Premier League next season is expected to have bigger stars than all the giants in the Champions League combined. The rate at which Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton have gone about their transfer window, there would hardly be any chance of an upset by the smaller sides.
United manager Jose Mourinho is under extreme pressure to instantly deliver next season and he is building a squad with that in mind. The side looks capable of challenging for the title surely, as they have efficiently filled the void from last season. Let’s have a look.
Defence
David De Gea remains their number one for now, although there have increasing reports of the Spaniard desperate for a move to Real Madrid. Los Blancos have gone past their transfer ban and we would expect them to make a move for their long-term target. United are holding out a huge transfer fee for the Spaniard and it would stop Real for only so much.
The central defensive duo finally at Old Trafford makes some noise. After a pathetic domestic season, where the boss had to keep reshuffling his backline with Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Marco Rojo and even sometimes Daley Blind, alongside Eric Bailly, we finally see an unshakeable pair. The centre-halves are expected to be Bailly and Victor Lindelof. The Swedish international had a phenomenal season with Benfica the last term and would look forward to a similar showing next season.
United’s depth in the central defence is worth admiring though. The full-backs are expected to be Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw. The English youngster is expected to finally shake off his injury as he is included in the pre-season tour. In Matteo Darmian and Blind, Mourinho still has quality options on the bench.
Midfield
Midfield had been a thorn in Mourinho’s United career so far. Despite bringing in Paul Pogba last summer, the Red Devils haven’t found the flair they needed. Mourinho sold Morgan Schneiderlin last winter as the Frenchman was thought redundant. However, it seemed to be a poor decision on the team’s part as Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick have been of little help.
The only player to partner Pogba efficiently has been Ander Herrera and the Spaniard would start in the attacking midfield. Fellaini remains the only feasible option left for Mourinho and he would be the anchorman.
Attack
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic now gone and Wayne Rooney on the verge of leaving, Mourinho would surely expect a faster attacking front in the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Marcus Rashford, Jese Lingard and Anthony Martial. We expect Mkhitaryan and Martial to remain the first choice on the flanks.
The leading man would be United’s star signing Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian centre-forward was Everton’s star man last season being the second top-scorer, and Mourinho would need him to bring them out of the frustrating draws.
