Manchester United's 2021/22 campaign has not lived up to the pre-season expectations of supporters, to say the least.

Back in August, many Red Devils fans were hopeful that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would be able to propel the club into the ranks of Premier League title contenders.

United had certainly spent big in the close season to try and make the ambition a reality.

First, winger Jadon Sancho was brought in from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £76.5 million, before the club parted with £36m to secure the services of Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane.

United weren't done there, either, as they shocked the footballing world by bringing Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford from Juventus just before the closure of the summer transfer window.

That trio of new recruits, combined with an existing squad packed with talent, gave United supporters reason to be optimistic about the season ahead.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United shows his frustration during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on November 06, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Unfortunately, that optimism was badly misplaced.

After an encouraging start to the campaign, a run of five defeats in seven Premier League games saw Solskjaer lose his job in November.

When the Norwegian left his post, United were 12 points off top spot in the league table. Now, under interim boss Ralf Rangnick, the club find themselves 20 points away from the summit in sixth place - fighting to secure a Champions League berth next season.

WATFORD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 20: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United interacts with Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United following the Premier League match between Watford and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on November 20, 2021 in Watford, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Very few of the club's key players have performed on a consistent basis this term - and this has been reflected in the updated market values given to several United stars by well-renowned football data experts Transfermarkt.

The site, which was blocked by Cristiano Ronaldo after he was unhappy over a valuation given to him, released their latest Premier League player market values this week - and eight United players were badly hit by the club's struggles in the recent update.

Manchester United players whose market value reduced by £3m or more in Transfermarkt's March 2022 Premier League update

8. Dean Henderson (£19.8m to £16.2m - £3.6m drop)

7. Paul Pogba (£54m to £49.5m - £4.5m drop)

6. Raphael Varane (£58.5m to £54m - £4.5m drop)

5. Jadon Sancho (£76.5m to £72m - £4.5m drop)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Jadon Sancho of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on March 12, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

4. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£34.2m to £27m - £7.2m drop)

3. Harry Maguire (£43.2m to £36m - £7.2m drop)

2. Cristiano Ronaldo (£40.5m to £31.5m - £9m drop)

1. Marcus Rashford (£76.5m to £62m - £13.5m drop)

MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 23: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United warms up before the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg One match between Atletico Madrid and Manchester United at Wanda Metropolitano on February 23, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

It's been a rough season for 24-year-old forward Rashford who has managed just five goals in 26 appearances for United this term - form which has seen him dropped from the England squad.

His struggles are reflected in an almost 18% drop in his market value, the biggest for any United player.

Rashford's colleagues Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have also endured seasons to forget, while we don't reckon Ronaldo will be unblocking Transfermarkt any time soon after his £9m downgrade.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on March 12, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

United's most valuable player remains Bruno Fernandes, who shares his £81m price tag with Manchester City pair Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden. Only Harry Kane and Mo Salah (each valued at £90m) can better that mark.

There is some positive news for United's accountants, though, as the club's Swedish teenage sensation Anthony Elanga is the player who saw the largest percentage growth in his value, rising 275% from £3.6m to £13.5m. That valuation is only likely to rocket if the 19-year-old continues the impressive start to his United career.

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Harry Maguire booing debate (Via The Football Terrace)