Season preview - Red Devils to return with a bang

A new era for Manchester United begins.

After missing out on the top four last season, Manchester United will not participate in the Champions League for the second time in three years. This led Manchester United executive vice-chairman, Ed Woodward, with no choice but to sack Louis Van Gaal and hire Jose Mourinho.

Most supporters will feel it’s best to forget about the two seasons under Van Gaal, it’s time to look ahead and pray the word boring or dull won’t be used again to sum up the side’s performances this campaign. Despite the FA Cup success, the Dutchman’s overall work in the Champions League was embarrassing alongside the away form in the Premier League.

The new additions

When it comes to Jose Mourinho and his activities in the transfer window, they happen fast - very fast. With Manchester United suffering for three years, it meant there was no excuse this summer, the money had to be spent in order to restore their pride and challenge for the title once again.

The Reds have bought Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba. One or two more additions could be possible with still another couple of weeks until the transfer window is closed. But the new signings have improved the squad massively, from potentially challenging for the top four to finishing in the top two.

On Ibrahimovic, it’s a tough one, but his goal-scoring record and leadership is something that the club has been missing. Quite a few United defenders have failed to reach their potential and to keep fit, whilst Bailly has been impressive during pre-season and could compete for a regular start at the heart of defence.

The lack of creativity was mentioned on numerous occasions last year, the arrival of Mkhitaryan is the perfect solution. In midfield, the side was missing a world-class central midfielder or an individual with the potential to become such. Paul Pogba is a player with that potential - the Frenchman has to make a big statement this season to show why he was worth every penny.

Key player

The club have lacked a lot of pace and creativity over the years, alongside his versatility, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is the individual that will be part of every Manchester United attack. Whether it’s creating a chance or converting it, the Armenian is set to be the key man for Jose Mourinho’s tactical plans.

The playmaker hasn’t received enough praise ahead of the new season. Mkhitaryan had a fantastic campaign at Dortmund, arguably his best, completing 11 goals and 15 assists in the Bundesliga. The 27-year-old produced 67 chances, 19 more than Juan Mata as well completing the same amount of take-ons as Anthony Martial.

Do-or-die for the captain

Wayne Rooney has gotten away with many poor performances since being announced as Manchester United’s captain, this could hamper the chances of winning the league title in the first year of a new era. Jose Mourinho dealt with a similar problem like this at Chelsea, when he left the captain, John Terry, on the bench for a couple of games.

It’s already been confirmed by the manager that Rooney would only be used as an attacker – either as a striker or central attacking midfielder. He only has one record to break as a Manchester United player, which the club’s all-time goal-scoring record and is only six goals away from breaking it. Having won nearly each competition he has played in besides the Europa League, it would seem that Rooney only has his legendary status to play for.

Strengths

The quality within the club was a problem for quite some time, last year the Red Devils only had enough to challenge for a top four finish, but now they will be able to challenge for the league title without a doubt. Manchester United will also have more fire power this season.

The club was laughed at during the times of David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal and would have fallen further behind if a born winner had not been appointed. Big signings arriving on top of the change in management means Manchester United are well on their way to regaining the crucial fear factor that all of Europe’s elite posses.

Weaknesses

After the signing of Pogba, Mourinho has a new concern which is none other than the club’s defence. The squad perhaps needs another centre-back and a right-back. Chris Smalling will most likely be a first choice defender once his suspension is over, which will leave either Daley Blind or Eric Bailly as his partner at the heart of defence.

Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones are still available as back-up options, but it’s been reported that Mourinho has little faith in them. Alongside this, Bailly will leave at the start of 2017 to represent his country in the Africa Cup of Nations, which will mean the club will have very limited options for quite a few key fixtures.

As for the full-back options, the Red Devils are short on choices too. With Rojo behind Blind as the understudy for Luke Shaw for the left-back role, meaning the Argentine will be up for sale with the remaining weeks of the transfer window. This would lead to Blind being used at centre-back when needed, leaving Cameron Borthwick-Jackson as the last back-up option, who has already proved to be a reliable player last season if Mourinho needs the youngster to replace Shaw due to injury or suspension.

At right-back, it seems like a lot work is needed. Both Matteo Darmian and Antonio Valencia complete a good shift when needed, but haven’t done enough to show they can be the long-term solution for the club in that position. Recent reports in Brazil have revealed information on Mourinho being interested in AS Monaco’s Fabinho, it would not be a total surprise if a deal is in place before the window closes.

Who should be sold?

Jose Mourinho prefers to work with a small squad and has told the players who will be part of his plans ahead of the new season and which individuals will have to look for a new club with the remaining time left. With the Europa League fixture on Thursday nights, it might be important for Mourinho to keep the squad a bit bigger than what he normally expects.

If it came down to a few players being sold due to an offer that can’t be refused or to take them off the wage bill, it would be either of these trio – Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini or Marcos Rojo.

Manchester United’s best XI

With the current squad members, here is the personal take of United’s best XI for this season.

De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Bailly, Shaw Carrick, Schneiderlin, Pogba; Martial, Mkhitaryan; Ibrahimovic.

League prediction

A top three finish for Jose Mourinho’s first season at the club would be a minimum, an aim the club should be able to achieve with ease. Not to forget, Mourinho’s growing concern of the defence will surely lead him to buying a defensive addition, which will lead the Red Devils to the league title for the 21^st time.

Premier League – 1^st place