Premier League 2016-17 preview, predictions: No. 2, Manchester United
With the 2016-17 Premier League season kicking off this weekend, FC Yahoo is rolling out previews for all 20 teams. We’ll be working our way up from the bottom of our predicted table, all the way to the champions.
Last season: Manchester United’s second season under Louis Van Gaal culminated with a fifth-place finish, FA Cup glory … and Van Gaal’s sacking. Van Gaal’s unwavering commitment to a conservative approach made for an excruciatingly dull and impotent attack, one that managed just 49 goals, the fewest by a top-five Premier League team in over a decade.
What’s changed: Enter Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese was tabbed as United’s third manager in four years since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. Mourinho immediately identified four players he wanted, and United went out and got all four of them: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, young Ivorian center back Eric Bailly, and, after the most drawn-out transfer saga of the summer, Paul Pogba. The French midfielder cost a reported £89 million, making him the most expensive player ever.
Now Mourinho must cut some dead weight. Bastian Schweinsteiger is on his way out, and a number of other Van Gaal and David Moyes players surely will be too. But the most important aspect of Mourinho’s business appears to be done.
FC YAHOO TAKE
Shahan Ahmed: Ibrahimovic scored the match winner in the Community Shield, while Bailly took home Man of the Match honors in the first test of the new season. Add in that Pogba has finally arrived at Old Trafford, Mkhitaryan creates and scores goals with consistency, and Luke Shaw’s return to health is as notable as a new signing. Manchester United has improved significantly over the summer to the extent that the Red Devils are an easy pick to win the Premier League. Perhaps most importantly, Mourinho is now the boss and has the experience required to capture the domestic crown. Are you going to bet against Jose and Zlatan?
Joey Gulino: Will United be exciting? Lord yes. Will the lack of Champions League football help? Absolutely. Will this squad immediately start wrecking the Premier League? I’m not so sure. Jose Mourinho projects are never fully realized in year one. Pogba is the most expensive transfer in history, but the idea of Paul Pogba has always slightly outpaced the reality of Paul Pogba. Mkhitaryan will orchestrate some gorgeous attacks, but for all of David de Gea’s brilliance, and as promising as Bailly was in the Community Shield, United is going to concede its fair share of goals this season. Can the Red Devils outpace that enough to win the title? Not yet.
Bookmakers say: Point total over/under: 75 | Title odds: 7/2 | Relegation odds: 750/1
FC YAHOO PREDICTIONS
Shahan Ahmed: 1 | Ryan Bailey: 1 | Alex Baker: 3 | Henry Bushnell: 3 | Joey Gulino: 5 | Joe Lago: 3 | Leander Schaerlaeckens: 3 | Average: 2.7 (2nd)
More Previews
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