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The English Premier League is finally back, with Liverpool having emerged victorious in the opening fixture of the season against Norwich City on Friday. Having been beaten by Manchester City in the FA Community Shield, the Reds got back to winning ways against the Premier League newcomers.
Manchester United have a tricky opening fixture against London giants Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Red Devils will be aiming to start the season on a positive note as they look to improve on their performance last season where they finished 6th, failing to qualify for UEFA Champions League. They will look to continue with their encouraging preseason form where they won all their matches.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer improved his squad ahead of the new season by securing the services of highly-rated English right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, promising Welsh winger Daniel James and Harry Maguire for a world-record fee. Manchester United conceded 54 goals last season and that explains why the gaffer has invested much in the defence.
The Red Devils have an uphill task in trying to get back to the Premier League top four this season. Here is a look at five players who will be crucial for Manchester United in their quest for securing Champions League qualification.
#5 David de Gea
The Spanish shot-stopper was an ever-present figure between the sticks for Manchester United last season as he played all the 38 Premier League matches for the Red Devils. David de Gea joined Manchester United as a unknown quantity and has developed into one of the finest shot-stoppers in the world.
His impressive performances between the sticks have earned him 5 PFA Team of the Season appearances during his 8 seasons in the Premier League. He has often saved Manchester United's lethargic performances with his quick reflexes and matches-winning saves.
Despite his poor performances last season, he has shown improved form in preseason, and Manchester United will be heavily relying on him to secure Champions League qualifications.
#4 Harry Maguire
Having conceded 54 goals last season, Manchester United needed to invest heavily on their defence. The Red Devils splashed a world record fee to acquire the services of English defender Harry Maguire from Leicester City.
The £80 Million fee that Manchester United paid makes the Englishman the most expensive defender in football history, eclipsing £75 Million Liverpool paid to sign Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in 2018.
Huge transfer fees come with a lot of expectations. Maguire has a huge role to play at Manchester United this season if he is to justify the huge amount of money paid to acquire his services.
Touted as a future Manchester United captain, Maguire has shown his pedigree in the Premier League with Leicester City and has established himself as the first-choice centre back for the national team too.
Maguire will add a much-needed quality and leadership to Manchester United's defence as the Red Devils will be pushing for UEFA Champions League qualification spot.
#3 Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Aaron Wan-Bissaka was exceptional for Crystal Palace last season with assured performances down the right flank for the Eagles. His exploits for Crystal Palace convinced Manchester United hierarchy to fork out a fee reported to be around £45 Million to acquire his services.
If preseason form is anything to go by then Manchester United fans have a reason to be happy heading into the new season. The young English right-back was a standout performer with his no-nonsense defending. Wan-Bissaka showed why he was named Crystal Palace's Player of the Season.
Wan-Bissaka gave Manchester United fans a glimpse of what they should expect from him this season with his great link-up play with new boy Daniel James. The Red Devils look to have found the heir to Garry Neville and the young English full-back will be looking to continue his form from last season at Old Trafford.
#2 Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford debuted for Manchester United as a central striker before being pushed wide by Jose Mourinho as the Portuguese preferred to start with Romelu Lukaku as the central striker.
This season, Marcus Rashford has the opportunity to be Manchester United's lead striker following the departure of Romelu Lukaku, who has joined former Chelsea and Juventus manager Antonio Conte at Inter Milan. The Belgian finally has the opportunity to work with a coach he described as the best in the world.
Rashford has shown great promise during the preseason with great link-up play upfront alongside the rejuvenated French forward Anthony Martial who is also a beneficiary of Romelu Lukaku's departure as he gets his #9 shirt back.
The young English forward is tasked with spearheading Manchester United's attack this season and has been tipped to score more than 20 goals by many pundits, who feel that this could be the season that he is truly unleashed.
#1 Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba produced his best performances for Manchester United under the guidance of Ole Gunnar Solskjær. His late run of form under the Norwegian manager earned him a place in the PFA Team of the Season.
Despite rumours linking him with a move away from Manchester United, the Frenchman showed during the preseason that he is the backbone of Ole Gunnar's revolution at Old Trafford. The Red Devils struggled in their final preseason match against Italian giants AC Milan solely because Paul Pogba was missing in action.
Pogba is one of the best central midfielders in the world with his 13 goals and the 9 assists he laid on last season a clear indicator of his footballing pedigree. His range of passing, creativity, amazing runs and an eye for goal will be critical for Manchester United this season.
