Manchester United
Top 5 Players that Manchester United Must Keep in 2023 and Beyond
There have been several false dawns for Manchester United in recent years, some of which have led fans to believe that success was possible again. But in truth, the team that once dominated English football has never looked the same since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down as manager in 2013.
And yet, there are certain signs that new manager Erik Ten Haag is the right man for the job, and that he will deliver trophies to the club in the near future.
Perhaps more importantly, there is a sense that Manchester United now boasts several players good enough to achieve the goals of silverware.
The squad is certainly not perfect yet, and there are more signings needed before United fans can claim they are back on a par with the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool, but there is a growing core of players at the club who feel like true “United” players. These are the players that Ten Haag must build the club around.
At the turn of the year, there is a good feel about United. The club is now among the betting favourites to finish in the Top 4, and thereby qualify for the Champions League next season.
The team might also nick some silverware, with the EFL Cup and FA Cup possibilities. The Europa League, for which they have been given odds of 9/1 by Mr Green sports betting online, could also be a possibility, certainly if they can vanquish Barcelona in the next round.
But Ten Haag will be tasked with winning Premier League and Champions League titles in the near future, and he will need to grow his squad while maintaining the nucleus of the team he has now. Certain players will be key. Below we list five of them who must stick around to help Ten Haag succeed:
Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United’s stand-in captain divides opinion, but he is the heartbeat of the side. Many critics have pointed out that the Portuguese midfielder plays better when his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo is not on the pitch.
That problem has become moot, however, as Ronaldo has now departed. Nonetheless, Fernandes looks to be back to his best – he was one of the best players at the World Cup – and he has been in excellent form since returning to Manchester.
He regularly tops the charts for assists and chances created, and we know he can score a goal or two. He is a marmite player, but United fans have grown to love him. Not only should he be central to Ten Haag’s plans, but he should also be allowed to retain the club captaincy.
David De Gea
An interesting one. De Gea is in the middle of contract negotiations, and there is a chance that he departs the club in the summer. Some football fans will believe that is okay, claiming that De Gea is a fine shot-stopper but lacks the footwork necessary for modern goalkeeping.
Comparisons with Ederson (Man City) and Alisson Becker (Liverpool) show that De Gea comes up short in passing. And yet, the Spaniard has been a rock for the club, winning the player of the season award several times for United.
More importantly, he seems to have developed his footwork under Ten Haag. Who would replace him, anyway? He should stay.
Marcus Rashford
Rashford is important to Manchester United for several reasons. His form has been patchy, and he has not yet developed into the world-class player that many believed he would become.
However, he is more than just a player – he is an emblem of the club. Born in the city (Wythenshawe), he is part of the Manchester United Academy that has had such success in the past. He is part of the club’s traditions of taking local lads and making them into superstars.
Paris Saint Germain is said to be interested in bringing Rashford to France in a mega deal, but he should stay and become a club legend at United.
Raphael Varane
Because of the huge success he had for many years at Real Madrid and with the French national team, it is easy to forget that Raphael Varane remains just 29 years old. As a central defender, he might have six or seven years left at the top of his game.
Injuries have been an issue with this United tenure so far, but he is, as United fans like to say, a Rolls-Royce of a defender when he is on the pitch. If he stays fit, then United will have the colossus at centre-back that they have wanted since the days of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.
Casemiro
Last but not least, the brilliant Casemiro. Truth be told, many Premier League analysts and pundits have woken up to just how good the Brazilian midfielder is. Of course, they knew he had success at Real Madrid, but many believed he was a no-nonsense defensive midfielder when he is so much more.
Now in his 30s, we can’t say that he is the future of the club, but he will be integral for the short and medium-term success of Manchester United. Probably the best player United has had in this position since the days of former captain Roy Keane. He must stay.
Aston Villa
Bruno Fernandes Reveals What He Admires About Jess Park’s Game as Man United Captain Praises Fellow Number Eight’s Smashing Season
Bruno Fernandes is a big fan of Manchester United Women midfielder Jess Park. The Portugal international shares the number eight shirt with Park and has been impressed by her debut campaign following her summer move from Manchester City.
Park has registered nine goals and five assists since joining from crosstown rivals in an impressive first season. The England international has won United’s Player of the Month award a team high four times, which demonstrates her consistent quality.
Not as Easy as It Looks
Fernandes watched back some of Park’s best moments for United, including her Goal of the Month winner against the London City Lionesses. The midfielder came in off the left flank to beat her marker before driving into space and picking out the far bottom corner.
“It all starts with the first touch. She gets the control there away from the player, she gets a lot of space to then run. Then the speed to run quick like that and then to be very accurate with the shot, it’s a very good thing. It’s not as easy as it looks,” Fernandes explained, which is an absolutely spot on analysis.
Lot of Futsal in That Goal
The United captain also praised Park’s winner against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium. Park helped start the move with a dribble from deep before getting into the box and finishing by picking out the far top corner.
“We spoke about the number eight shirt, and she was in the middle, creating and dictating the tempo. Then she follows up and she ends up in the box with the opportunity to finish. I think the finish is fantastic. There’s a lot of futsal in that goal there,” Fernandes said.
Very Quick With Her Feet
Fernandes watched Park’s solo effort at Aston Villa, which won another Goal of the Month prize. “She’s very quick with her feet and goes onto her left foot, which the defender was probably not expecting,” he acknowledged.
Also read: Hanna Lundkvist Makes Feelings Known After Manchester United Women Stalemate Against West Ham
Chelsea Dragon
Manchester United Women Star Pinpoints Unique Reason for Success as Red Devils Prepare for First Ever League Cup Final
Manchester United Women will face Chelsea in their first ever League Cup final on Sunday. The Red Devils will be aiming to win their second trophy in their history after their FA Cup victory in 2024 with summer signing Fridolina Rolfo one of the reasons behind United’s success this season.
In an interview with FourFourTwo, the Swede was asked how she felt about reaching a final in her first season at the club. “It feels great. We’ve been having a great season so far, and now reaching a final, it feels absolutely amazing. We are super excited because it’s these games you want to play, so we’re really looking forward to it,” Rolfo retorted.
Team Spirit Something Unique
One of the factors behind United’s success, which is frequently brought up, is that of the team spirit in the camp. Rolfo was also keen to address this and elaborated, “I would say that the team spirit is something unique and something we bring out with us on the pitch as well. We always work hard for each other, we push ourselves in training and in games, and we want to win together.”
She added, “Having such a good team spirit is what makes us more successful. We’re having fun together, and we enjoy being together.” Rolfo explained that she wants to help the team in any way she can, whether that is scoring, assisting, or just working hard, as they aspire to win a trophy.
Better Way to Go Into Game
Chelsea have already knocked United out of the FA Cup this season and boast a far superior record over Marc Skinner’s side. Rolfo chose to focus on the positives, though, and asserted confidently, “Not being a favourite, I think that’s almost the better way to go into a game. I prefer being an underdog than a favourite because if you’re a favourite, you have all the pressure on you.”
Also read: Chelsea Plan Bombshell Move For WSL Rivals’ Star as Blues Eye ‘This’ Manchester City Striker
Manchester City
Jess Park Opens Up: Lionesses Star on Joining Man Utd From Man City and Message of Freedom That Has Her Thriving Ahead of League Cup Final
There was less than an hour remaining in the Women’s Super League summer transfer window when the most stunning business of all was completed. Jess Park and Grace Clinton had been stalwarts at Manchester City and Manchester United, respectively, during the previous season, and yet at the eleventh hour, both were sent to opposite sides of the city.
It prompted criticism of United, with many questioning whether they had done enough summer business. That feeling intensified in the first half of the season when the club’s lack of depth played a part in their inability to mount a serious WSL title challenge. But no criticism can be levelled at the club for what they have done with Park.
Given Freedom to Find Spaces
Revitalised by the freedom handed to her by United boss Marc Skinner, who has crafted out a unique role for her on the pitch, the England international has helped this team reach the Champions League quarter finals and Sunday’s League Cup final. “Of course you’re going to be a little bit sceptical. But as soon as I hit the field, I heard the fans straight away, and that’s much appreciated. I’ve loved every minute of it,” Park tells GOAL.
Park plays like she is loving it, too. With six goals and four assists, it is already her best ever WSL season in terms of goal contributions, and there are still six games to play. That is on top of three goals in other competitions, including the crucial equaliser in the League Cup quarter final win over Tottenham.
Position is Just Where You Start
The position Skinner has put Park in has helped to bring that form out of her. At City, she was deployed in a more orthodox central midfield role, but at United, she has most often started on the right and been allowed to float into whatever spaces appear. Asked what the message has been in that role, Park says, “Have freedom, find the ball, find the spaces, find the pockets.”
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