Abhranil Roy
It’s been barely 2 weeks since the transfer window has kicked in and we have already signed up 3 players and let go of a few others. Jose Mourinho has confirmed that we are going to sign a fourth player, while media outlets have reported the supposed departure of a few other players as well. So all in all, it will be a different starting lineup to the one we say in the last campaign, and here is how I feel the Manchester United starting XI could look next season:
Goalkeeper: David de Gea-
The Spaniard has been colossal in goal for the past few years, and was rightly voted as Sir Matt Busby Player Of The Year again last season. Although he didn’t have the best of Euros for his nation Spain, he is expected to shrug off the disappointment and resume his excellence for us, come the Community Shield on 7th August.
Defenders: Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly and Luke Shaw-
Matteo Darmian had an awesome start to his life as a United player, but inconsistency and injuries hampered his growth. After enjoying a decent Euro Cup, the Italian will be expected to start as right back under Mourinho and perform well.
At the heart of defence, Chris Smalling will be looking to pick up from where he left off last season, and winning the Player’s Player Of The Year would have been only boosted the Englishman’s confidence. Accompanying him will be Eric Bailly, the 22 years old centre back from Villareal, who was Mourinho’s first signing. The 22 year old has a long list of fans, and seems to be of the perfect mould for the Portugese manager: fearless, smart and physically imposing. These two will be looking to create a strong partnership at the back for us.
At left back, Luke Shaw will probably start, after spending almost the entirety of last season in the treatment room after suffering a horrifying leg break early on in the season. The Englishman will be looking to make up for lost time, and finally deliver the obvious talent he possesses.
Central midfield: Paul Pogba/Blase Matudi and Morgan Schneiderlin-
It will most probably be an all French affair in the central of the park for us, as United are likely to land either Pogba or Matuidi, depending on the amount asked for. Either way, we will have a solid double pivot, with Schneiderlin finally settling in. If we get Pogba, we will have a technically astute player capable of opening defences on his own, and he is Jose’s first choice without a doubt.
Attacking midfield: Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney and Heinrikh Mkhitaryan-
Martial on the left, new signing Mkhitaryan on the right and captain Rooney down the midfield is probably how it will look like for us upfront, with the former Inter Milan gaffer assuring that Wayne will play exclusively as a no. 10 or a 9 and a half. The Frenchman will be looking to make a mockery of defences again like he did last year, while the Armenian will want to relive his form from 2015/16 that saw him score 23 goals for Borrusia Dortmund.
Striker: Zlatan Ibhrahimovic/ Marcus Rashford-
Upfront, it is likely that Zlatan and Marcus will interchange and start, with the legendary Swede having joined us for a year while the young Englishman will try to relive the magical touch which saw him getting called to France this year for his national side, only 5 months after making a debut for his club.
