It’s that time of the year again when football fans all over the world get ready for another season of high intensity and pure drama. It is also the time when football teams across several leagues look to wrap up their preparations and brace themselves for games that actually matter. For Manchester United, it’s an unfamiliar situation they are in: not playing in any of the European competitions for the first time in over two decades, while sacking the manager after just 10 months into what was a fairly long contract, then appointing a non-British manager and so forth.
It came as a relief when the news broke out, the news of Moyes getting the sack. He was never going to fit in at Manchester United, he always looked out of his depth, unable to inspire and drive his team through the bad times. The club was just too huge in stature than he probably imagined and some of what he said during his time at United was not expected of a man that was managing the reigning champions themselves. In the end, the club finished 7th – 12 months after they had secured a record 20 league titles. After that, Ryan Giggs was temporarily handed the reins for the final four games. Then, Dutchman Louis Van Gaal was appointed, this time the owners having a say in the appointment, a manager who has brought back the excitement among the fans about the new season that is set to begin come the next week.
What’s new? What can fans expect from United this season?Â
The manager. Entertaining press conferences. No more dull, out-of-his-depth, post-game interviews, no more I ‘tried‘ to win statements from the gaffer. One can expect Louis Van Gaal to be authoritative and confident in his interviews and a couple of jibes every now and then, that may remind the fans of a certain Glaswegian. The pre-season has been hugely successful for the club with the players clearly playing to force themselves into the manager’s thinking. For what it’s worth, Manchester United have already won their first piece of silverware under the new boss, the International Champions Cup. As meaningless as it seems, the tournament will have done a world of good to the confidence of some players. Players like Ashley Young and Darren Fletcher did put in very good performances in the US and it now looks like they have a future here under the new boss.
New signings. The club has already secured the signatures of a couple of young, exciting players in Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw. The Spaniard looks settled in his new club already, certainly helped by fellow Spaniards Mata and David De Gea and was particularly impressive in the pre-season games, getting the fans even more restless about the start of the new season. The other major signing Manchester United have made so far this summer is the acquisition of left-back Luke Shaw from Southampton. The lofty price paid for the 19-year old will no doubt come laden with extra scrutiny and attention, more so as the youngster is being very much touted to be England’s left-back for the next ten years.
The tactical alteration. The manager has employed a new 3-5-2 formation, relatively unused by any Manchester United team of the past. With three centre-backs, the formation will have ‘wing-backs’ instead of the more conventional full-backs, allowing the number 10 to play off  two strikers, instead of one. The system very much relies on the communication among the defenders and the goalkeeper and one that requires perfect execution when employed against a stronger team with pacy wingers. The manager has been successful with this philosophy of his at the World Cup, where he took the Netherlands to the semi-final, finishing third best, something that has given the United supporters a major vote of confidence.
Key Player – Juan Mata
Juan Mata will be my shout for key player as this will be his first full season at the club. The fact that he’s managed to create 10 goals in such a short space of time last season means he can really be an important player for the club this season, as he’s now well settled and has had a good pre-season with the lads. If the trio of Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie manage to play together as much as they can this season, I can’t see them drawing a blank in any game, as the trio is as good as any in the league and can torment any defence in the country.
Man to Watch
It’s a toss up between Phil Jones and Ander Herrera. Assuming Ander Herrera will take his time to adapt to the rigors of the Premier League, I’d have to go for Phil Jones. This is an important season for the big lad from Preston as he no longer has to worry about being played out of position as the manager looks like he would give him a run of games at centre-back and it all depends on him to make that place his own. The back three of him alongside Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling is the most recognised trio now at the club and much of United’s success this season will depend on the performance of these three players.
Verdict
Manchester United are not done in the transfer market, yet. With a more tactically aware, astute and an experienced manager at the helm, the club is doing well so far in its mission to bounce back. The mood inside the camp is certainly positive as the players look more satisfied and thrilled to play under a ‘win at all costs’ manager – again. Most importantly, with no Champions league/Europa league participation this time, the club can solely focus on getting back to the elite, top four places in the league while fellow competitors are embroiled in midweek European fixtures.
The optimist in me says United will finish 3rd, just above Arsenal. But the realist says, United will end up finishing 4th after an year long tussle with arch rivals Liverpool, Pochettino’s new-look Spurs and Martinez’s Everton for that coveted fourth place trophy.
Prediction – 4th
