Premier League 2018/19: Top 6 preview, transfer rating and predictions

Manchester United

Can Man United close the gap to Man City this season?

Last Season: 2nd

Players In: Fred (Shakhtar Donetsk, €59 million), Diogo Dalot (Porto, €22 million), Lee Grant (Stoke City, €1.7 million)

Players Out: Daley Blind (Ajax, €16 million), Sam Johnstone (West Brom, €7.35 million), Axel Tuanzebe (Aston Villa, Loan), Joel Pereria (Vitoria Setubal, Loan), Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (Scunthorpe, Loan)

Transfer Rating: 6/10

Preview

Manchester United enter this season on the back of a very strange transfer window. Reports circulated the media about disputes between Jose Mourinho and Ed Woodward over the signing of a new central defender. In the end, nobody arrived.

The real question to ask here is do United need a new central defender? The Red Devils finished the last campaign with the second best defense in the country, conceding just one more goal than champions, Man City. Their total goals against were just 28, representing less than a goal a game throughout the season.

Many derided United's performances and style of play last time out, claiming it was slow, lethargic, and boring. However, Mourinho's men finished second, albeit a huge 19 points behind their neighbors, and were comfortably the best of the other top six teams.

The beginning of the transfer window looked very promising for United as they captured the signatures of Fred and Diogo Dalot. These signings provide competition for midfield and defensive positions where there were not many squad players who could come in should a first team player get injured or suspended.

The remainder of the window linked the Red Devils with almost every defender under the sun, but no further players arrived at Old Trafford. Now we know the squad for the first half of the season, there are many things for fans to be optimistic about.

The defensive line has already proved stingy, as shown last season. In midfield and attack, there are plenty of options for Mourinho with numerous world-class players at his disposal. The real key for this season is how Mourinho uses these players and if he speeds up the transition between defense and attack.

Despite the many media criticisms about Man Utd, there is huge potential in this squad. A tweak in attitude from Mourinho and the Red Devils could put a lot of pressure on their neighbors this season, pushing them all the way.

Prediction: 2nd

Next up, Manchester City.