Manchester United ahead of the new season: Reinforcements in the squad and on the bench won’t solve everything

Manchester United will enter the new Premier League season with a game against Fulham, but it is essential to forget about last season. Erik ten Hag has gained a few reinforcements to the management and playing staff, will it be enough to fight for the Champions League? The main task should be to determine a playing style that is not clear from the Community Shield (again).

• Manchester United don’t want a repeat of last season’s 8th place finish
• The club has strengthened every position except midfield
• Playing and building the attack will still be a problem

Implementation team

The Dutch strategist has recruited several new colleagues to his ranks. The most famous one is Ruud van Nistelrooy, who returns to Old Trafford, this time as assistant to ten Hague.

In the match against Manchester City, it was evident several times that he is not happy with his team’s attacking play. There was also a change in the goalkeeping coach, with Jelle ten Rouwelaar joining the current Craig Mawson.

Defence

The problematic part of the team from last season got some renewal. Raphael Varane left as a free agent, Willy Kambwala headed to Villareal and Aaron Wan Bissaka signed with West Ham. On the other side, Mathijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui arrive from Bayern Munich. Both players are known to ten Hag from Ajax.

The first ever reinforcement in defence was Leny Yoro from Lille for 62 million euros. However, the Frenchman was injured for almost 3 months. If Manchester United wants to think about success, then just solidifying the defence is key, as André Onana faced the 5th highest number of shots in the whole league last season. If Shaw gets injured again, the left side of the defence will be a problem.

Backup

The back line last season belonged to Bruno Fernandes, and nothing will change that. The Portuguese will most likely still start alongside Main and Casemiro.

Amrabat’s loan spell has ended and Donny van de Beek has also left the club. Moreover, it doesn’t look like there will be any reinforcements in the midfield in the last few days. Will Casemiro get fit again or will he continue to be a problem for the midfield? The opening few games will answer that question.

Mason Mount didn’t look good at all against the Citizens, he is the one who should help Fernandes with the construction of the attacking actions. On the other hand, the team doesn’t have an adequate replacement for Casemiro, although Mainoo or McTominay can take his place, but neither is a classic six. This position can once again bury Manchester United’s entire season.

Attack

The form of Marcus Rashford and Antony tied the hands of ten Hague for most of last season. If at least one doesn’t catch on, the Old Trafford club will be in trouble. Rasmus Hojlund may have scored a few goals, but more are expected.

The Danish scorer paid the price for the low service of the fringe players, who didn’t give him enough passes. Alejandro Garnacho was the only one who could withstand tougher standards, but he is still 20 years old and cannot carry the offensive load on his shoulders.

Hojlund has added competition in Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutchman should put pressure on the Dane, he recorded 12 goals and 7 assists last season. Disputes with the manager were resolved by Jadon Sancho, who continues to play in the Premier League. However, the Englishman didn’t start his second stint in the Community Shield in the happiest way, he missed a penalty and offered the trophy to the city rival.

United’s ideal line-up:

Onana

Dalot – Martinez – de Ligt – Shaw

Casemiro – Mainoo

Garnacho – Fernandes – Rashford

Hojlund

Positioning tip: 6.

Source: Transfermarkt