Manchester United are the most successful club in England in terms of overall trophies won but have been a pale shadow of themselves in recent times, ever since the heady days of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
The legendary Scotsman won a staggering 13 EPL titles during his illustrious 27-year reign as United boss, but since his retirement in 2013, the Red Devils have been unable to add to their record 20 league titles.
Sir Alex’s compatriot David Moyes arrived as the “Chosen One”, but survived just 10 months as United finished the league season under interim manager and player Ryan Giggs at lowly seventh.
Louis van Gaal then arrived as permanent manager and guided the Old Trafford outfit to fourth and fifth place finishes in the next two seasons in the EPL.
Van Gaal though soon made way for Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho, days after masterminding his charges to a 12th FA Cup win following a fall-out with his players which stemmed from the Dutchman’s public criticism of United academy graduate Marcus Rashford.
Although the self-titled Special One bagged the Uefa Europa League in his first season at United, the Red Devils finished sixth in the league, before becoming runners-up in the next season, which Mourinho lists as one of his top achievements.
But his three-year syndrome at his previous employers came back to haunt him once again as he got the sack after winning only seven times in 17 EPL matches in his third season at United, the club’s worst start to the league in 30 years.
In December 2018, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was temporarily appointed manager and the club saw a revival in fortunes as the Norwegian became the first United manager since Sir Matt Busby to win his first five league games.
A few months later, Solskjaer landed the United job permanently, and his charges went on to finish sixth in the league.
Solskjaer improved in his first full season in charge at United, taking the side to third position in the EPL, following the arrival of Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes last January.
The 26-year old Fernandes single-handedly led the resurgence, scoring eight goals and assisting seven in 14 EPL games, and forming a deadly combination at central midfield with French World Cup winner Paul Pogba.
Three-time European Cup winner United were three points off fourth-placed Chelsea before the novel coronavirus outbreak halted the league season, but eventually finished third.
Along with Fernandes, Frenchman Anthony Martial, Rashford and fellow academy graduate Mason Greenwood also chipped in, combining for a total of 44 goals and 14 assists.
New signings Aaron Wan Bissaka and Harry Maguire were signed amid much fanfare last season, the former becoming the most expensive full back in history, and the latter the most costly defender.
The English duo fared well, adding solidity to the United defence, but both require improvements in their game, in Wan Bissaka’s case his attacking game and in Maguire’s instance, to eradicate costly defensive errors.
The same can be said about goalkeeper and four-time United player of the year David de Gea, who blew hot and cold last season in the league.
The Spaniard will face stiff competition from former Sheffield United netminder Dean Henderson next season after the latter impressed in his loan spell at Bramall Lane.
Ahead of next season, United have bought highly-rated Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek, and reportedly agreed personal terms with highly rated English winger Jadon Sancho, along with his agent’s fees, when this story was filed.
Borussia Dortmund though are unwilling to sell the 20-year old for less than 108m pounds.
Goalkeeping, after Henderson’s arrival, and midfield, featuring among others future United captain Scott McTominay, are the two departments equipped to stand the challenge of the top contenders.
Attack and defence needs more back-up though, especially the left-back and center back position where Sweden’s Victor Lindelof and Ivory Coast’s Eric Bailly have performed below expectations.
Alongside new potential arrivals, United will also be looking to off-load some players like Chris Smalling, Jesse Lingard and Phil Jones, and bring the squad back to shape for the tough challenges ahead.
The Red Devils entertain Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on September 19 in their first game next season.
