A lot of
scorn has been thrown at United fans over the last several years,
especially given the optimism that was evident in the very early part
of Ole Gunner Solskjaer’s reign at Old Trafford. Indeed, United
fans – and we are exempting those that scream hysterically for new
signings on social media – have been pretty level headed about
things since the Norwegian was appointed. Most are aware that
Solskjaer has been tasked with steadying the ship, and trimming the
fat from a bloated squad.
The team
that Solskjaer now puts out is vastly different from those of the
Mourinho or Van Gaal era, and it seems to be working. United have
shown form almost good enough to challenge for a title
since Bruno Fernandes joined, and the Portuguese seems to be the
key to unlocking Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba. For once, it seems
that United are ahead of schedule when it comes to rebuilding the
team.
According to the latest online football odds from 888sport, United are 8/1 to win the Premier League next season. That’s a considerable distance behind Man City (21/20) and Liverpool, but well ahead of Chelsea (13/1), Arsenal (50/1) and Spurs (60/1). In short, the bookies feel United are at the head of the challengers to Liverpool and City’s dominance.
United
need to look at defence
But how do
United transform from being the best of the rest to challenge for the
title again? If you were to believe the media, it’s all about Jadon
Sancho. A fine player, to be sure, but his arrival would not fulfil
the areas where United do need to strengthen.
Perhaps
the most pressing need is at centre back. It might seem reactionary
to dismiss Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly, but neither seems the
correct fit beside Harry Maguire. The latter, as captain, seems
assured of his place, but he needs someone with a bit more speed
beside him than Lindelof and with a bit more reliability than Bailly.
While
United have looked excellent since the Premier League restarted in
the summer, the centre backs have looked flat-footed. For evidence
see Junior Stanislas’ goal in the fixture against Bournemouth, or
Rasmus Falk’s driving
runs against FC Copenhagen. We won’t speculate on transfer
rumours, nor are we sure whether United will buy in that area, but it
feels like the most pressing area of concern.
Shaw
has bounced back
Indeed,
left-back is another area where United could do with better options.
Luke Shaw did see a lot of improvement last season, but that was
often on the left of a back three. While Shaw is a good player, and
Brandon Williams has some potential, full back has become one of the
most important positions – from an attacking sense – in the
modern game, and United should be looking at alternatives.
Defensive
midfield could be cited as a position of weakness, although Nemanja
Matic looks like a man reborn at the moment. The Serb is still young
enough to fill the position for another couple of years (he has just
turned 32), but fans will look back with worry at his form across
2018 and 2019. More worryingly, his form also dipped for long periods
at Chelsea.
Fred and
Scott McTominay can also play as defensive midfielders, but neither
can dominate when playing the role alone, and that is needed to
accommodate United’s front five of Rashford, Greenwood, Martial,
Fernandes and Pogba. The problem, however, is that world-class
defensive midfielders are at a premium. The likes of Sergio Busquets
or Casemiro would not likely be sold by their respective clubs.
But if
United were to somehow strengthen those three areas, it would narrow
the gap to Manchester
City and Liverpool. Again, it seems that the club is prioritising
the signing of Jadon Sancho, and perhaps the young Englishman would
prove an inspired signing. And yet, it might be in other parts of the
pitch where United should be spending their money in the coming
weeks.
