Manchester United have suffered another tumultuous campaign in 2019-20 as they continue to struggle to live up to Sir Alex Ferguson's legacy, but there were positive signs before play was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Red Devils went into the break unbeaten in 11 matches - their best run of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's permanent reign and a long-awaited period of consistency in a top-four race which has been sorely lacking that for much of the campaign.
United remain fifth in the table and three points adrift of Chelsea in fourth, although with Manchester City's European ban that could still be enough for them to return to the Champions League next season.
However, they will be confident of breaking into the top four nonetheless given their form before the shutdown, while the Europa League offers another route back to the top table of European football too.
Here, the Sports Mole team select who they believe has been United's player of the season so far.
Barney Corkhill, Editor: Marcus Rashford
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The fact that Bruno Fernandes is worthy of an honourable mention having only joined at the end of January is a mark of the impact he has had on this Manchester United team, while Harry Maguire is also in contention for this as he leads the way in almost every defensive statistic for Solskjaer's side.
However, Marcus Rashford is the player who has been most important for United this term, thriving from the left to score 14 goals and assist four more in just 22 matches - a superior minutes-per-goal ratio than the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
Five of Rashford's goals have also been winners, which is a tally only Liverpool trio Salah, Mane and Roberto Firmino can beat in the entire division, and his goals have come in big games too - he has netted against all of the top four and has only failed to score against two teams in the top half.
Matt Law, Football Editor: Marcus Rashford
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Rashford has not played for United since January 11 due to a back problem, but the England international had been in sensational form for the Red Devils before picking up the injury.
Indeed, a record of 14 goals in 22 Premier League appearances is an indication of his contribution, but it would also be fair to say that his overall game has also come on leaps and bounds this season.
Rashford has scored against Chelsea, Leicester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City in the league during the 2019-20 season, and he was sorely missed in the weeks after his injury.
A number of players have impressed for United in the second half of the campaign - particularly Fred and Harry Maguire - but Rashford deserves the Player of the Season award when taking everything into consideration.
Darren Plant, Senior Reporter: Marcus Rashford
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Although there is a strong argument that Harry Maguire, an ever-present member of an improving backline, should edge out Marcus Rashford, the forward's impact simply cannot be ignored.
Despite starting the majority of games out on the flank, the England international has scored 14 goals to go with his four assists in the Premier League.
Before his back injury during the middle of January, Rashford had emerged as United's most likely matchwinner, helping his team from mid-table into contenders for a Champions League spot.
While there are still improvements which he can make to his game, the 22-year-old deserves to now be regarded as one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Dan Lewis, Senior Reporter: Marcus Rashford
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Bruno Fernandes has been exceptional since arriving in January, but the whole season has to be taken into account and Marcus Rashford has been United's most consistent performer in 2019-20.
Despite missing a couple of months through injury, the England international has netted 18 times in all competitions, making this his best season yet in front of goal.
For all the talk of United being keen to bring in Harry Kane, many supporters feel that they already have the perfect man to lead their attack for years to come.
Ben Knapton, Reporter: Harry Maguire
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My Manchester United player of the season has to be Harry Maguire. The Red Devils certainly raised eyebrows when they forked out a staggering £80m for the centre-back, but it is easy to see why he has been given the captain's armband at Old Trafford.
Having played every single minute of Premier League football thus far, Maguire was an essential figure in United's strong run of form prior to the enforced suspension.
The Englishman has made the most passes, clearances, and has won the most aerial battles (4.7 per game) for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side this season.
Furthermore, Burnley's James Tarkowski is the only player to have made more headed clearances than Maguire this term, and the 29-year-old has firmly established himself as United's leader on the pitch as they push for a return to the Champions League.
