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Manchester United line-up for 2017-18: How Jose Mourinho could set out his team next season
Football Whispers takes a look at how the Red Devils could start the new Premier League season
MANCHESTER UNITED have spent almost £150million this summer to sign Romelu Lukaku, Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic
But Jose Mourinho’s spending isn't likely to stop there.
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They also continued to be linked with a move for Paris Saint-Germain right-back Serge Aurier.
Meanwhile, there could also be one or two departures from Old Trafford.
Winger Ashley Young has been targeted by Stoke City while Chris Smalling is interesting Arsenal.
And with that in mind, United could be looking like a new look side.
Our friends at Football Whispers have taken a look at how United could line up this coming season.
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Goalkeeper – David de Gea
United had to fend off interest from Real Madrid for the second time in three years to hang onto de Gea this summer, and the European champions might yet make another attempt to sign the Spanish No.1.
But keeping de Gea is crucial for the Red Devils. As one of the best goalkeepers in the world, he transmits confidence and calmness throughout the team.
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Right-back – Antonio Valencia
Converted from a winger into a full-back, Valencia was a revelation for United last season, producing the best form of his career and developing into one of the best right-backs in the Premier League.
Strong on defence an effective on attack, the Ecuadorian contributed one goal and three assists last term.
Aurier is seen as long-term replacement for Valencia, although he would rotate with the fan favourite.
Centre-back – Eric Bailly
Arriving from Villarreal as a relative unknown with a £30million price tag, eyebrows were raised when Bailly signed for United last summer.
But he 23-year-old Ivory Coast defender has impressed at Old Trafford with his speed, athleticism and commitment, and looks to have all the tools to form the bedrock of the Red Devils’ backline for years to come.
Centre-back – Victor Lindelof
First linked with a switch to the red side of Manchester in January, Lindelof had to wait until the summer to become a United player, signing from Benfica in a £31million deal.
Physically strong, fast and good in the air, Lindelof’s biggest strength is his outstanding forward passing. The 23-year-old Swede completed 89.9 per cent of his passes in the Portuguese Primeira Liga last season.
Left-back – Luke Shaw
Shaw endured a difficult 2016/17 campaign, with injury and poor form seeing him fall out of favour with Mourinho, making just nine Premier League starts.
Currently injured, the 21-year-old left-back is said to have impressed the manager with his commitment and work ethic in recent weeks and will be given the chance to deliver on his enormous potential in the coming season.
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Right central midfield – Ander Herrera
Voted United’s Player of the Year last season, Herrera is a fan favourite who has become increasingly important to Mourinho’s side.
No Premier League midfielder could beat Herrera’s average of three interceptions per 90 minutes in 2016/17. He also led 20-time champions in assists last term, creating six league goals, a figure only Anthony Martial could match.
Central midfield – Nemanja Matic
Acquiring a new defensive midfielder was one of Mourinho’s priorities this summer and he turned to a familiar face to fill the position.
The Portuguese coach won the Premier League with Matic anchoring the Chelsea midfield in 2014-15 and the Blues’ capture of Tiemoue Bakayoko meant that the Serbian enforcer was surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
Matic's arrival will allow Pogba to play further forward - where he can cause more damage - and allow Herrera to play a more box-to-box role.
Left central midfield – Paul Pogba
Pogba came in for a lot of criticism for his performances last season, but the world’s most expensive player was excellent for much of the campaign and produced a healthy return of nine goals and six assists in all competitions.
With a specialist defensive midfielder behind him the 24-year-old is expected to build on his first campaign back at Old Trafford to fulfil his immense potential in 2017/18.
Right wing – Henrikh Mkhitaryan
After being exiled from the first-team squad following a disappointing display against Manchester City in September, Mkhitaryan recovered to become a key player in United’s Europa League triumph.
The 28-year-old Armenian creator bagged six goals in the Europa League last season, including an overhead kick in the final against Ajax.
Left wing – Ivan Perisic
United are on the verge of completing a move for Perisic for a fee which could total more than £40million.
The Croatian winger is hard-working and offers cover to his full-back, as well as being effective in attack, contributing 11 goals and eight assists in Serie A last season.
Centre-forward – Romelu Lukaku
In the biggest deal of the transfer window so far, United moved quickly to snap up Lukaku, who had been a Chelsea transfer target.
The Powerful Belgian striker will replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the point of the attack.
With 26 league goals and a conversion rate of 22 per cent, Lukaku was a much more efficient finisher than the enigmatic Swede last season, who took just 15 per cent of his chances.
