Manchester United finished 2nd in 2020/2021 Season on 74 points.
I think every United fan will agree to an extent that this is the defining season for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Manchester United. The Norwegian has been publicly and financially backed by everyone at the club since his arrival in March of 2019 and realistically, he has to deliver some form of major silverware this season or it will be another failure for United. Last season for United ended in a hugely disappointing defeat to Villarreal in the Europa League final, a fixture many expected them to win comfortably given their dominance in the Europa League after dropping down from the Champions League. Second place in the league and 12 points adrift of their neighbors City is a valiant effort but it is not what we associate with United. The post- Ferguson era at the club has haunted United fans for 8 years and in that time they have appointed some of Europe's elite coaches in trying to apprehend City's dominance and return to the glory days. However, many experts hate this label but United are enduring a 'transition' period and are still figuring out who can take this club back to the top. Ole, unlike other managers at the club such as Mourinho, Moyes and Van Gaal, has been granted considerable backing and many believe he is the money to drag his former club back to where they undoubtedly belong. The signings they have made in the last few years and the arrival of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane further emphasis this expectancy of winning the Premier League and this season is the crunch campaign for Ole, no doubt. If United were to simply achieve top four again this year accompanied with no major silverware, I am not sure if United would stick with Ole, or if fans would continue to back him despite their loyalty to him. In the past with, United wanted to evade the post-Ferguson era as quickly as possible and maybe this was the wrong decision. With Ole, they have granted him the necessary time he feels adequate in creating a title winning side and with the recruitment this year, the perilous quality Bruno Fernandes has brought and the sheer time of Ole's tenure, it is now or never. The good thing is the signs are positive. United showed their quality last year, as well as a newfound resilience in coming from behind in matches. No other team won more points from losing positions than United last year and they are just one game away from equaling Arsenal's record of games undefeated in away games. Their European campaigns are still slacking and this might be a result of Ole's defensive tendencies in the big games, but nonetheless the system has to be tweaked and this season simply has to be different. This is by no means an ultimatum thrown at United and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but the stature of this club demands more, their fans demand more and United are not a team that can endure 8 years without a Premier League or Champions League. Varane's leadership qualities and his pedigree in winning trophies at Real Madrid will be a defining factor and alongside Maguire, United look like having a defense capable of mounting a title charge. Paul Pogba also looks set to remain at the club and more than ever, United will needs him at his classy best and more so witness a major commitment from him, which in the past has been questionable given the comments of his agent Mina Raiola and his suspected desire to leave the club. Only time will tell, but United will hope this finally delivers considerable glory and if not the gauntlet may well be cast on Ole as it has been before to other elite managers at the club.
MAJOR TRANSFERS- (subject to change).
IN- Jadon Sancho- (Borussia Dortmund, £73 million).
Raphael Varane- (Real Madrid, £41 million).
Tom Heaton- (Aston Villa, free).
OUT- Axel Tuanzebe- (Aston Villa, loan).
Sergio Romero- (released).
Tahith Chong- (Birmingham, loan).
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