With a week to go in the Premier League summer transfer window to close, Manchester United’s lack of transfer business is extremely worrisome. United have been dormant ever since signing Lee Grant, and their inability to land up the primary transfer targets might deliver a major blow to their title aspirations.
Or, would it?
United might not have had the best of transfer windows, but with some tweaks in the squad and a bit more consistency, the team could still be in title contention.
Last season was their best ever finish ever since Sir Alex Ferguson left, and naturally, an improvement would be expected this season.
Here, I look at three reasons why United could take the Premier League trophy home this season.
#3 Quality midfield options
Michael Carrick’s retirement left a major gap to be filled in the squad, and United have rectified it by luring Brazilian international, Fred. The 25-year-old midfielder is defensively sound and always looks for a forward pass, something that could complement Paul Pogba’s flair and creativity at the centre of the park.
He is a very technical player, someone who excels in taking the ball out from short spaces and provides a good supply line from deeper areas.
Andreas Pereira has returned from his loan period and was United’s best player in the pre-season.
Both Fred and Pereira looked fresh and added a new dimension to Jose Mourinho’s setup in the preseason matches. Moreover, Pogba finally has the adequate personnel around him to prosper in the Premier League.
Nemanja Matic’s solidity in front of the backline would be important, and one could always expect the likes of Ander Herrera and Scott McTominay to step up when called upon. With such quality at the centre of the park, one area of concern is properly resolved for Mourinho.
#2 A revived Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez arrived at United in a swap deal that involved Armenian Henrikh Mkhitaryan going the other way round to Arsenal.
Sanchez endured difficult opening months, but his mentality and quality were visible during some of the biggest matches.
The Chilean’s performances turned around the game in United’s favour against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup semifinal. Moreover, Sanchez instils an aura of unpredictability, energy and undeniable efficiency in goal-scoring aspects from the wings.
His ability to create goal-scoring chances, the threat that he carries during counter-attacks and also the tendency to contribute defensively is something that will be important during important matches.
Sanchez is a player who thrives in moments as he has the ability to change the course of the matches in a quick period. He brings experience, and a strong, rigid mentality to win titles, something that he can rub on lads such as Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard.
#1 The Mourinho effect
This is probably the most important point in this slider, as United want to win the title as much as Mourinho wants too.
After having watched Antonio Conte and Pep Guardiola win titles in the past two years, he would be more than determined to ensure that he comes out on top in the end.
To be honest, Jose has had it more difficult than the aforementioned two managers have.
Conte undertook a squad that had won the Premier League title in 2014/15. Guardiola inherited an already excellent squad and riches of Manchester City ensured that he had no shortage of funds either.
Hence, having spent around 150 million pounds more than United, and a brilliant squad with players like Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi, Fernandinho, Kevin de Bruyne, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling at his disposal, it’s easy to decipher why it has taken United more time to stabilise themselves.
United haven’t been convincing enough in this transfer window, but Mourinho needs to make sure that he poses a serious title challenge with the squad.
His brilliance on the tactical front is unquestionable, as the Portuguese has mastered some emphatic victories, winning 19 points out of a possible 30 against the top six sides in the league last season.
Some tactical tweaks and consistency in performances would surely help the Red Devils to take the Premier League trophy home.