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Manchester United head into the 2018/2019 season with all the expectations that they can contest for the top honours. It has been five long seasons for the United supporters who long for their football team to win the Premier League title. Will this be their season? Truth be told, United has struggled to continue the legacy of Sir Alex Ferguson, who brought beautiful memories to Old Trafford. Delivering 13 Premier League title in 25 seasons is no mean feat.
Despite a subdued pre-season in the United States of America, where the team has rarely sparked, United are capable of putting all that behind them and focus on the task ahead. Having a good pre-season does not necessarily translate into a solid run in the season. When all the players are back from the holiday, fit, and with transfers done, United can have a formidable starting 11 that could electrify the Premier League. In this formation, Jose Mourinho would line up a compact 4-3-3.
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
There has not been any doubt about who is United's main man behind the posts. De Gea has been voted as their best player in four of the last five seasons. He has managed over 100 clean sheets in all competitions for the club. The immense support for De Gea by United supporters especially after a difficult World Cup has all but ended any speculation about his future with Real Madrid.
He is expected to continue with his cat-like reflexes and carry the team when they are exposed defensively. His almost inhuman performance against Arsenal in December 2017 when he made a record 14 saves is an epitome of his quality and importance to Manchester United.
Central defenders
This is a department that has given Mourinho several headaches over the course of his managerial career with United. Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo have been vulnerable at the back at times, an issue Mourinho does not take lightly with his centre-backs. United have lacked that commanding presence of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand to create a solid barricade defensively
Eric Bailly
The Ivorian looks fit and ready to stamp his authority on United's back line. He was superb in his first season at United. However, recurrent injuries halted his quest to establish dominance in that back four for the Red Devils. Bailly is a hard tackler and most parts a calculative centre back. He is also speedy and can track back well. He is set to get a starting berth this season now that injury looks like a thing of the past for him.
Chris Smalling/Harry Maguire/Toby Alderweireld
Getting a formidable centre-back partner for Bailly remains Mourinho's quagmire at the moment. Victor Lindelof, who Mourinho brought in last season to tackle that same issue has struggled to fulfil the role.
Smalling remains the top contender given that he has the experience of playing at the highest level and also has some goal scoring pedigree in him during set pieces. United may also land one of their top transfer targets to boost their defensive setup.
Maguire or Aldeweireld may be brought in at the eleventh hour of the transfer window. United have the financial muscle and clout to pull off such a signing. Either will be drafted into the starting line up without a shroud of doubt.
Fullbacks
Ashley Young
Young was pivotal in England's run to the semi-final of the World Cup. He has seen it all at the highest level to get the nod as the starting left back. Mourinho still has doubts over Luke Shaw with new signing Diogo Dalot likely to be eased slowly into the team.
Formerly a winger, Young has the knack of delivering dangerous crosses into the box and the skill to also dribble past his markers. He has also developed his game to the point that he can be trusted to efficiently track back to his position when United concede possession.
Antonio Valencia
The stand-in captain is expected to continue his role as the flying right back. Since his days as a winger are behind him, Valencia's speed and power will be crucial on that right side of defence for United. He is still is valuable in terms of chipping in the goals as he displayed last season.
He has Premier League experience and brings leadership to the team as one of the last few survivors from the Ferguson era. He may be rested for some matches in order to help ease Dalot into the side as the youngster offers long-term service to United.
Midfielders
Paul Pogba
Pogba is fresh off a solid World Cup win with France and will head into this Premier League campaign in fine form. The addition of Fred into the team gives Pogba the leeway to express himself better on the pitch.
It is expected that Pogba will be at the peak of his powers this season after two indifferent seasons since his return to Old Trafford. He enjoys playing in a midfield three and drifting to the left side. He will be a key man in United's title ambitions.
Nemanja Matic
The towering Serbian proved to be a valuable signing for the Red Devils last season. He brought composure to United's midfield and has the ability to deliver key passes. Matic can also chip in the goals from distance as he finely displayed in United's last-gasp 3-2 win over Crystal Palace last season. He can hold the fort for United to allow Pogba to make his forward exploits.
Fred
The Brazilian is a technically gifted player with the natural creativity of a South American footballer. He is dynamic and can play in a variety of midfield positions. Mourinho likes these types of players who can offer versatility during matches. He is a good passer of the ball and can also slow down the opposition's attack. Fred offers a good balance to the defence and can connect play to United's offensive players.
Wingers
Alexis Sanchez
Sanchez did not play at the World Cup and should be fresh, to once again show the world his ruthlessness in front of goal. Mourinho said last season that Sanchez would perform in his second season at the club. He has the experience and is a true match winner. The Chilean attacker now has the perfect opportunity to replicate the form that he had when he was in Arsenal. He scored over 80 goals for his old club before being signed in January. Fans expected quick-fire goals from him but he came into a new system midway into the season. He has looked sharp during the pre-season games and scored two goals.
Jesse Lingard
Mourinho likes Lingard because of his mobility up front. He is never settled in one area of the forward line. The England international had a good run at the World Cup when the Three Lions reached the semi-final. He has the ability to look for and find those little pockets of spaces in between the opposition. In his locker is also the ability to score amazing goals as seen against Panama at the World Cup or his fine solo-run goals against Watford last season when he ran almost 60 yards to score.
Striker
Romelu Lukaku
The Belgian scored 27 goals in all competitions in his debut season at United. He has the necessary experience and ability to further stamp his authority on the opposition defence. Lukaku had a brilliant World Cup in 2018 when he scored four goals to emerge as one of the highest scorers in the competition.
If he carries that form into the new season, then he will be a typical defender's nightmare. This time, he will have a stronger support system from the midfield. Pogba connected very well with Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the target man in the box. This can happen once more because Fred will be the safety net that allows Pogba to move further forward and create goal-scoring opportunities for Lukaku.
