Manchester United have spent a whopping £145 million this transfer window mainly bringing in proven match-winners rather than unfinished products — a policy that may pay rich dividends this coming season.
The biggest arrival at Old Trafford this summer wasn’t a player, but the manager Jose Mourinho. It is hard to envision anyone else but the Portuguese maestro having the persuasive power to bring some of the biggest names in world football to a club which will not be playing in the Champions League this season.
Mourinho moved quickly and decisively and Manchester United’s summer business is the envy of world football at the moment. They have signed one player each from Ligue 1, La Liga, Bundesliga and the Serie A, and the Red Devils look like they’re about to set fire to the Premier League once again.
TheHardTackle takes a look at how each of the new signings will strengthen the three key areas:
1. Defence
The defence was one area in which Manchester United have not looked hopelessly inept these past couple of seasons. Last season, the Red Devils conceded the joint fewest goals in the league along with Tottenham Hotspur. They have been boosted this summer more by the return of injured players rather than an overhaul of personnel.
Left-back Luke Shaw returned after recovering from his broken leg against PSV last September, while Antonio Valencia is looking imperious at right-back. However, Mourinho has made one very clever signing in this area by bringing in Eric Bailly from Villarreal for £30 million.
The 22-year-old Ivorian belies his age and has cemented a spot in the starting lineup. While many expected his partner to be Chris Smalling, the Englishman’s injury issues and Daley Blind’s excellent work at the back so far this season have made the Dutchman first choice over one of United’s best performers last season.
Mourinho has also convinced Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea to stay, amidst interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid.
2. Midfield
Manchester United made their former academy player Paul Pogba the world’s most expensive footballer as they brought back the 23-year-old Frenchman from Juventus. They have also signed the Bundesliga Players’ Player of the Year Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund.
While Pogba has slotted into the starting lineup immediately, Mkhitaryan is yet to start a Premier League game. This is an indicator of the wealth of options that United have in attacking midfield. The likes of Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford are all competing for attacking positions.
The situation in central midfield is even more competitive, as Marouane Fellaini, Ander Herrera, Morgan Schneiderlin and Michael Carrick are all vying for a spot next to Pogba. Mourinho has also somehow managed to get the best out of Fellaini as the Belgian is now favourite for that central midfield spot.
The Red Devils midfield is packed with talent, and it is actually quite surprising that the manager has not offloaded a few midfield players. The one player Mourinho did want to sell off was Bastian Schweinsteiger. The German refused a move to Sporting Lisbon despite being frozen out of the first team and being told that he has little chance of playing for the club.
3. Attack
Zlatan is the new Cantona for Manchester United and he is here to answer the cries of ‘Attack, Attack, Attack’!
The Swedish striker has scored three Premier League goals in as many matches and any doubts over his durability at 34 years of age have been quickly dispelled. He has already scored from a long range shot, a header and a penalty kick — all that remains to be seen is one of those trademark scissors kicks that he scored with on his debut for United, albeit in a pre-season friendly.
Last season, youngsters Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford vied for the central striker role, but they will both be playing on the wing for the foreseeable future as long as Zlatan is fit. Although both show the promise to become great strikers, Zlatan is the short-term solution for the goal scoring problems United faced last year.
THT Verdict: 9/10
Signing of the Summer
Jose Mourinho
It’s difficult to choose between the players that Manchester United have signed. The iconic striker Zlatan, the world’s most expensive player Pogba, the beast Bailly and the Armenian creator Mkhitaryan are all top quality players.
However, the biggest move Manchester United have made this summer is the sacking of Louis van Gaal and the appointment of their former nemesis Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese manager has already had a telling effect on the squad and the upcoming Manchester derby provides him with a chance to stamp his authority on the Premier League once again.
