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Guardian Writers Predicted Position: 4th (Note: this is not necessarily Jamie Jackson’s prediction, but the average of our writers’ advice)
Last season’s position: Third
Odds of winning the league (via Oddschecker): 11-1
Can United really improve on third place from last season? How will the Harry Maguire affair affect the team’s ability to improve? Because this is what needs to be achieved in 2020-21 so that Ole Gunnar Solskjær can point to the trajectory of his team that continues to rise after the rise from sixth place in 2018-19.
However, to do so, United must finish somehow ahead of Liverpool, which was 33 points higher than their superior last season, and Manchester City, who was 15. If it proves impossible, United must finish third again afterwards. of having genuinely challenged for the championship until the last stages.
In this bet, the (still) expected arrival of Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund would put him as D’Artagnan against the Three Musketeers of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood in attack: a formidable proposal. However, there is a case for the 20-year-old to actually be the wrong marquee signing given that the most vital issues occupying Solskjær’s inbox are defense and lack of depth.
When Bruno Fernandes’ 12 goals (after his arrival in the winter window) are added to those returned by Martial, Rashford and Greenwood, Solskjær’s four forwards scored 73 last season. As this total can be expected to improve (Fernandes will have a further half season to increase his account, for example), Sancho’s planned £ 100m purchase does not appear to be the best use of funds. Instead, a center-back with the pace of Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly could be a better pick, while the coach is also looking to reinforce on the left-back and in midfield. Without strengthening in these positions, there may be too many uncertainties. The arrival of Donny van de Beek from Ajax provides more creativity in midfield.
Can Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw fly along their flanks and create an extra dimension? Can Brandon Williams step up if one or both fail? Will Paul Pogba bring his World Cup winning way to United or his United way to United? His agent Mino Raiola has stated that the Frenchman will definitely stay at the club, echoing what Solskjær has said, but can the midfielder be a bona fide force from week to week?
There are more impostors. David de Gea and his apparent decline as a world-class number one: can he stop the slide, or will it be a headache that, while not on the Maguire scale, could worry the manager? What to do with the £ 300,000 a week? goalkeeper with three years remaining on his lucrative contract. The answer, in the short term, may be to leave him, decide whether Sergio Romero or the untested (for Manchester United) Dean Henderson can replace him and hope that De Gea returns resentful and recovered. Solskjær, perhaps worrying, has answered questions about De Gea’s place saying the Spaniard has impressed in training … only for the goalkeeper to make another mistake.
Then there is Maguire. The United captain has appealed against the convictions in a Greek court that include bodily harm and attempted bribery. The hearing might not be for a year, at least, so how Maguire plays with this about him will be crucial.
All of this points to the following formula for United to thrive: The dynamic front end has to be even better than last year to keep the ball away from the shaky rear end. This is unless Solskjær can convince Ed Woodward to spin and spend on a Koulibaly or similar. Otherwise, in short, the Norwegian looks like a Pep Guardiola-like strategy for Manchester City: attack as defense. But, like his rival in the city, vulnerability to rhythm is an Achilles heel.
It will be true nationally and in continental competition, where United are coming back in a big way. His recent history doesn’t bode well. Solskjær’s timing was flawless to secure third place on the final day, but since Sir Alex Ferguson left the Champions League quarter-finals with David Moyes in May 2013, the following season is his best streak. Much depends on the draw and while United will have hopes of getting out of the group stage, this may be as far as they can progress.
Manager
On the touchline He has a cold-eyed demeanor, but that can change quickly, as he did when he told Jesse Lingard about his poor touch during January’s 1-0 win at Manchester City: “One more time and you’re gone.” Often spied on studying a monitor.
In Zoom He has embraced the small screen as naturally as when he met the media after being appointed acting director. You can, and have seen, the funny side when the inevitable glitches happen like you did when you were silenced for a post-game briefing.
The key
Is it De Gea, to show that there will be no more point costing errors? Or Pogba, returning a season-long contribution instead of his usual sporadic flashes? No, United’s main man is Bruno Fernandes, whose dervish has transformed the team since he joined in January. Take energy, inventiveness, a will to win and goals and United will fail. Wrong.
The owners
Malcolm Glazer’s controversial leveraged buyout in 2005 caused still-felt fury among fans over the nearly $ 500 million debt loaded onto the club. Glazer has died, succeeded by his six sons, led by Avram and Joel, who are no more popular than their father. At Ed Woodward, the owners have an executive vice president who has transformed the club into a corporation valued at more than £ 2 billion. For the detractors, the club has lost its soul.
Young blood
At 18, Teden Mengi bowed in the final six minutes of a 2-1 Europa League win over Lask on August 5. He then traveled to Cologne for the last stages of the tournament. Solskjær has openings at his rear, so Mengi will hope to make his way into the first team as a replacement, at least.
New blood
Van de Beek, a Dutch international, brings more depth and quality in the midfield. More emotion would receive the signing of Sancho but will it come?
Kit history
From Newton Heath LYR’s white shirt with blue sash and blue shorts in 1878 to the still resonant green and gold (with white and blue shorts) in the 1890s to world famous colors. Why the red (with white shorts) is unclear – could this be a reference to the financial danger that he escaped from in 1902 when he became Manchester United?
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Notes from an empty stadium
Old Trafford after the closure was adorned with a mosaic made with the images of thousands of fans after a club asked for them to be sent. The exhibit is hung on the seats of Sir Alex Ferguson’s booth. . Oversized fan chambers on the goal side have been avoided.
Euros vision
Greenwood, after a 17-goal season that ranks him alongside George Best, Brian Kidd and Wayne Rooney as the club’s top-scoring teens, received a first call-up in August. Next summer I may be a member of the England team.
