Manchester United will be hoping to return to the top four this season after a truly disappointing 2023/24 campaign.
By Sam McGuire
The Red Devils have been active in the market and Erik Ten Hag has been backed. The Dutchman is going to have to get a tune out of this squad this time around.
What happened last season?
United ended the season on a high, beating neighbours Manchester City in the FA Cup final. But success at Wembley was not enough to paper over the cracks of what was a disappointing campaign.
Ten Hag’s men finished eighth in the Premier League and crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage. They lost 14 matches in the English top-flight and finished the season with a negative goal difference.
Their form throughout the campaign could best be described as patchy. For example, the Red Devils won just one in five during December but then racked up four wins on the bounce in February.
In their final 13 fixtures in the Premier League, United managed just four wins. A stronger end to the season would’ve potentially catapulted them into the top four with Villa claiming fourth spot having finished just eight points clear of the Red Devils.
Fine margins make a huge difference.
Rasmus Højlund enjoyed a decent debut campaign at Old Trafford following his move from Atalanta. The young striker finished as the club’s joint-top goalscorer in the Premier League with 10.
The main man for the Red Devils was, yet again, Bruno Fernandes. He netted 10 times and claimed the most assists (eight). He was far and away the most creative player for United, carving out 114 chances Next on the list was Alejandro Garnacho with 46.
What has happened during the summer?
United made positive moves in the market to bring in Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkee.
The Red Devils managed to see off reported interest from Liverpool and Real Madrid to sign Yoro from Lille. Unfortunately, the young French centre-back is set to miss the start of the season having had an operation on a broken metatarsal. But his arrival is a huge boost for Ten Hag and the project at Old Trafford.
Zirkee impressed while at Bologna and could act as the link between midfield and attack. His signing could be key in truly unlocking Højlund’s potential as the main goal threat for United.
United are expected to sign another centre-back, with Matthijs De Ligt currently in the building (as this article is published), and they’re in the market for a midfielder after pulling out of negotiations for Manuel Ugarte. This could be an era-defining window for the Red Devils. If they get it right, they’re well on their way under INEOS.
They did lose Raphaël Varane and Anthony Martial on free transfers while Mason Greenwood and Willy Kambwala were sold to raise funds for new arrivals.
What they should be aiming for next season?
Ten Hag is into his third year as manager of Man United now. A clear playing style is required and should, in all honesty, be the bare minimum. Having spent even more money this summer, a top four push should be on the agenda. It won’t be easy but the Red Devils can’t keep backing their manager without seeing a return in the shape of consistent performances and results.
Prediction: 6th
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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