It was clearly a disappointing campaign, yet there was no shortage of fine finishes among the 71 that our first team scored in all competitions. 

Our shortlist was officially launched late last week and fans have been voting in their thousands since then, deciding which of the 18 nominees deserves the prize. 

Here, United writers from our various publications wade in with their opinions…

BRUNO FERNANDES (3RD) V LEEDS (H)
Ian McLeish, Editor-In-Chief: “There’s no doubting the quality of Bruno Fernandes’s third goal against Leeds in August, but it’s likely that other contenders will be named United’s official Goal of the Season. But aside from the brilliance of the strike itself – an outstanding curling pass from Victor Lindelof straight into the path of Bruno, who smashed it first-time past Leeds keeper Illan Meslier to seal his first United hat-trick – the circumstances give it added appeal. Back inside a packed Old Trafford, the hope and expectation of the opening day of the season, and the thrill of an almighty pasting handed out to one of our oldest rivals made it a goal to savour.”

ALEX TELLES V VILLARREAL (H)
Steve Bartram, Features Editor: “Brazilian full-back Alex Telles arrived at Old Trafford armed with an eye-catching showreel of spectacular goals bagged in Porto’s colours. After a staccato first term with the Reds, the defender spectacularly showcased those attacking capabilities with a barnstorming effort against Villarreal, taking on Bruno Fernandes’s chipped free-kick with a first-time volley which arrowed through a crowd of bodies and into the Stretford End net to haul the Reds level. Stunning timing, technique and execution.”

CRISTIANO RONALDO V TOTTENHAM (A)
Mark Froggatt, Senior Content Manager: “Seriously, what are we even debating? Our Goal of the Season is obviously CR7’s outrageous volley against Spurs in North London. I love everything about that strike: Bruno’s inch-perfect assist, Cristiano’s burst of pace to find a yard of space and then that unerring finish at the back post. Our no.7 had absolutely no right to score from such an acute angle and with Hugo Lloris well positioned too, but he doesn’t play by the rules. It was vintage Ronny.” 

CRISTIANO RONALDO (1ST) v ATALANTA (A)
Paul Davies, United Review Editor: “On an evening when he rescued United with a late equaliser in Bergamo, it was his first goal that will live longest in the memory. A slick piece of play between Ronny and Bruno Fernandes was beautiful to behold – pass, pass, pass, backheel, goal! The pair carved open the Atalanta defence to bring United level at half-time, in a game that would eventually end 2-2. Forward link-up play at its best. Yorke and Cole would have been proud!”

ANTHONY ELANGA v ATLETICO MADRID (A)
Joe Ganley, Reporter: “In a season of few highlights, Elanga’s ice-cold finish in the Wanda Metropolitano was a real buzz. United had been comprehensively outplayed by Atleti but, by nervelessly slotting Bruno Fernandes’s through ball past the outstanding Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak, the young forward rescued the night. ‘Rhythm is a dancer, Anthony Elanga’ boomed from the away end for the rest of the match. The quality and composure of the finish pointed towards a brighter future, and provided a much-needed hit of euphoria.”

CRISTIANO RONALDO V TOTTENHAM (H)
Sam Carney, Deputy App Editor: “This was the only strike on the shortlist nominated for the Premier League’s Goal of the Season award and I think it’s comfortably the best and most eye-catching we scored during 2021/22. Fred’s cute flick was exquisite, but the manner in which Ronny took the ball down, set himself and arrowed his shot into the top corner took the breath away. It set the tone for one of Old Trafford’s more memorable games of the campaign, as our no.7 went on to score a treble in a helter-skelter 3-2 victory.”