Manchester United rode the limelight this transfer season becoming one of the biggest spenders despite buying only 4 players this past summer. After failing to win any significant trophies since 2011, except the FA Cup last season, United have tried quite a few managers and players to get the club back to the glory days but have failed. This season has been no different so far.
Jose Mourinho continued his tactics of getting the best he can in the transfers bringing in the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimović, Paul Pogba, Eric Bailly and Henrik Mkhitaryan. All pretty highly rated. But the team has failed to perform together at the top level.
Zlatan Ibrahimović (7.5/ 10)
Whether he is 23 or 35, Zlatan can always be a threat for any side. This idea has been shattered. The towering Swede, who has scored some of the most iconic goals in football history and came at the back of a thunderous record of 156 goals in 181 matches for PSG, has failed this season.
He has scored 6 goals in 11 Premier league appearances so far, which isn’t the worst of returns, but his goal-drought was concerning considering they rely heavily on his goals.
Paul Pogba (7/ 10)
Everything he did, from having a new hairstyle to wearing new flashy shoes, became a trend until he started getting game time for United. The 89 million pounds buy has scored only 2 goals in 10 appearances and has 0 assists to his name.
The Frenchman otherwise has been very quiet in the midfield and a lot could be blamed on Mourinho too as he seems confused as to where to play him. He is sometimes behind the striker while sometimes with Fellaini and Herrera in the defensive midfield position. The game against Swansea showed how to best utilise him and his performances could soon improve.
Eric Bailly (7.5/ 10)
Unfortunate to say the least to incur a long-term injury. The Ivory Coast international was the only buy, who was worthy of the transfer fee. A strong presence at the back, his ball intercepting qualities and hard tackling strengthened United’s back line to the core. With him gone, United have looked fragile at the back.
Henrik Mkhitaryan (4/ 10)
Nothing is conclusive about his current status in the United squad. He does not seem to have the manager’s confidence despite sharing the same hotel. The 26.5 million pounds buy has only started 4 times this season for United. His rating is in accordance to his appearances as I had nothing else to gauge with. He last replaced Marcus Rashford in their 2-1 Europa League defeat to Fenerbahce and was not in the squad when his side faced Swansea City win. Something’s fishy.
