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Four Manchester United players facing make or break seasons

In what was a disappointing campaign last season for Manchester United, failing to challenge for the Premier League title as well as the Europa League final defeat, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s players are now looking to bounce back following the arrivals of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.

However, in order for them to do so, they will need the whole squad to be performing at a high level on a consistent basis. Time and time again, the Red Devils have carried deadwood who have not contributed to helping the football club become champions of England again. It’s been eight years since the club’s last league title success.

If United fail to close the gap on rivals Manchester City, along with failing to achieve silverware, during the 2021/22 campaign, the majority of the Old Trafford faithful would see that as a huge step backwards for the club, leaving doubts and concerns over the manager and the squad. Although there are currently questions marked over several players in the starting line-up and the bench, it’s time to look at a few who will be watched closely given their flaws and weaknesses.

Here are the four Manchester United players who will face a make-or-break season this campaign…

 

Anthony Martial

Due to his inconsistent performances and lack of effort on and off the ball, Anthony Martial is no longer regarded as a striker good enough for a title-challenging team. With four goals and three assists to his name in 22 league appearances last season, the Frenchman has a lot to make up for an atrocious term compared to his usual standards, especially when Solskjaer put a lot of faith in him.

With Edinson Cavani recently returning to England, he is expected to start on the bench for the first couple of games, allowing Martial some key chances to turn his career at Old Trafford around. Not only that but Martial could easily fall behind in the pecking order for the number nine position if he does not adjust his mindset and work ethic, as both Cavani and Mason Greenwood are predicted to have a prolific campaign.

Given that he turns 26 at the end of the year, if he is unable to deliver 20 goals in the league this time around, he is one of the Manchester United players whose days could be numbered. The manager and the football club have reportedly been interested in Erling Haaland throughout the summer window.

 

David De Gea

David De Gea is one of the longest serving players within the Manchester United dressing room, an individual who has been at the club through its worst period and is still here whilst they are slowly working their way back to the top. Although there was a season or two where he was single-handedly helping the side through its shocking downfall, his services do not seem to be required anymore, as his weaknesses continues to increase, and he is now regarded as a liability defensively.

Just like Martial, the Spanish international will be looking to pounce on the opportunity of starting in goal for the side’s first few league fixtures, with Dean Henderson currently unavailable as he is still feeling fatigue and the side effects from COVID-19. Henderson has already been mentioned as the side’s number one goalkeeper ahead of the campaign, leaving many questions over De Gea’s future, who is shockingly the highest paid player at the club and highest paid goalkeeper in Europe too.

 

Diogo Dalot

As Manchester United have recently ended the ongoing interest of potentially signing Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier, it provides a huge opening to Diogo Dalot to show the potential and performance levels expected of Manchester United players. With Aaron Wan-Bissaka yet to improve on his attacking attributes, Dalot’s introduction could become much needed against teams that defend very deep, allowing the side to dominate the ball.

However, the young right-back has not shown a great amount of composure in the defensive phase of the game, as he tends to be caught out of position or he is not doing enough to prevent the attacker from progressing into the penalty area. When looking at Dalot, he has the player profile of a perfect wing-back, if United were to play a back-three/five system, as the team would be playing to his strengths of the side being in control of possession with very little defensive duties to do. Nevertheless, he must win over Solskjaer by working on being a more mature and consistent defender.

 

Fred

When Manchester United splashed £55million on Fred in the summer of 2018, it was hoped that he would be the one to help the side’s issues in midfield and allow Paul Pogba to play to his abilities. With more than 70 Premier League appearances for the team, the majority of the Red Devils’ supporters are still unsure of what to expect from the former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder, who has the tendency to perform well in one game and then perform below average for the next few matches.

The rest of the Manchester United players are unable to stride for a title challenge with a player like Fred, who is not a natural defensive-midfielder, in the starting line-up. His lack of of suitability for that position results in him conceding needlessly high up the pitch and overall he brings more problems than solutions to the midfield department. The Brazilian should be seen as a useful backup player, especially if United were to sign a midfielder before the window comes to an end. Whether he is satisfied with accepting a role from the bench will only be clear once the club and manager make an effort to make their fourth signing of the summer.

 


 

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