After all the anticipation and excitement of pre-season, another Premier League season finally gets underway this weekend, and this season sees a milestone being hit, with it being 25 years since the inaugural running of the most competitive league in the world.
And this season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. After an off-season of transfer mayhem, there looks to be a six-horse race for the Premier League title, with holders Chelsea looking to fend off competition from the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Of course, we’re not forgetting our Manchester United. José Mourinho’s first season was a relatively successful one, despite finishing sixth in the Premier League. EFL Cup and Europa League success made up for failure to make the top four and this season, Mourinho’s Reds will be looking to make substantial progress.
With reinforcements in the shape of Victor Lindelöf, Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic, nothing less than a top four finish would satisfy United fans, as well as a competitive showing in the Reds’ return to the Champions League this term.
Without further ado, here are our predictions for the 2017/18 season:
Where will United finish in the Premier League?
After a summer of consolidation and reinforcement, United gave a decent showing in the UEFA Super Cup on Tuesday night despite losing to Champions League winners Real Madrid.
That performance indicated a marked improvement from last season, with the likes of Matic and Lukaku adding midfield steel and attacking firepower to the side.
We’d expect a top four tilt from this side, but we’re unsure whether United can mount a serious title challenge. If the Reds can dispatch some of the smaller sides with ease (which they didn’t do last season), Mourinho can bring the Premier League title back to Old Trafford.
Prediction: Second.
Key player?
United have a side dotted with quality players in most areas: from David de Gea in goal to Romelu Lukaku up front, this is a side flowing with quality.
However, we believe Paul Pogba will once again be crucial to United’s aspirations of lifting the Premier League title this season.
The most expensive player in the world didn’t exactly live up to the price tag last season, although he would have been helped if United’s attack had put away some of the chances the Frenchman had set up.
Despite this, the 24-year-old is one of the best in Premier League. On his day, there is no one more creative in the centre of the park. If he can sort out his consistency and deliver on a regular basis. United will be up there come the end of the season.
Top scorer?
All eyes will be on Romelu Lukaku this season – after his £75 million move from Everton this summer, United fans will expect a big return from the Belgian frontman.
25 goals in the Premier League last season indicates a player hitting the peak of his powers, and with the likes of Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan teeing up chances for Lukaku, expect him to finish as the Reds’ top scorer by a country mile.
Youngster to watch?
Axel Tuanzebe and Scott McTominay both impressed on United’s pre-season travels to the United States this summer, but one youngster was head and shoulders above the rest: Andreas Pereira.
The Brazilian, normally an attacking midfielder, took his chance after returning from a productive loan spell with Granada, impressing in an unfamiliar deep-lying role.
This versatility will no doubt be an asset to José Mourinho, and the stage is set for Pereira to break into the side and make himself a household name at the Theatre of Dreams.
Player that needs to step up?
The tale of Luke Shaw at Manchester United has been one of injury woe and bad fortune. Just as he was about to hit form in Louis van Gaal’s second season at the club, he was derailed by a broken leg that kept him out for the season.
In Mourinho’s first at the club, Shaw was singled out for by the Portuguese for criticism, especially in regards to his work ethic in training. The left-back’s performances didn’t exactly show a player in top condition either.
Which means that this season is make or break for Shaw, who is still only 22. The left-back position is still his to claim, if he can maintain his fitness and put in some consistent performances, Mourinho will have full faith in him.
Player most probable to leave at some point?
After a spectacular season under Louis van Gaal in 2015-16, Chris Smalling regressed badly under José Mourinho last season.
Mourinho’s more expansive, zonal marking system did not suit Smalling at all, and despite playing in crucial encounters, such as the Europa League final, the decision to play Smalling was made out of necessity than actual faith in the centre-back.
With the signing of Victor Lindelöf, Smalling should fall further back in the pecking order and with Marcos Rojo due to return during the winter months, expect him to be shipped out in January.
Strongest XI?
Despite Mourinho experimenting with a three at the back system during pre-season, we still believe that United’s best eleven is one in a 4-3-3 formation: