9 months ago
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MANCHESTER UNITED LAND in the United States today as Erik ten Hag ramps up his pre-season plans for a title challenge next season.
But does he have the players, style, and circumstances to actually have a season-long challenge at the top for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out a decade ago?
PA
Reuters
WHO WILL SCORE THE GOALS?
Top scorer from last season Marcus Rashford signing a new contract this week was obviously a major boost for the club after his career best figures of 30 goals from 56 games in the last campaign.
Of those, 17 came in the league but the next best was Bruno Fernandes with eight and injury prone Anthony Martial with six.
That just isn’t enough support for Rashford who as it is likes to play from the left.
With 58 goals they were the lowest scorers in the top six.
United desperately need a number nine who can stay injury free.
The problem is everyone knows that too which is why the ridiculous figure of £86million has been put on Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund who got just ten goals last season.
United simply can’t go to that having spent £60million on Mason Mount and £47million on goalkeeper Andre Onana.
With just £120million available due to FFP restrictions United desperately need players out before more can come in.
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As disappointing as it was for Harry Maguire something just had to change. He had the armband but was hardly playing which made it awkward all round.
Bruno Fernandes was handed it in his absence last season and thrived in the role. He is very vocal on the pitch and has high demands on those around him.
He cares so much for the club he refused to extend his contract last year until he was given assurances that the club were moving in the right direction.
His on pitch ranting is simply a reflection of his passion for the game and he is what need leading them going forward.
AFPTAKEOVER
Ten Hag will try and block all this out and get on with his job as it is out of his hands but it is an unfortunate backdrop when he wants everyone pushing in the right direction.
The fan base are behind him home and away but still protest and make their feelings heard inside and outside the ground over the club ownership.
They want the unpopular Glazer family to complete a full sale to either Sir Jim Ratcliffe or Sheikh Jassim.
But the sale was announced last November at the start of the World Cup in Qatar and nothing has moved forward since which has only heightened the sense of frustration in the stands.
PAWHAT HAPPENS WITH MASON GREENWOOD?
How different things could have been for United and Greenwood had he continued his upward trajectory towards the very top of the game.
There is no doubt this two-footed forward had it all to become as big as Wayne Rooney but that all came crashing down.
While the police have dropped charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control, United have kept him away from the training ground and he is not on the pre-season tour.
They are due to make an announcement very soon on what they are going to do having completed their own exhaustive investigation.
The option of him leaving for a season on loan looks favourite.
United have a player who is potentially worth £120million but the problems of keeping him on at Old Trafford and the attention that will attract will probably be too much.
GettyDO THEY HAVE THE SQUAD AND THE STYLE?
This is undoubtedly a very good set of players who reached two finals last season winning the Carabao Cup, while finishing third in the league.
Ten Hag has injected a determination and steel that was not there before.
He is a no nonsense manager, it’s his way or the high way.
He knew he needed to ‘upgrade’ his squad and has done that in midfield at least with the signing of Mount.
PAOnana’s arrival will enable the team to play out from the back with confidence as his distribution skills surpass those of David De Gea who exited the club this summer.
While there is the subject of a new striker, he also needs to find the key to get the best out of Jadon Sancho and Antony who both struggled last season.
Get them flying, and bring in a new forward, with Rashford already in the form of his life then they could be formidable.
Who knows he might even discover the key to making fit again Donny van de Beek work after his stunning strike to win the friendly against Lyon in Hampden before the took off for New York.
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