5 things we have learned from Manchester United’s pre-season tour

Manchester United started the pre-season with such great speed that if they continue with the same, they’ll be a force to reckon with in the league.

When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was given the United job last season, it was expected of him to bring back the glory days. So far, he’s been doing a really good job at the helm and if things go on as he promised, United will be back on top soon enough.

The manager has already made three signings this transfer-season and true to his word, United are not looking at established stars but for potential. With the signings of Harry Maguire, Daniel James and Wan-Bissaka, United have some of the brightest young British talents to boost their squad.

With the improvements Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made to his squad, already United may finally be ready to move in the right direction. Here are some of the things that we saw in United their pre-season games.

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#5 Aaron Wan-Bissaka looks like a steal

Wan-Bissaka in action for the Red Devils

Manchester United, last season, looked short of a class-act right back and the manager has done well to try to address that situation. The team already had Diogo Dalot who Jose Mourinho brought in during his final transfer season, but he looked more of a ‘for the future’ buy.

With the signing of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, United have someone for the present and future as well; he’s still a young lad. From what we’ve already seen from Bissaka, United may have gotten a bargain price for him.

#4 Pogba may stay after all

The Frenchman could remain at Old Trafford

At the end of last season, Paul Pogba looked disinterested with United and though the manager insisted on playing him, the fans thought he should be let go if an offer came in. But a few weeks in football is a long time and where fans were mooting over potential Pogba replacements, the manager may have had other plans.

Like Sir Alex Ferguson before him with Cristiano Ronaldo, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks like he’s creating the same relationship with Pogba. Pogba can do no wrong in the eyes of the current United manager and even if he continues to flirt with the idea of a ‘new challenge’ the manager has given him game time and added responsibility.

The fans don’t like the idea of him being the manager’s darling and looking bigger than the club, but if Solskjaer can handle him and get him to deliver more often, not much noise will be made about it.

Pogba, as we've seen in most pre-season games, is now occupying a more of a ‘conductor’ role for the team and everything for United is going through him. He’s making the side tick and if he can carry that form to next season then it will be in United’s best interest to keep him at all costs.

#3 Speed will be a crucial weapon in United’s Arsenal

Manchester United v Leeds United - Pre-Season Friendly

At some point in Jose Mourinho’s tenure at the helm of United, the fans kept urging the players to attack attack attack. When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over at the club, he promised and his first games gave United the attacking football that they were craving for.

Then at some point, injuries crept in and United looked like they ran out of steam, but after a full pre-season, he can now mould United to the way he wants. With the signings he’s made, this team will be full of pace next season.

With Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka the team has added quite pacy players. Add that to the likes of Rashford, Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw, the team now starts to look frightening.

It already looks like this team will be looking to catch opponents on the counter and will likely press higher up the pitch. In a league that will be highly competitive and physical, Solskjaer and his United will attack in a different dimension and catch most teams unawares.

#2 Axel Tuanzebe Is The Future

Perth Glory v Manchester United

Manchester United was thought to be in the market for an established centre back in the transfer window. They were prized out of Kalidou Koulibaly, Juventus went ahead in the De Ligt race and never looked like losing him, finally got him.

Though Manchester United finally got Maguire from Leicester, and with five other senior centre-backs, local lad Tuanzebe they now have 7 center backs.

Tuanzebe is a class-act and has shown that throughout pre-season and that's why Solskjaer has kept him on. He'll, of course, be cover for Maguire and Lindelof this season, but expect him to break that partnership soon.

He has already shown he can take up the ‘big boy pants’ for Manchester United, keeping him was a no brainer for the manager. And, the manager has confirmed that he’ll feature in the first team this season.

Manchester United may already have their very own Mathis De Ligt, he only needs game time to showcase his talents.

#1 There’s someone finally ready to nail down the right wing

Manchester United v FC Internazionale - 2019 International Champions Cup

The other position that United looked like they needed someone to fill was right-wing. Finally, there seems to be someone ready to fill in the position. The manager has already thrown the challenge to him and Mason Greenwood looks like he’s ready to own the position.

Already the 17-year-old has claimed two goals from that position in the three games he’s played and his confidence will only grow. With his calmness in front of goal, he may prove a good foil for United’s strikers come next season.

He also likes to drift in which means he’ll give a lot of room for his right back to charge into. And though he’s a striker by trade, he may just end up making his name in the United first team as a wide man. With a manager that is looking ready to blood in youngsters, Greenwood will get his chances and he’ll have to take them.