United To Finish Third: Our Writers Make Their Predictions




The season starts in about 30 minutes- depending on when you’re actually reading this- so we asked three of our best writers- well the only three we could get hold of – to give their predictions for the season. Remember to ram them down our throats when we win the treble with Ander Herrera as top scorer…
Rob B
Where will MUFC finish:
 
I think it is the easy option to say top 4, but I’m not confident of predicting anything more positive! I think we have a squad that can compete, but we are still a world-class centre-back and centre forward short of a title winning squad. We are closer than 12 months ago, but were not the finished article.
Star Man:
 
Without putting the mockers on him (see my state of mind at present) I think Morgan Schneiderlin. He is a huge talent and I’m more excited about seeing him line up with Carrick than I am about Schweinsteiger. I think Bastian is a bit of a God, always loved him, but his injury record really does put me off. If he stays fit, he could be the player we need, but Schneiderlin will boss opponents every week. I also think Darmianmight become an instant cult hero. There’s something about him: He is fearless and works like a dog. And we love that type of player at OldTrafford.
top scorer/how many:
 
Don’t think you can look past Wayne. If he is going to play as the No. 9, he has to be looking at 20 goals minimum. I’m hoping he gets closer to 30. Without his goals, top 4 will be a tough ask.
 
biggest flop:
 
As I stated, I think Bastian might be in and out with injuries. The Prem is the most physical league in the world, and I’m not convinced he will avoid the treatment room. 
 
how far in Europe:
 
I think the qualifiers are going to be hard work for us. But if we get in the groups I think we can navigate our way to the knockouts. I have no real expectations for the Champions League this season. It is all about the Prem.
most red cards:
 
No idea. From the way he likes a tackle, maybe Morgan!
 
breakthrough player:
 
Gotta be Pereira. He has developed into a very exciting talent, and you can see his physical development now, which is vital in the English game. I also think we will see more from Adnan this year, used in a more central role. I can see him being Rooney’s deputy up top.
best summer signing:
 
Again, for the reasons stated, it is Schneiderlin for me. Watch him break his leg against Spurs now. Sad face. My glass is not half full, or half empty, but I need to get to the bar as fast as I can.
player you’d want to sign/player we need to sign:
 
I think Pedro is a must, now Di Maria has gone. We need players that fit the system, rather than just superstar names. But we need a top centre-back. I would have loved Ramos, but would be happy with Otamendi, though I don’t think he is on the radar. Daley Blind at centre-back will be an utter disaster. But if we go for a marquee talent, I would like De Bruyne. I think he can bring to the squad the qualities which we’ve lost with Di Maria’s exit. If he costs £50 million, so be it. Transfer fees rarely interest me in a multi-billion pound industry.
Nathon

Predicted finish: 3rd – behind Chelsea and Arsenal

Season star man: Juan Mata

Top scorer/How many: Rooney/16

Biggest flop: Phil Jones – will be injured all season again

How far in Europe: Semi final

Most red cards: Rojo

Best summer signing: Memphis Depay

Player to leave before September: Jonny Evans

Dream signing: Gareth Bale

Player we need: Got to be a striker. Harry Kane

Breakthrough player: Pereira – I think he will get a lot of games

Jay

Predicted finish: 2nd- we scrape it on goal difference. You heard it here first.

Season star man: Chris Smalling- the former Fulham man to rise from the quagmire of playing alongside Phil Jones for years to lead United’s defence to glory- sort of.

Top scorer/how many: Chris Smalling to miss out on top scorer- despite doubling last season’s tally of four as Wayne Rooney bags 25 goals in all competitions.

Biggest flop: Jonny Evans -the only 27 year old in the world still waiting to ‘break through the ranks’ it’s time to finally admit the heir to Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand’s crown is looking more likely to be the heir to Phil Jagielka’s.

How far in Europe: United to get out of the group stages, just. I can’t see a long run in Europe’s top competition but I can see United doing enough to remind everyone they’ve not forgotten how to beat teams in the Champions League and aren’t that far away from becoming contenders again.

Most red cards: I’ve a feeling Morgan Schneiderlin may get stuck in a bit too much at times – if that’s actually possible in our midfield. The odd red card may be an occupational hazard for a player we’ve been crying out for ever since Owen Hargreaves had his first knee scan.

Player to leave before September: David De Gea- until yesterday it looked like he was staying this season but even Louis Van Gaal cannot afford to have his best keeper warming the bench and upsetting the rest of the squad.

Best Summer signing: Call me potty but Matteo Darmian could actually be the most important signing of the transfer window- no more Tony Valencia at right back is worth at least nine goals a season.

Dream signing: Gareth Bale- We need a Galatico – there’s not many more ‘Galatic’ than the former Spurs star, he may even be available for as little as the GDP of most small African nations.

Player we need: A.N.Y Topkeeper. Hugo Lloris, Jasper Cillessen- whoever – United need a top class keeper to replace David De Gea who now looks about as likely to stay at United as Sepp Blatter does to stay at FIFA past next season.

Breakthrough player: Adnan Januzaj- this is more hope than true ‘prediction’ but it’s now time for the Belgian to remind us why that annoyingly addictive chant was sung so much. Please Adnan, stop being rubbish and start being awesome again.

Chudi (@Black_Gatsby), co-editor of The Faithful

Predicted finish: 3rd – with no CB or CF we’re going to struggle, 4th if De Gea leaves

Season star man: Morgan Schneiderlin

Top scorer/How many: Rooney will get 18

Biggest flop: Sergio Romero, may get more action than we intend and probably will join a long list of United goalkeeping flops

How far in Europe: Quarter finals

Best summer signing: Schneiderlin – just what we need although Depay may be the most exciting

Player to leave before September: I’d get rid of Jonny Evans, speaks volumes given the fact that we need a CB

Dream signing: I’d go for Lewandowski, seems a very ‘United’ striker, been linked and would probably tear up the Premier League.

Player we need: Sergio Ramos – been linked and we need a CB to play alongside Smalling as Blind seems to be the preferred option.

Breakthrough player: Andreas Pereira – after the summer he’s had I expect him to grab an opportunity that presents it’s self with both hands. A lot of fans from other fans will know his name come next May.



About Steve Ferguson 886 Articles
Steve Ferguson had taken over & re-branded The Faithful MUFC website back in the summer of 2014 and is now the owner and editor of the site. Steve, from Ashton-Under-Lyne in Greater Manchester, is a 35-year-old life long Manchester United fan, travelling over the globe to see the Reds play. Steve has been lucky enough to be at both the 1999 and 2008 Champions League finals, seeing Manchester United lift the biggest trophy in the World, none more exciting than that faithful night in Barcelona in 99. The website is a blog, but also hopes to deliver the latest Manchester United news from around the internet too, linked up with our growing twitter account which is @TheFaithfulMUFC, give it a follow as we will follow you back as soon as we can.

2 Comments

  1. Am in concert with all they about Johnny Evans for Goodness sake he is fake! At 27 if he still needs to be commanded in the defense after playing alongside Rio n Vidic then he has a big problem
    Morgan,Depay and Darmian are our best signings now though I also have faith in the free agent Romero if given play time
    I think the worst in PL will be 2nd position and semi finals in CL
    Adnan needs to be loaned to get huge play time
    Pereira,lingard ,Johnstone and Mc Nair are very talented players and I have great hopes in them
    My breakthrough player is Lingard
    My favorite is Ander Herrera
    Top scorer Rooney if Kane doesnt come
    player we need is Otamendi and Kane

  2. Am in concert with all they say about Johnny Evans for Goodness sake he is fake! At 27 if he still needs to be commanded in the defense after playing alongside Rio n Vidic then he has a big problem
    Morgan,Depay and Darmian are our best signings now though I also have faith in the free agent Romero if given play time
    I think the worst in PL will be 2nd position and semi finals in CL
    Adnan needs to be loaned to get huge play time
    Pereira,lingard ,Johnstone and Mc Nair are very talented players and I have great hopes in them
    My breakthrough player is Lingard
    My favorite is Ander Herrera
    Top scorer Rooney if Kane doesnt come
    player we need is Otamendi and Kane
    Player to leave De Gea n Evans

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*