2023–24 Manchester United F.C. season

2023–24 Manchester United F.C. season
The 2023–24 season is 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 are participating in the Premier League, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, and the UEFA Champions League.
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 Sir 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 this 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 the 31st of 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.
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 in 83rd minute, Tottenham's lead was doubled thanks to an own goal from Lisandro Martínez. 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
League table
FA Cup
As a Premier League side, United will enter the 2023–24 FA Cup in the third round proper in January 2024.
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. Then in the fourth round against Newcastle United, a repeat of the 2023 EFL Cup final.
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.
Squad statistics
Transfers
In
Out
Loan in
Loan out
Notes
References
Manchester United F.C. seasons
Manchester United
Manchester United
Manchester United