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The summer transfer window is officially closed. Manchester United start their new season against Leicester City on the Old Trafford.
They must start very well if they want to challenge Manchester City this season. The only two players who joined them this summer are Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk and Diogo Dalot from Porto.
Jose Mourinho definitely isn't satisfied with the business in the transfer window. There has been plenty of doom and gloom around the club this summer: a quiet transfer window, disappointing preseason results, and an irritable Mourinho moaning over all of it.
Last season, Manchester United finished second in the Premier League. Also, they lost in the FA Cup final match against Chelsea. Despite this, last season wasn't one to remember for the United faithful.
Mourinho's biggest challenge in this season will be to get the best out of Paul Pogba. The France international won the World Cup this summer and he was one of the best players for his national team.
If he can get the best out of him, then they can be optimistic for this season. Mourinho has a big squad at his disposal. It's up to him to get the best out of them. Here's a look at Manchester United's ideal starting lineup for the upcoming season with a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Goalkeeper
For the fifth season in a row, David De Gea is going to be Manchester United's key player. He's won the fans' Player of the Year award in four of the last five seasons.
The Spanish goalkeeper had a poor World Cup but the 27-year-old is back at the Old Trafford now, and will likely be the hero once again for his club.
With Thibaut Courtois joining Real Madrid, De Gea can focus fully on his staying with Manchester United. He can become even greater than the legendary Peter Schmeichel.
Defenders
Manchester United's ideal back four should be:
Right-back: Antonio Valencia, Centre-backs: Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly, Left-back: Luke Shaw.
It's a well-known fact that defence is the key factor in Jose Mourinho's system. At the beginning of the summer, Diogo Dalot came to the club. He is a very young right back and it's hard to expect that he will be a regular starter this season. So, Antonio Valencia will play on the right side of the defence. Last season Valencia scored three goals in 31 appearances in the Premier League.
Mourinho desperately wanted to sign a new centre-back this summer. However, he will have to go in the season with the same centre-backs from last season. Eric Bailly is United's best defender so his place in the starting lineup is not in doubt.
His partner in the heart of the defence should be Chris Smalling. Last season, Smalling played well. He managed to score four goals in 29 matches in the Premier League. The other players that are in contention for these positions are: Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and Victor Lindelof.
Luke Shaw should play on the left side of the defence. Last season, Ashley Young played in this position but it's finally time for Shaw to show his potential. Shaw also has an advantage because Young came back to Old Trafford just a few days ago.
Midfielders
Nemanja Matić, Fred and Paul Pogba should play in the midfield. Last season, their midfield was slow, tired and overrun. Obviously, they needed quality, flexibility and depth, and Fred is exactly what Manchester United need.
Fred is a classic box to box player. He is quite similar to Kante, with more emphasis on building the play. He's a more forward-thinking version of Fernandinho.
Good engine and technically solid, and acts as the glue between defence and attack. He is going to help Manchester United's slow build-up play and transitions from attack to defence.
The midfield trio of Matić, Fred and Pogba will have great balance. Fred will help Matić in defensive duties and Pogba will play more advanced.
Pogba should have the freedom to roam over the pitch. With Fred's arrival, there is no reason for Lukaku, Sanchez and Rashford not to score goals. Pogba and Fred will definitely feed from the middle of the field.
Forwards
Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford should lead Manchester United's attack in this season.
Alexis Sanchez will play on the left side of the attack. This is his best position. Sanchez came to Old Trafford in January. Last season, he scored only two Premier League goals for Manchester United. Now, Mourinho will have him for the full season and we can expect much more goals from the Chilean.
Mourinho rewarded Marcus Rashford with the No.10 shirt, perhaps a sign of the important role he’ll play this season. This number comes with a big responsibility and Rashford must become an offensive threat down the right flank.
Romelu Lukaku will surely lead Manchester United's attack in this season. He is one of the first names on the team-sheet for Jose Mourinho.
Last season he scored 16 goals and also provided seven assists in 34 matches in the Premier League. Manchester United fans expect big things from him this
