Much has been made of Manchester UnitedÂ’s chances of once again being in the running for the Premier League title by fans, players and pundits alike
Some are just assuming that because Manchester United are Manchester United they will definitely be right up there
However, Manchester United are not ‘the’ Manchester United we have all grown to know, the single most important propellant to success; Sir Alex Ferguson is no longer at the helm
Others, probably fans think United will bounce back because they want them to bounce back, well that is just the love for the club
Then there are those who look at UnitedÂ’s signings and conclude they are good enough
The authenticity of that is what we will look into
Are the new signing the people to take United to their former glory?
Goalkeepers
Sergio Romero The 28 year old Argentine is best known for his penalty shootout heroics in the 2015 Copa America and 2014 FIFA World Cup
Aside from those two major tournaments, not many can claim to have known or heard of Romero before but then again, do you have to know him for him to be good enough? Actually yes you do, especially if your manager explains signing you as to have been as a replacement for David de Gea
To be fair to him, many keepers arenÂ’t very well known
It may not mean much for his quality
He is a league winner with Dutch club AZ in Louis van GaalÂ’s time there
A move to the Serie A beckoned in 2011 and it was Sampdoria that picked him up and in that season he helped guide them to a sixth place finish
A brief loan stint followed at AS Monaco but he only managed three appearances
For sure his club career has been a bit wishy washy but for now he only occupies the substitute role to de Gea so he really isnÂ’t a bad signing for United
Look at Asmir Begovic for Chelsea, he is not exactly world class, Willy Cabalero for Manchester City and David Ospina for Arsenal
They are good but not good enough to be first choice
So as long as Romero takes up the substitute role more often than not, Manchester United will be on course to the title in the goalkeeping department.
Defenders
Louis van Gaal seems to have ignored calls for quality defenders at Old Trafford even after admitting on more than one occasion that his team was suffering from defensive frailties
Rumours linking United to Mats Hummels and Sergio Ramos did not produce anything as they both pledged allegiance to their current clubs and do not look to be nearing a move to any other club
Talk of John Stones joining the Red Devils has been rife but Everton are quite keen on keeping the player
In the end only Matteo Darmian has been signed.
Matteo Darmian The young Italian defender made his senior debut in May 2014 and went on to represent the Italian team at the FIFA World Cup
He has played through all of the Italian youth ranks and spent his last four seasons at Serie A club Torino
Whilst there he made 133 appearances most of which were considerably good.
With Rafael leaving for French side Lyon, it is likely that Darmian will be playing a deputising role to Antonio Valencia in the right wing back position
Good depth for the Champions League and other Cup competitions yet maybe not too much of an improvement to the actual first team
It will essentially still be the same defensive line-up that so markedly struggled last season.
Midfielders
Bastian Schweinsteiger Considered by most to be the best German midfielder yet
World Cup winner
Eight Bundesliga titles, a UEFA Champions league and FIFA Club World Cup trophy
In thirteen seasons at the Bavarians, the 31 year old managed to make exactly 500 appearances scoring 67 goals in the process
In 2013 he was named the German player of the season in a treble winning campaign
There arenÂ’t many players who can boast of such an illustrious career especially in such a relatively short space of time.
However, injuries in the 2014/15 season meant Bastian could only make 15 league appearances, most of which were not very impressive
At his age it takes time to recover from even the most minor of injuries
Bayern Munich seemed happy to part ways with Schweinsteiger and United happy to receive him and yet he may not really contribute much in the way of improving the title challenge
Experience maybe but it does not count for much if you are on the bench or you are new to the Barclays Premier League.
Memphis Depay He comes with a flourishing reputation and an even greater amount of expectations
The Dutch starlet is touted to be the next big thing at Manchester United and it does not in any way appear out of context
Blistering pace, a keen eye for goal and general hard work is probably the best concoction for success at Manchester United.
A cool 22 goals in 30 games for PSV led them to the to the 2014/15 Eredivise title
It is pretty clear why Louis van Gaal was so keen to sign the player
If he can so much as replicate even half of his form in the Netherlands, it might just be enough to topple the Blues from their lofty perch.
Morgan Schneiderlin SouthamptonÂ’s fine form last season was built on impressive defensive displays and explosive counter attacking football
Orchestrating that was Morgan Schneiderlin in what was to be one of the best seasons in the SaintsÂ’ history, it was certainly his best
He even managed to score four goals as the Saints almost mounted a top four challenge
By January speculation was rife as to where he would be playing next with a self-proclaimed desire to play in the Champions League fuelling the speculation
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United were seriously interested but the Red Devils came through in the Summer Window.
The 25 year old Frenchman is arguably UnitedÂ’s biggest signing thus far as his quality does not need any explaining
Even ESPN rated him among the Top 10 defensive midfielders in 2015
He just might be what United need for a title push.
Forwards
Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez may not be new at Manchester United, but their roles this season will be much changed from last season
It looks like Rooney will be charged will be playing the main striker role
He has proven himself on countless occasions in that position but it has been a bit of a while now since he last played there
He may still have the cutting edge, the hunger but not the pace
It seems awfully unlikely he will manage to be a 20 goal striker and yet that is exactly what Manchester United need.
After a relatively successful loan spell at Real Madrid it seems Chicharito will be given his chance to rekindle his United career
Under Sir Alex Ferguson he was employed as more of a super sub in what turned out to be his best time yet
Now he needs to step up to being second choice striker, maybe even start some matches
A serious step up given his previous role at Real Madrid.
In truth it remains to be seen whether Manchester United have done enough in this still open Transfer Window
For now it does seem as if the Red Devils need a bit more to mount a sustained title challenge
Source : DSG
Source: DSG