Casemiro A, Weghorst F: Grading every Man Utd signing this season

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 12 May 2023 14:09 BST
• 5 min read

Manchester United are at a crossroads this season.

Failure to reach the Champions League via a top-four place would be an underwhelming campaign, albeit they won the League Cup. They have enjoyed a fine term under Erik ten Hag who’s dealt with a lot of troubling off-the-field matters, with the takeover still lingering above the club and the sacking of Cristiano Ronaldo.

He’s done extremely well but there’s no getting away from the fact there have been some howlers. Man Utd spent well in the summer transfer market, even if Ten Hag didn’t mean to acquire Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona.

READ MORE: Forget De Gea, Ten Hag blunting Rashford is KILLING Man Utd

Here FootballTransfers now takes a look and grades each signing from this season, those brought in from either the summer window or during January.

Antony (€95m from Ajax) Grade: C

Antony was brought in as the club’s most expensive signing. Man Utd made the Brazilian their number one target for the attacker and consequently, Ajax inflated the price.

The Red Devils knew they would be paying over the odds for Antony but went for him regardless. There have been some teething problems for Antony,but he has made a return of 10 goals and three assists in his inaugural season. At 23 years old, there is still a lot more to come from the winger for the following campaign as well.

Casemiro: (€70.7m from Real Madrid) Grade: A

Man Utd had been crying out for a holding midfielder for years. Finally, they got one. Casemiro is one of the best No.6s in world football. He has made a huge impact on the team, both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

It’s no secret that Casemiro was an alternative to De Jong, but he has done well in any case. The veteran misses out on the ‘A+’ marking owing to the fact that he has had a series of disciplinary issues that has seen him miss out on crucial games.

Wout Weghorst (Loan From Burnley) Grade: E+

Ten Hag was left with hardly any money for the January window. Ronaldo left unexpectedly after the Dutch coach made it clear that the superstar would lead the line for the club. It meant that he had to look to the loan market to source a player - and that man was Wout Weghorst. He scored just two goals in 27 games in all competitions and the club won’t be handing him a permanent contract in the summer as a result.

Martin Dubravka (Loan from Newcastle: Grade E)

Martin Dubravka lost his place to Nick Pope over the summer window. Remaining on the sidelines at Newcastle, Man Utd swooped in for the shot-stopper. He made his debut in the club’s 4–2 win over Aston Villa in the League Cup and played a single more game before Newcastle recalled him from the loan on 1 January 2023. He made one clean sheet with Man Utd in two matches. It was a cheap risk for Man Utd but it really didn’t work out for them.

Marcel Sabitzer (Loan from Bayern Munich) Grade: B-

Marcel Sabitzer has proved to be a sound addition since coming into Man Utd. Out of sorts at Bayern Munich, the midfielder was encouraged to make the move over to Old Trafford in January, during a period when Christian Eriksen was out injured. He has impressed to the point where Man Utd are considering making a permanent move for the Austrian in the upcoming window - and it’s thought that he will even push for such a deal to transpire.

Jack Butland (Loan from Crystal Palace) Grade: E

Another January signing, Jack Butland took the place of Dubravka, coming in from Crystal Palace. Given he is yet to play again yet, it’s really hard to assess the signing. But he should have arguably been selected in Man Utd’s game last weekend against West Ham - with the club’s No.1, David de Gea, committing a howler that cost the club the match.

Christian Eriksen (Free) Grade: B

Christian Eriksen had a fair amount of clubs to choose from last summer when he was a free agent. He enjoyed a decent spell at Brentford the season before but opted not to remain there for another year.

Ten Hag convinced the Dane to sign for Man Utd, and he has been played as part of a double pivot. Eriksen has been in fine form for the club but a significant injury saw him miss a considerable chunk of games this year.

Tyrell Malacia (€15m from Feyenoord) Grade: D

It’s been a tough start for Tyrell Malacia but they are signs that he could come good. Glimpses of his technical ability is there but he needs to bulk up to get a foot in at the Premier League. Luke Shaw, when not covering at centre-back, is still the standout choice for Ten Hag on the left side of defence. Time is on Malacia’s side, however.

Lisandro Martinez (€57.4m from Ajax ) Grade: A

Lisandro Martínez has been a huge presence for Man Utd this campaign, and his injury really highlights just how much they miss him. There was concern from some about if his height would be an issue, but he’s proved himself to be a brilliant and competent centre-back. Martinez is a man who Ten Hag wanted to bring with him from Ajaz - and so far he’s been worth every penny for the fee that Man Utd paid for him.