2023–24 Manchester United F C season

Source From Wikipedia English.

The 2023–24 season was the 137th in the history of Manchester United, their 32nd season in the Premier League and their 49th consecutive season in the top flight of English football. The club participated in the Premier League, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup and the UEFA Champions League. The season is notable for being United's worst ever Premier League finish, and it was the first season in PL history in which United ended with a negative goal difference.

Manchester United
2023–24 season
OwnerManchester United plc (72.3%)
Ineos (27.7% from 24 December 2023)
Co-chairmenJoel and Avram Glazer
ManagerErik ten Hag
StadiumOld Trafford
Premier League8th
FA CupFinal
EFL CupFourth round
UEFA Champions LeagueGroup stage
Top goalscorerLeague:
Rasmus Højlund
Bruno Fernandes (10)

All:
Rasmus Højlund (16)
Highest home attendance73,612 (v. West Ham United,
4 February 2024)
Lowest home attendance73,358 (v. Wolverhampton Wanderers,
14 August 2023)
Average home league attendance73,531

It is the first season since 2010–11 without goalkeeper David de Gea and defender Phil Jones, who left the club when their contracts expired. With the departures of De Gea and Jones, United were initially without a Premier League winner in their squad for the first time since the competition's inaugural season in 1992–93, as well as without a player who played under Alex Ferguson for the first time since 1985; however, the re-signing of Jonny Evans, who won three Premier League titles with the club between 2006 and 2015, meant that was no longer the case.

Pre-season and friendlies

On 27 March 2023, United announced a tour of the United States, with friendly matches against Wrexham – who are co-owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and who also had former United goalkeeper Ben Foster in their squad – in San Diego, and Borussia Dortmund in Las Vegas. On 12 May, the club announced their third and fourth pre-season friendlies in the US against fierce rivals Arsenal in New York City, and in Houston against Real Madrid, which will be played one day after Wrexham game. A fifth friendly, the first based in the UK, against Lyon in Edinburgh was also added to the pre-season calendar. On 25 May, the club announced a friendly against Roses rivals and EFL Championship club Leeds United in Oslo. A seventh match, against Athletic Bilbao in Dublin, was announced on 13 June. On 29 June, the club announced a home friendly against French club Lens, to be played the day before the match against Athletic Bilbao.

United won their first match of pre-season against Leeds 2–0, thanks to second-half goals from substitutes Noam Emeran and Joe Hugill, while Donny van de Beek's goal against Lyon gave them their second win in Edinburgh. In the first game of the United States tour, first-half goals from newly appointed captain Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho gave United a 2–0 win over Arsenal; they also won the post-match exhibition penalty shoot-out 5–3. With their match against Real Madrid scheduled for Houston the next day, United fielded a team made up largely of under-21 players against Wrexham on 25 July. They went 2–0 down in the first half, though Marc Jurado pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time; however, Dan Gore was sent off early in the second half and a third Wrexham goal completed a 3–1 defeat for United. They then suffered a second loss in as many days when goals from Jude Bellingham and Joselu gave Real Madrid a 2–0 win in Houston; newly signed goalkeeper André Onana made his debut in the game, playing the full 90 minutes. Manchester United's tour of the United States ended with a 3–2 defeat against Borussia Dortmund at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on 31 July. Diogo Dalot put United ahead in the 24th minute, but Donyell Malen scored twice in two minutes just before half-time to give Dortmund the lead. Antony levelled the scores before Youssoufa Moukoko secured the win for the Germans.

The Reds returned to winning ways with a 3–1 comeback win over Lens at Old Trafford. Florian Sotoca put the visitors ahead after chipping Onana from the edge of the centre circle in the first half, before Marcus Rashford, Antony and Casemiro scored in the second period to turn the game around for United. The following day, a second string United side drew 1–1 with Athletic Bilbao in Dublin. The La Liga team scored first through Nico Williams, but an added time equaliser from Facundo Pellistri meant that United ended their pre-season campaign with a draw.

Date Opponents H / A Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance
12 July 2023 Leeds United N 2–0 Emeran 67', Hugill 81' 21,021
19 July 2023 Lyon N 1–0 Van de Beek 49' 48,484
22 July 2023 Arsenal N 2–0 Fernandes 30', Sancho 37' 82,262
25 July 2023 Wrexham N 1–3 Jurado 45+6' 34,248
26 July 2023 Real Madrid N 0–2 67,801
30 July 2023 Borussia Dortmund N 2–3 Dalot 24', Antony 52' 50,857
5 August 2023 Lens H 3–1 Rashford 49', Antony 53', Casemiro 59' 70,000
6 August 2023 Athletic Bilbao N 1–1 Pellistri 90+3' 50,238

Premier League

The 2023–24 Premier League fixtures were released on 15 June 2023.

The league season began with a home win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 14 August. After a scoreless first half, Raphaël Varane scored the game's only goal with a 76th-minute header. Named in the starting line-up, Mason Mount and André Onana made their debuts for United. Five days later, United suffered an away defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. Pape Matar Sarr opened the scoring for the home side in the 49th minute, and an own goal from Lisandro Martínez doubled their lead seven minutes from the end. United then hosted Nottingham Forest the following weekend, coming into the match on a 30-game unbeaten run at home; however, that streak was put in jeopardy as United conceded two goals in the opening five minutes. Christian Eriksen pulled one back in the first half, before Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes secured the comeback win with a goal each either side of a second-half red card for Forest's Joe Worrall.

The month of September started with a loss away to Arsenal. Marcus Rashford struck first, but Martin Ødegaard levelled the score 35 seconds after restart of the game. In the second half, a VAR check saw an Arsenal penalty claim overturned and another check led to an effort by Alejandro Garnacho being ruled out as offside. The Gunners then struck twice in injury time to win the match.

Matches

Date Opponents H / A Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance League
position
14 August 2023 Wolverhampton Wanderers H 1–0 Varane 76' 73,358 7th
19 August 2023 Tottenham Hotspur A 0–2 61,910 12th
26 August 2023 Nottingham Forest H 3–2 Eriksen 17', Casemiro 52', Fernandes 76' (pen.) 73,595 8th
3 September 2023 Arsenal A 1–3 Rashford 27' 60,192 11th
16 September 2023 Brighton & Hove Albion H 1–3 Mejbri 73' 73,592 13th
23 September 2023 Burnley A 1–0 Fernandes 45' 21,593 9th
30 September 2023 Crystal Palace H 0–1 73,428 10th
7 October 2023 Brentford H 2–1 McTominay (2) 90+3', 90+7' 73,453 10th
21 October 2023 Sheffield United A 2–1 McTominay 28', Dalot 77' 31,543 8th
29 October 2023 Manchester City H 0–3 73,502 8th
4 November 2023 Fulham A 1–0 Fernandes 90+1' 24,415 8th
11 November 2023 Luton Town H 1–0 Lindelöf 59' 73,599 6th
26 November 2023 Everton A 3–0 Garnacho 3', Rashford 56' (pen.), Martial 75' 39,257 6th
2 December 2023 Newcastle United A 0–1 52,214 7th
6 December 2023 Chelsea H 2–1 McTominay (2) 19', 69' 73,607 6th
9 December 2023 Bournemouth H 0–3 73,427 6th
17 December 2023 Liverpool A 0–0 57,158 7th
23 December 2023 West Ham United A 0–2 64,472 8th
26 December 2023 Aston Villa H 3–2 Garnacho (2) 59', 71', Højlund 82' 73,574 7th
30 December 2023 Nottingham Forest A 1–2 Rashford 78' 29,529 8th
14 January 2024 Tottenham Hotspur H 2–2 Højlund 3', Rashford 40' 73,489 7th
1 February 2024 Wolverhampton Wanderers A 4–3 Rashford 5', Højlund 22', McTominay 75', Mainoo 90+7' 31,641 7th
4 February 2024 West Ham United H 3–0 Højlund 23', Garnacho (2) 49', 84' 73,612 6th
11 February 2024 Aston Villa A 2–1 Højlund 17', McTominay 86' 42,185 6th
18 February 2024 Luton Town A 2–1 Højlund (2) 1', 7' 11,483 6th
24 February 2024 Fulham H 1–2 Maguire 89' 73,487 6th
3 March 2024 Manchester City A 1–3 Rashford 8' 53,521 6th
9 March 2024 Everton H 2–0 Fernandes 12' (pen.), Rashford 36' (pen.) 73,601 6th
30 March 2024 Brentford A 1–1 Mount 90+6' 17,103 6th
4 April 2024 Chelsea A 3–4 Garnacho (2) 34', 67', Fernandes 39' 39,694 6th
7 April 2024 Liverpool H 2–2 Fernandes 50, Mainoo 67' 72,291 6th
13 April 2024 Bournemouth A 2–2 Fernandes (2) 31', 65' (pen.) 11,229 7th
24 April 2024 Sheffield United H 4–2 Maguire 42', Fernandes (2) 61' (pen.), 81', Højlund 85' 73,549 6th
27 April 2024 Burnley H 1–1 Antony 79' 73,571 6th
6 May 2024 Crystal Palace A 0–4 25,190 8th
12 May 2024 Arsenal H 0–1 73,600 8th
15 May 2024 Newcastle United H 3–2 Mainoo 31', Diallo 57', Højlund 84' 8th
19 May 2024 Brighton & Hove Albion A 2–0 Dalot 73', Højlund 88' 31,662 8th

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
6 Chelsea (Y) 38 18 9 11 77 63 +14 63 Qualification for the Conference League play-off round
7 Newcastle United 38 18 6 14 85 62 +23 60
8 Manchester United 38 18 6 14 57 58 −1 60
9 West Ham United 38 14 10 14 60 74 −14 52
10 Crystal Palace 38 13 10 15 57 58 −1 49
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) If the champions, relegated teams or qualified teams for UEFA competitions cannot be determined by rules 1 to 3, rules 4.1 to 4.3 are applied – 4.1) Points gained in head-to-head record between such teams; 4.2) Away goals scored in head-to-head record between such teams; 4.3) Play-offs
(Y) Assured of at least Conference League but may qualify for Europa League (if Manchester City win the FA Cup)
Notes:

FA Cup

As a Premier League side, United entered the 2023–24 FA Cup in the third round and were drawn away to Wigan Athletic, with the match to be played on 8 January 2024. United won 2–0 thanks to a long-range strike from Diogo Dalot in the first half, followed by a Bruno Fernandes penalty. They were then drawn against either Newport County or Eastleigh in the fourth round. Newport were confirmed as their opponents when they beat Eastleigh 3–1 in a replay on 16 January 2024. On 28 January, United won at Rodney Parade 4–2 courtesy of goals from Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Antony and Rasmus Højlund. On the same day, Bristol City or Nottingham Forest were drawn as their next opponents, with the match taking place on 28 February. On 7 February, Nottingham Forest were confirmed as United's next opponents thanks to their 5–3 win on penalties. United won at City Ground 1–0 thanks to a late effort from Casemiro.

With Liverpool's 3–0 win over Southampton in the fifth round, United were drawn against their rivals in the quarter-finals. The tie was played on 17 March. United took an early lead thanks to Scott McTominay, but going into half time, goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah saw Liverpool take a 2–1 lead. Antony scored a late equaliser to take the match into extra time, although Rashford missed the chance to score an injury-time winner. Near the end of the first half of extra time, Harvey Elliott gave Liverpool the lead, but in the second half, Rashford equalised to make the score 3–3. In injury time, Amad Diallo scored the winning goal, and was sent off for taking his shirt off in the celebrations as he was given a yellow card prior to scoring.

United were drawn against Coventry City in the semi-finals. They faced each other at Wembley Stadium on 21 April, with United winning 4-2 on penalties after giving up a 3–0 lead in the second thanks to Coventry striker Haji Wright's equalizer in stoppage time of the second half.

Date Round Opponents H / A Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance
8 January 2024 Third round Wigan Athletic A 2–0 Dalot 22', Fernandes 74' (pen.) 22,870
28 January 2024 Fourth round Newport County A 4–2 Fernandes 7', Mainoo 13', Antony 68', Højlund 90+4' 9,086
28 February 2024 Fifth round Nottingham Forest A 1–0 Casemiro 89' 28,665
17 March 2024 Quarter-finals Liverpool H 4–3 (a.e.t.) McTominay 10', Antony 87', Rashford 112', Diallo 120+1' 72,291
21 April 2024 Semi-finals Coventry City N 3–3 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)
McTominay 23', Maguire 45+1', Fernandes 58' 83,672
25 May 2024 Final Manchester City N

EFL Cup

As United are competing in UEFA competition in 2023–24 as the reigning champions of the competition, they entered the 2023–24 EFL Cup in the third round in September. They were drawn at home to Crystal Palace. They beat Palace 3–0 thanks to goals from Alejandro Garnacho, Casemiro and Anthony Martial. In the fourth round, they were given another home draw against Newcastle United, in a repeat of the 2023 EFL Cup final. This time they lost 3–0, with goals from Miguel Almirón and Lewis Hall in the first half and a third from Joe Willock in the second.

Date Round Opponents H / A Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance
26 September 2023 Third round Crystal Palace H 3–0 Garnacho 21', Casemiro 27', Martial 55' 72,842
1 November 2023 Fourth round Newcastle United H 0–3 72,484

UEFA Champions League

Group stage

Having finished third in the 2022–23 Premier League, United qualified for the 2023–24 UEFA Champions League. They entered the competition in the group stage, which was drawn on 31 August 2023, with United in pot 2 along with Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Atlético Madrid, RB Leipzig, Porto and Arsenal. United were drawn into Group A along with Bayern Munich, Copenhagen and Galatasaray.

Date Opponents H / A Result
F–A
Scorers Attendance Group position
20 September 2023 Bayern Munich A 3–4 Højlund 49', Casemiro (2) 88', 90+5' 75,000 4th
3 October 2023 Galatasaray H 2–3 Højlund (2) 17', 67' 73,204 4th
24 October 2023 Copenhagen H 1–0 Maguire 72' 73,249 3rd
8 November 2023 Copenhagen A 3–4 Højlund (2) 3', 28', Fernandes 69' (pen.) 36,099 4th
29 November 2023 Galatasaray A 3–3 Garnacho 11', Fernandes 18', McTominay 55' 51,733 4th
12 December 2023 Bayern Munich H 0–1 73,073 4th
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Bayern Munich 6 5 1 0 12 6 +6 16 Advance to knockout phase
2   Copenhagen 6 2 2 2 8 8 0 8
3   Galatasaray 6 1 2 3 10 13 −3 5 Transfer to Europa League
4   Manchester United 6 1 1 4 12 15 −3 4
Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers

Squad statistics

As of match played 19 May 2024
No. Pos. Name League FA Cup EFL Cup Europe Total Discipline
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals    
1 GK   Altay Bayındır 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
2 DF   Victor Lindelöf 14(5) 1 2 0 1(1) 0 3(1) 0 20(7) 1 3 0
3 DF   Eric Bailly 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 MF   Sofyan Amrabat 10(11) 0 1 0 1(1) 0 4(1) 0 16(13) 0 9 0
5 DF   Harry Maguire 18(4) 2 1(2) 1 2 0 4 1 25(6) 4 4 0
6 DF   Lisandro Martínez 8(3) 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 10(3) 0 4 0
7 MF   Mason Mount 5(9) 1 0(1) 0 2 0 1(1) 0 8(11) 1 2 0
8 MF   Bruno Fernandes (c) 35 10 5 3 0(1) 0 6 2 46(1) 15 12 0
9 FW   Anthony Martial 5(8) 1 0 0 2 1 0(4) 0 7(12) 2 0 0
10 FW   Marcus Rashford 26(7) 7 4 1 0(1) 0 4 0 34(8) 8 2 1
11 FW   Rasmus Højlund 25(5) 10 4 1 0(2) 0 6 5 35(7) 16 2 0
12 DF   Tyrell Malacia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
14 MF   Christian Eriksen 12(10) 1 0(2) 0 0 0 2(2) 0 14(14) 1 1 0
15 DF   Sergio Reguilón 4(5) 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 7(5) 0 4 0
16 FW   Amad Diallo 3(6) 1 0(3) 1 0 0 0 0 3(9) 2 1 1
17 FW   Alejandro Garnacho 30(6) 7 5 0 2 1 3(3) 1 40(9) 9 4 0
18 MF   Casemiro 24(1) 1 3 1 2 1 2 2 31(1) 5 9 1
19 DF   Raphaël Varane 16(6) 1 4 0 1 0 3(1) 0 24(7) 1 2 0
20 DF   Diogo Dalot 35(1) 2 5 1 2 0 5(1) 0 47(2) 3 6 1
21 FW   Antony 15(14) 1 2(2) 2 1 0 3(1) 0 21(17) 3 6 0
22 GK   Tom Heaton 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
23 DF   Luke Shaw 12 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 15 0 7 0
24 GK   André Onana 38 0 4 0 2 0 6 0 50 0 7 0
25 FW   Jadon Sancho 0(3) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0(3) 0 0 0
26 GK   Dean Henderson 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
28 MF   Facundo Pellistri 1(8) 0 0(1) 0 1 0 1(2) 0 3(11) 0 0 0
29 DF   Aaron Wan-Bissaka 20(2) 0 3 0 0(1) 0 2(1) 0 25(4) 0 5 0
33 DF   Brandon Williams 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
34 MF   Donny van de Beek 0(1) 0 0 0 0(1) 0 0 0 0(2) 0 0 0
35 DF   Jonny Evans 15(8) 0 1(2) 0 0(1) 0 1(1) 0 17(12) 0 2 0
37 MF   Kobbie Mainoo 24 3 4(1) 1 0 0 0(2) 0 28(3) 4 3 0
39 MF   Scott McTominay 18(14) 7 4(1) 2 0 0 4(1) 1 26(16) 10 3 0
40 GK   Radek Vítek 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
42 DF   Álvaro Carreras 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
43 DF   Teden Mengi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
44 MF   Dan Gore 0(1) 0 0 0 0(1) 0 0 0 0(2) 0 0 0
46 MF   Hannibal Mejbri 1(4) 1 0(1) 0 2 0 1(1) 0 4(6) 1 3 0
47 FW   Shola Shoretire 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
53 DF   Willy Kambwala 3(5) 0 0(2) 0 0 0 0 0 3(7) 0 1 0
62 MF   Omari Forson 1(3) 0 0(3) 0 0 0 0 0 1(6) 0 0 0
84 FW   Ethan Wheatley 0(3) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0(3) 0 0 0
Own goals 0 0 0 0 0 N/A

Transfers

In

Date Pos. Name From Fee Ref.
5 July 2023 MF   Mason Mount   Chelsea Undisclosed
18 July 2023 DF   Jonny Evans Unattached Free
20 July 2023 GK   André Onana   Inter Milan Undisclosed
4 August 2023 DF   Harry Amass   Watford Undisclosed
5 August 2023 FW   Rasmus Højlund   Atalanta Undisclosed
15 August 2023 MF   Jack Fletcher   Manchester City Undisclosed
MF   Tyler Fletcher
1 September 2023 GK   Altay Bayındır   Fenerbahçe Undisclosed
13 September 2023 GK   Kie Plumley Unattached Free

Out

Date Pos. Name To Fee Ref.
26 June 2023 MF   Zidane Iqbal   Utrecht Undisclosed
30 June 2023 MF   Ethan Galbraith   Leyton Orient Free
DF   Phil Jones Unattached Released
DF   Di'Shon Bernard Unattached
DF   Axel Tuanzebe Unattached
GK   Eric Hanbury Unattached
MF   Charlie Wellens Unattached
FW   Manni Norkett   Nottingham Forest Free
DF   Ethan Laird   Birmingham City Undisclosed
GK   David de Gea Unattached Released
1 July 2023 MF   Aidan Higgins   Swansea City Free
12 July 2023 FW   Adam Abbas   Burnley
GK   Felix Chester
20 July 2023 DF   Björn Hardley   Utrecht Undisclosed
22 July 2023 MF   Charlie Savage   Reading
23 July 2023 DF   Alex Telles   Al Nassr Undisclosed
25 July 2023 FW   Anthony Elanga   Nottingham Forest Undisclosed
2 August 2023 GK   Nathan Bishop   Sunderland Undisclosed
13 August 2023 MF   Fred   Fenerbahçe Undisclosed
15 August 2023 GK   Matěj Kovář   Bayer Leverkusen Undisclosed
GK   Ondřej Mastný   Vysočina Jihlava Undisclosed
24 August 2023 FW   Noam Emeran   Groningen
31 August 2023 GK   Dean Henderson   Crystal Palace Undisclosed
DF   Teden Mengi   Luton Town Undisclosed
1 September 2023 DF   Marc Jurado   Espanyol
FW   Nehemiah Oriola   Brighton & Hove Albion Free
DF   Logan Pye   Burnley Undisclosed
5 September 2023 DF   Eric Bailly   Beşiktaş Undisclosed
3 October 2023 DF   Harrison Parker   Manchester City Undisclosed
18 January 2024 FW   Mateo Mejía   Sevilla
1 February 2024 MF   Adam Berry Unattached Released
MF   Isak Hansen-Aarøen   Werder Bremen Undisclosed

Loan in

Date from Date to Pos. Name From Ref.
1 September 2023 4 January 2024 DF   Sergio Reguilón   Tottenham Hotspur
End of season MF   Sofyan Amrabat   Fiorentina

Loan out

Date from Date to Pos. Name To Ref.
27 July 2023 End of season DF   Will Fish   Hibernian
24 August 2023 DF   Brandon Williams   Ipswich Town
1 September 2023 FW   Mason Greenwood   Getafe
3 January 2024 FW   Charlie McNeill   Stevenage
14 January 2024 DF   Álvaro Carreras   Granada
1 January 2024 End of season MF   Donny van de Beek   Eintracht Frankfurt
11 January 2024 FW   Jadon Sancho   Borussia Dortmund
12 January 2024 FW   Joe Hugill   Burton Albion
15 January 2024 MF   Hannibal Mejbri   Sevilla
16 January 2024 DF   Álvaro Carreras   Benfica
17 January 2024 MF   Maxi Oyedele   Forest Green Rovers
19 January 2024 DF   Rhys Bennett   Stockport County
23 January 2024 MF   Dan Gore   Port Vale
25 January 2024 GK   Radek Vítek   Accrington Stanley
31 January 2024 MF   Facundo Pellistri   Granada
1 February 2024 DF   Sonny Aljofree   Altrincham
FW   Sam Mather   Rochdale
DF   Sam Murray
GK   Tom Wooster   Macclesfield

Notes

References