Football Season Guide

Manchester United finished 12 points behind champions Manchester City and they reached the Europa League final, where they lost to Villarreal on penalties, in a transitional season that could be regarded as relatively successful. Solskjaer’s team took advantage of Liverpool’s below-par season and Chelsea’s inconsistency before Thomas Tuchel’s arrival, to finish above them in the table. United parted ways with fringe shot-stoppers Joel Pereira and Sergio Romero, but signed Tom Heaton, who is expected to be their third-choice goalkeeper behind Henderson and De Gea. The arrivals of world-class outfielders Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane could take the team to next level. Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire stepped up last season and became the team’s leaders, while Luke Shaw rediscovered his form and shined in the Euro. Sancho’s arrival will boost United’s attack, one which already features the likes of Marcus Rashford, Edinson and Mason Greenwood, while Varane and Maguire have the potential to form one of Europe’s finest defences. Manchester United are in search of a box-to-box-midfielder and cover at full-back to add further depth to their squad. Solskjaer could be considered as their main weakness, with his tactics and his inability to deal with pressure being constantly questioned, especially after United’s defeat in the Europa League final.