Part 7: English Premier League Season Preview and Predictions
Manchester United
The most successful English team over the last two decades has been, Manchester United. United have and will always be considered favourites in almost every tournament they enter. United had an impressive season last term. They ended up as runner’s up to the title of being English Champions behind Chelsea. They fell one point short of the title. This was despite the fact that experts predicted that the team wouldn’t do very well or be successful last season. It was assumed earlier that they would finish with a third place position at the very best. United answered all their critics by displaying some terrific performances.
There was also the question of who would fill in the goal scoring void left by the departing Ronaldo. The player to answer that call was none other than Wayne Rooney. The striker had arguably had his best season with the club, scoring thirty four goals in the forty four appearances he made for the team.
Alex Ferguson admitted that he was well aware of the striker’s capabilities, which is why he wasn’t very hesitant while letting the player leave. However after a poor World Cup, Rooney will have a lot to do this coming season to redeem himself in front of the fans of the club. Rooney will be an integral part of United this coming season and every one at the team will be hoping that the player manages to get his mind straight in order to cope with the coming season.
Ferguson didn’t make any dramatic changes to the squad and didn’t purse in signing a lot of players. The players that he brought in to the team were, Chris Smalling, Javier Hernandez, Marnick Vermijl and Bebe. The players that left the team include, Ben Foster, Zoran Tosic, Tom Heaton, Danny Drinkwater, Danny Welbeck, Craig Cathcart, Mame Biram Diouf and Josh King.
Manchester United haven’t spent any money on well known players, instead they have used their scouting system and recruited some of the best future talents. Their best signing so far has been that of Javier Hernandez. Hernandez managed to score in every pre season game that he played for the Red Devils. That is a record that the likes of Dimitar Berbatov couldn’t even achieve. Hernandez, ever since being appointed by Untied, has come into his own, he has become a name that is synonymous with football.
With the inclusion of Hernandez in the squad, United now have great choices up front, they can choose from, Berbatov, Owen, Hernandez, Obertan and Kiko Macheda. United have without a doubt one of the best attacking options in all of Europe but sadly what they are lacking in is their defence. Their defenders are constantly fighting against fitness issues and on numerous occasions United have had to call on their reserve defenders to fill in for the missing players. Chris Smalling is the only defender that United have bought so far, but he isn’t as experienced as a defender needs to be and has a long road ahead of him before he gets a crack at the starting eleven at Old Trafford.
Experts believe that just like every season, Untied would once again be one of the favourites to lift the Premiership title. However a top three finish is guaranteed for the team. They might not find much success in Europe this season due to the fact that their squad is the most inexperienced we've seem in a while, but they might however manage to see some silverware in the domestic cup contests. United are always favourites to win at least one trophy. They have already won the community shield and will be looking to add to that in the coming months.
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