored his first and only hat-trick for United after coming off the bench to face RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
In a 15-minute frenzy, Rashford found the back of the net three times against the German side managed by United-linked Julian Nagelsmann.
Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood were also on the scoresheet.
Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool
United knocked arch-rivals Liverpool out of the FA Cup in the fourth round after a brilliant showdown at Old Trafford.
Fernandes scored a stunning free-kick to send United through to the next round. The Portuguese maestro came off the bench to have the final say following goals from Greenwood and Rashford.
Manchester United 9-0 Southampton
Solskjaer’s United matched the biggest ever winning margin in the Premier League by hammering Southampton at Old Trafford in February 2021.
Remarkably, there were eight different scorers on the day, with only Martial bagging a brace in the huge victory.
Manchester City 0-2 Manchester United
Fernandes and Luke Shaw scored at the Etihad Stadium to extend Solskjaer’s brilliant record over rivals Manchester City.
City were on a remarkable run of 21 consecutive victories, but it was brought to a sudden halt by United on their own turf.
The victory extended United’s run of going 22 matches unbeaten away from home.
What else happened in 2020/21
Solskjaer’s free-scoring United were brilliant to watch in 2020/21, but unfortunately, they fell just short of winning silverware.
United lost 11-10 to Villarreal on penalties after drawing 1-1 after 120 minutes. Rashford went on a passionate rant after the defeat in the final.
In other news, United confirmed their participation in the planned Uefa Super League in 2021. The plans resulted in huge backlash from supporters and the club withdrew just two days later.
READ MORE: Manchester United’s eight best moments of the 2020/21 season
Rashford scored United’s 10,000th goal in club history against Brighton towards the start of the campaign.
In the same match against Brighton, Fernandes scored a penalty after the full-time whistle, when VAR had awarded a spot-kick just as players were heading down the tunnel.
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