Manchester United may have signed three players in this transfer window but their recruitments have not been at par with the signings made by their rivals.
Lee Grant, Fred and Diogo Dalot joined Manchester United but Mourinho is still waiting for his first big signing of this summer window. Lee Grant will not be United’s number one goalkeeper and is signed just as a backup for David De Gea. Diogo Dalot is a talented young full-back who can operate on either side of the defence but displacing Antonio Valencia from the first team will be too much to ask for.
Fred can be a great addition for United. He is a technically gifted midfielder and is well-known for his short passing. He will face a fight with Ander Hererra and Fellaini to get a spot in the playing XI if Mourinho decides to operate in a 4-3-3 formation.
We now analyse what could be the best possible lineup for Manchester United if they fail to make any more significant signing.
STRONGEST MANCHESTER UNITED XI
FORMATION: 4-3-3
Antonio Valencia remains a vital player for United. His age will force him to have limited game-time which will see Diogo Dalot feature regularly in his place. Valencia has contributed excellently, in both, attack and defence for United.
Eric Bailly has everything that is needed to be a top-class defender at Manchester United. He is quick and powerful but often gets engaged in a rash tackle. Chris Smalling should join him as his partner because he is at least better than all the other options United has. Victor Lindelof had a poor first season at England. His incapabilities against aerial balls were very much highlighted at the start of the previous season.
After Blind’s departure, Ashley Young and Luke Shaw are set to fight for the left-back spot. Ashley Young had a rejuvenating season which earned him the opportunity to become England’s first choice left-back in the World Cup.
MIDFIELD
Nemanja Matic was United’s best midfielder in the previous season and will look to continue his good run of form under Jose Mourinho. Fred and Pogba could slot in with him in a three-man midfield.
Pogba is the biggest threat for the opposition when he plays freely, Fred and Matic would give him enough assurance to build a solid midfield.
ATTACK
Whether Martial stays or goes, Alexis Sanchez is the first choice left-winger for Manchester United. One would always choose his best player to play at his preferred position: leave left-wing for Sanchez. Period.
Marcus Rashford offers the biggest threat in the right-wing position when compared to Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata. Lingard had a fantastic season at United last year but his best performances came from the position of a number 10. He looked wasteful when he started in the right-wing.
Romelu Lukaku is one of the best young strikers in the World and he proved that in the World Cup. He has all the qualities to excel at Old Trafford. He had a great start to his Manchester United career which was disrupted by a period where he didn’t score any goals.
Strikers do face those dry patches but he still remains the most important attacking threat of United.
