Erik ten Hag has been given another opportunity to show he is the right man to lead United back to the top and has no excuses this time
At the back end of last season, Manchester United were very much in crisis as a large number of key figures seemed to be living out their final days at the club. Erik ten Hag was repeatedly told by the media that he was about to be sacked, while Casemiro had been urged by Jamie Carragher to quit the Premier League for his own good.
Marcus Rashford had lost the faith of many fans and it was deemed by no shortage of match-going supporters that the best thing would be for him to leave the club where he has spent his entire life. Jadon Sancho had already left on loan and, after revitalising his career with Borussia Dortmund, he was expected to make a permanent move away from the Red Devils. However, as the new season dawns upon Old Trafford, all these previously maligned figures remain.
Nonetheless, they must perform better now. United desperately need to make a strong start and banish the memories of the last campaign so they can begin their journey back towards Champions League football.
The Red Devils have missed out on Europe's top competition on plenty of occasions before, but have never been absent for two years in a row, and a swift return is vital to prevent them slipping into obscurity as a credible sporting entity.
Getty Images SportMood around Old Trafford
There is a new kit, a new sponsor and a host of new executive figures, but many things about United feel rather similar to one year ago, when they were about to begin their worst-ever season in the Premier League.
Worst of all, the injury crisis which engulfed them last time around has returned even before the season has begun, with big-money signing Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund set to miss a chunk of the new campaign while Luke Shaw is yet again unavailable.
Still, there are plenty of new faces, and hope is centred around the team's bright young stars. Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo look primed to build on their impressive feats from last season while Amad Diallo has been tipped to finally have his breakthrough campaign more than three years after first joining the club.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTransfer business
Unlike in previous summers, United got their business done early by signing Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for £37 million ($47m), which was followed swiftly by the arrival of teenage centre-back Leny Yoro in a bold £52m ($66m) move from Lille which was slightly spoiled by him breaking his metatarsal in his second friendly appearance.
United have since further strengthened their defence by bringing in Bayern Munich pair Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, a further demonstration of Ten Hag leaning on the Ajax old boys' network. They would still like to add a defensive midfielder to the squad, although they have apparently cooled their interest in Paris Saint-Germain's Manuel Ugarte. They are now considering cheaper options, such as Burnley's Sander Berge and Monaco's Youssouf Fofana.
It has been a busy summer in terms of exits, too. Willy Kambwala has joined Villarreal for fee of up to £10m ($13m) while Aaron Wan-Bissaka has moved to West Ham for £15m ($18m). Mason Greenwood has finally departed the club and joined Marseille for £27m ($34m).
Donny van de Beek has joined Girona for just £423k ($542k,) although the fee could rise to £7.6m ($9.9m). Omari Forson and Raphael Varane left as free agents for Serie A sides Monza and Como, respectively, while Anthony Martial and Brandon Williams also departed after their contracts expired, although they are yet to find new clubs.
Scott McTominay could yet leave amid interest from Fulham while Jadon Sancho may also depart if the right offer arrives, although Casemiro is set to stay.
Getty Pre-season performances
United had a thoroughly disappointing pre-season in terms of results and injuries. It began with a worrying 1-0 defeat at Rosenborg in Norway which led to a furious rant from Ten Hag, even though the majority of the players on the pitch were from the academy. Things picked up with a 2-0 win against Rangers, with Amad starring.
The subsequent tour of the United States got off to a bad start, though, as a 2-1 loss to Arsenal was made 10 times worse by the injuries to Yoro and Hojlund. A 3-2 win over Real Betis lifted the mood somewhat, but the tour ended with more misery after a crushing 3-0 defeat by Liverpool.
With many first-teamers back after the European Championship and Copa America, United produced an encouraging performance in the Community Shield against Manchester City, but let their lead slip late on to draw 1-1 before losing on penalties.
Getty Images SportTalking tactics
Everyone seemed to think that Ten Hag was about to be sacked last May, apart from the man himself. United's hierarchy certainly had their doubts about the manager and conducted a thorough review, which included speaking to Thomas Tuchel about replacing him.
But they ultimately concluded that the Dutchman was the right man to take them forward and Ten Hag now looks emboldened, having been handed a new contract and been authorised to sign the players he wants.
Ten Hag's tactical masterpiece in the FA Cup final proved key to him keeping his job, and the 4-2-2-2 formation he used to great effect against Man City looks to be the blueprint in the biggest matches. It worked well again in the Community Shield against Pep Guardiola's side, with Casemiro looking less isolated and there being much more cohesion between midfield and attack.
United cannot afford a repeat of last season's wild tactics of having a low-block and a high-press, which led to them conceding around 20 shots per game. The early indications are that they will be more solid this season.
They will also need to get better at killing games off and scoring more goals. Ten Hag outlined the need to beat more of the "lower-class" teams in the Premier League and avoid the dreadful defeats they suffered against the likes of Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Brighton.
To do that, the midfield and wide forwards must develop a better understanding with Hojlund. Bruno Fernandes will also look to be more productive in the final third, having only rediscovered his goal-scoring touch in the final stretch of last season.