Jose Mourinho’s first season with Manchester United was by no means, an easy one. With a below-par sixth place finish in the league, only a victory in the Europa League finals could have salvaged their season.
As expected, the English giants outclassed Ajax and won their second major trophy of the season. Having achieved tremendous success in his ‘second year’ at previous clubs, Mourinho would be looking forward to mounting a serious title challenge this time around.
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As the transfer window is now open, Manchester United would be looking forward to offloading the dead weight and bringing in an influx of talented players. With the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic leaving, United need to shop smart with the prices for players going through the roof this season.
With the arrival of right players, United can mount a serious title challenge next term. Now let us take a look as to how Manchester United could line up next season.
Formation: 4-3-3
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
Despite a four-thousand dollar fax machine costing him two Champions League trophies, David de Gea has been immense for the Red Devils since his arrival from Atletico Madrid. With 14 clean sheets and 328 saves this season, the Spaniard was voted into the league’s best XI.
Ever since his breakout season with United, Big Dave has been heavily linked with European giants, Real Madrid. Having rejected their recent bid of £60 million for the keeper, it is safe to say that keeping De Gea has become United’s number one priority after the failed move for Antoine Griezmann.
With the three-time club player of the year at their disposal, Manchester United look a much stronger side, both on paper and pitch.
Defenders
Left Back: Luke Shaw
It’s now or never for the talented full-back. Luke Shaw’s time at the club has been tumultuous at best. After an impressive start to life at Old Trafford, a horrific double leg break ruled out the world’s most expensive left-back for an entire season. His return to competitive football has been average.
A combination of poor fitness and mediocre performances saw him being dropped to the bench on many occasions last season. The talent is there. However, consistency has been well below-par.
Still 21-years-old, Luke Shaw has ample time to get his career back on track. With the club’s pursuit for a new left-back on hold, this may well and truly be Shaw’s last chance to prove his worth.
Center Backs: Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof
Eric Bailly hit the ground running and impressed everyone in his first season in England. The Ivorian international was rock solid at the back and was an imposing presence at the heart of United’s defence. A solid tackler, Bailly recovered possession a record 172 times last term.
A ball-playing centre-half, the 23-year-old is often seen delivering fifty-yard diagonal balls from his own half.
His form did tail away towards the end of the season due to injuries and fatigue. However, with the arrival of Victor Lindelof, the two young guns could stabilise the ship for years to come. Speaking of the new arrival…
Swedish international Victor Lindelof signed for the club just a few days ago. A staggering £30.7 million move for the 22-year-old with a four-year contract.
Having kept 20 clean sheets in 32 appearances, Lindelof was the club’s (Benfica) bedrock along with club captain Luisao. With the likes of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Daley Blind struggling last season, the Swede’s presence will help solidify things at the back and start a new partnership for many years to come.
Right Back: Antonio Valencia
31-year-old Antonio Valencia was one of the club’s standout performers last season. Having signed a new two-year deal, the Ecuador captain is a guaranteed starter under Jose Mourinho. The effervescent midfielder hit top gear while playing out of position (right-back) and found tremendous success.
With four assists and an average of 1.3 key passes-per-game in 44 appearances, Valencia has been an offensive asset for the Portuguese manager. His defensive contribution has been the major positive as he averaged a club-high 2.4 tackles per game.
Capable of donning the captain’s armband, the former Wigan Athletic winger has become an integral part of the club’s success this past season.
Midfielders
Defensive Midfield: Fabinho/Nemanja Matic
Monaco bought the 23-year-old to replace Nabil Dirar at right-back three seasons ago. However, it was at defensive midfield where the Brazilian excelled. His physicality and extraordinary ball-holding abilities restricted him from becoming a successful modern day full-back.
Leonardo Jardim was quick to observe this and shifted the former Madrid player to a more central role.
His decision paid dividends as Fabinho was at the heart of everything positive. He was instrumental in Monaco’s title-winning campaign and was also named in UEFA Champions League team of the season. With Micheal Carrick leaving soon, Fabinho would be a perfect fit at the Theater of Dreams.
With the imminent arrival of Tiemoue Bakoyoko, Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic has reportedly decided to seek a move away from Stamford Bridge. Another reunion with former boss Jose Mourinho cannot be ruled out. The Serbian midfielder was influential in helping the Blues lift their second PL trophy in three campaigns.
Armed with remarkable defensive skills, Matic is also a very good distributor and has an eye for the spectacular. His wonder goal against local rivals Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-finals stole the show. With a few improvements in the passing department, the former Benfica midfielder can excel at Old Trafford.
Central Midfield: Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba
An incredibly popular figure at Old Trafford, Ander Herrera’s commitment to the club’s cause has seen him survive three managers under whom he’s played a variety of roles. One of the favourites to become the next club captain, the diminutive Spanish midfielder has excelled under Mourinho’s tutelage.
Herrera made a league-high 81 interceptions last season.
As mentioned above, the Spaniard’s versatility has been exploited time and again, when he’s made to play as a defensive midfielder. Behind the cute face lies an intelligent, hardworking and perseverant player who can outclass opponents with relative ease.
This very tenacity won him the club’s Player of the Year award for the 2016-17 season. Still only 27-years old, Herrera has an eternity to become one of the world’s premier central midfielders.
After an underwhelming first twenty games upon his return to Manchester, many onlookers had considered the 24-year-old to be a flop. However, the French midfielder began to showcase his talent in the latter half of the season as he was instrumental in the team’s Europa League triumph.
A guaranteed starter when fit, Paul Pogba is one of the best midfielders in the league. Having bagged a place in FIFA’s Team of the Year for 2016, the dabbing extraordinaire has already seen plenty of success.
When in-flow, Pogba is impossible to stop and will be a sure-shot contender to expropriate Ander Herrera and David de Gea for the Sir Matt Busby award next term.
Forwards
Left Wing: Anthony Martial/Ivan Perisic
Having played fewer minutes under Mourinho than the likes of Marouane Fellaini and Jesse Lingard, it is safe to assume that Martial is not a sure shot starter. The gaffer’s lack of faith in the forward has astounded many a fan.
Despite being deployed as a winger, the forward was United’s top scorer in the 2015-16 season. The ceiling on his abilities is enormous. Having performed superbly at one of the world’s biggest clubs, Martial has the goods to deliver on a consistent basis.
Croatian winger Ivan Perisic is one of the more effective wide-men across Europe. He had a fine season with Inter Milan. With 11 goals and 8 assists from 36 appearances in Serie A, Perisic has become a key player at the club.
According to many reports from English newspapers, the Europa-League winners have made him one of their main targets for the summer.
The former Wolfsburg player still has three years left on his contract and would cost Manchester United a fortune. He got media attention after performing splendidly at the Euros in 2016.
The pacy forward is renowned for his counter-attacking threat and has the ability to shoot with both feet. With the release of Zlatan, a player of his quality is a necessity for the club.
Striker: Alvaro Morata/Marcus Rashford
United’s lack of ability to convert big chances hurt them massively last season. The team broke a long-standing record for the most number of draws in a league season (14).
However, they would look to put an end to their worries with the signing of Spanish hitman Alvaro Morata. The striker averaged a goal every 66 minutes last season, second only to the great Leo Messi (min 10 goals).
Possessing a winner’s mentality, the 24-year-old has won plenty of silverware with Real Madrid and Juventus. Standing at 1.89m, Morata is surprisingly agile and extremely physical. With these dynamic traits, he can hold up play as well as lead swift counter-attacks. Nearing a £70 million move, the Spaniard is a perfect fit for this illustrious club.
Marcus Rashford enjoyed a fruitful 2016-17 season with the club. Inspired by the presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the lad from Manchester scored 12 times in 55 appearances last term.
Having been termed as Rooney’s successor, it is vital for him to start regularly. Not only would it boost his confidence, playing around top quality team-mates of his on a regular basis would improve his game by leaps and bounds.
Unlike other youngsters, Jose Mourinho has shown complete faith in Rashford and the latter has not disappointed. Scoring in the Manchester Derby, against Chelsea, Arsenal and a crucial away goal in the Europa League semi-finals (vs Benfica), the 19-year-old has been the man for all occasions for Manchester United.
Right Wing: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s first season at the club was a palpable affair. From the memorable highs in Europe (Europa League) to the disappointing lows in England, the Armenian international experienced it all. He was United’s top scorer in Europe with six goals and was involved in two other goals.
Blessed with incredible pace and silky dribbling skills, Mkhitaryan was Dortmund’s tormentor-en-chief during his time in Germany. Although he has failed to replicate his performances for the Red Devils, the playmaker remains one of Mourinho’s favourites.
With a host of quality players signing for rival clubs, his form will be vital for the club’s title challenge next season.
Can Jose’s army win the title?
The Premier League is becoming increasingly competitive as each season passes by. With huge sums of money at their disposal, many of the English clubs spend lavishly and bring in the best performers from all around Europe.
As things stand, Manchester United have a complete squad. With the addition(s) of Victor Lindelof and Alvaro Morata (most likely), most of the bases have been covered. The addition of a defensive midfielder would do wonders for the club. A young and exciting squad, it would be no fluke if the Red Devils lift the trophy for a record twenty-first time.
