Manchester United must start season well say ex-players
Manchester United will have to start the season strongly and defeat Spurs on the opening day of if they are to win the Premier League according to ex-players Quinton Fortune and Sammy McIlroy.
United are to launch an attack on Chelsea and Manchester City after finishing in the top four this season and fans are hoping they stick to their word.
Manager Louis van Gaal is set to spend cash in the summer and top names are expected to arrive at Old Trafford as the Red Devils plan compete in the Champions League as well as domestically.
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Last year United showed glimpses of what they could do with wins over Manchester City, Spurs and Liverpool all in quick succession. However, some games they were dreadful and didn’t look like the side which won so many games under club legend Sir Alex Ferguson. But Van Gaal has a plan and so far his first part of the three steps has been completed with European football back at the club. Now though, the 63 year-old has to challenge for trophies and that will begin from the outset when they take on Spurs in their opening game of the season.
The Londoners will be tough opposition and United need to get off to a winning start. If they don’t, former United players Fortune and MUTC pundit McIlroy believe the 20-time champions will struggle.
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"Fortune, who played a number of years at the club in many positions said, as reported by ManUtd.com: “We had mixed results at the start of last season but that won’t happen again, I can guarantee you that,” insists Fortune, a three-time title winner. “The manager has experience of the Premier League, the players understand how he wants to play and everybody realises this is a very important season.“We want to win something, the focus has to be the Premier League and that starts from the first game of the season against Tottenham. I expect us to put on a good show and get the three points.”"
McIlroy is one of the older generation and was Sir Matt Busby’s last ever signing during his time in charge of the side. He played 419 times for United between 1971 and 1982 and he believes the first game is heavily important.
"“The first game of the season, no matter who you play, is always going to be difficult because it is the opening game and everybody wants to have a good start. But because it is against Spurs, a top six club in the Premier League and a rival, it is particularly important that we win the game.“We didn’t get up and running last year. But the manager has a season behind him in the Premier League, hopefully he’ll get a few new players in and I don’t think there are any excuses anymore. It is now for us to have a great start, win our games and be up there challenging for the title all season.”"
The Red Devils begin against Spurs before facing Aston Villa, Newcastle and Swansea. However, United face three big guns in the month of October and that could be a huge month in terms of their league position. Winning four games in a single month can give the side huge confidence ahead of the Christmas period and McIlroy added that beating City and Arsenal will be top of Van Gaal’s list.
"He added: “I think October is a major test but we’ll have a few games under our belt by then and hopefully we’ll be doing well,” Sammy explains. “But those are the games you want to play in. You want to play against the likes of City, Arsenal and Everton, who all want to be up there as well. The manager will know it is important we get something out of those games as well.”"