Midfielders
Central midfielders: Michael Carrick and Paul Pogba
The arrival for a world record fee might put a lot of pressure on Paul Pogba’s 23-year-old shoulders but considering his performances for Juventus and the way in which he handled the pressure of playing a European Championship at home highlights. Even if his fee seems a bit excessive for a central midfielder, the fact that he helped Juventus to four consecutive Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia and helped them reached the UEFA Champions League final speaks volumes about his ability.
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If there is one thing that United have lacked for sometime now, it is a central midfielder with the physique and power to go from one end of the pitch to another while also providing an offensive spark. While Ander Herrera tried to do that, he has shown himself to be a player who is more suited to playing further forward than as one of the box-to-box midfielders and that is why the Frenchman takes his place in the side.
Alongside Pogba, as the other half of a double-pivot will be Michael Carrick. While it is true that he hasn’t been appreciated as much as he should have been for England, during his time at United, the Englishman has been at the heart of a hugely successful period for Manchester United.
While it it true that Carrick is 35, there can be little doubt about his importance to the side. And his manager certainly understands that as he said: ”[He is] Stable, intelligent, to play as one man in front of the defenders, give us all the stability, he knows everything. Tactically, very intelligent.“
The acquisition of Pogba means that they have the perfect player to complement Carrick’s tactical intelligence. With his strength, creativity and ability to drive forward, Pogba will enjoy the runner-passer pivot with Carrick, which Mourinho will be hoping works to perfection as the season progresses.
Attacking midfielders: Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial
When Manchester United signed a young player from AS Monaco as the transfer window was drawing to a close last summer, not many could have predicted the impact that he would go on to have. Anthony Martial may not have been expected to play every match but such was his immediate impact that he won the support of Old Trafford instantaneously.
As the season wore on, he couldn’t quite keep up his incredible start but there can be little doubt about who United’s most effective forward last season was. With his pace, ability to effortlessly glide past defenders as if they did not exist and finish with a calmness that belied his years.
While he is unlikely to play as the central striker with the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he will start most games, from the left flank. On the other flank is a new arrival in Henrikh Mkhitaryan. While the Armenian attacker can play anywhere across the forward line, the presence of Rooney means he is more likely to start on the right.
With plenty of pace and ability to pick a pace, the 27-year-old, who was signed from Borussia Dortumund will feel at home on the right, where he will be afforded the luxury to cut in and sometimes even play through the middle and swap with Martial on the left.
The Armenian attacker’s versatility will be a key asset for United as he provides fluidity in attack and the option of switching formations even through the game.
Playing as the central attacking midfielder will be the club captain Wayne Rooney. Although he didn’t have the greatest season last time around, some of it can be attributed to the fact that he was played in multiple positions throughout the season.
While it is true that he didn’t have the greatest this time around either in the Community Shield, his link-up with Zlatan was apparent already. The only reason why he gets the nod ahead of Mata and even Herrera is his combination with Zlatan and the fact that both players can switch places and occupy the No.10 and striker role at different points of the same game, which affords the side a unique flexibility.
