As I read an end of season Premier League review, the words jumped off the page at me when it came to Manchester United, supposedly the grandest club of all.
The conclusion was as simple as it was damning: ‘A club hopelessly adrift and in desperate need of leadership on and off the pitch. The team’s performances were regularly shameful.’
It went on… ‘and the players have embarrassed themselves. Things can only get better for them, surely?’
Well, let’s hope so.
Now don’t get me wrong, this is far from a basket case.
Despite being all of the above, United managed to finish in sixth place last season and seal a Europa League spot. They also created some Premier League 2022 highlights along the way.
But they were rare bright spots amidst the most disheartening campaign for a generation and, realistically, this was only achieved because the standard outside the top four was distinctly average.
Now, under newly appointed boss Erik ten Hag, the squad has just arrived in Thailand for the start of the pre-season tour and, looking more closely, it is clear there are many gaps both in terms of quality and depth.
That is not to say many of the promising young players on the trip will not develop into genuine talents but, as it stands, the club needs to sign a pacy, aggressive centre-back, at least one midfielder, a striker, and possibly a winger. Given that his budget is reportedly £120 million — plus money raised from sales — it is fair to say that Director of Football, John Murtough, has his work cut out.
United usually like to bring around three players in and let three go every year, but this could be a summer of upheaval for five senior players have already left on free transfers (most of whom had not contributed enough) and question marks remain over many others.
As it stands, United are in the weakest position of the big six and have an important six weeks or so ahead.
That was even before Cristiano Ronaldo announced his plans to move on and before Ten Hag’s long-running pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong kept hitting the buffers.
Amazingly, the SBOTOP Premier League 2022 betting odds currently make United joint third favourites for next season’s title, ahead of both Chelsea and Arsenal, two teams that finished well clear of the Red Devils last term.
I suspect if that prediction is to be realised, the dealings in this transfer window will need to impress.
Looking ahead to the likely starting XI on opening day then, David de Gea is a certain starter and, alongside Ronaldo, the only player who could legitimately escape criticism last season.
He remains the best number one in the Premier League for me.
At right-back, Diego Dalot was often given the nod by interim boss Ralf Rangnick and is definitely a player worth keeping.
However, I think he is a more useful attacking outlet and if Ten Hag may be able to rejuvenate Aaron Wan-Bissaka to emerge and make the right-back position his own. He certainly is talented enough but it seems his confidence has been damaged.
Likewise, on the other flank, the return of Luke Shaw from injury, coupled with the club’s only signing to date, Tyrell Malacia, should see the left-back position in good stead and possibly lead to the departure of Alex Telles.
In central defence, it is this writer’s belief that Victor Lindelof is not good enough for Manchester United and that neither Phil Jones nor Eric Bailly are reliable enough as both suffer regular misfortune with injury.
That leaves captain Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane as first-choice centre backs and, while both should improve on their showings last term, the top-class pacy, aggressive centre-back I referred to earlier is imperative.
Likewise in midfield, only Bruno Fernandes could be classed as top quality, although Fred and Scott McTominay have many attributes and a role to play in the squad.
The player that potentially excites me the most is the opportunity to see Danny van de Beek finally get his chance, two years after moving to Old Trafford. He really could be like a new signing and it is hoped he gets a chance to prove his worth in his favoured position.
Further forward, there is no doubting the ability of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho if they can rediscover their mojo, although an out-and-out frontman would still help enormously, regardless of whether Ronaldo does decide to stay for a further 12 months or not.
So, there you have it.
With a month until the start of the new season, United need to be active and decisive in the transfer market. Their entire 2022-23 campaign depends on it.
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