The new season is only a month away and United will have to defend their English Premiership and European crowns. The expectations will no doubt be higher, United will at least need to go as far as last season and do better in the FA Cup and League Cup.
Does the squad need improving? Yes, United can definitely use some improvement but not really a big change. Nani and Anderson have really stepped up and can easily fill the shoes of Giggs and Scholes. That department then is covered. With Park, we got the wings covered further. Ronaldo whether he stays or goes, won’t really affect the team much. If he leaves, the money that will come in on top of the available funding, United will be able to find a worthy replacement with little problems.
Right back is a slight problem. Wes Brown filled in well last season but he isn’t a natural right back. Ferguson has said Gary Neville will be back next season to captain the side, but he is 33 now so I can’t really see him playing that many games and we can’t be sure his injury problems are fully behind him. Simpson is a good prospect if Ferguson gives him a chance. I can definitely see him become a better player than O'Shea, the other option United got at right back. What United need is a natural right back that is good as or even better than Evra on the left. That way United would be menacing on both flanks. On the left, United are pretty much covered with Evra. Silvestre was rumoured to leave but it seems he is sticking around so there is cover in the position together with O'Shea. Another left back is not a real priority.
In central defence, we could use another back-up for Vidic and Ferdinand. With Pique leaving for Barcelona, United have been spread a little thin in that department. Brown can cover in the centre and so can O'Shea but O'Shea rarely plays in the centre so another more natural central defender will be needed. Micah Richards comes to mind, he is as good in the centre as he is on the right so he might be able to solve both problems with a single blow.
Up front we are still lacking a natural goal scorer. Ever since Ruud left United, a 30+ goals a season striker hasn’t been a part of the United’s setup. Saha like Silvestre has been linked to leave, but it hasn’t happened so he might yet be around. That said he has yet to prove he is a trustable player that United can call upon when the goals are needed. If he can put the injuries behind him then maybe he can show some kind of form. Tevez and Rooney work well together but an out and out striker will provide United with an extra option upfront just in case a change in tactics is needed. Sometimes the classic straight route is better when breaking teams through well placed passes has failed. If Ronaldo was to leave, an out and out striker might just offset the goals that Ronaldo might have scored for us. Huntellar remains the main target according to newspaper reports. He has just rejected a contract from Ajax so it might just be true. He is in the same mould as Ruud, so he is the perfect target for United.
United has a young team, and many of the signings last season shined very well. So there shouldn’t be the need for any big changes at United next season. United has got a big enough squad and with a little tweaks here and there, we can challenge for all the four trophies next season.
