Manchester United's predicted XI for the 2018/19 season

For a club as celebrated as Manchester United, it is appalling (to say the least) to end a season devoid of any major silverware. The Red Devils have not won the league for 5 years now which is the longest title drought in the Premier League era for the club and it goes without saying that the fans are now desperate for success.

Last season, they finished runners-up in The Premier League and FA Cup, but the case in Europe's top flight was even worse. Jose Mourinho's side crashed out of UEFA Champions League by suffering a giant-killing at the hands of Sevilla in the Round of 16.

Consequently, United have had a relatively busy transfer window where they ushered in the likes of Fred, Diogo Dalot and Lee Grant while also offloading Daley Blind, who secured a return to Ajax.

With such instrumental changes, the upcoming season has become all the more riveting for Manchester United fans, who will be anticipating a much better season this time.

On that note, let us take a look at the most likely XI the English giants will field in the 2018/19 season.

Note: The lineup will feature a 4-2-1-3 formation for the same.

Also Read: Real Madrid's predicted starting XI for the 2018/19 season

Goalkeeper

David de Gea

Manning the posts for Manchester United for the past 7 seasons, De Gea has merchandised himself as a well-grounded goalkeeper who is simply a centre-back's dream.

Despite his substandard performances in the World Cup, the Spaniard is still one of the most sought-after shot-stoppers partly owing to his magnetic stature in the transfer market.

In the 2017/18 season, the 27-year-old kept 18 clean sheets in 37 appearances in Premier League with an average of 3.58 saves per goal and a claim success of 86%, bagging the Premier League Golden Glove as a result.

Centre-backs

Eric Bailly

The Ivorian centre-back, who is arguably United's best defender right now, is a brick wall at the back.

Although he was left out in the cold by Mourinho towards the end of last season and there were reports emerging of discontent between him and his Portuguese manager, Mourinho's renewed appreciation for Bailly following the match against Liverpool imply that he will be a guaranteed starter in the upcoming season.

‘When he saw that Smalling in the warm-up was leaving, he decided by himself he did not want another kid on the pitch,’ Mourinho said.

‘That is why we have him, why we still have him and why he is going to stay with us because football teams need people like him; the kind of people where the club is more important than anything else.’

Chris Smalling

Smalling enjoyed a remarkable last season but his place in the starting XI was put in jeopardy by Jose Mourinho's hot pursuit of a central defender in the ongoing transfer market.

Harry Maguire and Toby Alderweireld were reportedly the club's top targets but with Leicester City playing hardball and the Red Devils refusing to meet Alderweireld's astronomical asking price, Smalling appears to be the ultimate answer.

Full-backs

Ashley Young

Manchester United's left-back conundrum is well documented. Ashley Young is the player who is currently deployed at the left-back position having received the green light ahead of Luke Shaw, who is clearly out of favour with Jose Mourinho.

Nevertheless, United's hunt for Alex Sandro meant peril for the 33-year-old, who must have heaved a sigh of relief after Mourinho was told by the club that they cannot stockpile defenders.

As such, Young will most likely retain his preferred berth.

Antonio Valencia

Initially signed by Alex Ferguson in 2009 as a right winger, Valencia has since transformed himself into a top-quality right-back.

Following Michael Carrick's departure, the Ecuadorian is also the favourite to be bestowed with the captain armband in the forthcoming season.

Midfielders

Nemanja Matić, Fred and Paul Pogba

Nemanja Matic, who had an excellent debut season at the Old Trafford and turns 30 tomorrow, is another guaranteed presence in the starting XI. However, the big Serb won't be available when the 2018/19 season commences in the wake of an injury. Over the course of his unavailability, Ander Herrera will usurp his spot in all likelihood.

In tandem with Matic, Fred will add quality to United's midfield after the Red Devils coughed up £52m to prise him away from Shakhtar Donetsk. A resilient player in the middle, the Brazilian will be the perfect foil for Paul Pogba as his creativity, movement and composure on the ball will allow him to dovetail with the Frenchman.

As for Pogba himself, he will be able to play a freer role in the midfield and dictate play unlike his two previous seasons under Jose Mourinho in which he failed to live up to his billing. With a reliable rearguard at the back and two defensive shields in the form of Matic and Fred, Mourinho will probably deploy Pogba in the attacking midfield.

Wingers

Alexis Sanchez

Since his arrival, Alexis Sanchez has failed to live up to his billing by virtue of his underwhelming performances for the Red Devils, registering a total of just two goals and three assists in 12 outings. All the same, the Chile international will try to bring his A-game having relished a prolonged holiday due to his country's absence in the World Cup.

In case he fails to perform, Anthony Martial (if he stays) and Jesse Lingard will be waiting in the wings.

Marcus Rashford/Ivan Perisic/Gareth Bale

Marcus Rashford

While Manchester United's left flank is is over-saturated with heavyweights, the right wing does not boast of any prominent name.

In consequence, United have been linked with a host of right-wingers with Gareth Bale and Ivan Perisic surfacing as top targets. And if a deal is clinched with either of the two, the said player will be a regular in the starting XI.

Otherwise, Mourinho will presumably slot Rashford into the right wing.

Centre-forward

Romelu Lukaku

Entering the season on the back of a stellar World Cup campaign where he inspired the Belgian national team to a third-place finish, Romelu Lukaku will once again lead the line for a star-studded squad.

Valued at £90 million according to Transfermarkt, the 25-year-old is the third most valuable centre-forward in the world presently.

Edited by Amar Anand