Manchester United told the two players who met Erik ten Hag challenge

Marcus Rashford and Casemiro have come in for high praise from supporters for their exploits in the 2022/23 season.

Though it wasn't without setbacks, this past campaign was an overall success for Manchester United as it restored positivity and optimism in a previously beleaguered fanbase. Erik ten Hag inherited a disorganised and undisciplined rabble 12 months ago and moulded them into a cohesive and often exciting unit.

There's room for improvement after heavy defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool and the season did end with a sting as City defeated United in the FA Cup final on their way to winning their own treble, but United's own goals were achieved. The priority objective for the year was to qualify for a Champions League place and a nice bonus would have been ending a six-year trophy drought. Both were accomplished.

A lot of work needs to be done in the summer transfer window to build upon that progress but the players who achieved deserve their flowers first. MEN Sport have been asking readers to take part in our massive end-of-year survey and from 31,372 responses, 43 per cent voted for Rashford as the player of the season.

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United struggled for goals throughout the year and would have been in serious trouble if it wasn't for Rashford's roaring return to form. The forward scored 30 goals, his highest-ever tally, and put in a string of excellent displays.

Casemiro came second with 34 per cent of the vote and fellow new signing Lisandro Martinez claimed 12 per cent. Bruno Fernandes finished fourth with 10 per cent. Raphael Varane and Christian Eriksen shared the remaining one per cent between them.

Casemiro may have missed out on the top