Despite winning the FA Cup, Louis van Gaal couldn’t save his job. Such are the expectations at a massive club like Manchester United. A 5^th placed finish is not acceptable for a club that dominated English football for two decades.

José Mourinho, who himself had a disastrous 2015/16 season would want to prove his doubters wrong. He’d be looking to take the Red Devils back to the top of English football.

The Red Devils will open their campaign away from home against Bournemouth.

Performance in the transfer market

Manchester United’s transfers this summer have been very decisive. Mourinho has strengthened the spine of the team. The team now seems to have a lot of leaders on the pitch.

World record signing of Paul Pogba for an initial fee of £89m is set to take the Premier League by storm.

Mourinho has also secured the services of Zlatan Ibrahimović for free. Despite being well into his 30s, he looks fit and hungry to score more goals.

They have also secured the services of one of the best players in the Bundesliga, Henrikh Mkhitaryan for a reported £26.3m from Dortmund, which seems like a bargain in today’s market.

Talented central defender Eric Bailly has also signed for the Red Devils for a reported £30m. He completes the quartet of signings that Mourinho targeted this summer.

How will they line up?

Mourinho looks set to field a 4-2-3-1 formation this season.

In goal would be David de Gea, who is arguably the best goalkeeper in the league.

New signing Eric Bailly looks set to start in central defence with Chris Smalling. The returning Luke Shaw would be looking to stake his claim in the starting XI.

Paul Pogba is set to star in Manchester United’s midfield alongside either Michael Carrick or Morgan Schneiderlin. Captain Wayne Rooney looks set to play in his new #10 role.

Ibrahimović is set to lead the line for Mourinho, and is expected to provide the goals needed to lead Manchester United’s title charge.

Who are the key men?

Manchester United would be heavily reliant on the exploits of new signing Paul Pogba. Being one of the most influential midfielders in the world, United fans would be hoping that he lives up to the hype and expectations that surround him.

Zlatan Ibrahimović and Anthony Martial would be expected to get the goals needed to put up a strong title challenge.

A Mourinho team always relies on the efficiency of its defenders. This makes Eric Bailly’s and Chris Smalling’s partnership very important.

Young players to watch out for

The stand-out player is Marcus Rashford. The 18-year old Englishman looks like a top quality forward in the making. With his first full season approaching he’d want to learn as much as possible from Ibrahimović.

18-year old Dutchman, Timothy Fosu-Mensah is also a big talent to look forward to. Although he has played as full back for Manchester United, he can also play as a defensive midfielder or a central defender.

Fans’ expectations

At a club like Manchester United, you have to win trophies every year.

With Manchester United being involved in the Europa League this season, Mourinho would love to lift a trophy in his first season to announce his return to English football in style after an embarrassing end to his Chelsea career.

The Red Devils would surely be looking at this season with a lot of optimism, and you can’t blame them. With a strong squad and a world-class manager they would be hoping to win the league this year.

Image Courtesy: The Telegraph