Arsenal, Bournemouth, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Everton, Hull City, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City
Last season
Despite an FA Cup sitting in the cabinet at Old Trafford, as well as coming razor close to pipping their local rivals to the final Champions League spot, the season has to be considered a disappointment for Manchester United. Over the last two years under the stewardship of Louis van Gaal, the club has produced less and less exciting football, with the chant 'attack, attack, attack' a regular occurrence at home games.
A fifth place finish is also by no means a successful investment of more than £200m, especially when you consider the progression of both Leicester City and Tottenham over the same period with comparatively less money.
Despite an FA Cup sitting in the cabinet at Old Trafford, as well as coming razor close to pipping their local rivals to the final Champions League spot, the season has to be considered a disappointment for Manchester United. Over the last two years under the stewardship of Louis van Gaal, the club has produced less and less exciting football, with the chant 'attack, attack, attack' a regular occurrence at home games.
A fifth place finish is also by no means a successful investment of more than £200m, especially when you consider the progression of both Leicester City and Tottenham over the same period with comparatively less money.
Backroom setup
As a result, the Manchester United board felt that van Gaal did not represent the best way forward, relieving him of his duties just days after the FA Cup victory. In his place comes self-proclaimed 'Special One' Jose Mourinho, who has the winning mentality and potential to significantly change the fortunes of the club, as well as attract the attention of some of the largest names in the sport.
However, his managerial style does also draw criticism, with Mourinho's treatment of some of the older players already drawing heat from the footballing world. Bastian Schweinsteiger has already felt the wrath of the Special One, being forced to train with the reserves and kept separate from the first-team squad.
As a result, the Manchester United board felt that van Gaal did not represent the best way forward, relieving him of his duties just days after the FA Cup victory. In his place comes self-proclaimed 'Special One' Jose Mourinho, who has the winning mentality and potential to significantly change the fortunes of the club, as well as attract the attention of some of the largest names in the sport.
However, his managerial style does also draw criticism, with Mourinho's treatment of some of the older players already drawing heat from the footballing world. Bastian Schweinsteiger has already felt the wrath of the Special One, being forced to train with the reserves and kept separate from the first-team squad.
Pre-season
Mourinho has certainly had a topsy-turvy start to his Manchester United career, again exemplified by results in his pre-season matches. Beginning with a comfortable 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic, United were dismantled in their first International Champions Cup game against Borussia Dortmund. Despite a debut goal for ex-Dortmund player Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the Red Devils were thoroughly outclassed, losing 4-1. While they responded with an emphatic 5-2 win over Galatasaray in their next match, including a Zlatan Ibrahimovic bicycle kick, their momentum was checked slightly by both a cancellation of their derby match with Manchester City, as well as a boring 0-0 draw in their first game at Old Trafford under Mourinho, Wayne Rooney's testimonial against Everton.
The most indicative match of their pre-season was the Community Shield match against last season's champions Leicester, which saw the Red Devils produce a dominant performance. While a 2-1 victory, especially one claimed with a late goal, would suggest that the game was close, it was certainly true that United had it well under control throughout the 90.
Mourinho has certainly had a topsy-turvy start to his Manchester United career, again exemplified by results in his pre-season matches. Beginning with a comfortable 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic, United were dismantled in their first International Champions Cup game against Borussia Dortmund. Despite a debut goal for ex-Dortmund player Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the Red Devils were thoroughly outclassed, losing 4-1. While they responded with an emphatic 5-2 win over Galatasaray in their next match, including a Zlatan Ibrahimovic bicycle kick, their momentum was checked slightly by both a cancellation of their derby match with Manchester City, as well as a boring 0-0 draw in their first game at Old Trafford under Mourinho, Wayne Rooney's testimonial against Everton.
The most indicative match of their pre-season was the Community Shield match against last season's champions Leicester, which saw the Red Devils produce a dominant performance. While a 2-1 victory, especially one claimed with a late goal, would suggest that the game was close, it was certainly true that United had it well under control throughout the 90.
Squad and signings
Without doubt, Manchester United have made the largest noise in the transfer market, making a number of high profile, and expensive, signings. With the news that Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be making the move from PSG on a free, United added a guaranteed 20-goals a season striker, something severely lacking from the last two years.
In addition, the club has added the £27m creative midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Dortmund, as well as the highly rated youngster Eric Bailly for £30m from Villarreal. However, the largest signing was saved for last, with the Red Devils blitzing the world record transfer fee for Paul Pogba, with figures in excess of £100m expected following performance bonuses and add ons. This may well complete the squad and put them firmly in the driving seat for the opening of the Premier League season, though discussions are apparently ongoing around the futures of Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj.
Without doubt, Manchester United have made the largest noise in the transfer market, making a number of high profile, and expensive, signings. With the news that Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be making the move from PSG on a free, United added a guaranteed 20-goals a season striker, something severely lacking from the last two years.
In addition, the club has added the £27m creative midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Dortmund, as well as the highly rated youngster Eric Bailly for £30m from Villarreal. However, the largest signing was saved for last, with the Red Devils blitzing the world record transfer fee for Paul Pogba, with figures in excess of £100m expected following performance bonuses and add ons. This may well complete the squad and put them firmly in the driving seat for the opening of the Premier League season, though discussions are apparently ongoing around the futures of Juan Mata, Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj.
Tactics
As with many Jose Mourinho teams, the use of the target man as a striker plays a key role. Watch out for Zlatan Ibrahimovic playing the Didier Drogba role, allowing the likes of Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial time to damage their opponents, as well as the guile of Mkhitaryan and Pogba to unlock stubborn defences.
As with many Jose Mourinho teams, the use of the target man as a striker plays a key role. Watch out for Zlatan Ibrahimovic playing the Didier Drogba role, allowing the likes of Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial time to damage their opponents, as well as the guile of Mkhitaryan and Pogba to unlock stubborn defences.
Predictions
They enter this season the undisputed favourites for their 21st title. With no Champions League commitments, they can place the vast majority of their focus on reclaiming their Premier League crown, and the depth of their squad should enable them to do exactly that. The only thing that can prevent them from doing this is either severe injury problems, or more crazed decisions by their new manager.
Final position: 1st
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