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With Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United side challenging for the Premier League title once again this season, there is no doubt that some of the players will be very important for them in order to deliver success. On top of their domestic duties, they will also try to improve their performances in the Champions League.
Not only is it very crucial season for Manchester United, but also a crucial season for most of their players. There are some who need to step up their game in order to win silverware. And there are also some players who will want to carry on their form from last season and try to become an important link during the 10-month long season.
So, here are five players who will be very crucial for Manchester United this coming season –
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#5 Alexis Sanchez
When Manchester United signed Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal, it looked as if it could be an inspired signing for a team lacking creativity at times. Jose Mourinho’s side clinching a star player from under the noses of their rivals, Manchester City, was seen as a major coup.
But Sanchez failed to impress during his first five months. This coming season, though, could be a crucial one for the forward as there have been several encouraging signs which have suggested he could deliver for United after some impressive showings during United’s pre-season tour.
Sanchez will be desperate to hit the ground running with a strong start to the season. Moreover, he can have no excuse with a full pre-season behind him and no issues with fatigue after not being involved in the World Cup this year.
Sanchez only scored twice in 12 league appearances last season and produced three assists. This is something which Jose will want Sanchez to improve on significantly because Lukaku cannot be expected to carry the scoring burden all the time.
Sanchez’s importance will only increase this season and it seems clear that the experienced forward needs to take responsibility and influence games more for Manchester United.
But there is no doubt that he will deliver for the 20-time Premier League champions. He has the winning mentality and the experience to become an important player as United look to start the season strongly.
#4 Paul Pogba
There is no question that Paul Pogba is one of the best midfielders in the world. The France and Manchester United player had a brilliant World Cup in Russia, and now he has to take this game to Old Trafford and find consistency to be a success for the club.
Pogba is still the world’s most expensive central midfielder, a key player for France, but at club level, he has not always looked comfortable. But a lot has changed for him this summer after guiding France to World Cup success in Russia.
At his most dynamic, it is Pogba’s all-round game, his athleticism, his eye for a pass, his ability to score decisive goals, that makes United tick. For France, Pogba’s defensive discipline, his positioning, his awareness of danger and the speed with which he was able to snuff it out, was the feature of their success.
The role he played at international level is similar to the one he is asked to play for his club, so he will come to this United team as a more confident man than he was last season. Pogba will return to Manchester United as a world champion, a much matured player. This coming season will be Pogba’s season to seize, and to become the player he was supposed to be for Manchester United.
#3 Victor Lindelof
Manchester United will surely have a World Cup-winning performer, Paul Pogba in their squad this season, but there was another Manchester United player who played magnificently in the World Cup for his team. Victor Lindelof was an essential component of the industrious Swedish side that reached the last-eight, and established himself as one of the tournament’s best defenders in the process.
After enduring a tough time during his first season at United, he displayed his talent on the world football’s biggest stage with some assured and strong defensive performances for his country. And Victor will return to the United squad from the World Cup with a renewed sense of conviction in his own abilities.
What Victor Lindelof will need to be a success for Manchester United this season is a regular centre-back partner, as he had in Granqvist for Sweden. And Eric Bailly looks perfect to be his centre-back partner not only for the upcoming season, but also for years to come. The Swede also built up a good partnership with Luisao at Benfica. So, there is no doubt about the fact that he will definitely come good when paired with a regular centre-back.
It has taken time but after his £31 million-move last summer, he is finally ready to take charge of United’s defence. And he has already done enough to suggest he will be a more regular starter for United in 2018/19.
#2 Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku scored four goals for Belgium en route to their third-place finish at the World Cup in Russia. The Manchester United striker has transferred his club form to his country seamlessly and seems to be improving with each passing moment. He enjoyed a fine first season at Old Trafford, scoring 16 goals in 34 league appearances.
This coming season, he could be their key to dethroning Manchester City for the Premier League title. He quickly became one of Jose Mourinho’s most consistent performers at the club and also one of the fans’ favourite.
The emergence of Lukaku as an accomplished all-round centre-forward could bring fear to most defenders in the Premier League. He is now entirely capable in the role as a focal point for the team, having honed his ball control and dribbling ability which was previously so maligned.
The fact that the Belgian striker is already revered as one of the most dangerous strikers in world football, despite not being the finished product yet, is frightening. Under Jose Mourinho’s stewardship, he is refining his technique to grow into a truly world class player, which bodes well for United’s title chances this coming season.
#1 David de Gea
The fact that David de Gea has been Manchester United's 'Player of the Season' in four of the past five seasons tells the story of his worth to the club. He is arguably the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.
He has been nominated in the PFA Team of the Year for the past four seasons, further enhancing his reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He also won his first ever Premier League Golden Glove 2017/18 trophy for keeping the highest number of clean sheets during the season.
The Spanish goalkeeper may have had a poor World Cup by his standards but the 27-year-old is back at Old Trafford and will likely be the hero once again for Jose Mourinho’s team.
Without him last season, they might not have even qualified for the Champions League. With his future now seemingly secured at United, he can fully focus on winning his second Premier League medal and become a Manchester United legend in the eyes of the fans.
