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The 2018/2019 Premier League campaign is almost upon us with transfer talk still fresh for the eager Manchester United football supporters. Manager Jose Mourinho has admitted that it has not been smooth sailing as far as transfer business is concerned. He initially had a wish list of five players he wanted to sign but things took a different turn.
There is still time for United to complete one or two deals before the transfer window deadline. The Red Devils are no stranger to last minute deals. After lengthy secrecy and teasing the media, Louis Van Gaal in 2015 left a lot of fans in shock after a surprise £36 million transfer for untested teenager Anthony Marital. This was a deadline day deal that proved to be the highest ever fee paid for a teenager at the time.
Barcelona centre-back Yerry Mina has been targeted by United according to various reports as Mourinho seeks to bolster his central defence. The 6 ft 4 Colombian impressed at the World Cup but was not Mourinho's first choice. He targeted Toby Aldeweireld and Harry Maguire as his ideal options. Leicester City has played hardball with their man and wants to retain him.
With United playing the Foxes in their first Premier League match of the season, the scenario remains interesting. In this season, Mourinho may be forced to try different formations in order to find the winning combination. In this case, United line up with a heavy presence from their new signings in a 4-1-2-3 formation to allow depth in the midfield and attacking regions.
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
Regardless of the formation, De Gea is the ultimate first pick in goal for United. Since joining in 2011 at 19 years of age, he has grown to establish himself as one of the very best goalkeepers in the world today. He has managed over 100 clean sheets for United and is an epitome of what a top goalkeeper should be like.
Despite a dismal performance for Spain at the World Cup, he should rediscover his form at United where he has been voted as the best player four times in the last five seasons. He should be one of the bright sparks this season as United are expected to challenge for all top honours on offer.
Central defenders
RCB: Eric Bailly
The Ivorian looks to be the most assured of United's centre-backs with Phil Jones and Victor Lindelof previously showing signs of vulnerability. He has not had the best of outings in the pre-season tour and this has heightened the call for a more formidable partner at the heart of the defence.
The hard-tackling Bailly also has some speed in him to neutralize the pace of talented attackers in the Premier League. If he can stay fit and injury free then he would be a brick wall in Mourinho's team.
LCB: Yerry Mina
The Colombian is the subject of a £35 million interest from United. He has the height and physical build of a modern centre back. Mina is good in the air as clearly demonstrated in the 2018 World Cup.
He will add to the list of Mourinho's giants with so many other United players being over six feet tall. Mina will be an obvious target man and threat during set pieces for United. A move to Old Trafford will present him with a good opportunity to show that his World Cup performance was not a fluke.
Fullbacks
RB: Diogo Dalot
The young full-back is versatile and can play on either side of the defence. He is still untested in the elite Premier League but is a top talent. Dalot will bring dynamism and pace to the right full back position.
Mourinho took a gamble on him so rest assured he will get his chance despite the possibility of competing with long-serving Antonio Valencia for the right to start.
LB: Luke Shaw/Ashley Young
Luke Shaw can finally stamp his authority on the left back position for United. Having signed in 2014 for a record £27 million, Shaw has struggled to really impress at United despite his potential.
Given Young's age and duty with England at the World Cup, Shaw is likely to get more playing time this season. He is young, speedy and gets forward with ease.
Young, on the other hand, is a tactful thinker with the mentality of an attacker from his earlier days as a winger. He can also whip in weighted crosses into the box for target men to score.
Central midfielders
CDM: Nemanja Matic
In this formation, the Serbian international sits in front of the back four in a strictly defensive role. He would protect the defence and act as the anchor man in midfield. In the role, Matic has the ability to pick a pass to the wingers of target striker.
His duties are crucial especially when stopping counter attacks and breaking down the opposition's momentum. On occasion, he can step in at centre back when one of the central defenders are on set piece duty or drifted forward.
LCM: Paul Pogba
The superstar Frenchman will play slightly ahead of Matic to his preferred left where he can advance forward and engage in interplay with the wingers. This formation allows Pogba to be mobile and play in his creative best since there is no natural attacking midfielder in the side.
When he ventures forward, the right central midfielder can drift in the field and give Matic support as an additional defensive midfielder in case of a counter attack. This role will allow Pogba to make things happen for United. We all know what Pogba can do when he is unchained. The team will get goals, assists and true footballing flair.
RCM-Fred
New signing Fred is a technically gifted player who can put his versatility to good use in this formation. He can easily adapt to different game situations especially when called upon to drop deep due to Pogba's tendency to get into attacking positions.
Fred can also look for passes in behind defences and cover for the towering Magic and Pogba when they are on set piece duty. He has that natural Brazilian flair to his game and can definitely spice up the midfield play. He will particularly be crucial in big matches when games are a bit tight and it is the midfielders that dictate play.
Wingers
LW: Alexis Sanchez
The Chilean international joined in January but has yet to replicate his Arsenal form where he was a beast. He scored around 80 goals for the club and surely knows how to find the back of the net. With a proper support system, Sanchez should blossom in this role.
He loves attacking from the left wing and cutting back inside defenders. His low centre of gravity due to his mere 1.69m frame allows him to maintain balance and easily beat markers. Due to his attacking instincts and ability, he will be very mobile and interchange places with the main striker when need be.
RW-Marcus Rashford
This position has been giving Mourinho some headaches. Rashford can be trusted to deliver what is required of a right-winger. He is quicker than most players and can easily get past the opposition. He now has the maturity and experience playing at the highest level to know how to succeed in whichever position upfront.
He is a natural striker and can also interchange with Sanchez on the left or find himself furthest forward to chase through passes from the likes of Fred and Pogba. On top of delivering the crosses into the box, he will also be expected to chip in some goals as well.
Striker: Romelu Lukaku
In this formation, the Belgian international would thrive. This is because he has a strong support system that lifts the sole goalscoring responsibilities off his shoulders. Lukaku can also create chances for his teammates and get on the end of balls from teammates who can actually deliver quality passes.
When the play builds up, he will be the main target man up front. At 6 ft 3, he has the height, strength and speed to get in behind the opposition defence. His physique also gives him an advantage when contesting for balls in the air. With this formation, Lukaku can easily get into the 30-goal mark after an impressive 27 in his debut season.
