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After a rampant pre-season campaign, Manchester United turn their attention towards the real deal, the upcoming Premier League 2019/20 season.
This summer, the Red Devils have addressed their defence, which conceded 54 goals in the league, with the signings of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire.
Daniel James, United's first summer signing, has injected pace and vital components to the pressing system which Ole Gunnar Solskjaer seeks to implement in the upcoming campaign. However, pacy winger is a raw talent and is expected to take time before he bursts onto the scene.
Going by United's pre-season outings, the midfield still, looks like an area which needs addressing. Nemanja Matic has lost a yard of pace, forcing him to play in a static role. The Serbian looks set to find himself behind Fred and Scott McTominay in the engine room for the Red Devils.
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Also, United need to find a replacement for Ander Herrera, who fulfilled the box-to-box role with his strong displays last term. The names of Sean Longstaff and Blaise Matuidi have emerged as the potentials targets for Ed Woodward to achieve in the remaining few days of the transfer window.
Irrespective of any further business United does in the market, Soslkjaer has laid down the foundations of his philosophy within the squad.
The fans could expect a Red Devils side lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system, implementing a high-pressing game.
Without further ado, let's jump straight in and have a look at Manchester United's ideal lineup for the 2019/20 campaign.
David de Gea
Since his move to Manchester United in 2011, David de Gea has transformed himself into one of the best goalkeepers in the world after a difficult few seasons to start his career at Old Trafford. But, last season, the Spaniard mulled over his future at the club which also translated in his performances.
However, healthy dialogue with the club have convinced De Gea to extend his stay at United. Now, De Gea is set to sign a five-year deal with the club and become one of Devils' highest earners. Spain international is set to don the glove for his ninth season at Old Trafford.
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Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Solskjaer made his priority to strengthen the right-back position after Ashley Young's lacklustre performances last season. Since his £45m move away from Crystal Palace, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has improved United's back-four with flawless performances in the pre-season.
Nicknamed The Spider due to his long legs, Wan-Bissaka has already built a rapport with United teammates, and the defence looks a cohesive unit due to the 21-year-old's presence. Although, it would be intriguing to see how Solksjaer utilises Diogo Dalot, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka looks set to patrol United's right side.
Victor Lindelof
Victor Lindelof, club's best defender last season, will be one of the first names in Solskjaer's starting XI next season. After an average debut season in England, the Swedish centre-back displayed his true colours last season and looked acclimatised with Premier League's swift and hostile football.
Harry Maguire's arrival at United would also ensure that Lindelof is deployed on the right side of central defence- the position he prefers. Also, the Sweden international will relish at the prospect of a dominating centre-back playing alongside him.
Harry Maguire
After weeks of dragging negotiations between the clubs, finally, Harry Maguire secured his move to Old Trafford on August 5. The Englishman could be the final piece in the jigsaw of United's defence. In his two seasons at Leicester City, the 26-year-old, with his defensive attributes and ball-playing abilities, has established himself as one of Premier League's best centre-halves.
Alongside Lindelof, Maguire could form one of the most reliable defensive partnerships in the country. With a full pre-season for the Foxes under his belt, Maguire is almost certain to debut in United colours in their first league game against Chelsea on August 11.
Luke Shaw
Despite an injury-laden four seasons, Luke Shaw finally sealed his spot permanently in the starting lineup last campaign. One of the best players for United in the 2018/19 term, the left-back was rewarded with the club's Player of the Year awrad. But still, the 24-year-old has many areas to improve on.
Towards the end of the last campaign, Shaw, similar to most of his teammates, was burnt out and started to commit errors, leading to goals. Shaw was excellent defensively but needs to rediscover his confidence in going forward and make those surgings overlaps.
Solskjaer trusts Shaw, and this season, the Englishman could go one step further and increase his attacking returns with a stable centre-back partnership behind him.
Paul Pogba
Regardless of numerous players being linked with a move to United this summer, Paul Pogba has dominated the headlines, being tipped to complete a transfer to either Juventus or Real Madrid.
Solskjaer, on the other hand, has been adamant throughout that the French midfielder is not for sale.
In terms of personal achievements, the 2018/19 campaign was Pogba's best season thus far, scoring 15 goals and registering nine assists in all competitions.
With United's high asking price being the sticking point, the 26-year-old looks set for another season for the Red Devils.
Unlike previous campaign, Pogba would be deployed much deeper as a No. 6 in a two-man midfield pivot- a similar role he plays for the national side.
Scott McTominay
Once considered underqualified to play for Manchester United, Scott McTominay has made his way from the fringes to a prominent role in Solskjaer's starting lineups. The Scottish international, personally, had a strong finish to his season, contrasting to his team's fortunes.
Since his breakthrough into the first-team, McTominay, with his top performances, injected industry and purpose to United's midfield.
With the unlikely to buy a replacement for Ander Herrera in this window, much onus would be put on Scott to perform a combative role in the middle of the park for Red Devils.
Marcus Rashford
After wreaking havoc towards the start of Solskjaer's reign at United, Marcus Rashford, similar to his fellow squad members, tailed off towards the end of last season. Although, the youngster's dip in form was due to an ankle injury which he seemed to endure in order to feature for the Red Devils.
With Lukaku set to depart, the manager would be putting his bet on Rashford and Martial to do the bulk of scoring in the upcoming season. Also, Rashford has enjoyed a positive pre-season and looks at his sharpest level.
Jesse Lingard
In the previous term, Jesse Lingard was one of the players who was majorly criticised for his below-par performances. After a hectic World Cup campaign last summer, The English international was troubled with constant injury issues, stopping him from featuring consistently for United.
Lingard, who scored 13 goals in 2017/18 campaign, managed only seven last season.
Although, he has excelled in a central position which yielded his best personal season. Solskjaer is set to utilise the 26-year-old's energy and vibrancy in a number ten role to execute a high press system.
Daniel James
Daniel James, United's first summer signing, has impressed the manager and supporters with the industrious shifts he puts in every game.
The Welsh winger is miles away from being a finished article and needs to improve various aspects of his play. However, the 21-year-old's energy and vibrancy could hand him a first-team role sooner than expected.
Often, Solskjaer has stressed on United DNA and talks about exciting the fans at Old Trafford.
James' pace and dribbling could tempt Solskjaer to start the winger in a handful of games next season.
Also, Juan Mata's lack of pace could push him behind the Welsh winger in the pecking order with manager seeking an energetic high press style of football.
Anthony Martial
Not withstanding the promise of the previous seasons, Anthony Martial is yet to fulfil his potential at Manchester United.
The former Monaco attacker is blessed with immaculate ball control and mazy dribbling skills. Inconsistency in his game is what the Frenchman will be looking to overcome this season.
Under Jose Mourinho's tactically-restraining regime, Martial struggled to impose himself due to positional discipline which the Portuguese manager demanded from the players.
In this preseason, the 23-year-old has led United's attack, the position where he flourished in his debut season and has looked sharp. Probably a tactical tweak could bring the best out of Martial.
