How Manchester United could line up in the 2018/19 Season

Defence

Eric Bailly is the standout performer in defence for United

This has been the cause of concern for Manchester United in the preseason. They have been poor, and a lot has been written about defensive reinforcements, but the real picture, if statistics are to be considered, is quite different. Manchester United played 38 games and conceded only 28 goals, the second lowest in the league after Manchester City.

They also had 19 clean sheets, the most in the Premier League last season. In the Premier League alone, Manchester United had 564 tackles, with a tackle success rate of 65%. There were 481 interceptions and 853 clearances.

Only 4 errors led to goals in the whole season. Manchester City, the eventual champions, had 18 clean sheets and let in 27 goals. In the premier league, City had 563 tackles, with a tackle success rate of 68% and they had 346 interceptions and 588 clearances. Incidentally, they committed 6 errors which led to goals.

As such, even without the addition of further players, United should be fine. Lindelof had a stellar World Cup and should be building a formidable partnership with Bailly, who is one of the best defenders in the Premier League.

Valencia and Young will be the first choice in the wings initially, but Luke Shaw will eventually make the left-back position his own. Dalot might require a bit more time to take Valencia's place, but United's first choice defence in the 2018/19 season should be Valencia-Bailly-Lindelof-Shaw.

In case Mourinho wants to shift to a 3 man defence, which he most definitely will in big games and crucial away matches, Smalling might come in along with Lindelof and Bailly.