Manchester United were represented on the Fans' Footballer of the Year podium for 2021 — but might they go one (or two) better next year?
Having signed and starred for United in 2020, Portugal playmaker Bruno Fernandes flew the Old Trafford flag during voting for the latest division-wide award for 2021, won by Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah. Long-term United target Declan Rice finished second, with Fernandes picking up the bronze.
Naturally, when it came to the club's individual prize, Fernandes took top billing after receiving 44.5 per cent of the vote (3,372 votes) ahead of fellow shortlisters David de Gea, Luke Shaw and Mason Greenwood.
United supporters might hope for more attack-minded representation 12 months from now.
Indeed, the presence of a goalkeeper and defender on that list provides a clear indicator to where the Old Trafford giants find themselves at this stage — relying a little too heavily on De Gea in the early part of this season, and on Shaw last season. But with Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo sworn in during the summer window to (theoretically) push them closer to a first Premier League title post-Sir Alex Ferguson, United had higher hopes than individual gongs.
Those dreams were left in tatters by November and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ultimately, paid the price with his job.
Other trophies remain up for grabs this season, though.
After his initial struggles, Sancho has underlined his talent of late while Ronaldo has simply been Ronaldo ever since he touched back down in the UK for his second act at United; with 13 goals offering a damning response to anyone who questioned his return transfer from Juventus.
Varane, too, has made his mark, albeit in fits and starts..
Having settled on the World Cup winner as a long-term partner for £80million captain Harry Maguire, key figures in the Old Trafford boardroom saw their decision justified with stylish early-season performances from Varane, though injuries have, unfortunately, halted his impact.
After watching Virgil van Dijk and Ruben Dias shore up defensive lines at Liverpool and Manchester City, with both men playing a lead role in respective title wins (2020 and 2021), the same task was thrust on Varane.
Owing to those injuries, that has been put on hold for now, but a regularly-fit Frenchman will undoubtedly come as a welcome boost to United and maybe, just maybe, he can help bridge the gap moving forward.
How much have United missed Varane? Have your say in the comments section below.
As the old saying goes, attacks win games but defences win titles.
Ultimately, that is where United have been found wanting throughout 2021 and it must be addressed when Ralf Rangnick and his team return to business amid Covid-related postponements.
One shining light from those cancellations is that Varane will be available when the games are rescheduled.
The more he plays in 2022, the more likely those above targets are achievable and he may even be a contender for the 2022 award.
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