Revealed: United's Player-of-the-Month nominees

While results have frustrated thus far in 2019/20, one undeniable positive has been the contribution made by our summer signings, Daniel James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire – the trio who will contest the campaign's first award.

 

Ever-impressive Academy graduate Scott McTominay just missed out on a place in our poll, as did Anthony Martial, who was unable to capitalise on a very positive start to the season due to an untimely injury picked up in the Crystal Palace game, which ruled him out of the month’s final fixture at Southampton.

 

McTominay was the final recipient of the award last term, but who will be the first squad member to claim the accolade this season? Read our summaries on the three players involved in the poll below, and then cast your vote…

The young Welsh international has made a blistering start to life at United after signing from Swansea City in June. He scored within minutes of coming on as a substitute against Chelsea in his competitive debut, and scored a sublime equaliser against Crystal Palace in his next outing at Old Trafford. He then rifled home a superb opener at Southampton, making it three in four Premier League appearances, and was named Man of the Match by United fans. ‘James will tear you apart again’ could be heard ringing around the away end at St Mary’s, and it’s clear that United fans have immediately taken to the winger for his whole-hearted, energetic style of play.

While the other two names on our shortlist might have made more headline-grabbing starts to their time in M16 – James with goals and Wan-Bissaka with an endless blitz of sliding tackles – Maguire has quietly and seamlessly settled into the team, adding a sense of authority and calmness to the back line. His perceptive passing has added a new dimension to the team’s build-up play, and his aggression in the air has aided United’s defensive play. Maguire will have more outstanding months in a United shirt, but the ease with which he’s adjusted to life at the club is, like his presence on the field, deeply reassuring.

United fans have always loved seeing tackles, with players like Nobby Stiles and Remi Moses still fondly recalled for the endearing aggression they displayed for the cause. Wan-Bissaka has brought an element of that type of joy back into the current side, intimidating his opponents via a series of imperious, gymnastic tackles. The full-back has been ultra-consistent, and his contribution to the attack has been useful, too, despite going under the radar due to those incredible tackling stats. Aaron was Man of the Match at Wolves, and has been shortlisted for every MOTM award we’ve ran so far this season. Relentless.

 

So, who gets your backing for the first award of the season? Once you’ve made up your mind, vote for August’s Player of the Month here. 

 

Voting will close on Friday morning.