For the second season running, Manchester United have cancelled their end-of-year awards night, opting instead for a more low-key internal event as the club wrestles with another campaign that has fallen far below expectations — at least on the men’s side of the pitch.
Traditionally a celebratory evening that brings together stars from the men’s, women’s, and academy teams, the awards night has often produced unforgettable moments. Who could forget Louis van Gaal’s legendary 2015 speech, when he seized the mic with: “Pay attention to the manager!”
But this year, like last, the spotlight dims early.
The senior men’s team are facing the spectre of their worst league finish since the 1973–74 relegation campaign. A flicker of redemption remains: they could yet qualify for the Champions League — but only by winning the Europa League final against Tottenham in Bilbao on 21 May.
Win or lose, United have confirmed there will be no trophy parade. Instead, a modest barbecue at Carrington will mark the occasion, a far cry from open-top buses and roaring crowds.
While the men falter, the women’s team continues to shine. Marc Skinner’s squad has already secured Champions League football by finishing third in the WSL and are preparing for an FA Cup final showdown against Chelsea at Wembley this Sunday.
Their upward trajectory is one of the few feel-good stories in a season marred by inconsistency elsewhere.
Though the glitz of a televised MUTV gala is gone, the awards themselves live on.
Fans were invited to vote for:
- Men’s and Women’s Player of the Season
- Each team’s Goal of the Season
The winners will receive their trophies in a pitchside presentation at Old Trafford before the men’s final home match against Aston Villa on 25 May.
Last year’s winners were Bruno Fernandes and Ella Toone, a duo who carried their squads through storms both tactical and emotional.
The mood is one of introspection, not indulgence. While United fans remain as passionate and loyal as ever, the club appears to be recalibrating — reserving celebration for seasons that reflect the weight of its history and ambition.
In this quiet, there’s a message: it’s not about pageantry — it’s about progress.
by Kelly Were
