Manchester United have two more players to add to their untouchable list

The Premier League season is over and there is a summer of change on the horizon.

Manchester United have finished eighth, they have failed to qualify for Europe and the curtain has been brought down on a disappointing nine months.

There is a chance to end the year on a high in the FA Cup final, but the league campaign won't be remembered fondly, regardless of what happens at Wembley.

There have been a handful of memorable league wins along the way - Scott McTominay's brace against Brentford in October and Kobbie Mainoo's matchwinner against Wolves in February come to mind - but United finished closer to Nottingham Forest in 17th than Manchester City.

ALSO READ: Ten Hag's risky decision against Brighton might backfire

ALSO READ: What Diogo Dalot told Rasmus Hojlund after goal vs Brighton

To finish 31 points behind City is not surprising but it does show the extent of the challenge that lies ahead for Sir Jim Ratcliffe as he approaches his first summer as United co-owner.

Sources indicated 'radical changes' would follow Ratcliffe's acquisition of a minority stake and the boardroom has been shaken up ahead of the transfer window.

Omar Berrada will start work as CEO after serving a period of gardening leave and Jason Wilcox has been appointed as technical director. United remain locked in negotiations with Newcastle to appoint Dan Ashworth as sporting director and he is expected to join at a later date.

The elephant in the room is the manager's future needs to be decided, but there will also be significant changes to the playing squad after a dismal, mostly joyless season.

The number of departures from United will reach double figures this summer, although there are a few members of the dressing room who are guaranteed to be safe from the chopping block. Andre Onana, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund are the only players off limits in the summer transfer window, though a look at the genuine contenders for this season's Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award would suggest that list should be added to.

United fans seem to unanimously agree that Garnacho, Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot are in contention.

Those four players have emerged with the most credit - Hojlund and Onana deserve honourable mentions - from this season and will compete for the award.

Marcus Rashford was crowned United Player of the Season last year and the announcement on who has picked up the prize this term is expected before the FA Cup final.

To begin with, Fernandes was given the captain's armband last summer and he's dragged United over the line on multiple occasions this season. His output in the final third may have reduced, but he's become a better all-round player and is the driving force in the midfield.

Fernandes hadn't missed a club game through injury in his career until earlier this month and he's been an ever-present since signing from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020.

The 29-year-old has won the award twice already and could make it a hat-trick this season, although his fellow countryman Dalot would be another popular winner after claiming back his starting role at right-back and contributing a few important goals along the way.

Dalot has returned to form after falling out of favour at the back end of 2022/23 and has managed to avoid injury, one of the most important qualities a player can have. His finish against Brighton on Sunday afternoon was clinical and he can be content with his performances.

Garnacho also has a shout of winning the award. Remarkably, he started his 37th consecutive game against Brighton and has pushed his body to the limits while avoiding injury, which mustn't be easy for a creative player on the wing who attracts fouls from the opposition.

Finally, Mainoo has been a breath of fresh air this season since his breakthrough into the first team in November and it's testament to his quality he's in the conversation for the Player of the Year award, despite being absent at the start of the campaign due to injury.

Mainoo celebrated his 19th birthday just a few weeks ago and he plays with the composure of someone with 300 senior appearances in the Premier League.

Any of those four players deserves to be crowned Player of the Season and should be among the first names on the team sheet when the new campaign begins.

Who do you think should win POTS? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.