Oxford United player ratings: Strikers and wingers

United beat Bolton Wanderers 2-0 in the Sky Bet League One play-off final, ensuring a return to the second tier of English football for the first time in 25 years.

We looked back at all 31 players who represented the U’s in league action in our end of season player ratings. In the final part, it’s time for the forwards.

READ AGAIN: How did we rate the U’s keepers and defenders?

READ AGAIN: How did we rate United’s midfielders?

ATTACKERS

Billy Bodin

Enjoyed his best football of the campaign when Liam Manning played a back three, and he had Greg Leigh overlapping from left wing back.

Overall, it was a solid season for the 32-year-old, who grabbed five league goals and four assists across 19 starts and 18 substitute appearances.

His wonderful lobbed effort in the 5-0 win against Peterborough United will live long in the memory.

Rating: 7.5/10

Marcus Browne

A hamstring injury, and then recurrence of it, limited him to just 14 league appearances, with only five being starts.

He began the season on fire, and threatened to be the player we all know he can be.

Injury though would have the ultimate say, before his time with the club drew to a close following his release.

Rating: 6/10

Tyler Burey

Showed glimpses of promise after arriving from Danish side Odense on loan in January, but failed to make another appearance after being taken off at half-time in the 1-1 draw at Blackpool.

Rumours of a rift were always waved away, and he continued to be a regular presence at the training ground.

Rating: 5/10

Owen Dale

A brilliant signing from Blackpool on January deadline day, as he immediately endeared himself to the United faithful.

Tricky with the ball at his feet, and an industrious worker out of possession, he fit the Des Buckingham mould straight away.

Admits himself that adding more end product in the final third is the next step for him.

Rating: 8/10

Owen Dale on the ball at Wembley (Image: Mike Allen)

Kyle Edwards

Heartbreaking to see injury hamper his season, especially as he was such an exciting player when he arrived on summer deadline day.

Hamstring issues would ultimately limit him to just three league starts and two substitute appearances.

He will remain at the club as he continues his rehabilitation, and could be a wild card addition next season if he can prove his fitness.

Rating: 5.5/10

Tyler Goodrham

What a sensational young talent. Adjusted from playing out wide to an attacking midfield role like a duck to water.

Eight goals and four assists across 43 games don’t tell the full story. A tenacious battler and wonderful dribbler, the 20-year-old is no doubt one of the club’s most prized assets.

He has a big future ahead of him, and playing Championship football with the U’s is the perfect next step in his development.

Rating: 8.5/10

Tyler Goodrham gets forward during the League One play-off final (Image: Mike Allen)

Stan Mills

Made a real impression during his loan spell from Everton, before a nasty knee injury in the Emirates FA Cup defeat at Coventry City cut it short.

The 20-year-old isn’t expected to be back in training until the autumn, but if he can put the injury behind him and return to full fitness, then a loan move next January will surely be on the cards.

It’s a long way off, but United would surely be interested in getting him back.

Rating: 7.5/10

Josh Murphy

Began the season on the outer periphery of Manning’s plans, and ended it as the main man under Buckingham.

From February onwards, he was a joy to watch, as he tied defenders in knots and beat them with his frightening pace.

His Wembley brace won the play-off final, but with his deal expiring, the U’s face a battle to keep him, as vultures with larger resources circle.

Rating: 8.5/10

Josh Murphy celebrates his second goal in the play-off final (Image: Mike Allen)

STRIKERS

Will Goodwin

Arrived from Cheltenham Town in January, with the hope he would take the burden off Mark Harris, but fitness problems got in the way.

There’ll be debate about what’s best for him next season, especially as United will likely want to bring in at least a couple of centre forwards.

Rating: 5/10

Mark Harris

Missed just three games across the entire league campaign, all of which were due to suspension, as he carried the weight of the number nine shirt throughout the season.

He managed 15 league goals, but offered so much more, with his pressing from the front key to how the U’s played under both Manning and Buckingham.

His goals came in patches, but even during the periods when he wasn’t scoring, he was invaluable to the side.

Rating: 8.5/10

Mark Harris scored 15 league goals for Oxford United (Image: Mike Allen)

Gatlin O’Donkor

After a breakthrough 2022/23 season, his progress seemed to go backwards, despite some initial strong cameos from the bench.

As the campaign wore on though, he became less and less involved, before a February loan switch to Barnet in the Vanarama National League.

The 19-year-old scored six times in 14 games, while United’s promotion means he will likely head out on loan again next season.

Rating: 5/10

Sonny Perkins

The Leeds United loanee made three substitute appearances in the league, totalling just five minutes.

He was unsurprisingly recalled in January, having failed to get near the U’s first team picture.

Rating: 3/10