Totally Buzzed is previewing every single Premier League team ahead of the 2021/2022 campaign and now it is the turn of Manchester United.

How last season went:

Man United’s 2020-21 campaign was a mixed bag as while there are some positives to highlight, the negatives do leave a bitter taste. Man United’s part in the attempted formation of the European Super League saw a huge amount of backlash and even led to a pitch invasion by fans ahead of the Liverpool clash in May. Then there was the final of the Europa League. While Man United did well to reach that round of the tournament, especially after disappointingly crashing out of the group stages of the Champions League, losing on penalties to Villarreal was a bitter pill to swallow as it felt like a real opportunity had been missed to add to some silverware to the trophy cabinet. Man United also only reached the quarter-final stage of the EFL Cup before Leicester City defeated them, so that wasn’t ideal, and while it was respectable that they reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, being eliminated by archrivals Man City was a bit of a gut punch. However United did record their joint-highest league finish since Sir Alex Ferguson retired by finishing second in the league. United also seemed to be the only other team in the title race with Manchester City once it got down to the nitty-gritty stage of the season, and while they ended up finishing 12 points by their local rivals, that seems like something to be happy about.

Manchester United’s Premier League Stats – 2020/21:

*According to the PremierLeague.com*

Manchester United Player Stats – 2020/21:

Top Scorer Across All Competitions: Bruno Fernandes – 28 goals in 58 appearances (0.55 goals per 90minutes, 164 minutes per goal)

Top Scorer – Premier League Only: Fernandes – 18 goals in 37 outings (173 minutes per goal)

Most Assists Across All Competitions: Fernandes – 18 assists in 58 matches (2.05 chances created per 90minutes)

Most Assists – Premier League Only: Fernandes – 12 assists in 37 games

Most Tackles Per Game (On Average) – Premier League Only:  Fred (2.7 per match)

Most Minutes Played Across Premier League Fixtures – Top 3:

  1. Fernandes – 3110 minutes  2.Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 3060 minutes  3. Harry Maguire – 3048 minutes

1st five league fixtures:

Leeds United (H): Leeds had a night to forget when they clashed with Man United at Old Trafford last season as they recorded a 6-2 loss. It’s worth noting they were 2-0 down within three minutes during that game as Scott McTominay wasted no time scoring a brace. However, Leeds did fare better when hosting United at Elland Road in April as that match ended 0-0.

Southampton (A): Man United won both their clashes against Southampton last season, and both matches were memorable for different reasons. United had to come from two goals down to beat the Saints 3-2 when facing them at St Mary’s, and their winning goal from Edinson Cavani didn’t come until the 92nd minute. As for their clash at Old Trafford in February, United recorded an emphatic 9-0 win over Southampton. Although it’s worth noting the Saints did see Alex Jankewitz sent off in the 2nd minute, so played the majority of the match with 10-men. Ralph Hassenhuttl’s side also saw Jan Bednarek dismissed during the match, but he didn’t get his marching orders until the 86th minute.

Wolves (A): The Red Devils got the better of Wolves on both the occasions they faced each other last season as they recorded a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford before winning 2-1 at the Molineux Stadium in May.

Newcastle (H): Man United recorded two comfortable victories over Steve Bruce’s side last season, as they beat them 4-1 at St James’ Park in October before defeating them 3-1 when hosting the Magpies at Old Trafford in May.

West Ham (H): West Ham suffered three defeats at the hands of Man United last season. Solskjaer’s side won 3-1 at the London Stadium in the Premier League in December, eliminated the Hammers from the FA Cup in February by beating them 1-0 at Old Trafford, before racking up another 1-0 win over the Hammers when the pair clashed at Old Trafford in March in the league. 

Manchester United Fan Perspective: Daniel Jones (@DanielFromRBR – Twitter)

Best Player: Maybe Controversial as everything points at Fernandes being United’s best player, and statistically, it’s hard to argue that he isn’t. However, I would have to give the “Best Player” label to Pogba. The key criticism I see with Fernandes is that he disappears during the big occasions, the same can not be said for Pogba. Just watching the Euros this summer, Pogba was arguably the best player for France and it’s easy to think they would not have made it out of the group without him. Did Bruno even play for Portugal?

I guess the main thing, for me, comes down to Pogba has shown himself to be a bit lazy and perform when he wants to… because he has that natural ability to dictate any match. I can’t say the same for Fernandes.

Promising Youngster: Manchester United is an exciting team in the making with so much talent coming through the ranks. At 19, Mason Greenwood has over 100 appearances in 2 seasons, at a club like Manchester United, that is huge!  However, there are so many more just waiting for the chance. Galbraith, the 20-year-old kid from Northern Ireland, Levitt from Wales who should be back from loan soon and Mellor the young local lad who plays up front are all going to be fighting to make a name for themselves, however, there are 2 names that are getting me really excited… Hannibal Mejbri & Amad Diallo.Man United spent £9m for a 16-year-old Mejbri and beat the likes of Barcelona, PSG, and Real Madrid for his signature, he must have something about him, and from the videos and games I have seen of him already, he could be the next big thing.

Diallo was another big-money signing, £25m plus add-ons that could take it to £40m is huge for a relatively unknown winger from Atalanta. I think its fair to say his debut performance in the Europa League last season against Real Sociedad and goal against Milan in the next round shows he should get some more game time next season.

The player who is likely to surprise people (underrated/less known): If the current reports are true, Manchester United appear to have seen exactly what Jesse Lingard can do while he was on loan at West Ham towards the end of last season. I won’t pretend I have always been a fan of his, I really haven’t. However, after scoring 9 goals in 16 apps for the Hammers, he deserves the chance to have another crack at a club he has been at since he was 19. I ask, could that loan move be enough to keep the fire lit under him?

Thoughts on the manager: I love Ole Gunnar Solskjær and I love the fact he is our gaffer. He loves the club, he understands the club. I fear he could win trophies with United and still be considered average because there is nothing fancy about him. He isn’t a Mourinho, Klopp, or Guardiola that needs the spotlight, so he is considered boring. The fact is, since he arrived, United are better. His contract is set to expire next year and I believe it would be devastating if he were to go anywhere else. I have always been of the mindset that managers aren’t given enough time and it’s too easy to get another name in, but I trust Ole and have from day one when he came in as an interim manager.

Worried About/Weakness of squad: I think Manchester United’s biggest weakness is lacking strength in depth. The first team wrote itself last season, but the bench leaves everyone feeling a little deflated. The first team can beat any team on any given day, but over the course of a season when you are playing 50+ matches, those bench players are going to be called upon, and a large portion of them do not have it in them to perform at the level required for a club of that size. It’s easy to assume that it’s only the defense that is being questioned here, with the limited choices they have, but it goes much further than that. The Midfield and Forward positions are lacking.

Dream Transfer:

Def: Raphaël Varane from Madrid

Mid: Sergej Milinković-Savić from Lazio

For: Erling Haaland from Dortmund

Varane would be my first choice dream signing for defense because he is strong, great in the air and pretty fast across the ground. I believe he would be an excellent pairing with Maguire. More so, he would have his compatriot Pogba playing just in front of him, I wonder if that would tempt him to stay…

Milinković-Savić is a boss. Head and Shoulders above Fred and would finish off the dream midfield trio, partnering Pogba and Fernandes.

Haaland is a no-brainer. Easily the best young Centre-Forward on the planet and with United finally on the cusp of landing Sancho* (*As of writing), it is mouth-watering to think what that partnership could do in the Premier League.

Realistic Transfer: After two years it actually looks like the Sancho/United Love Affair could finally come to fruition and I. Am. Bouncing. for it! He is just class and with national teammates such as Maguire, Greenwood, Shaw, Rashford, etc around, he should be able to settle in quickly.

Camavinga’s name has been bandied around for the last few weeks but I remain skeptical it’ll actually happen.

Varane appears to be obtainable and if United stump up the cash needed, it will show they are gunning for the top next season.

If John McGinn was available, I would be quite open to that as he’d be a good squad player.

Player you fear leaving: Pogba! I genuinely believe he likes Manchester United and wants to play for them, however, he does have a dirt-bag (I am being nice there) agent in Raiola, so anything can happen.

League Expectation: I don’t believe United have what it takes to have a great run in the Champions League this season, although, if Chelsea can win it with the squad they had last season, there is no reason United can’t with the one they have. If they do crash out early, a Europa League trophy win is a must!

Regarding the league, I expect them to be fighting in the top 3 with Chelsea and City occupying the other places.

League Prediction: If Sancho comes in and the squad performs like they did last season, another 2nd place finish is achievable, and should be considered acceptable. Anything lower would feel like a failure.

Biggest Rival This Season/Love It If We Beat them: I wouldn’t be a Manchester United fan if I didn’t say Liverpool.

Liverpool have held the bragging rights over United for the last few years, last season being the exception… but they barely had a team. We need to beat them when they have a full and healthy squad to make it count.

Any Other Comments about Manchester United: Now that Woodward has finally gone, hopefully, United can continue to build a team for the future. I am not overly worried if we have another trophyless season next season as long as things are pointing in the right direction that we could potentially enjoy a successful period for a few years like they did before Fergie left.