The first five and half months of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign at Manchester United was a tale of ups and downs. It began so well; almost too perfectly. However, it ended so poorly, winning just one of their last seven games. As the Red Devils head into their first full season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, nobody knows what to expect. A return to the Champions League must be the target, but it could be yet another season of adaptation and change at Old Trafford.
Manchester United 2019/20 Season Preview
Signings So Far
Further signings are expected before the transfer window finishes and the season begins. However, it is just the two players to arrive at Old Trafford so far this season.
Daniel James was the first signing of the summer to be completed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The 21-year-old impressed during his first full campaign as a professional with Swansea City.
Last season he scored five goals and registered seven assists in 37 appearances. He is deemed an exciting prospect by the Old Trafford hierarchy, and could see regular first-team appearances this season.
However, the Welshman may not feature as regular as the second signing of the summer, Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The 21-year-old agreed a five-year contract to move to Manchester United from Crystal Palace.
The Eagles player of the season made 36 appearances in all competitions in the 2018/19 campaign, registering three assists. However, it was his tackling and defensive work that won him his plaudits last season, completing 3.7 tackles per game.
Tactics and Who Will Be Used
An awful lot of how Manchester United lineup at the start of the season depends on the comings and goings within the latter stages of the summer transfer window.
David de Gea in goal is a certainty. According to James Robson of the Evening Standard, the Spaniard is expected to sign a new long-term deal.
In defence, the full-backs are likely to be occupied by Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw; both have shown their qualities during pre-season. In central defence, Harry Maguire, who recently signed from Leicester City, will likely slot in alongside Victor Lindelof.
The centre of midfield depends whether Paul Pogba remains at Old Trafford. The Frenchman has been linked with a move away, but if he stays then he will likely sit alongside Nemanja Matic.
Up front and out-wide is where shocks may occur. Youngsters Mason Greenwood and Dan James may see regular first-team appearances. Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial will be vying for spots in Solskjaer’s first choice 11. If Romelu Lukaku remains at Manchester United, he will likely be the first-choice striker.
Manchester United Expectations
Qualification for the 2020/2021 Champions League is the expectation for this season. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will not care how it comes – whether is through winning the Europa League or a top-four finish – as long as it happens. Anything less and it will be deemed another failed season post-Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ole has his job on the line before the season has even begun. It is a dangerous precedent, as nobody knows what to expect from Manchester United.
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