Marcus Rashford snubbed as Owen Hargreaves picks Man United’s best player this season

Manchester United's English striker Marcus Rashford (L) and Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro celebrate at the final whistle during the English League Cup final football match between Manchester United and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium, north-west London on February 26, 2023. - Manchester United won the match 2-0. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

There are a couple of players that could be in the running to be named Manchester United’s best player this season but Marcus Rashford and Casemiro are two of the main frontrunners.

Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez are also worth mentioning in the conversation as United are on track to have their best season since Sir Alex Ferguson retired 10 years ago.

Erik ten Hag has already guided the Reds to their first trophy since 2017 and with eight games remaining of the Premier League season, they have accumulated more points than they did over the entirety of the 2021/22 season.

Additionally, they are on the hunt for another two trophies as they face Brighton in the FA Cup semi-final later this month, with only one game keeping them out of the same stage of the Europa League.

Rashford’s stunning form in front of goal has certainly been an attributing factor to United’s promising season, with the 25-year-old enjoying his best-ever campaign. He has scored 28 goals in all competitions so far and is on track to becoming the first United player to score 30 goals in one single season since Robin van Persie in the 2012/13 season.

Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves has discussed the annual end-of-season prize and although he has recognised Rashford’s efforts, it was another star who would be picking up the award if it was up to him.

“Marcus has took the headlines but I think if you look at Casemiro, the team is so different when he’s not playing, just in every phase,” Hargreaves is quoted as saying by the official Manchester United website.

“It affects David De Gea, it affects the back four, it affects the midfield balance. 

“Marcus will get the headlines and rightly so because he’s been devastating in a way. Casemiro is the glue guy.

“It’d be a tough call, I want to give it to Marcus but I feel like Casemiro has taken the team to the next level.”

Casemiro has been in and out of the team in the second half of the season after a flurry of suspensions but it cannot be forgotten how widespread his influence has been.

United looked like a completely new side as soon as he was introduced and although he joins at the latter stages of his career, he is one of the signings to have the biggest immediate impact in recent years.

More Stories Casemiro Erik ten Hag Manchester United Marcus Rashford Owen Hargreaves Premier League