In the end, it was pleasant.Manchester United’s rollercoaster of a 2025-26 season drew to a close with surprising amounts of calm. A difficult winter under Ruben Amorim, brought to a premature end in January, made way for a positive spring under Michael Carrick. Now the club looks to be in a much stronger place headed into a busy summer.United finished third, higher than many predictions made before a ball was kicked and far higher than appeared likely at the turn of the year. Bruno Fernandes ended the campaign having broken the long-standing Premier League assist record. Kobbie Mainoo was brought in from the cold to become the future of the club’s midfield.Things are good. The atmosphere around Old Trafford is positive. Here is our review of a 2025-26 campaign that’s ended with more smiles than frowns.The club’s grade for 2025-26 is…United started the season with the (deliberately) vague ambition of European football, but shaky home performances against West Ham (1-1), Everton (0-1) and Wolverhampton Wanderers (1-1) made it seem like Amorim’s men would be headed for the Europa League at best. Then came Carrick’s interim period, and a team reinvigorated.The Athletic gives the club a B+. United have qualified for the Champions League, a feel-good atmosphere has returned to the club, and Fernandes has delivered his best individual season to date.Defeats to Grimsby Town and Brighton & Hove Albion in the domestic cups take some gloss off things. Still, the 2025-26 campaign could have descended into historical ignominy. Instead, it became rather good.Player of the season: Senne LammensWhen Senne Lammens arrived late on summer transfer deadline day, the intention was for him to serve as a deputy goalkeeper with the possibility of taking over when Andre Onana departed for AFCON. Instead, Onana left early, heading to Trabzonspor on loan, and Lammens was shoved in at the deep end.Being Manchester United’s goalkeeper is one of the more heavily-scrutinised roles in world football, but Lammens went about his duties with clockwork consistency. He might become one of the best signings of their post-Ferguson years.Senne Lammens got off to a flying start (Michael Regan/Getty Images)*The real player of the season is Fernandes. Obviously.Goal of the season: Matheus Cunha v ArsenalBroadly speaking, goal of the season contenders fall into one of three pots: