Midfield always holds the key

Ruben Amorim got his three top-targets in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko to fix the embarrassing goal-scoring record of 44 last season. What about midfield? It's an area of the pitch where the opponents easily drive their bus through. No legs to run and press, no tacklers to win the ball back instantly, no progression to run with the ball. It's been apparent since a few seasons especially when Roy Keane asked for Declan Rice and Harry Kane in summer of 2023. Sir Alex Ferguson in his first full season had new centre-backs Viv Anderson and Steve Bruce, striker Brian McClair, and later got goal-keeper Jim Leighton and brought back Mark 'Sparky' Hughes from Barcelona. Ferguson looked to fix the spine of the team not just one area.

Amorim to his credit distanced the bomb squad from rest of the team for the Premier League summer series which Manchester United won in the USA by beating Bournemouth, West Ham and drawing with Everton. Bomb squad were told to find new club and kept away from the team, they include Marcus Rashford (joined Barcelona on loan), Jadon Sancho, Anthony, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia. Amorim stressed on training from Chicago as a base and going around to the venues in order to get maximum time on the pitch with the players. He also stressed the need for players to bond on and off the pitch with team dinners and evening time offs. By all accounts the mood in the camp was excellent.

United continued to re-structure in the background. Most important change at Manchester United was the opening of the refurbished Carrington training centre which cost 50 million Pounds. It looks stunning with large open areas which have natural light to create an uplifting environment as per Simon Stone of the BBC. Now Carrington will be the base for team to gather and leave as a group to Old Trafford on match-days instead of arriving directly at Old Trafford four-hours early. On the personnel front Will Carvalho joins from Brighton as Head Performance Chef and Marcus Hannon as Head of Sports Nutrition from Qatar FA and Aston Villa previously. Sir Jim Ratcliffe's scathing attack on lack of Data Analysis has led to recruitment of INEOS group's Mercedes F1 team's Head of Data, Micheal Sansoni as new Director of Data. Kirstin Furber joins as People Director to "to take the lead in developing and evolving the club’s workforce and people culture." Except Chief Operating Officer Collette Roche, rest of the staff are new as Head of Academy Nick Cox also left to join Everton as Technical Director after very successful stint at United. Thank you, Nick.

Who plays with Bruno Fernandes in midfield is the key question? Manuel Ugarte who played under Amorim struggled last season and was dropped in the final of Europa League while Casemiro is not so mobile anymore at 33. United pursued Brighton player-of-the-year Carlos Baleba but the club do not want to sell the player this summer and United think they have made significant ground work for next summer's top target. Other targets include Adam Wharton, Morten Hjulmand, Ederson, Lucien Agoume and Hayden Hackney. United have not disposed off their bomb squad yet which has hampered their acquisition of a midfielder. Other clubs know United are desperate to sell and are making a low bid or the players like Sancho are not willing to take a pay-cut. If United do not sign a competent midfielder, they might struggle to be in top X.

Despite finishing 15th United were able to complete three big signings of Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko for an average of 75 million each. This was made possible by the fact that from July 1st new financial season starts and United have a whole year ahead to adjust the books. Last year they used Sir Jim Ratcliffe's investment to clear the debt or can increase revolving credit facility temporarily. They have not been able to raise money from the four members of the bomb squad yet but have done via sales of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest to Newcastle, Alvaro Carreras from Benfica to Real Madrid. Further they got Barcelona to pay Marcus Rashford's 14 million salary while on loan and Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen, Johnny Evans are no longer on the payroll. Scott McTominay meanwhile has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or for his terrific form for Napoli. Good luck, Scott. United have also signed 3 exciting youngsters Diego Leon, Enzo Kana-Biyik and Harley Emsden-James.

United as a club are very happy to finally have Benjamin Sesko who they have tracked since he was 16 years old. Head of Recruitment, Christopher Vivell brought Sesko from Slovenia to Austria to Germany and now to United; he also negotiated the deal with RB Leipzig, where he worked before. Amorim's first choice was always Victor Gyokores who joined Arsenal as he thought they are further in their project to win the Premier League than United and also he is already 27. Fair. United said the same things about Rasmus Hojlund two years back like signing for the long term et cetera et cetera; but by signing two #10's in Cunha and Mbeumo to support the new striker Sesko, history won't be repeated. Hojlund's boyhood dream was playing for Manchester United and in a results driven business he is made surplus to requirements but yet to agree terms with any club. Tough.

Sir Alex Ferguson given the backing and still missing out on Paul Gascoigne finished his first full season at 2nd place. He and his team clearly overperformed. Amorim's best could be finishing around top 8 with full summer of training and his choice of front three attackers. With the toughest set of fixtures since David Moyes - United play Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool in first 8 games; a bad start would make Amorim the bookies favourite to be first managerial casualty. United persisted with Amorim despite their worst season in 50 years but how patient would Jim Ratcliffe be if results and performances do not improve? Would Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard school United and dent their optimism for the new season? Amorim thinks otherwise while fans fear without a ball-winning midfielder.

Probably first XI: Bayindir(GK), de Ligt, Yoro, Heaven, Dorgu, Amad, Casemiro, Mount, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo.

34th season opener since 1991 and all excited.

Positive changes but still cannot dictate matches is Solskjaer's first year report card

Solskjaer has eclipsed that night in Paris by scintillating victories over Tottenham and Man City within 3 days, jettisoned the naysayers, rejuvenated the squad with youth from academy as per traditions, spent the budget wisely on three first team starters, 11 changes to the team for an exhausting trip, rejig of the youth setup with head of first team development, amid all the struggles maintained the decorum in his communication, and still there is plenty to be done.

De Gea was tied down with a new contract but errors have crept into his game, Wan-Bissaka hasn't let anyone beat him one-on-one securing the right flank, Maguire leads the side by playing the most minutes, Lindelof now Sweden's best player for 2nd successive year, Williams has been the standout youth taking his chance amid injury crisis, McTominay and Fred consistently being picked have gained confidence, James the 22 year old has carried the team on his young shoulders on many occasions, Andreas runs around energetically and puts a few decent crosses, Rashford has grown in stature to represent the club having already matched his best goals tally before December itself, Martial links the play well yet fizzles out against sturdy opponents, Greenwood great option from the bench has 2nd best goals tally behind Rashford, Tuanzebe ready for first team after two great years on loan. Its a far cry from having Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Young, Fellaini, Sanchez stutter last year and is a welcome positive change by Solskjaer.

Paul Pogba has been absent for most of the year and could easily have opened up teams to improve the league position. Club has moved ahead during his absence to demonstrate how he can still play a crucial part yet being able to cope without its only world class player. Solskjaer has benefited immensely as Pogba turned his magic post sacking of Mourinho but his form could not last as he was asked to do too much. Once again the Gaffer has spoken of Pogba as "best all-round midfielder in the world" pinning his hopes and not well thought out plan for the Frenchman. As his agent Mino Raiola rightly pointed out Pogba needs help around him with better players.

Club needs to pounce on three top midfielders like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic if Pogba leaves, James Maddison to wear the iconic No 7 jersey, Denis Zakaria to add physicality and fill the gaping hole that allows opponents into disbelief as to how a club renowned for Pat Crerand, Nobby Stiles, Sammy McIlroy, Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Micheal Carrick can be so brittle nowadays? Simply put midfield is the most critical element in controlling the game. Agents and opponents are happy for MUFC as they look set to sign Erling Haaland who is a great prospect but clearly points to an incorrect priority in their acquisition.

Manchester United struggle against teams outside the top 6 who sit back and expect the Reds to break them down but cannot and end up dropping points. First loss at home to Crystal Palace in 30 years, converted the visits to London Stadium into a graveyard due to abject non-performance, can't stomach a fight against the rain, wind and determination at Bournemouth, gifted victory to Newcastle who debuted two brothers in arms, continue to lose to the bottom most club in Watford just like Cardiff last season and this season is not yet over so expect few more unpleasant records to blemish the spectacular history of this great club. Critics point to Solskjaer's inability to eek out results to convert defeats into draws and draws into victories by varying his tactics. Result might seem unimportant if the board has given a blank slate.

Can the double winning captain finally win at Old Trafford as a manager? Steve Bruce has never won at Old Trafford in the opposition dugout while Manchester United have the best record of winning the boxing day fixtures. It was in 1930-31 that Newcastle United did the double over MUFC who suffered relegation finishing last in the league! That would be disastrous indeed if the double loss to Magpies were to happen again 89 years later.