It seems like two minutes since goals from Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes sealed a 2-1 victory over Fulham at Old Trafford during the final game of last season. However, it has in fact been two months since that glorious May afternoon and a brand-new Premier League season beckons. Throughout the close season, the talk has revolved around United’s cross-city rivals Manchester City, and whether anyone can close the gap to Pep Guardiola’s unstoppable winning machine.
Last term, the Blues romped to a famous treble for just the second time in the history of English football. They managed to outlast a spirited effort from an upstart Arsenal team to claim a fifth Premier League crown in six seasons. They then managed to defeat their greatest rivals at Wembley to secure the FA Cup, before defeating Inter Milan in Istanbul to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time in history.
Throughout the summer transfer window, England’s traditional ‘Big Six’ have all strengthened with the aim of narrowing the gap. Arsenal have brought in the likes of Kai Havertz and Declan Rice, Chelsea have secured the signature of former RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku while Liverpool have finally rebuilt their midfield with the additions of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. But what of Manchester United?
Over the last week or so, the talk has been all about one man, namely Rasmus Hojlund. The 20-year-old striker has arrived from Atalanta for a fee of around £70m, and much is expected of the young Danish sensation. The new addition is a tender age and it’s highly unlikely that hopes will be pinned on his young shoulders so early. So, with that being said, who are Manchester United’s key men next season?
Marcus Rashford
Last season was a successful one at Old Trafford for a number of reasons. New manager Erik Ten Hag was able to impose his style of play and the results followed. However, the brightest light in the Northwest last term was the return to form of Marcus Rashford.
Following a couple of quiet years, the pacey attacker announced his return to the pinnacle of world football with a bang, netting 30 goals in all competitions as the Red Devils secured a return to the Champions League. On the continental stage, Rashford shone brightly in a great match between football giants as United took on Barcelona in the Europa League, scoring twice in the Nou Camp as United progressed to the last sixteen.
Following his return to his club from international duty with England at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the United academy product scored ten goals in ten Premier League games and was rightly awarded United’s Player of the Season award at the end of the campaign. Next season, Ten Hag will be hoping that his main man continues in the same vein.
André Onana
For a couple of years at least, Manchester United had the best goalkeeper in the Premier League and perhaps even the world. For four consecutive seasons between 2014 and 2018, David De Gea was selected as the starting goalkeeper in the Premier League Team of the Season. However, in the five years since his most recent selection, it seems that the game has passed the Spanish shot-stopper by.
In recent campaigns, his lack of comparison and passing ability combined with an inability to command his penalty area has seen him become somewhat of a liability. Erik Ten Hag has clearly taken note and made the uncomfortable decision to release the 32-year-old this summer following the expiry of his contract. In his place, United’s Dutch manager has brought in Cameroon international André Onana for a fee of £50m.
The former Ajax man helped Inter Milan reach the Champions League final last season against all odds, and he was key to their success. Onana is built in the Manuel Neuer mold. Not only is he good with the ball at his feet, but he also regularly charges into midfield as well as managing his usual sweeper-keeper duties. He worked with Ten Hag during the pair’s time together in Amsterdam to much success, and they will be hoping to rekindle that at Old Trafford next term.
Bruno Fernandes
While Andre Onana is a new player that will impress over the course of the upcoming campaign, the man that has been the star of the show for Manchester United since his arrival in the winter of 2021 is without a doubt, Bruno Fernandes. Following his arrival from Sporting Lisbon, he has taken it upon himself to become the club’s undisputed leader, and that has resulted in him being made captain of the club this summer.
That will come as a disappointment to England defender Harry Maguire. But let’s face it, the writing has been on the wall for some time now. And who better to take over the armband than Fernandes?
Since his £50m arrival from Portugal, the 28-year-old maestro has been in scintillating form. He has scored 64 goals and provided a further 54 assists throughout his 185 appearances for the club. He will be hoping that plenty more follow next term.
