2017/18 Premier League Preview Manchester United
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Manchester United struggled in the Premier League last season and Jose Mourinho will be expected to produce a better challenge at the top of the table this time around.
To finish 6th in the Premier League last season was hugely disappointing and Manchester United’s season was only saved by winning the Europa League. Winning the European trophy gave Manchester United qualification to the group stages of this seasons Champions League.
However, this should not distract from a poor Premier League campaign and Manchester United finished one place lower in the league than they did under Louis van Gaal the season before.
The same performance will not be acceptable this season and Manchester United will be expected to challenge for the Premier League title. Do they have the personnel capable of mounting a serious challenge?
Mourinho has not been shy in the transfer market and has added Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Victor Lindelof at a combined price of £185 million. While these additions certainly make Manchester United a stronger proposition they still fall behind both Manchester City and Chelsea in the eyes of the bookmakers. Manchester United are third favourites to win the Premier League at 9/2.
Last season Manchester United had no problem defensively, conceding 29 goals in 38 games. Only Tottenham Hotspur had a better defensive record in the Premier League. The difficulty came in scoring goals and Manchester United scored only 54 goals, the lowest total by some margin in the top six teams.
It’s hoped the signing of Lukaku from Everton will help to solve this problem and the Belgian striker will score the goals to propel Manchester United further up the table. Lukaku scored 25 goals for Everton last season, finishing second only to Harry Kane and will be hoping to at least match that total this season.
Romelu Lukaku is second favourite at 4/1, behind Kane to finish the 2017/18 Premier League season as top goal scorer.
Paul Pogba faced plenty of criticism for his performances with Manchester United last season. The Frenchman may not have hit the heights everyone was expecting of him following his big money return to Old Trafford but did more than enough to suggest he will be a big player this season.
The addition of Nemanja Matic is a move to give Pogba the freedom to express himself further forward this season. If he is on top form, Pogba will be the best player in the Premier League and is 12/1 to win the Player of the Year award.
Marcus Rashford lived in the shadow of Zlatan Ibrahimovic at times last season and will be hoping to play a more prominent role in the 2017/18 Premier League campaign. The England international may be asked to operate from wide at times but can trouble any team in the league. Rashford is 6/1 to win the Young player of the Year Award.
With such a talented squad, Manchester United will be expected to contest for the title this season. However, their squad does not match Manchester City’s, who must be considered favourites and Manchester United can be backed at 1/3 to finish in the top four.
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