3 things Manchester United should do to win the Premier League next season

It's been a season of mixed fortunes for Manchester United fans. On one hand, the club secured their highest finish (2nd) in the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2012/13, which represents a real improvement compared to previous seasons. If United beat Watford at Old Trafford on Sunday, they'll finish on 81 points which isn't too far off the Sir Alex Ferguson glory era.

On the other hand, Manchester City have been runaway leaders for sometime in the league and to see them win the title so convincingly whilst breaking numerous records is really hard for United fans to take.

There's also the possibility that United will end the season without a trophy if they lose the FA Cup final against Chelsea. Though United are favourites to win, it would be a bitter disappointment if they lost. Arguably, the success of the season rests on whether United win the FA Cup or not.

Clearly, there is plenty of work to be done before United can catch City and become serious contenders for the title again. On that note, here is a look at the 3 main things the Red Devils must do in order to win the Premier League next season:

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#3 Beat the smaller sides

Manchester United's loss against Brighton was another disappointing result against a lesser side

United's performances this season have been unpredictable, to say the least. It's hard to say which United side will turn up: will it be the one that beat Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal (twice) or the one who lost to Huddersfield, Brighton, West Brom and Newcastle?

If anything, United have struggled against the smaller teams this season, failing to score in three of those previously mentioned defeats as well as drawing winnable games against Burnley, Leicester, Stoke and Southampton.

If all of these results are taken into account, United have dropped 20 points. Ironically, Manchester City are currently 19 points ahead of United. If United had turned up against these smaller sides, the title race would definitely have been a lot closer.

Given the ability of the players within the United squad, this failure to beat the smaller sides doesn't seem to be a question of ability, more of attitude. Many pundits (and even Jose Mourinho himself) have noted that United tend to play better against the top sides where the stakes and pressure are higher.

Conversely, against the smaller sides, United players do seem to be a little guilty of complacency, perhaps incorrectly feeling that they can win the game easily without much effort.

This has resulted in a series of poor performances against the 'lesser' sides, perhaps the worst of which came a few weeks ago in a defeat at home to rock-bottom West Brom. This trait of under-performing against less-notable sides also happened in the UEFA Champions League where United were unceremoniously knocked out after a dire performance against Sevilla.

Next season, in order to be considered genuine title contenders, United must consistently beat the smaller sides, just as Manchester City have done this season.

Key fact: Manchester United have lost against all 3 promoted clubs (Newcastle, Huddersfield and Brighton) this season, which is the first time this has ever happened in the Premier League.

#2 Rebuild the team

Marouane Fellaini and a number of other fringe players could leave Manchester United this summer

Ever since Alex Ferguson retired, there's been a need to rebuild the United team and 5 years on since his retirement, that rebuilding job still needs finishing.

United already have the nucleus of a world-class team - Alexis Sanchez, David De Gea, Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Antonio Valencia. United need to build a new world-class team around these players but clearly, more work needs to be done.

United's squad is one of the best in the league but still contains several average players who need to be moved on. Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind may reportedly be casualties of a significant clearout at United in the summer, while Marcos Rojo and Marouane Fellaini could also be on their way out of the club.

Since Sir Alex Ferguson left, United have recruited far too many average players; a world-class striker, a central defender and an attacking midfielder need to be top priorities in the summer transfer window for United.

United look seriously short of options up front. When Lukaku is injured, it's hard to see where the goals come from. United were always well-resourced under Sir Alex Ferguson era in the striking department. In his final season, he had Javier Hernandez, Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, all scoring regularly.

United have missed a pure finisher ever since Wayne Rooney's form and fitness declined and Robin van Persie was ushered out of the door by Louis van Gaal. Harry Kane would be the number one target, though he may be hard to lure because of his loyalty to Spurs.

Ever since Paul Scholes left and with Michael Carrick retiring this summer, United have missed a playmaker to keep things ticking over in the middle of the park. Players like Real Madrid's Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are exactly the type of players United need.

The central defence looks like another weak spot, with Victor Lindelof and Chris Smalling failing to impress and Phil Jones always being injured. Raphael Varane would be a good potential signing, although Toby Alderweireld is already proven in the Premier League.

Recruitment needs to be spot on this summer for United and needs to be completed well in advance of the start of the season to allow for full concentration on pre-season.

Key stat: Romelu Lukaku is United's top goalscorer in all competitions this season with 26 goals, double that of United's 2nd top goalscorer, Jesse Lingard.

#1 Switch to a more attacking style of football

Alexis Sanchez has, so far, failed to flourish under Jose Mourinho's defensive approach

Mourinho has been continually criticised for United's defensive style of football this season and recent goalless performances against Brighton and West Ham justify that criticism.

It doesn't help Jose that he has the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson's style to compete against. Ferguson's United sides thrived on free-flowing, attacking football. In fact, many pundits have commented that United have lost their identity under Mourinho's pragmatic approach.

There's no doubt that United can be hard to watch under Mourinho and at times they can be extremely frustrating, not only in being too defensive but also in not finishing the goalscoring chances they do create with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Lukaku, all guilty of some terrible misses throughout the season.

However, if Mourinho reverted to United's traditional attacking playing style, there could be a definite improvement in performances and results.

In Sanchez, Lukaku, Luke Shaw, Martial and Rashford, Mourinho has the pace and power to destroy teams if he would just set these players free. Next season, United's attacking players need to be allowed to thrive and a more attacking approach desperately needs to be implemented.

Under Sir Alex, United set out to destroy and crush teams through sheer attacking force and realistically, the only way United will trump their arch-rivals, City, to the title next season is by returning to that style.

In Ferguson's era, United would routinely thrash teams (7-1 vs Blackburn etc.) whereas Mourinho's United team is set up to contain rather than attack. For United fans, it's infuriating to see United play that way, given the quality of players Jose Mourinho has at his disposal.

At Arsenal, freed from defensive responsibility, Sanchez bagged goals and assists aplenty and could do the same for United if he were allowed to play his natural game. Rashford, Martial and Pogba are all players who need to be playing their natural game in order to maximise their potential.

With one game left in the league, United have scored 67 goals. United regularly scored over 80 goals in the league under Sir Alex including in his final 2 seasons - 89 (2011/12) and 86 (2012/13).

This shows that the Red Devils have some way to go if they want to pose the offensive threat of Ferguson's teams. However, if Mourinho drops his pragmatic approach, United have a serious chance of winning the Premier League again.

Key stat: United are guaranteed to finish 2nd in the Premier League but are only the 5th highest goalscoring side in the division.

United have shown serious signs of improvement this season despite some poor results. If they can become more consistent against weaker sides, overhaul the squad in the summer and play a more attacking style of football they can certainly win the Premier League title again.