The key players that will decide our season

bosnian_red

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Anthony Martial. Marcus Rashford. Scott McTominay.
We know more or less what to expect from most players in the squad and expected starting 11. Our back 4 picks itself now, and all look like they'll be very reliable and good all around players and a good balance. Pogba is world class but struggled for consistency, large part due to manager in the past. Now will have a full season of presumably being happy and being a key player, but we still know pretty much what he'll bring to the table. Lingard a solid player with good work rate and link up, but inconsistent end product. We know we have some very good young players who will be inconsistent and rotated around on the right, but should be decent overall anyway. It's a solid group all around, some quality pieces, some good complimentary pieces, but resting on three players to determine how we'll be overall.

Its martial, rashford and McTominay that will be key. People look at our team and question the midfield balance. McTominay has looked quality in midfield, and his development has been tremendous already, but if he's capable if stepping up and being that main holding midfielder for us next to Pogba, or the extent to which he tries to reach that level, will be key in how balanced we look in midfield and if we can be a consistent side, and our midfield will be fine. People also look to the attack and see youth but a lack of goals. I see 2 potential world class talents who until now, have never entered a season as key players in key attacking roles. They're reaching an age where they should be ready to step up. They've never had the responsibility to take that step up, and it was always going to happen eventually. That time is now. If Martial and Rashford can both make the step up, similar to how Ronaldo and Rooney did so in 2006-07, then all of a sudden our attack will look a quality, dynamic attack with pace, power and versatility.

They are the 3 who will decide how far our season goes IMO, and I for one am looking forward to it. The way they are capable of performing on the pitch is everything we want as Man United attacking players, but theyve been inconsistent young players until now.

So what do we think? Are they capable of fulfilling their potential? If they do, how far can they take us? I don't personally think there's been anywhere near enough talk about those 3, as people keep mentioning we lack the exact things that they are very capable of providing for us, and are reaching the age where you would expect them to start doing it regularly.
 

Snafu17

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I'd argue one of Fred, Mata, Lingard and Pereira stepping up is equally important.
 

Nori-

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In the end it looks like it's going to be an issue of goals again so it has to be Rashford.

It's really unfair to put that much pressure on a 21 year old but we don't have much choice since Lukaku has gone and no replacement has been bought :mad:
 

Jacob

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I'd argue one of Fred, Mata, Lingard and Pereira stepping up is equally important.
Fred for sure.

Rashford and Martial need to live up to the hype. Martial has only had a good few months since he signed, been wank ever since. Rashford is just not good, it's time to prove he has a brain.
 

Eddy_JukeZ

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Our entire season hinges on Rashford and Martial stepping up.

They are paid the big bucks. It's time to perform. No more excuses.
 

bosnian_red

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In the end it looks like it's going to be an issue of goals again so it has to be Rashford.

It's really unfair to put that much pressure on a 21 year old but we don't have much choice since Lukaku has gone and no replacement has been bought :mad:
Martial turning 24 this season and Rashford turning 22. It's around the age where its realistic to expect both can and will step up, combined with being in a system more suited to them, and more built around them as they will be key players for once.
 

Rozay

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I have high hopes for Fred.

The central defenders, particularly the new one, have been omitted from the OP, but it goes without saying that a solid pairing is an important foundation to build from.
 

bosnian_red

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I'd argue one of Fred, Mata, Lingard and Pereira stepping up is equally important.
3 of those 4 will simply be depth options (and Pereira not even coming in if we have 2 injuries for example). Lingard needs to improve, but we know the level he can reach, and it's at best a supporting player to the bigger talents (which is fine, even as a starter, but he won't be the one we look to to lean on). Martial and Rashford can be that, while our whole defensive midfield situation rests on McTominay.
 

bosnian_red

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I have high hopes for Fred.

The central defenders, particularly the new one, have been omitted from the OP, but it goes without saying that a solid pairing is an important foundation to build from.
Havent omitted them, just think we know what to expect from all the back 4 and itll be a massive improvement, but if our defensive midfield situation isnt fixed by McTominay, then defensively we'll still be exposed. We know individually what to expect from the defenders and it's fair to expect them all to pull their weight, but they can only do so much.
 

Black Adder

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IMO if, and that's big if, they all perform to the talent they have we'll soon forget about not buying striker or another CM.

All 3 of them have great potential and work ethic as well, with proper managment there's no reason for them to step up and deliver, but for that to happen the rest of the team has to respond as well.

McTomminay cannot play midfield on his own, and when paired with Matić it looks that way. How much Pogba is gonna be happy after agitating for a move remains to be seen, but hope he finally find consistency and plays within the world class talent he possess week in and out. Hope Fred learns to walk before season starts so when given ball he won't lose possession as much as he did this season before.

Martial should step up more than Rashford IMO, esp. if he's given striker position and not LW position. He's older, knows that he's main striker and must deliver, while Rashford I expect to have hit and miss matches, since he's gonna be played all over attacking line-up with RW not being sorted out.

But for that to happen Ole also must nurture them right. Hope he leaves them room for mistakes, and not bench them on the first sign of a trouble (for so called experienced players like Matić, Mata or Sanchez). He's learned thing or two from SAF so expect him to act on it.
 

Renegade

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Rashford and martial need to earn their bread. Both in top 10 highest paid in the league. They need to perform ASAP.

Incredible pressure on Pogba. I don’t blame him wanting to leave. He’s wasting prime years/seasons playing for us.
 

Rozay

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Havent omitted them, just think we know what to expect from all the back 4 and itll be a massive improvement, but if our defensive midfield situation isnt fixed by McTominay, then defensively we'll still be exposed. We know individually what to expect from the defenders and it's fair to expect them all to pull their weight, but they can only do so much.
We don’t know what to expect really. 2 have never played for us yet. Our defence was poor last season, and the extent to which it improves will be just as important I think. Of course, you are totally right with your own mentions, I just also think the improvement of our defence will be central to everything.

Nobody even knows what Scott McTominay’s role will be anyway, he could quite conceivably start the season on the bench.
 

wilkie1990

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Maguire - Its all on this fella to at the back to bring a calming presence. Key to making sure the defence is as effective as it looks on paper.
De Gea - Needs to be the point winning keeper we all know he can be.
Rashford - Big step up in consistency required. Goals will come if he can do that. I think this season will be the start of something special for him.
 

Devil may care

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Agreed on Martial and Rashford, I don't think any reliance should be put on Greenwood yet and the rest of our attack offers next to nothing, these are the only two that could step up, but I doubt they will.

McTominay isn't good enough in general to be a starting midfielder for Manchester United, however playing with Pogba in a 2 is a thankless task no matter who you are, people throw up France but for starters he has Kante next to him but Deschamps sacrifices left wing to play Matuidi as left midfield and he tucks in to essentially make it a midfield 3 and help Kante cover for Pogba. Ole going for 4-2-3-1 is an error he'll have to alter pretty quickly, which will likely move Pogba to #10 and see either Fred or Matic in midfield and the latter may be the only living person where rigor mortis is setting in early.
 

lsd

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I don't see those 3 players deciding our season as we know what they are capable off and will pretty much do what they last season .

What will make our season is if other players step up like Sanchez and Fred .

Sanchez is the only player we have that has scored 20 plus in a season and we would need him to find that form

Fred has to do something to justify his price tag I can't believe Jose thought he was worth it but surely he saw something we haven't so far
 

MrSingh2002

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De Gea
Maguire
McTominay
Pogba
Rashford

If every player in that spine doesn't perform exceptionally well this season we're completely fecked.

De Gea can't have another poor season. Maguire has to improve us immensely. McTominay has to force Solksjaer to start him over Matic by his performances. Pogba has to now be the number 10 for us and do what he was doing when Ole took over last season. Rashford HAS TO score 20 league goals this season for us to have any chance for a top 5 finish.
 

fps

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I was going to say Fred, in addition to the three you perfectly correctly named. If he comes back and shows why a big club paid £52m for him, the midfield isn't a problem any more.

If only naming three, I'd say Rashford, Pogba, Fred. Two question marks and (currently) a 1 in 3 merchant.
 

wolvored

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The defence will be sound. We need to score and will probably have to win quite a few games 1-0. Expectation in Rashford and Martial to get better as the season goes on. Hope Greenwood gets a chance as well. Think we will rush the ball from defence up to the strikers bypassing a lot of midfield play. Hope we dont resort to the big hoof 70 yards up the pitch though.
 

WensleyMU

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Martial scored 10 last season in the league from the left. If we move him up front, and can refind the form we had when Ole took charge, then he has the ability to be the striker we have been looking for. Rashford would have to go out left with James as competition for the place.
 

Tomuś

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The defence will be sound. We need to score and will probably have to win quite a few games 1-0. Expectation in Rashford and Martial to get better as the season goes on. Hope Greenwood gets a chance as well. Think we will rush the ball from defence up to the strikers bypassing a lot of midfield play. Hope we dont resort to the big hoof 70 yards up the pitch though.
According to what many on here have said over the last few years we've hoofed it because of Fellaini and Lukaku. By that logic I expect sexy football now.
 

Wanderlust_09

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Martial, Rashford: Really have to be scoring at least 15 goals in the PL.
Mata: Really has to be taking a share of the creative burden. We can't expect Pogba to do everything on his own. I don't expect Lingard to add much apart from running around.. With Ole playing Mata in his preferred position more often these days, there is no more excuse if he does'nt perform.
McTominay, Fred: Big hole to fill with Herrera's departure and with Matic not being reliable at all.

We know what to expect from the defense and De Gea so not naming them. And it wouldn't be right to expect too much from the youngsters, it's a hit or miss.

For me Martial,Rashford,McTominay,Mata,Fred in that order.
 

K13

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I think if everyone can step up by 1-2% then it will make a massive difference. If just a few do then I don't think it will be enough.

Sir Alex was a great believer in needing 8 out of the 11 to be on their game to win. We dropped many points last season against sides that on paper we should have done far better against so getting a little more from everyone should help enormously.

I think we are far better prepared this season and there is a really positive vibe coming out of the camp.
 

Crashoutcassius

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Maguire and DDG - if we are to achieve it will be based on defence.

Rashford... if he stays fit he will need 20+ goals.

Mctominay... has a lot of work to do to partner pogba

Lastly, pogba and sanchez. I know the view is sanchez is done but they are the final big name players we have in the attack and in any given game one of them has to take responsibility
 

Dante

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McTominay will be the most important player in the squad.

Our defence is strong and our attack is quick, but the only players who can hold the two ends together are McTominay and Matic. Given that Matic is more of a squad level player these days, McTominay's ability to shield the defence and initiate transitions is going to be the most crucial role in the side.

He's never been so key in his entire career so far. I'm confident he can live up to it but, until he does, he's still very much unproven. DM in a 4231 next to Pogba is the most unglamouress role in the team, but his performances will quite simply make or break our season.

Let's be honest here: Pogba, DDG, Rashford and Martial have all had good seasons for United in the past, but the club as a whole have ultimately been unsuccessful. That's because the rest of their teammates couldn't live up to their standards. Where McTominay is different, is that he's the single player that everyone else is going to be reliant upon to set the standard. The defence need him, Pogba needs him, and the forwards will need him when they get caught out of position during a high press.

You can't win games only with defence or only with attack. You need a balance. And McTominay will be the fulcrum. Ole-ball will place a huge responsibility on his shoulders.
 

bosnian_red

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I don't see those 3 players deciding our season as we know what they are capable off and will pretty much do what they last season .

What will make our season is if other players step up like Sanchez and Fred .

Sanchez is the only player we have that has scored 20 plus in a season and we would need him to find that form

Fred has to do something to justify his price tag I can't believe Jose thought he was worth it but surely he saw something we haven't so far
Sanchez until he got the role he got at Arsenal also struggled to really make the step up. Every player is inconsistent at a younger age, and often times when they are ready to make the step up they get the bigger role that enables them to get the higher numbers. So I completely disagree. We don't know what Rashford or Martial are because they never had the chance at their current key roles nor were they ready for it - until now.