Manchester United: Replacing the Irreplaceable

2012/2013: 1st

Transfer(s) In: Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace, £15 Million) Alvaro Varela (Penarol, £2.5 Million), Marouane Fellaini (Everton, £27.5 Million)

Transfer(s) Out: Paul Scholes, Sir Alex Ferguson (Retired)

Transfers Review:

                                                  Drawn out transfer sagas have characterised Manchester United's summer so far, with rumours about potential incomings and outgoings rife. These, without the actual signings of any marquee signings, have led many football commentators to question if players are as interested in playing under the guidance of David Moyes as they were under Sir Alex Ferguson, and whether this will have an impact on Manchester United's season. I wonder if Moyes is to be known as a 'nearly man' at Manchester United, having come close to signing several big names only to see them slip from within their grasp. Midfielders Thiago Alcantara went to Bayern Munich, whilst their main target Cesc Fabregas has elected to stay at Barcelona, after several failed bids. These failures have left Manchester United fans disenchanted with the new Chief Exec Ed Woodward and the manager, before the season has even really begun.

                                                   The signings that they have made appear ones for the future. Whilst Wilfried Zaha's transfer did officially go through in January, he has recently started breaking into the first team, seemingly suggesting that he plans on being a core part of the Manchester United squad. The first signing made during the summer transfer window was a relatively unknown defender called Alvaro Varela, who has been tipped to be an excellent prospect for the future. United fans expected further signings, as they fear the strength of both the Chelsea and Manchester City teams. Eventually, they got their wish, with Marouane Fellaini following Moyes from Everton, for a grossly inflated fee of £27.5 Million. However, if we consider my season review post for United from a couple of months ago, we see that I actually said that David Moyes getting to grips with the current United team would be the most important aspect of their pre-season. Certainly he has had the time to do that, but repeated rejections doesn't look particularly good.

                                                     Another important aspect for United, if they were unable to sign any big names, would be to keep hold of their current ones. Of the first team, only Paul Scholes has left, due to his second retirement. However, another transfer saga has dominated United's pre-season, with Wayne Rooney apparently unhappy and confused with his position at United under Moyes. After comments the new manager made to the press, which stated that Rooney would only be backup to Robin van Persie, Rooney has been looking for a new club. With Chelsea having two bids rejected already, I see this saga travelling right the way to the wire, as United seemingly want to keep the England striker, or if he is to leave, sending him to a title rival is probably not the smartest move!

Pre-Season:

                                                      David Moyes's Manchester United career started in the worst possible manner, with a 1-0 loss on their first pre-season match in their tour of Japan. After that defeat by the Singha All Stars, Moyes tasted victory for the first time with an emphatic 5-1 win over the A-League All Stars, with goals from Lingard, Welbeck and van Persie. Despite that morale-boosting victory, they then fell to their second defeat on tour, 3-2 to Yokohama F. Marinos, before only managing a draw to Cereso Osaka. They managed to end their tour with another emphatic win, 5-2 against Kitchee, with Wilfried Zaha looking particularly good in Asia, however, there will be much that Moyes will be concerned about over the next few months.

                                                        Their final two pre-season matches will have worried Moyes further. Starting with a trip to Stockholm to face AIK, and only managing a draw against a much weaker Swedish side, before a poor performance in a 3-1 defeat in Rio Ferdinand's testimonial against a Sevilla side missing several key players from the previous season. Those matches would have certainly not settled the nerves of the new United manager, especially before the curtain raiser of the season at Wembley stadium in the Charity Shield. However, they needn't have worried. They cruised through the game against Wigan, winning 2-0. To be fair, they were playing a full strength team against what is a side a league below them. Nevertheless, a win is a win, and it will give them momentum going into the season.

Key Players:

                                                          Without any big new signings, Manchester United run the risk of becoming a one-man team. In Robin van Persie, they have a man capable of winning the Golden Boot regardless of the team. He carried Arsenal for several years, and seems like he is beginning to carry this United team too. He has incredible ability both on the ground and in the air, and seems to have a predatory instinct for goal. I fully expect him to be back among the Golden Boot contenders once again this time around. United will be hoping that his injury-prone nature will not come back to haunt them.

                                                            David de Gea will also prove pivotal to United's season, as they were often accused of being poor in defence last campaign. De Gea was hailed as a great signing last year, and he will need to continue that form into this year. His reflexes are undoubted, and he has got better during his two years in England, but he still seems to struggle with crosses. He will have to improve that if they want to keep their title.

Key Fixture Dates:

26/08/2013: Manchester United vs Chelsea
01/09/2013: Liverpool vs Manchester United
22/09/2013: Manchester City vs Manchester United
10/11/2013: Manchester United vs Arsenal
30/11/2013: Tottenham vs Manchester United
03/12/2013: Manchester United vs Everton
01/01/2014: Manchester United vs Tottenham
18/01/2014: Chelsea vs Manchester United
11/02/2014: Arsenal vs Manchester United
01/03/2014: Manchester United vs Manchester City
15/03/2014: Manchester United vs Liverpool
19/04/2014: Everton vs Manchester United

Top Goalscorer:

                                                             A simple decision: Robin van Persie. He will definitely be around the top scorers charts again, without any injuries. I don't know if he will win his third successive crown, but I wouldn't put it past him. Whether he will score outrageous volleys like against Aston Villa and Everton, or deflected ones like against Wigan, any will be equally appreciated by United fans.

Prediction:

                                                              After Fergie bowed out at the end of an incredible two decades in charge, all the questions have been about whether Moyes can succeed him. In terms of signings, certainly not so far. In terms of performances, in pre-season it suggests not, but only time will tell if his league form can be compared to Sir Alex. However, it will take time, and with less experience than either of his title rivals, I think that Manchester United will finish behind the pair of them this season. But United tend to give their managers time, so Moyes will bounce back.

Manchester United 2013/2014: 3rd

Community Shield 2013: United on Cruise Control

                         After the excursion to Villa Park last year, the season's official curtain-raiser returned to the national stadium. For those that are unfamiliar with the match, it sees the winners of the previous year's Premier League play the holders of the FA Cup. This year, Manchester United met Wigan Athletic, after a memorable season for both last year. The Red Devils made their way to Wembley after collecting their 20th top flight title, and 13th Premier League crown. Wigan, the perennial underdogs, were unfortunately relegated in the league, but after an incredible run to the FA Cup Final, with impressive displays against Everton and Millwall, they performed one of the all time shocks in the final, beating Manchester City 1-0. With a significantly weakened team on account of their relegation, there were few that were giving them a hope today. But that is what people said in May...

                           Although this game ultimately means nothing, both clubs would have been eager to begin their season as they intended to continue. For David Moyes in particular, after an unspectacular pre-season tour, this was an opportunity to cast off the doubters of his ability to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at United. With Wigan looking one of the favourites for promotion come this May, they would also have wanted to maintain the momentum after their 4-0 thrashing of Barnsley last week. Both sides showed their determination to win the trophy, putting out practically full strength squads. The game started as was intially expected, with United dominating possession. The last thing that the Wigan fans would have wanted was to see their team fall behind early. But this was exactly what happened. To the despair of all neutrals (and Arsenal fans), Robin van Persie extended his fantastic scoring form since his move to Old Trafford. After a flowing move, Patrice Evra stood up a ball towards the back post. Poor marking from Wigan saw van Persie free on the penalty spot to place an accurate header just inside the post, beyond the despairing dive of Wigan keeper Scott Carson. 1-0 after just 6 minutes, and worries of a walk-over began to surface.

                            These concerns were not eased by the dominance that United enjoyed over the next 20 minutes. Fotunately for Wigan, they seemed perfectly content to knock the ball about in the middle of the field, retain possession and create chances at will. Only some excellent last-ditch defending, and some wasteful finishing from United meant that Wigan went into the final ten minutes of the half in with a chance. This clearly didn't escape the notice of the Wigan players, who began to push forwards. After getting a couple of free-kicks in dangerous situations, they really should have equalised. A whipped-in free kick was headed back across the box, with Leon Barnett needing just a touch to steer it home. Unfortunately for the Latics, the ball was slightly too high, missing the big centre-back and allowing United to clear. The final few minutes passed relatively without incident, with a spat between Nemanja Vidic and Grant Holt dominating proceedings. At half time, we had seen United dominate the early period, but we had seen enough of a Wigan fight-back to show that the result was still in doubt.

                               After the break, proceedings continued in a vastly similar fashion. United instantly got back on the front foot, pushing the Latics to the edge of their penalty area. Once again, Wigan's hopes were crushed by an early goal. More than a touch of fortune this time, as the predatory van Persie scuffed a shot towards goal after a neat move, only to see it ricochet off Wigan's James Perch and wrongfoot Carson. Having extended their lead, United once again seemed content to sit back and hold the ball, and where necessary, soak up any Wigan pressure. Though the Latics did attempt to push on, they never really threatened David De Gea's goal. On the break, both Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck had chances to extend United's advantage, but neither to provide the clinical touch. United also used the later stages to bring their younger players into the squad, with Januzaj replacing the excellent van Persie. The Dutchman will once again prove an integral part of United's season, and could provide a first major trophy to Moyes, though I am sure the Scot will count this one! In terms of youth, Wilfried Zaha also looks a good prospect, and England fans will be hoping he remains injury free this year. Whether he is worth the reported £15 million that United paid, I am unsure, and he will have to prove himself worthy of that valuation, but he is certainly a good player for the future.

                                Manchester United will be glad that they did not suffer the same fate as their city rivals, as that would have been the worst possible preparation for the away trip to Swansea next Saturday. I have never believed that the Charity Shield actually gives any insight into the teams involved, and this one is no different. In fact, this one is perhaps less representative than last year's Manchester City vs Chelsea, as United were playing a side a league below them, and one that they were widely expected to win. And win they did, and comfortably. Moyes will be pleased with his side's performance, but will expect them to step it up a gear if they want to retain the title they won so comfortably last year, with the resurgent Chelsea and Manchester City. For Wigan, they retained their pride. There is no embarrassment in a 2-0 defeat to the current Premier League champions. Their first objective must be to get back into the Premier League, and they certainly have the squad to do so. The Europa League will be a pleasant excursion, and one hopes that it does not detract from their league form. Both sides should have a successful campaign, but both managers will be under immense pressure to deliver their objectives.