Player of the Year: Who would our pundits pick?

The show's presenter Liam Bradford was joined by former players Mickey Thomas and Danny Webber, as well as journalists Ian Irving and James Ducker, to chat about the key talking points at United this week.

On the agenda was the Reds' Player of the Year vote, which is now open for fans to get involved.

When quizzed on which United player is most deserving of the coveted award, Thomas was keen to heap praise on one particular Red.

"I'll go first because I'm a big fan of a certain individual," began Thomas.

"You can go on about Lisandro Martinez but, for me, Luke Shaw has been so consistent. He can play in that back four anywhere now.

"And you know, for me, his performance has been outstanding. He's someone you can rely on week in, week out, which is important, and he has stepped up to the mark and, as I said, [I'm a] massive fan of his."

Ducker was also appreciative of Shaw's influence and how the England international has taken on the role of one of the 'elder statesmen' in Erik ten Hag's squad this term.

However, despite this praise, he opted for United's current leading goalscorer as his pick for Player of the Year.

"I've been a huge fan of Martinez, but given the injury in this key period of the season when [United] have been without him, I'm going to go for Marcus Rashford," he explained.

"I actually look at where they would be without him this season and that is a concern for me.

"I think there has been such a burden on him for goals and I think that is a responsibility he's really taken in his stride. And then I actually look at where he came from last season. I think he himself has admitted he was not in a great place then and his confidence was so low.

"To turn it around in the way he has, I think that takes a huge amount of conviction, belief, fight and determination.

"I think he's shown all of those qualities. I would love to see him if he was playing with an absolutely outstanding number nine as well. I think he would be an even greater threat."

Ian Irving concurred with Ducker, stating his belief that Rashford is the only member of the United squad who should be in the running for the end-of-season accolade.

"There's not even a debate for me, it's Marcus Rashford," he declared.

"We were sat here at the start of this show saying that it's important to get United in the top four and all this sort of stuff. There was a point in the season when it looked like they might even be able to get into the title conversation.

"And the big reason for both of those things being even on the cards at all this year is Rashford's form and his goalscoring. Twenty-nine goals for him. From last season when he got four or five, something like that, that's an incredible jump.

"I do know where this team would be without Marcus. It'd be a lot lower down the table. And after scoring in the Carabao Cup final as well, he's just been it for United this year."

Speaking as a fellow former striker and graduate of United's Academy, Webber was also happy to state a case for Rashford.

"I know how hard it is at the top end of the pitch to score goals, let alone when the expectancy on you is huge," said Danny.

"After a bad last season, he could have thought 'I've done enough in my career' and just floated along. But he didn't. He went away last summer and got his head straight, had a bit of time to himself and had the time for his shoulder and injuries to other parts to clear up.

"He came back with a real confidence in himself and backed himself under the new manager. He bought into what Erik said. You can even see it in his reaction to when he was put on the bench, away at Wolves. He came on and again made the difference. Yes, his goals have dropped off a little of late but there's no question for me that he's been the shining light in a much stronger United team."