The naysayers have been out in force.
The doom-mongers enjoying a season of their own before the Premier League actually begins.
Manchester United are supposedly in trouble: an unhappy camp, lack of strength in depth and a feeling that boss Jose Mourinho is proving a negative influence on some of his dressing room stars.
With days until the campaign begins, it seems an open season for many journalists against a club they love to hate.
Why they love to hate United, of course, is clear.
Twenty league titles—13 in the Premier League era—make them the most successful as well as the biggest club in English football.
And success breeds jealousy and envy in any walk of life.
Key Strengths
Last season, they claimed the runners-up spot in the Premier League with 81 points.
That total would have been enough to win the Premier League title twice in the past decade.
They also boasted the second-best defensive record in the top flight last season, conceding just 28 goals, so they have a good structure to base success upon—particularly when their goalkeeper is one of the best in the world.
And then there are reports linking them with Spurs defender Toby Alderweireld.
He was one of the undoubted heroes of Belgium’s superb World Cup campaign and, according to my long-time colleague and Spurs fanatic, is the best defender in the Premier League.
His signing, more so than other defenders linked to the club, would be a real asset and would severely weaken a rival.
Likewise, at 25 years old, the time is right for Paul Pogba to prove he can be a world-class talent by performing consistently for his club.
Six goals and 10 assists in 27 Premier League appearances last season show he can turn on the style when in the mood.
Then there is Alexis Sanchez whose January arrival was good business. Now, after a summer free of the World Cup and with a full pre-season under his belt, he needs to show his best at Old Trafford…perhaps the perfect platform for him.
With the emerging Marcus Rashford, the powerhouse of Romelu Lukaku, and the ultra-talented Martial, there are many reasons why United fans should feel optimistic.
Major Weaknesses and Concerns
Of course, United have weaknesses and concerns.
Concerns over the lack of pre-season for many of their World Cup stars, including Pogba, Lukaku, Jesse Lingard and Ashley Young, something that may be felt in the spring onwards rather than before Christmas.
Concerns over injuries to the likes of skipper Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera.
Concerns over their lack of summer activity while the rivals around them, particularly Manchester City and Liverpool, have been strengthening.
Sure, they have added the Brazilian midfielder Fred and young full-back Diogo Dalot, a player Mourinho describes as ‘one for the future’.
But the retirement of Michael Carrick and sale of Daley Blind means, in many ways, United are merely ensuring they have replaced like for like.
Then there is the future of some of their star names.
Pogba, among them, is reportedly the subject of a bid from Barcelona within the last 24 hours.
The French World Cup-winning midfielder may have only shown glimpses of what he can do during the past two seasons at Old Trafford, but the Catalan side must have been delusional to think their offer of £45 million plus two good but hardly top-level players would have made a deal possible.
And in another French player, Anthony Martial, United have someone who is also seemingly unhappy with his relationship with the boss. Mourinho’s criticism of certain players, including Martial, seems over the top at times and is not conducive to a good team spirit.
However, despite his outspoken media conferences and inferences, he is not being supported as he should be in the transfer market.
Key Players to Watch
All the players mentioned above can stake their claim this term, while Luke Shaw could finally develop into the ‘Rolls Royce’ of a player he has promised to be.
And, of course, in De Gea, United have a number one who has dominated the club player of the year award in recent seasons.
The need for Matic to stay injury-free is also important.
Fearless Forecast
If you are an SBOBET follower who reads much of the recent Premier League 2018 news, United could be in trouble.
The Premier League 2018 odds place United a distant third.
Yet, the garden is much rosier than many would have you believe.
Indeed, away from the supposed sniping and carping, Mourinho praised his players the other day for being ‘professional’ and ‘phenomenal’ during their pre-season tour of the United States.
You probably won’t have read that of course—that doesn’t fit the agenda of much of the media!
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