Many pundits have judged Manchester United’s summer shopping to be the best among all the others in the league. Jose Mourinho is bound to come back stronger this time following the debacle in the domestic league last season and the kind of transfers that he has done pretty much cements that possibility.
In the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic, the Portuguese gaffer now has two options who have proven their mastery in the league and will get his results no matter who the opponent is and how negative they are playing. Although not an experienced lad, but Victor Lindelof does possess the physical traits that suit the league which makes him useful even when he isn’t at his best.
Strength
United are likely to excel in two departments- counter attacks and aerial duels. Looked from a distance, those two attributes are pretty much what the Premier League is all about and Mourinho had got it figured out quite early in his managerial career in England.
United have players who retain domineering frames and tremendous pace. And United should expect to play the card that every time their tactics seem stagnant. Against sides like West Bromwich Albion or Burnley, who are unlikely to risk going forward much, United would be a huge threat from set pieces too.
Weakness
Despite the great buys that Ed Woodward managed to pull off this season, he has failed to get their most important target- Ivan Perisic. And it is in the creative department that United are likely to suffer the most yet again this season. United had Wayne Rooney alongside Juan Mata last season to pull strings from behind the striker, but now with him gone the Spaniard remains the only player at Old Trafford of that breed.
In Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic, Mourinho has many box-to-box midfielders who can give inch-perfect long passes, incisive through-balls and win tackles midway, but when unlocking the defence is concerned, United still lack a Mesut Ozil, a Christian Eriksen or a David Silva up front.
Key Players
Romelu Lukaku will undoubtedly be United’s star striker this season. He was unstoppable last season even with Everton’s average midfield, and now a bunch of specialists around him we expect him to fire on all cylinders right from the start. Paul Pogba looks a much-improved player this season and should attain the level he was bought for.
Expectations
Jose Mourinho has a knack of winning the league in the second season with most of his clubs. United wouldn’t want to think of what happens in the third season for his teams and enjoy his mastery this time. United remain a real contender for the title this season.
