Pre-season is over as 2018-19 begins in earnest

Premier League football is back! 89 days since United's 1-0 win over Watford brought down the curtain on our 2017-18 league campaign, the Reds return to action back at Old Trafford for the opening fixture of the new top flight season. The preamble is over - with an understrength Reds side having learned little from an underwhelming pre-season plod across the USA - and the serious stuff now starts. On Friday, the Reds take centre stage as we welcome Claude Puel's Leicester City side to OT for the beginning of another season.
 For all the discouraging noises rising from the Old Trafford corridors of power, not much should be read into the six games that saw United only win once, against Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup. After all, we took Stateside by storm under LVG before the ill-fated Dutchman's second season at the helm, and we all know what happened there - he was sacked less than a year later. So it stands to reason that we shouldn't be too concerned. Results in pre-season are irrelevant - it's all about building fitness and form and giving young players a run out to show what they can do. You shouldn't take what happens in the off season as an indication of how you're going to fare when the real business starts, and it's a good thing for us given what we've witnessed over the past couple of weeks. Games played in searing conditions with a scratch side that won't be anywhere near the one we start the season with, our build up and preparation have been far from ideal
- we knew this was going to be the case and despite the high-profile fixtures against Liverpool, Madrid and Bayern, these were six ties that merely resembled nothing more than a protracted training session.

With the memories of a thrilling World Cup in Russia - possibly the greatest festival of football we've ever witnessed - still fresh in the nation's conscious,  the promise of a new season is the time of year  where football fans are fuelled hope, faith, belief and optimism, that the possibility of trophies, glory and excitement are always just around the corner.  That may be the case for us and we all hope it very much will be, but can anyone honestly say they're positive about the ten months that lie ahead. I for one certainly am not - not on the basis of the fact that Jose has been moaning already, we're still three players short of being up to standard and our major rivals have stolen a march on us already in the transfer market. Not on the basis that the club is seemingly being run by a penny-pinching board and a CEO who appears hopelessly out of his depth. Will Mourinho  channel his simmering anger and frustration to cut a swathe to the Premier League title or - as many have feared and predicted - does this merely mark the beginning of his notorious 'third season syndrome'.
United will start afresh when we face a Foxes side who will also be somewhat weakened in the opener - expected to be without England heroes Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire, who could still become a Reds player by 8pm on Friday. United were without many key men during the USA Tour, and that's likely to still be the case for the first competitive tie - it remain to be seen if many of the youngsters we've seen on Tour will be involved when the east Midlands side come to town. Mourinho is hopeful that at least one of our World Cup stars will be available under the lights. Either way, the waiting is over, so is the talk and the speculation, and 2018/19 is now only four days away.

Pre season: Bayern 1-0 United

United's final pre-season warm up ended in defeat as Javi Martinez scored the only goal for the German giants at the Allianz Arena. This was arguably our toughest work out so far, five days out from our all important Premier League opener against Leicester City. Marcus Rashford made his first appearance of pre-season, he notably wore the no.10, whilst Victor Lindelof made a first start since the World Cup alongside Eric Bailly. The Reds have previously faced Club Ameria, San Jose Earthquakes, AC Milan, Liverpool and Real Madrid in the USA. This trip to Bavaria proved another test in hot and humid conditions against one of European football's genuine heavyweights.
Opposite numbers David de Gea and Manuel Neuer - wid
ely considered as the two best stoppers on the planet - came into direct opposition, and it was our no.1 who was called upon early as he saved well from Spanish compatriot Thiago Alcantara, before he then quickly denied ex Arsenal youth player Serge Gnabry with a smart low stop.
In keeping with the searing temperatures that have continued to soar across the continent, it was the hosts who continued to turn up the heat, and the Bundesliga champions went close again through Martinez, who fired wide, and Niklas Sule was denied again by the increasingly busy DDG.
Gnabry flashed a shot across goal, before Jose Mourinho was forced into a change when Bailly's injuy jinx seemingly struck again when he was forced off and replaced by Chris Smalling.

The deadlock was broken just shy of the hour mark when Martinez headed home a Leon Goretzka corner from close range. After  a flurry of changes, the tempo of the high-profile friendly dropped thereafter as thoughts turned to the beginning of the competitive season, Jose used every available substitute for an increasingly youthful looking United, apart from 16 year old striker Mason Greenwood.
Andreas Pereira fired over the bar, substitute Kingsley Coman went close at the other end, and Bayern thought they had doubled their lead through Robben, who had a second goal chalked out for offside having slotted beyond Lee Grant.
That proved to be the last meaningful action of the tie, and although the defeat was dissapointing, it's irrelevant in the grand scheme of things and a good work out against strong opposition will only benefit the Reds ahead of the most important match to come - Friday and Leicester at Old Trafford.

United: De Gea (Grant 79); Darmian (Jones 65), Bailly (Smalling 46), Lindelof (Tuanzebe 79), Shaw (Mitchell 79); Fred (Chong 79), A Pereira, Herrera (Garner 81); Mata (McTominay 65), Alexis Sanchez, Rashford (Fosu - Mensah 65). 

What's happened to Anthony Martial?

That thrilling debut goal against the Scousers feel an awfully long time ago now. On the fringes, out of favour and possibly on the move, Anthony Martial is already a case of what might have been at United.
The comparisons to Thierry Henry may have been premature, but not as forced or as wide of the mark as we may have thought. Young, French and a bundle of pace, energy and trickery, Martial - signed for a fee in the region of £50m - took the Premier League by storm during a spectacular debut season in 2015-16. In an otherwise tepid and torrid season under the ill-fated Dutchman Louis van Gaal, Martial was the single ray of light in an otherwise dark campaign.
The path to greatness had seemingly opened up before him, especially after a United debut in which he became an instant hero, catapulted into the national spotlight after a blistering and brilliant bow, when he scored in scintillating fashion after 21 minutes. When he arrived at Old Trafford, he was - in many ways - he was both the antithesis of the Dutchman, and a player in keeping with the Dutchman's famed philosophy. Offering excitement and penetration in a slow side configured to pass the ball sideways, Martial was the latest in a long line of teenage talents to flourish under LVG. He came in a period of flux, joining after decline, during dullness, at a time when youth brought a promise of a brighter future. Now, with Memphis Depay and Adnan Januzaj in permanent Old Trafford exile, Luke Shaw understudying to a 33-year-old converted winger and Martial apparently available for transfer, that particular future will never arrive.

Scoring 17 goals was a laudable effort in a Van Gaal team, given the paucity of attacking intent for much of his second season. Yet even had that been 27, Martial was always going to be a stylistic misfit for a Jose Mourinho striker. Simply put, Martial is just not a Mourinho man - he may simply be a victim of circumstance, the right player at the right club at the wrong time. The Portuguese's four archetypal centre-forwards - in time Romelu Lukaku could become the fifth - are all very similar: Didier Drogba, Diego Milito, Diego Costa and Zlatan Ibrahimovic - powerful and physical warriors who specialise in bulldozing defences with their back to goal - not slick, fleet-footed, elusive forwards.

But yet, Martial's job share with Marcus Rashford was highly productive - they had 20 goals between them before the end of January. Even when Mourinho dropped Rashford against Tottenham, it was Martial - his replacement - who scored the winner. The Frenchman was a specialist in immeidate impacts, the Premier League's most potent substitute.
Then came Alexis Sanchez, the Chilean's hugh profile move was a deal typical of the United's scattergun recruitment. Older players signed with a view as a shortcut to success - opportunism but no  real strategy.
The departed Henrikh Mkhitaryan - capable of playing anywhere across the front - suited what the squad needed. Martial, displaced from the central striking role by big targetmen -  was demoted to bit part third choice behind Sanchez. A marginalised figure, he's not scored for United since and perhaps never will again.

After the most spectacular of starts, it could be an anticlimactic end. Martial’s story feels a parable about life at Old Trafford now: the big fee, the excitement with something bright and new before something newer comes along, the ultimate sense that things could, and should, have gone better.  

The last five years at United have framed by a lingering sense of what might have been. Martial feels a case in point.

Match report: Milan 1-1 United (8-9 on penalties)

United prevailed after a marathon shootout of 26 penalties to win our ICC opener after a much improved performance against Gennaro Gattuso's Rossoneri in Carson, California. United looked fitter, sharper and more fluid than they had in their first two ties against Club America and MLS side San Jose last time out, as Alexis Sanchez stood out with an impressive individual showing.

The Reds, who lined up in a lesser spotted 3-5-2 formation, made a bright start to the match and moved ahead inside 12 minutes through the Chilean. Sanchez, superb all evening, had already had an effort saved by Gigi Donnarumma but the young keeper was powerless to prevent Sanchez from opening the scoring. Juan Mata's pinpoint volleyed pass picked out Alexis and he finished well from close range.
Our lead lasted only three minutes though, as a long ball from Leonardo Bonucci found ex Liverpool  man Suso in space and he fired in a finish beyond the advancing Lee Grant.
Sanchez went close once more from a corner and the impressive Andreas Pereira - who has really made a name for himself during pre-season - flashed a shot wide. The Reds looked dangerous with every attack and a blistering break - started by Scott McTominay's and also involving Alexis - culminated with Ander Herrera's effort from distance which was tipped behind by the diving Donnarumma. The keeper was being kept busy by United's potency, as he was called into action again to deny Juan Mata before he smothered McTominay's looping header on goal.

At the other end, Davide Calabria fired straight at Lee Grant and Eric Bailly blocked bravely from Franck Kessie in the final action of an action-packed first half.
McTominay then forced Donnarumma into another save and his replacement - ex Liverpool stopper Pepe Reina - was called upon straight away when he denied Luke Shaw and then Mata twice in quick succession. Fabio Borini struck a post, Pereira went close again and Suso headed off target in a frantic finale to proceedings.
Penalties were needed to decide the content, and a seemingly low-key shootout instead turned into an epic, sudden death, topsy turvy tale. After both sides traded successful spot kicks - Pereira, Alexis, Ander Herrera, Chris Smalling, Axel Tuanzebe, Matteo Darmian and substitute Timothy Fosu - Mensah all scored for us, as Reina and Joel Pereira made three saves apiece. After Pereira's second put United 8-7 up, Calhanoglu levelled and Herrera scored for the second time. That paved the way for Franck Kessie, who blasted over the bar with the 26th spot kick of the shootout, to bring a marathon and exhausting contest to an end.

United: Grant (J.Pereira 46); Bailly, Smalling, Tuanzebe; Darmian, Herrera, A Pereira, McTominay, Shaw (Fosu - Mensah 74); Mata (Hamilton 89), Alexis Sanchez.
United Faithful Man of the Match: Alexis Sanchez.

A storm is brewing after Manchester United's summer of discontent

As painful as it is to be writing this - it gives me no pleasure whatsoever - there are massive problems bubbling in the corridors of powers at Manchester United. Jose Mourinho is grumpy and miserable, Ed Woodward is a man without a plan or a vision, and the squad still lacks depth and quality. There are all the ingredients of the classic Mourinho third season meltdown - the unwritten tale that has been as much a part of our manager's decorated and illustrious career as the numerous successes and various trophies for which he has become synonymous. I hope I'm wrong but there seems a certain inevitability about where all this is heading, and I know I'm not the only one who doesn't fancy our chances in the slightest this season.

 I have tried to be positive, and I believe that it's not all doom and gloom. Some of our club's brightest young talents have looked very impressive indeed in pre-season, Fred's signing should release Paul Pogba from his shackles, and Alexis Sanchez will be all the better for his first full season at Old Trafford. Romelu Lukaku is only going to continue his upward trajectory, and Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard will be brimming with confidence after England's run to the World Cup semi finals. But even these cannot mask the pessimistic undercurrent that has plagued our preparations for 2018-19 - that things will come to a head one way or another and a storm is brewing.
Jurgen Klopp's hypocritical stance may not have done himself any favours, but you can't deny the reality that he not only identifed Liverpool's area of strengthening, but went out and got what he needed with plenty of time to spare. Unai Emery has barely been in the Arsenal job for two months but has already made his mark in the transfer market.
United, on the other hand, appear to be dithering and floundering without a clear plan of who our primary targets are. Everyone can see that we are in urgent need of a top quality centre back (of the defenders we've currently got, only Eric Bailly is good enough), a left-back and a natural out and out winger. The incessant rumours appear to be exactly that - all talk and nothing remotely tangible. In short, Liverpool have been ruthless, clinical and got their players in - a masterpiece in how to operate today's world of miserly agents, stubborn owners and overinflated fees.
In contrast, United have ambled aimlessly, linked with a combination of Woodward's cloud cuckoo land fantasies like Gareth Bale, bang average rejects like Marko Arnautovic and the downright unattainable like Raphael Varane and Willian.

Recruitment has always been a huge Achilles heel - even in the Sir Alex Ferguson days - and that brings us to Jose Mourinho himself. Instilling confidence and belief into your side is a pre-requisite for success, but can anyone really say Mourinho has done that. His 'my way or no way' attitude may spur some on to greater heights, but knocks or even alienates others. It was this that caused him to lose the respect of his players during the dying embers of both spells at Chelsea and also at Real Madrid.

In what seems a do or die, make or break season for Jose, he is getting his excuses in early and setting himself up to fail. I've learned to never to write off a Manchester United team too early, but something has to give eventually. When you hear your manager say he is worried about his team's season - before it's even begun - how is that meant to inspire us as fans, or his own players, even if there is an element of truth in his words. We're Manchester United - we believe anything is possible.
At the minute, all that seems possible is unrest, in-fighting, disappointment and a familiar end for Mourinho.

Three top targets to solve United's transfer shortcomings

With 16 days to go until we get the 2018-19 season underway at home to Leicester, the transfer window closes a day before that. United are worryingly quiet, despite our need for a centre-back, a left-back and a top class winger. The squad is still someway short of the standard required for a title challenge, but with the clock ticking towards deadline day, we pinpoint three players United should sign to strengthen the Reds ranks as the missing pieces of Jose Mourinho's jigsaw.

Centre back: Toby Alderweireld. Alternative: Harry Maguire

United are in a need of a solid, reliable and top quality centre-back to partner Eric Bailly. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones may remain Jose Mourinho's favourites, but they are simply not good enough and should not continue as first choice. We've also been linked with Leicester's Harry Maguire, fresh from his starring role as one of the unlikely heroes of England's run to the World Cup semis. It's telling that despite his status as a relative rookie, Maguire was favoured by Southgate ahead of Smalling and Jones for his reading of the game and ability on the ball. Bailly is our best defender and the Ivorian brings a similar ball-playing style that Maguire gives you. His absence from the team at the end of last season did not make sense.
At 29, Alderweireld is four years Maguire's senior and would represent a shorter-term option at the back. Twelve months ago, Alderweireld was regarded as one of the finest central defensive exponents in Europe, in a commanding and solid partnership with countryman Jan Vertonghen. But a combination of injury and the arrival of Dav. Maguire would probably be easier to sign given the notoriously difficult negotiating style of Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.

inson Sanchez saw him slip down the pecking order with limited game time. However, the Belgian enjoyed an impressive World Cup for Roberto Martinez's semi finalists, and has been the mainstay of the Spurs defence during their rise to prominence under Mauricio Pochettino. A prized asset for the north London side, United were linked with the centre-back - who is equally as adept as a right-back, earlier in the summer to the point where we reportedly had a £55m bid for him turned down

Left back: Alex Sandro. Alternative: Danny Rose

Despite last season's improvement, it's clear that United still have serious issues in defence, especially at left-back. We cannot go on with a 33-year-old inverted right winger in this position. Luke Shaw is a viable option but under Mourinho he's never going to play every week. Despite injuries hampering his progress, Rose still has incredible quality. Equally as impressive surging forward as he is defensively, Rose has been a subject of interest from United for a long time, ever since the days of David Moyes. Mourinho is known to be an admirer of the player and a swap with Shaw, who worked for Spurs boss Pochettino at Southampton, would be astute business.
Widely regarded as one of the best full-backs in Europe, Sandro would fit the bill perfectly for Jose's United. He's quick, agile, versatile and an excellent crosser of the football - in short, everything this current defensive quartet are not. The Juventus man can also be deployed as a wing-back and, in true Brazilian style, is a dead ball specialist. He's class, would make a world of difference to our back line and exactly the sort of player we're crying out for. United have been linked with him all summer but, frustratingly, appear no closer to getting their man.

Winger: Ivan Perisic. Alternative: Willian 

United flirted with old flame Perisic throughout last summer but a deal failed to materialise and the player stayed put at Internazionale, however following an impressive World Cup, our interest in the Croatian may be rekindled. Perisic was immense in Russia as one of the stars of Croatia's run to the final, in which he scored the equaliser against France. He was also man of the match in his side's semi-final win over England having levelled the tie before he set up Mario Mandzukic for the winner. A bundle of pace and energy, Perisic - equally adept on either flank - is strong and direct. The mould of the traditional flying winger may be a dying art, but Perisic is a must if United are to challenge for the major honours this season. Wantaway Brazilian Willian has been angling for a move away from west London after a difficult season for the Stamford Bridge with Barcelona seemingly his most likely destination. However the Catalan club's signing of Malcolm has stirred United's interest and, although the player's stance may have changed with the arrival of new boss Maurizio Sarri, Willian became Mourinho's go-to man during his second spell at Chelsea. Lethal from distance and from set-pieces, he's two footed, agile, and technically gifted. His adaptability and versatility, able to play anywhere across the front line, makes him ideal for Jose's United identikit.

Understrength tour far from ideal preparation for 2018-19

I know its only pre-season, I know the results of these friendlies don't matter, and as fans its great to see the next generation of our club's youth prospects being given a chance to show what they can do. In United's two US tour games so far, it's been great to see the likes of Angel Gomes, Tahith Chong, Mason Greenwood, Demetri Mitchell, James Garner and Andreas Pereira get run outs. For a club that prides itself on bringing through homegrown young talent, it's heart warming to see. But with so many first team players missing due to the World Cup, to have such a weakened and under-strength United side offers far from ideal preparation for the start of the new season which begins for us on 10th August. By the time 2018-19 rolls around, the senior players that will prove our key men are in danger of being undercooked and someway short of the fitness levels required. It's a delicate balance: they need a break and a breather like everyone else but also need to be playing and building match sharpness.

We shouldn't be reading too much into the two draws on Tour so far - the 1-1 with Club America and the goalless stalemate with San Jose in game two. After all, in 2015-16 we won every game in pre-season in swashbuckling style to hint at brighter things to come under Louis van Gaal. The Reds 3-5-2 formation was the talk of the town - but things fell flat and the Dutchman would be gone less than a year later. So it stands to reason that we shouldn't be too concerned by an underwhelming tour so far this time around as the team that runs out at Old Trafford for that curtain raiser with Leicester in 18 days time will be very different from the one that stuttered to a 0-0 draw against a lowly MLS side last night in the 30 degree heat of Santa Clara. There was little rhythm, pattern or tempo to United's play, but - missing Messrs Lukaku, Lingard, Fellaini, Rashford, Young, Fred, Matic, De Gea and Pogba to name but nine - is that really any surprise? Travelling Stateside with a jumbled mish-mash of fringe players, reserve/youth players and players that should be nowhere near Manchester United, there was always a risk that things would look equally as ragtag and incohesive. That's definitely showing to be the case.
  I don't care about the results, but the one thing I'm worried about with this pre-season is that with the World Cup, the lack of transfer business, with the way we are as a club at present, are we learning anything and getting in the best possible shape we can be ahead of the season. There's no signs of improvement so far, Jose does not seemed to have worked things out or tried anything different. We've known that this would be the case but nonetheless it's still frustrating and a bit worrying. Although the results are insignificant, you want to be looking for positive signs but there has been little to go on in the first two run outs. It's all been very underwhelming so far.