News: The 2017/18 Season Preview, Discussion & Review Thread [R]

9th behind Leicester and CP.

 

I get the target should be winning the EPL and CL and all that, but realisticly given where we are at currently what would be an acceptable season?

For me, being in the hunt for the title for the first two-thirds of the season and finishing in the top three, getting out of the CL group stages and going out to one of the teams currently better than us (Barca, Madrid, Bayern etc.) would be par. Plus a decent run in one of the cups.

 

City look like clear favorites in the league to me. They still have obvious weaknesses, but they were already much closer to Chelsea than point totals made it appear and while they've certainly overpaid for some of their acquisitions they've acquired mostly good players in areas of need. If they struggle though then I think we've got as good a shot as anyone to pick up the slack.

Chelsea, Spurs and even Liverpool I think have arguably stronger first 11s than us, but all have significant depth issues barring more transfer business still to come. That makes it very hard to predict them. One of those three will probably have good injury luck and be a strong contender, one will have average luck and have a good shot for top 4, and one will have poor luck and slump out of the Champions league. Which is which, I have no idea. The one thing we have going for us is a relatively flat talent structure (partially due to a lack of truly top level players) at most positions.

Scenario A: City have a good season and win the league by a solid margin.
Scenario B: City have a poor season and it's a dogfight between City, United and whoever from the Pool, Spurs, Chelsea group can keep their first 11 on the field.

Either way I think we make top 4 although I expect it to be rocky until the very end.

 

Our goals for this season, at minimum, should be: being in the title race, finishing not lower than 3rd. In Europe, we should get out of the CL group stages and depending on the draw, pass a round or two in the knockout stage. And if we're not going to win the title, at least secure a FA Cup win.
City are the clear favorites for me as well, but as things stand, not overly worried about anyone else. It could change by the end of the month, especially if Chelsea make the moves that Conte wants.
Our main concern will clearly be our goalscoring output: if Lukaku can perform as expected, and at least a couple of players can chip in with double digit returns, then we should be fine. If not, we really could again be looking at a repeat of last season. Don't see him happening though.

 

FIXTURES: Finally, Watford v #MUFC on Tue 28 Nov now kicks off at the slightly later time of 20:00 GMT. pic.twitter.com/bIXMHTK7YF

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 11, 2017

FIXTURES: Chelsea v #MUFC moves to Sun 5 Nov at 16:30 GMT while our home game v Newcastle is on Sat 18 Nov (17:30 GMT). pic.twitter.com/48k5Qo4UpX

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 11, 2017

 

Shearer's takes on the upcoming Prem season.

www.bbc.com/sport/football/40892576

 

"We are involved in four competitions," says the boss, "and, step by step, match after match, we are going to fight." #MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 11, 2017

 

Agreed, for most part. We need Anthony and Henrikh to do their part. If they don't, we ain't lifting no major trophies this season.

 

It really depends in how Mourinho sets up the team to play. Martial can't score if he isn't given a good amount of playing time on a regular basis.

 

Something to get you in the mood for tomorrow - our best opening day strikes! pic.twitter.com/7k4qM8pQmf

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 12, 2017

 

Still got it 😎 #MUFC pic.twitter.com/SfadvCANvB

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 13, 2017

 

True, and if Anthony as well as Henrikh don't see much playing time this season I don't see where the chance creation will come from. We'll manufacture some goals without them, but as I see it those two will be crucial to whatever success we may enjoy.

 

Some interesting numbers from the opening fixtures;

In this week’s Monday Night Football Extra, @DavidJonesSky & @Carra23 examine the use of the ‘expected goals’ stat: https://t.co/P1PxaQwEb8 pic.twitter.com/N9FwpQoqzv

— Sky Sports Retro (@SkySportsRetro) August 17, 2017

 

Manchester United give us a nostalgic view of simpler boom times

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...escope?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard

 

After 2 League games:

Lukaku: 3 goals
Mkhitaryan: 4 assists
Pogba: 2 goals, 1 assist
Martial: 2 goals, 1 assist pic.twitter.com/1rfzy8YRHQ

— EPL Bible (@EPLBible) August 19, 2017

 

It's bad form to quote oneself, but since we have a poster here who quotes himself all the time I'll indulge myself this one occasion.

Key to our attacking success this season will be Martial and Mikhtaryan and so far they've done the job. I get what Jose was thinking by not starting Martial today but once he came on in the second half, we began to tear Swansea apart. Miki started but didn't hit top gear until Martial came on.

Putting aside the LB question, we have a pretty obvious phenomenal first XI -- pending the return of Shaw:

De Gea
Valencia Bailly Jones Blind
Herrera Matic Pogba
Miki Lukaku Martial

Rashford and Mata, sweet. Lingard, Smalling and Darmian, fine. Fellaini, whatever.

 

If both are to be key they need to perform before other teams tire and crumble.

 

It's not that simple. Most opponents are going to bunker down on us...just a fact a life. We shouldn't expect to score four goals before halftime very often. But I realise things are different on Football Manager, so I understand your perspective.

 

Someone mentioned it over here

When Eric Baily provoked Zlatan Ibrahimović. 😂👏🏼pic.twitter.com/vBOY2Vp2M8

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) August 22, 2017

 

#MUFC have been drawn at home to Burton Albion in the @Carabao_Cup third round. The tie will be played in the week commencing 18 September. pic.twitter.com/r0lQnCWlmJ

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 24, 2017

 

This rotating name for the cup is so fracking stupid.

 

Our #CarabaoCup third-round tie at home to Burton Albion will kick off at 20:00 BST on Wednesday 20 September. pic.twitter.com/r5ZvYhExTk

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 25, 2017

 

Hopefully pool & arse drop some points today. Wishing for a 1-1 draw or something.


Fixtures wise, the next 4 games are very important for us.

City: Liverpool, Watford, Palace, Chelsea

Chelsea: Leicester, Arsenal, Stoke, City

United: Stoke, Everton, Southampton, Palace

We are well placed to take a good lead here and establish some cushion in advance.

 

Completely agree. We must take maximum points off cannon fodder.

We'll hit a wall at some point, but to lift the trophy in May we have to clean up Stoke, Everton and Southampton in September.

 

Manchester United supporters are encouraged but wary of false dawns

http://www.espn.in/football/club/ma...orters-are-encouraged-but-wary-of-false-dawns