Saturday 8 August 2015 10:23, UK
All the transfer news, statistics, pundit views and odds ahead of Manchester United's 2015/16 season.
Position last season: 4th
Sky Bet title odds: 5/1
Ins: Memphis Depay (PSV), Matteo Darmian (Torino), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton), Sergio Romero (Sampdoria)
Outs: Tom Cleverley (Everton), Ben Amos (Bolton), Tom Thorpe (released), Saidy Janko (Celtic), Nani (Fenerbahce), Will Keane (Preston, loan), Robin van Persie (Fenerbahce)
Overview
After last year’s fourth-placed finish and another summer of lavish transfer spending, Manchester United are aiming to mount their first genuine title challenge since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.
The off-season has not been straight-forward, however. Angel di Maria is on his way to Paris Saint-Germain after struggling to adapt last season, and the future of David de Gea is a major cause for concern as Real Madrid look to take him back to Spain.
United will be hoping this summer's new signings fare better than Di Maria. Dutch winger Memphis Depay arrives with a reputation as one of Europe's top young talents, Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger bring no shortage of quality to central midfield, Matteo Darmian bolsters the defence, and Argentina international Sergio Romero gives them another option in goal.
Phil Thompson's view: "United have flexed their financial muscles again and as everybody thought that central-midfield has been strengthened. Bastian Schweinsteiger is a fabulous signing and Morgan Schneiderlin is also a fantastic player so it will be interesting to see which one is the holding midfielder.
"There’s still a few players that are still to convince such as (Marcos) Rojo, (Phil) Jones, and (Luke) Shaw. The big question is for De Gea, who probably saved United 12 points last season and will be a big miss if he goes. I thought (Asmir) Begovic might have gone there. They are big gloves to fill for Romero, if he’s the man.
"United fans still want the marquee signing and it will be interesting to see if they sign another striker. If Di Maria goes who comes in? Cavani? Can he fit in on the left where he hasn’t been happy at PSG? Van Gaal has amassed a very good squad but there are still plenty of questions to answer."
Opta stats
- United were six points better off last season than in 2013/14, yet it was still their second lowest tally for a PL season.
- Wayne Rooney became the first player to score 10+ goals in 11 successive Premier League seasons.
- Last season, Manchester United used more players than any other Premier League team (33).
