Sport
What to expect from Man Utd this season
What to expect from Man Utd this season? The 2016/17 Premier League season promises to be a fascinating endurance test. For the first time in what seems forever, there will be a good eight teams fighting intensely for a top four finish and Champions League qualification. You can already tell that this season will be won and lost on fine margins.
For the past three seasons, the Red Devils have endured a rollercoaster ride, with more downs than ups, but now with José Mourinho in the dugout, the light appears to be at the end of the tunnel.
Last season’s Premier League campaign was a fascinating one, but one that probably won’t happen again in some time. The ‘big four’ were outclassed by Tottenham and Leicester, the eventual winners, and there was a sense of complacency taking home into more of the top-tier teams – with more added failings in Europe.
This year will be different. Manchester City have hired Pep Guardiola, the world’s best manager, and recruited enormously, Manchester United have done similarly, Liverpool will have Klopp’s recruitment and a full season under him, Chelsea are approaching a new era with Antonio Conte and have made some astute purchases, and Wenger’s Arsenal will always be around the fringes. Not to mention the likes of Tottenham, Leicester and West Ham who will all be up there contending with the best.
Mourinho’s star-studded signings are an indication of what he wants to achieve when at Manchester United: Success. He’s gone for the very best players and expects the very best results.
In terms of what’s expected from Manchester United this season, let’s break it down:
Premier League: It goes without saying, but, at the very least, the Red Devils have to finish in a Champions League qualification spot. With the Portuguese manager being a veteran in the Premier League, and with the signings they have made, some would say that Manchester United are the favourites to lift the trophy come May. Realistically speaking, a top two finish is what’s needed this season.
Europa League: It’s always difficult to predict what a team may do in the Europa League, given some managers tent not to prioritise it. Mourinho won’t want to do poorly or embarrass his new club in the secondary European competition, so I would expect United to reach the latter stages. Anything past the quarter-finals would be deemed as a success, providing they are on course to qualify for the Champions League. If they’re not, then they’re going to have to win it.
FA Cup: Given that Man Utd won this trophy just last year, a respectable defence of it would be expected this season. The long drought of this trophy has been repaired, so there won’t be any pressure for the players to deliver it, but it would be nice to see a competitive challenge in order to retain it. Quarter-finals would be a minimum.
League Cup: The only expectation for Manchester United in this cup would be for Mourinho to play the youngsters. For instance, the likes of Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Axel Tuanzebe, Callum Gribbin, Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira and Adnan Januzaj (if the latter two are still at the club and not on-loan) should be starting those games to build up valuable experience. No one expects them to win it, but it’s the perfect competition to rest the more experienced players and play the academy graduates.
It’s going to be a rollercoaster ride of a season, but Mourinho’s men look well equipped to front up and create some success. They’re in the best possible position heading into a season since under Sir Alex Ferguson, and the Portuguese boss will look to bring home number 21.
