Grading every Manchester United player during the club’s Europa League winning 2016/17 campaign

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After a summer of heavy spending last summer, Jose Mourinho was expected to work wonders at Old Trafford in his debut season in 2016/17. Whilst that wasn’t quite the case, a treble of sorts is still an impressive end product from the Portuguese manager.

Titles in the Community Shield, EFL Cup and Europa League have secured a return to the Champions League next season after a woeful Premier League campaign saw them finish sixth despite going unbeaten for over 20 games in a row, with far too many of them draws to mount a serious top four challenge.

With a huge squad and plenty of fixtures to handle, Mourinho rotated and had a number of important players, but how did they rate across the season?

Here are how The Boot Room’s player ratings:

David de Gea – 7

It has been an unremarkable campaign for the Spaniard as he kept goal in a disappointing Premier League campaign and a frustrating FA Cup campaign. His success came in the EFL Cup where he earned a winners medal, but a player of his immense quality will feel disappointed that he spent the end of the season watching from the stands as the likes of Joel Pereira and Sergio Romero saw the season out and won the Europa League.

Sergio Romero – 7 

Romero showed that he is one of the best reserve goalkeepers in the world with his displays this season and played a vital role in seeing Manchester United through the Europa League in order to win the title in Stockholm. His displays will have caught the eye of some clubs who may want to offer regular first team football.

Antonio Valencia – 9 

One of the best performers of the season, Valencia offered a credible and reliable option at right-back with his consistent displays. Offering some brilliant crossing when on the attack, Valencia has shown himself to be a solid defender too, not threatened by pace or trickery of wingers, and is rapidly becoming an influential player at United.

Chris Smalling – 6

It’s been a rollercoaster of a season for Chris Smalling. Given the captain’s armband and seemingly first choice at times early on in the season, a toe injury saw him drop out of the side and Jose Mourinho appeared to criticise his form late on. Strong in the air and with the ball at his feet, his lack of anticipation could be the difference between being good enough for the Red Devils and not.

Phil Jones – 5

Supposedly at risk of being sold in the summer, Jones hasn’t made much an impression. Only given opportunities when injuries and suspensions meant that there were few other options, he filled in the gap without showing any real sign of quality.

Eric Bailly – 8 

Still raw at such a young age, Bailly was one of the best signings of the summer transfer window. His knee injury was a real blow for the Red Devils but he was first choice for most of the time that he was available this season and looks set to retain that role next season as one of few defenders who Mourinho trusts.

Daley Blind – 7

Not quite first choice in any position, Blind seemed to be the first reserve anywhere across the back four. His flexibility helped to endear him to Jose Mourinho but he may not be content to fulfill such a role in the long term with more additions likely to be incoming this summer.

Marcos Rojo – 7

The Argentinean suffered a serious knee injury towards the end of the season after appearing to establish himself as first choice for a period, but he can be content with his contribution up to that point. In and out of the side, he regularly performed well and was never exploited as he was last season.

Matteo Darmian – 6

Surprised many with his confident and adept performances at left-back after replacing Luke Shaw as first choice in the position. Improved defensively and has shown signs of the quality that many expected when he was signed last summer. Could still become an important option for the future.

Luke Shaw – 2

This season could not have gone any worse for Luke Shaw. Dropped in October and only having made one Premier League start since then, it seems almost certain that he will be sold this summer after a series of public fall-outs with Jose Mourinho amid an injury disrupted season.

Ander Herrera – 10

Far and away United’s best player this season, Ander Herrera has been a revelation. Dominating the midfield battle in almost every game he played, he broke up play with his strength and tackling and consistently had the vision to launch attacks from deep. It’s hard to imagine how he could have performed any better this season.

Paul Pogba – 7

Expectations were huge after making the £89 million move to return to Old Trafford this summer, and it’s fair to say that Pogba didn’t quite match them. That said, he did improve as the season went on, and if you ignore the transfer fee then he would have had a decent season. With his debut campaign behind him, United fans will focus that he can continue his recent form with less pressure next season.

Michael Carrick – 8

Given his age and the fact that every game is clearly taking a greater toll on his legs, Carrick has really shown his quality this season. Early on in the season he helped Paul Pogba to settle in as his defensive awareness allowed the Frenchman more freedom to roam forwards whilst he played a deep quarter-back role.

Ashley Young – 6

Widely expected to leave the club last summer and again in January, Young offered a reliable option for United, often as a wing back or full back. His work ethic was vital and he looked comfortable with the added defensive responsibilities which saw him selected for a number of big games.

Marouane Fellaini – 7

The Belgian was even surprisingly given the captain’s armband at some stages this season as he cemented himself as one of Jose Mourinho’s midfield enforcers, reflecting his importance to the side. Still not the prettiest or most attractive on the eye, United fans have grown to accept his style.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 7

His debut season in the Premier League was certainly one of two halves, with his disastrous start almost forgotten after a sensational second half to the campaign. Whilst he was inconsistent at times, he ended the season as equal second top goalscorer with his Europa League final effort, despite spending the first few months of the campaign exiled to the training ground to build fitness.

Jesse Lingard – 6

Some expected Lingard to be one of those to fall victim of Jose Mourinho, but that hasn’t been the case. Important cup final goals have furthered his cause, but the England international has frustrated fans with his inconsistent displays which have not been enough to earn a prolonged spell in the team.

Juan Mata – 8

There were question marks surrounding Mata’s future when Mourinho was appointed last summer, but the Spaniard has become a key part of his plans and has scored a number of important goals for his side when others have failed to produce the goods.

Anthony Martial – 4

The Frenchman went from a key man and one to watch for the future under Louis Van Gaal to a player whose future was in doubt under Jose Mourinho. Not trusted by the former Real Madrid and Inter Milan boss, Martial has found his opportunities limited and has failed to show his quality on the occasions when he has been given a chance.

Marcus Rashford – 7

Rashford has done the complete opposite of Martial, showing the manager why he deserved regular football with his hard work and dedication and has continued his development with 11 goals this season. He may have hoped for more minutes in a central role, particularly early on in the season, but it has been a good season for the England international.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 9

The 35-year-old defied all his critics when he arrived at the start of the season, with his 26 goals enough to make him the club’s top scorer and prove himself in England, despite his age. A serious knee injury seemed to be all that prevented him from making it 30 goals for the season and he became central to United’s attacking play.

Wayne Rooney – 3

His final season at Old Trafford? Having been frozen out since September, Rooney has found himself restricted to a role as a reserve option within the squad and will undoubtedly be disappointed to see over a decade of service in Manchester come to an end with such a damp squib of a season on a personal level.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Ai Kagou.