LONDON, Sept 18, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Manchester United made undoubted progress
in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first full season in charge with a third-placed
finish in the Premier League and runs to three semi-finals in cup
competitions.
But with United still languishing well behind rivals Liverpool and
Manchester City in the table, the Norwegian is now under the spotlight to
mount a serious challenge for the Red Devils first Premier League title since
Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Solskjaer’s men begin their league campaign at home to Crystal Palace on
Saturday on the back of a 14-game unbeaten run in the English top-flight
since the signing of Bruno Fernandes transformed their fortunes in January.
United’s midfield has been bolstered again by the arrival of the
Netherlands Donny Van de Beek, but Solskjaer’s squad remains threadbare in
other areas of the field.
Three victories over both City and Chelsea last season proved United can
beat the Premier League’s top sides on their day, but a weary end to their
campaign little over a month ago in the Europa League semi-finals to Sevilla
exposed the failings of a squad lacking in depth.
Solskjaer chose against making a substitution against the Spaniards until
the 87th minute with little on the bench he felt he could turn to.
Van de Beek’s arrival apart, that problem has not been solved.
After a long summer of speculation, Jadon Sancho remains at Borussia
Dortmund with United refusing to meet the Germans’ 120 million euros ($140
million, œ110 million) asking price, while there have been no reinforcements
in defence ahead of a gruelling campaign that will see the English giants
return to the Champions League among four competitions over the next eight
months.
Questions also remain over whether United can ever fully bridge the gap to
Liverpool and City with Solskjaer in charge compared with the world-class
coaching of Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola. Will De Gea be dropped?
Solskjaer has made one big decision before the campaign gets started by
keeping faith with Harry Maguire as club captain despite the England
international being handed a 21-month suspended sentence by a Greek court,
which he has appealed, for a brawl on holiday in Mykonos days after United’s
Europa League exit.
Another big call awaits on Saturday on who to start in goal with Dean
Henderson returning to the club after an impressive loan spell at Sheffield
United and signing a new contract until 2025.
United handed David de Gea a huge new deal just a year ago to make the
Spain goalkeeper the club’s highest paid player, but an error-strewn season
has put his place at risk.
At the other end of the field, United have an attacking trident that could
terrorise the Premier League for years to come, even if they fail to land
Sancho.
Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood combined for 63 goals
last season.
At 24, Martial is the senior figure and should all three continue to
improve and stay fit, United do have the firepower if fatigue does not get in
the way after a tight turnaround from one season to the next.
“We have just had 15 days of vacation but it was enough to enjoy time with
the family, to relax a little bit and to come focused and fresh for the new
season,” said Fernandes.
“It is not about the days we had off or not. I think the most important
thing now is to focus on our ambitions and the goal we want to achieve.”