IT’S not been an easy season for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but he appears to finally have Manchester United moving forward with some consistency.
The January signings of Bruno Fernandes and Odion Ighalo have proved to be inspired – while last summer’s buys, Daniel James, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire, have been key figures.
Solskjaer will once again dive into the transfer market this summer as he continues to build a squad in his image – with Jadon Sancho the top target.
And he could be boosted by some in-form returning loanees – with NINE players away from the club for the season.
We take a look at how they’ve fared and whether they have a shot back in the first team under Solskjaer or not…
ALEXIS SANCHEZ – Inter Milan
A FREE signing in January 2018, the Chilean still didn’t prove to be good bang for his buck – stuck in an abysmal rut and costing the club £505,000 a week in wages.
It’s little wonder Solskjaer tried to get rid of him, but no club could afford his wages and he eventually following Romelu Lukaku to Inter.
Sanchez scored in his third Serie A game – a 3-1 win over Sampdoria – but was later sent-off in a real mixed bag of a game last September.
He hasn’t scored since…
Now aged 31, he surely doesn’t have a shot back at Old Trafford and will almost certainly be moved on.
VERDICT: Miss
CHRIS SMALLING – Roma
AFTER slipping down the pecking order under Solskjaer, Smalling was itching to move in a bid to prove he was good enough for a spot in England’s Euro 2020 squad.
In a Serie A boasting lethal attackers and finally breaking the stereotype of “defensive” football, it was never going to be easy.
But Smalling has been in fantastic form, playing 28 times already for the Italian giants.
He’s already put his name back into the frame for a spot in future Three Lions squads – if not the starting XI.
The former Fulham man could be the perfect partner for Maguire in the heart of the United defence next season after being given a new lease of life and confidence boost in Italy.
VERDICT: Hit
DEAN HENDERSON – Sheff Utd
ONCE upon a time, Man Utd fans would have been reduced to tears at the idea of David De Gea leaving… which has almost happened a dozen times in the last few seasons.
De Gea did eventually sign a new mega-money contract – and immediately saw his form fall off a cliff.
Fortunately, their saviour has materialised and goes by the name of Dean.
Henderson has put his name in the frame to overtake Jordan Pickford as England’s No1 with his superb form at Sheffield United this season.
And even more so, Henderson is now in the running to pip De Gea for the starting spot between the sticks at Old Trafford next term.
VERDICT: Hit
MARCOS ROJO – Estudiantes
KEEN to quit the club last summer, Rojo finally made a move, albeit on loan, in January after a spate of injuries.
The Argentine headed back to childhood club Estudiantes, where he started his career, in a bid to recapture his top form.
But he’s played just ONCE since January.
His career at united is over…
VERDICT: Miss
JOEL PERIERA – Hearts
THE big Portuguese stopper was signed as a youngster in a bid to one day challenge De Gea for the No1 jersey.
But now, aged 23, he’s on his fifth loan spell away from the club, this time at Scottish Premiership side Hearts.
So how’s he doing north of the border? In a word: Badly.
Hearts are this season’s surprise package for all the wrong reasons, sitting bottom of the league, with Pereira conceding 52 times in just 30 games
On top of that, the club’s owner, Ann Budge, is set to suspend all players’ wages…
VERDICT: Miss
CAMERON BORTHWICK-JACKSON – Oldham
ONE of many United stars to burst onto the scene and promise the world, but deliver very little.
Prior to his spell at League Two side Oldham, where Man Utd legend Paul Scholes briefly managed, he’d been at Leeds and Wolves.
But Borthwick-Jackson has rarely threatened to break back into the Old Trafford first-team.
With Luke Shaw hitting form and Brandon Williams the new kid on the block at left-back, Borthwick-Jackson is more likely to stay in the fourth tier than head home.
VERDICT: Miss
ETHAN HAMILTON – Bolton
THE youngster, 21, signed his first professional contract under Jose Mourinho and was tipped to make the grade.
Loan spells at Rochdale and Southend preceded this term’s stint at crisis-club Bolton.
But the midfielder has scored just twice in 30 games this season.
He’ll likely stay at the club beyond the summer and head out on another loan.
VERDICT: Miss
KIERAN O’HARA – Burton
THE goalkeeper, 23, has been a near-ever-present at Burton this season, playing 43 times.
But now on his seventh stint away from Man Utd, he’ll likely never make the grade at Old Trafford.
Most famous this season for picking a six-match ban for BITING an opponent, the Republic or Ireland international’s career under Solskjaer is surely over.
VERDICT: Miss
GEORGE TANNER – Salford
SENT up the road to the Class of 92’s team in January, Tanner, 20, knew it was his last chance to score a new contract at Man Utd.
But Tanner’s performances haven’t caught the eye of Solskjaer, despite being just up the road.
He’s now likely to be released this summer.
VERDICT: Miss
