United's Best of 2017: Team highlights
With the New Year upon us, our club reporters have come together to list Manchester United’s outstanding moments and performers of 2017. The first of our two-part series focuses on the team...
Best moment: Winning the Europa League
Honorable mention: EFL Cup winner by Zlatan
Nothing can compare to lifting a trophy and United fans were spoiled in that respect in 2017 with two pieces of silverware. After the terror attack in Manchester, it proved to be an emotional night in Stockholm when the Reds finally completed the full set of trophies with the Europa League success against Ajax. The League Cup win was also memorable, particularly Zlatan Ibrahimovic's winner when time seemed to stand still as Ander Herrera's cross floated in the Wembley air. The Swede's emphatic finish was greeted with great celebration.
Best home performance: Chelsea 2-0
Honorable mention: West Ham United 4-0
Champions-elect Chelsea may have been unstoppable in terms of the title race but they were taken down a peg or two at Old Trafford thanks to another example of Jose Mourinho's tactical acumen. Herrera marked Eden Hazard out of the game, scored and set the first goal up for Marcus Rashford, as the Blues were well beaten on the day. There have been plenty of convincing wins at home but the opening weekend demolition of West Ham offered much promise, with Romelu Lukaku quickly off the mark in the Premier League for his new club.
Honorable mention: EFL Cup winner by Zlatan
Nothing can compare to lifting a trophy and United fans were spoiled in that respect in 2017 with two pieces of silverware. After the terror attack in Manchester, it proved to be an emotional night in Stockholm when the Reds finally completed the full set of trophies with the Europa League success against Ajax. The League Cup win was also memorable, particularly Zlatan Ibrahimovic's winner when time seemed to stand still as Ander Herrera's cross floated in the Wembley air. The Swede's emphatic finish was greeted with great celebration.
Best home performance: Chelsea 2-0
Honorable mention: West Ham United 4-0
Champions-elect Chelsea may have been unstoppable in terms of the title race but they were taken down a peg or two at Old Trafford thanks to another example of Jose Mourinho's tactical acumen. Herrera marked Eden Hazard out of the game, scored and set the first goal up for Marcus Rashford, as the Blues were well beaten on the day. There have been plenty of convincing wins at home but the opening weekend demolition of West Ham offered much promise, with Romelu Lukaku quickly off the mark in the Premier League for his new club.
Best away performance: Celta Vigo
Honorable mention: CSKA Moscow
European semi-finals away from home are rarely easy and this controlled display was the perfect platform to ensure progress to the Friend's Arena. A clean sheet would always have been an ideal start but the vital away goal, thanks to Rashford's fierce free-kick, gave Jose's men a crucial advantage. It was a classic, experienced showing against difficult opponents from La Liga. The trip to Moscow was reckoned to be one of the hardest fixtures in Group A of the Champions League but CSKA were blown away by an early three-goal blitz and, ultimately, even a late consolation only meant a heavy 4-1 defeat.
Best result: Ajax
Honorable mention: Arsenal
With the pressure on in the Europa League final, what better way to end the season than with a victory that was almost comfortable. The goals by Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan came at the right time as Jose pulled off another tactical masterstroke. Ajax's pressing game was never allowed to get off the ground as dangerous opponents were swatted aside on the big stage to earn a return to the Champions League in 2017/18. The 2-0 scoreline was a perfect one. The recent triumph at Arsenal, ending the Gunners' long unbeaten run at the Emirates Stadium, may have owed much to David De Gea's superb showing, but a 3-1 victory in the capital has to go down as one of our very best results of the calendar year.
Honorable mention: CSKA Moscow
European semi-finals away from home are rarely easy and this controlled display was the perfect platform to ensure progress to the Friend's Arena. A clean sheet would always have been an ideal start but the vital away goal, thanks to Rashford's fierce free-kick, gave Jose's men a crucial advantage. It was a classic, experienced showing against difficult opponents from La Liga. The trip to Moscow was reckoned to be one of the hardest fixtures in Group A of the Champions League but CSKA were blown away by an early three-goal blitz and, ultimately, even a late consolation only meant a heavy 4-1 defeat.
Best result: Ajax
Honorable mention: Arsenal
With the pressure on in the Europa League final, what better way to end the season than with a victory that was almost comfortable. The goals by Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan came at the right time as Jose pulled off another tactical masterstroke. Ajax's pressing game was never allowed to get off the ground as dangerous opponents were swatted aside on the big stage to earn a return to the Champions League in 2017/18. The 2-0 scoreline was a perfect one. The recent triumph at Arsenal, ending the Gunners' long unbeaten run at the Emirates Stadium, may have owed much to David De Gea's superb showing, but a 3-1 victory in the capital has to go down as one of our very best results of the calendar year.
Best atmosphere: Saint-Etienne (A)
Honorable mention: Celta Vigo (H)
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard cranked up the noise with choreographed fan displays, imposing banners and aggressive chants. It was a hostile environment for the Reds in France and another tough examination on the road to European glory. The non-stop din made life difficult and it was an experience those in attendance will not forget in a hurry. Meanwhile, Old Trafford was rocking at the end of the semi-final with Celta Vigo. Following a tense finale, with the tie on a knife-edge, the relief and explosion of joy was obvious, not least from the boss - who let his emotions pour out, swirling a scarf to further gee up the appreciative crowd.
Honorable mention: Celta Vigo (H)
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard cranked up the noise with choreographed fan displays, imposing banners and aggressive chants. It was a hostile environment for the Reds in France and another tough examination on the road to European glory. The non-stop din made life difficult and it was an experience those in attendance will not forget in a hurry. Meanwhile, Old Trafford was rocking at the end of the semi-final with Celta Vigo. Following a tense finale, with the tie on a knife-edge, the relief and explosion of joy was obvious, not least from the boss - who let his emotions pour out, swirling a scarf to further gee up the appreciative crowd.
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