Community Shield: Manchester United Predicted XI
By Sam White
Manchester United have a lot to prove this season. When you hire ego-driven, victory obsessed characters like Jose Mourinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic there’s nowhere to hide if things don’t go to plan, so expectations are sky high.
Pressure doesn’t seem to affect these men like it does other people though, so although Mourinho has cautioned that there is much work to be done in getting the club back on track, supporters expect immediate improvement on last season’s sedated collapse.
There are currently three new additions to United’s squad- Ibrahimovic, Mkhitaryan and Bailly. There is one frozen out German- Schweinsteiger. And there’s a raft of exciting, young talent such as Martial, Rashford and Lingard.
Rooney and de Gea are assured of being starters under Mourinho. Valencia looks to be working his way into the new boss’ plans. Shaw is geared up for his comeback from injury. And what will happen to the likes of Young, Fellaini and Depay?
Nothing is set in stone yet, Paul Pogba might be fired into Old Trafford as a human cannonball at half-time, and it remains to be seen how Mourinho gets on with the team doctor.
Manchester United Predicted XI
Goalkeeper
David de Gea
The 23-year-old Spaniard has nothing to prove- he’s the best keeper in the Premier League, has been consistently excellent since fully establishing himself as the United No.1, and appears more settled than ever. His presence breeds assurance in the back four, and along with stunning agility and reflexes he is now able to command his area with confidence.
Right back
Antonio Valencia
The Ecuadorian had been a doubt when Mourinho took over, with some predicting that he would be on his way. However, he seems to have played his way into Mourinho’s plans during pre-season with some strong performances, and can be a formidable attacking threat from the full back position.
Centre back
Eric Bailly
The first of the new manager’s summer signings, the 22-year-old Ivorian switched from Villarreal in June. He’s an exciting prospect- a solid defender with excellent ability on the ball. Is he a little raw? Quite possibly, so let’s see how he gets on at Wembley if he is selected ahead of last season’s central defensive choice Daley Blind.
Centre Back
Chris Smalling
England international Smalling continues to go from strength to strength. No longer prone to positional errors as he was in his younger days, he’s become an intelligent, reliable defender. As a dependably imposing constant in last season’s back four, he appears to have come through the Van Gaal years unscarred, and perhaps even stronger than before.
Left Back
Luke Shaw
After suffering a double fracture of his leg against PSV Eindhoven in the Champion’s League last September, Shaw was out for the rest of the season. He was greatly missed. This could very well be the year when he takes United and the Premier League by storm. If so, then he should be tearing up the left flank at Old Trafford for a long time to come.
Central Midfield
Michael Carrick
The veteran midfielder signed a one year contract extension in June, which will take him to ten seasons at Old Trafford. With his vast experience, knowledge of the club, and ability to control the tempo of the match he should be an extremely valuable player for Mourinho. With Schweinsteiger apparently unwanted, Carrick should start.
Central Midfield
Ander Herrera
The tenacious Basque 26-year-old moved to United from Athletic Bilbao in 2014 but still has yet to establish himself as an indispensable first team starter. He’s lively, intelligent and plays with an infectious level of enthusiasm, so it’s not difficult to see why a lot of fans would like to see him given a solid run of games in which to prove himself.
Right Wing
Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Another of Jose’s new signings, the creative Armenian arrives from Borussia Dortmund having established a reputation as an attacking talent who can make things happen in the final third. He arrives in time to bolster what has become an exciting array of offensive artistry. His flexibility across the attacking positions is an asset.
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Left Wing
Anthony Martial
When the at-that-time teenage Frenchman arrived last season, his price tag coupled with his youth raised a lot of eyebrows. He set about proving he was worth it immediately, showing incredible composure to score and create some memorable goals. Martial should have a place in the starting eleven locked down this season.
Forward
Wayne Rooney
The 30-year-old Manchester United captain’s role has inevitably changed as he becomes older, and one of Rooney’s great merits has been his adaptability. Although he has been used in midfield by Van Gaal and with England, Mourinho has stated that he will be a forward this season, and it will be fascinating to see how he links up with Ibrahimovic.
Forward
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
What can you say about the Swedish phenomenon that he hasn’t already said himself? Ibrahimovic provides not just goals, brilliance, and a singularly menacing dexterity, but also a presence and sense of belief that saturates the entire club. His star quality has already provided some much needed luminosity off the pitch, now let’s watch him light up some matches.