Manchester United FC
Last Season Summary
League ranking: 1st (80 pts, Champ19ns)
Points per game (home: away): 2.89: 1.32
Goals scored per game (home: away): 2.58: 1.53
Goals conceded per game (home: away): 0.63: 1.32
Goals conceded per game (home: away): 0.63: 1.32
Number of clean sheets: 15
Top league scorer: Dimitar Berbatov (20 goals, joint Golden Boot winner)
Top league assister: Luis Nani (14 assists)
Transfers
In: David De Gea, Phil Jones, Ashley Young
Out: Bebe, Ritchie De Laet, Owen Hargreaves, Paul Scholes, Edwin Van der Sar, Wes Brown, John O'Shea, Gabriel Obertan
Pre-Season Results
4-1 New England Revolution
7-0 Seattle Sounders
3-1 Chicago Fire
4-0 MLS All-Stars
2-1 FC Barcelona
6-0 New York Cosmos
3-2 Manchester City (Community Shield)
3-2 Manchester City (Community Shield)
Predicted Season Finish: 1st
The next generation of the Red Devils is coming. It remains to be seen how the new bloods adapt themselves at Old Trafford, but the experience of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson should guide them through again with all their rivals facing different uncertainties. Not much of chewing gum advertisements from the Scot hopefully.
Defence - 9/10
The strength is still there, with Smalling and Jones covering for injury-prone Ferdinand. However, the depth of side-backs is somewhat worrying.
Midfield - 8/10
While United boast the best flanks of the league, little has been done by Ferguson to fill the void of central midfield. Although Fletcher-Carrick or Anderson-Carrick duo are not too bad, they are far from outstanding. Hopefully Wesley Sneijder will come to Old Trafford and solve the problem once and for all.
Attack - 10/10
It's crazy when golden boot Berbatov is only Ferguson's third choice forward. Rooney's work rate has consistently earned him respectable amounts of goals and assists every season, while Chicharito's astounding ability to score from the back part of his head, face and butt has made him a highly dangerous forward. Berbatov might be going to Paris-Saint-Germaine, but there are still Owen and Welbeck backing him up.
Being the most influential player at Old Trafford, Rooney had a terrible first half of last season due to the scandals revolving around him. But a reignited him has shown great form coming towards the end of last season.
His asking price is quite high, but as long as he maintains his level of play, 200 points is highly possible for the Englishman with his versatility of play and hardworking attitude on the pitch.
His asking price is quite high, but as long as he maintains his level of play, 200 points is highly possible for the Englishman with his versatility of play and hardworking attitude on the pitch.
As the best fantasy performer of Manchester United last season, Nani is an unstoppable figure at Old Trafford with his skillful dribbling and good crossings. He will still be a pivotal figure this season, but to a slightly lesser extent due to the arrival of Ashley Young.
Joined from Athletico Madrid, De Gea (pix) represents the cheapest sure-starter in United's defence. His performance at Community Shield has risen some voices of doubt, but I expect his performance to improve as the season progresses.
Ex-Villa's ace, Young, was bought at a good price of £16m from the Birmingham club. He should dominate the left flank position more than Nani and Valencia. Added with his set piece ability and flexibility to play in the hole, he represents a good fantasy bargain.
My king of shooting, Hernandez, has gone through an exceptional year last season, forcing the Golden Boot Dimitar Berbatov out of Ferguson's starting XI. His superb finishing ability will make him a good candidate for Golden Boot this season.
Joined from Athletico Madrid, De Gea (pix) represents the cheapest sure-starter in United's defence. His performance at Community Shield has risen some voices of doubt, but I expect his performance to improve as the season progresses.
Ex-Villa's ace, Young, was bought at a good price of £16m from the Birmingham club. He should dominate the left flank position more than Nani and Valencia. Added with his set piece ability and flexibility to play in the hole, he represents a good fantasy bargain.
My king of shooting, Hernandez, has gone through an exceptional year last season, forcing the Golden Boot Dimitar Berbatov out of Ferguson's starting XI. His superb finishing ability will make him a good candidate for Golden Boot this season.
With O'Shea and Brown leaving, Rafael (pix) represents the best right-back that is now available to Sir Alex Ferguson. He should expect some competitions from Smalling and his fellow twin Fabio, but I am expecting him to play for more than 2300 minutes (out of available 3420 minutes) this season.
Priced as the most expensive defender alongside Baines, Vidic is surely very hard to be afforded. The premium on him is justified though, considering that he is the United defender that comes with the least rotation risk.
Priced as the most expensive defender alongside Baines, Vidic is surely very hard to be afforded. The premium on him is justified though, considering that he is the United defender that comes with the least rotation risk.
Worth Scouting: Antonio Valencia (£8.0m), Dimitar Berbatov (£9.5m), Tom Cleverly (£5.5m)
Valencia is an adept winger who's particularly good on crosses, but I believe he is the biggest loser following the arrival of Ashley Young.
Berbatov will have limited time this season and you will need to pray that Rooney and Chicharito will take turn injuring themselves for the Bulgarian to shine.
Back from the loan spell at Wigan, Cleverly is fantastic during pre-season matches with Manchester United, especially at the match against Manchester City. He can be the next playmaker of the Red Devils, should the club fails to make a breakthrough for the transfer of Wesley Sneijder. If he gains a starting spot he will be this season's top value player.
Berbatov will have limited time this season and you will need to pray that Rooney and Chicharito will take turn injuring themselves for the Bulgarian to shine.
Back from the loan spell at Wigan, Cleverly is fantastic during pre-season matches with Manchester United, especially at the match against Manchester City. He can be the next playmaker of the Red Devils, should the club fails to make a breakthrough for the transfer of Wesley Sneijder. If he gains a starting spot he will be this season's top value player.
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