Have your expectations for the season changed after our transfer business?

[McGrathsipan]

yes -

I now expect to not see Maguire, Bissaka, McT, Fred and Shaw every game and its feckING glorious

I am no longer dreading games

Things can only get better

 

[wolvored]

I said before i expect the first 7-8 games to be all over the place and was thinking 6th and EL win. FDJ was never going to happen and we should have shut it down end of july.
Now with Casemiro and the form shown in the defence over the last 2 games, add that to hopefully Antony balancing our attacks, top 4 can be attained. The fact TH has mentioned we have finished our transfer business until January, could mean we might be lining someone up for then.
So for me now top 4 and EL win at least.

 

[ShinjiNinja26]

Nope. Exact same as they were before the window even opened. Top 4 in the League and hopefully pick up one of the cups we’re in.

 

[Smores]

Given the expenditure top 4 is the benchmark for a successful season. I wouldn't hold it against ETH if we don't but we do need to come close.

 

[NoLogo]

I think so, yes. Early in the transfer window I thought no chance of top 4, now I think we have a real shot again. Especially since Chelsea and Liverpool also didn't start too strong, on the other hand Arsenal and Tottenham have startet very strong, so it's not like there is no competition for top 4, it will be hard to get in but it's doable I think. Of course it also depends on how well Antony can adapt to the league.

 

[RedDevil@84]

It looks like we’re not going to do any more business in this window, and I don’t think many United fans had us spending so much money. So, with that being said, have your expectations now changed? Personally, I had us in 5th, but with the good form shown from Malacia and Martinez (yes, I know, it's early days) and a world-class DM, I’m going to bump us up to 4th. Plus, Chelsea aren’t looking so hot.

Anyway, what's the consensus here?

2nd spot minimum

 

[Baneofthegame]

And where did you have us before we conducted most of our transfer business?

Top 6, due to the traditional nature of our play and manager. We’ve spent 225 million pounds, got a world class DM, a RW to balance our wing play more.

Outside of injuries etc, this team should be aiming to make top 4.

 

[Robbie Boy]

Still 5th to 7th, I reckon. We have signed some good players for sure, but there's still plenty that aren't good enough, and our results/performances will be erratic.

This time next season, I think we'll look the real deal, though.

 

[BenitoSTARR]

Anywhere from 2nd to 6th looks possible now. I hope for CL football.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Not a lot. Europa League places instead of Europa Conference League

Still a world class CM short, and Dalot will cost Manchester United a lot of points. A right back was absolutely essential. Would have been my first signing

 

[Von Mistelroum]

I was really worried before Casemiro/Antony and the resurgent performances in the last two games. Our squad confidence seemed incredibly low and it could have been really bad for us.

I'm still worried, but not to the same extent now, and with a hint of optimism and good amount of excitement about seeing Casemiro and Antony playing for us this season.

My remaining concerns are around the positions we haven't addressed, most notably we needed a striker and I think that will be very apparent a little later in the season.

I also worry that we still have a lot of the negative attitudes and bag-of-nerves players in and around the squad, even if many of them are not currently in the first 11, they'll have to be at some point. Finally, I'm not comfortable that we still seem to be intent on playing with 10 men by putting Rashford in the team.

Ultimately though, I expect us to fight for top 4 this season and I'm hopeful that Ten Hag can get this out of this group and then hopefully build on that next season.

 

[DJ_21]

Think we’ll get top 4. Chelsea and spurs to miss out. We’ve made quality signings. Our squad is very strong now. Signed players in positions we needed. Got a world class DM. A specialist RW. More creativity and a solid back line! Expecting big things this season.

 

[Dannn411]

No. Ceiling is still 5th/6th. City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea are clearly better squads. Only realistic route into the CL is going to have to be Europa. Midfield still the worst of the top 6 even with Casemiro. Also the worst full back groupand GK as well of the big 6.

 

[tomaldinho1]

My hope is top four but it will be tough, we’ve had near enough half a decade of poor squad building although this transfer window seems to have gone well (that said I have been excited about other managers transfer windows). Pool’s vulnerability is what he most surprised me this season, it looks like it will be a close race for 2nd to 4th and can see some sackings/managers walking for clubs who don’t make it (Conte, Tuchel, Arteta I feel would go).

 

[OmarUnited4ever]

for me, last season plus the first 2 games this season extremely lowered my expectations, all I want to see from the team this year is not to be easy pickings and sustain some good form for at least 5 games, because even with whatever style Ten Hag wants to implement, it will not work without the foundations of defensive solidity and consistent strong performances from each player.

I'm optimistic in terms of the impact/potential impact of the new 5 signings, however, I don't expect a top 4 finish, but I expect a Europa League challenge and winning it will be one way of getting CL qualification.

 

[Abraxas]

I expect us to finish in the top 4. I expected that before the window and I expect it now. The reason being, the manager was always going to get some backing this summer. Any top football manager should fancy his chances of coming to United with money to spend and making up the numbers in the top 4. It's not an outlandish expectation by any means.

There are other teams that are in the mix, it's not a guarantee and if he falls short then it just depends on what progress we see. So it's not a case of hitting the panic button if we miss out, he's always going to get some kind of grace period.

 

[Irwin99]

I'm not being negative but unfortunately I do see us probably missing out on top 4 but it will be a season of improvements and I can see us winning the Europa League or at least going very far. Would love a fecking trophy this season to kickstart the EtH era, even if it's 'just' a league cup .

Rome wasn't built in a day and all that; we still have balance issues, particularly in the areas of fullbacks, centre forward, and possibly goalkeeper but I think things are looking up.

 

[dave2528]

I think we'll improve from last season, strictly in terms of having more of a desire to fight and go after other teams. That said, we're still skint in the attacking department relying on Martial, Ronaldo, and Rashford to net us goals, and that doesn't exactly fill one with complete confidence.

I expect a lot of squeaky bum finishes and a net loss to mental wellness around here.

 

[Stacks]

It looks like we’re not going to do any more business in this window, and I don’t think many United fans had us spending so much money. So, with that being said, have your expectations now changed? Personally, I had us in 5th, but with the good form shown from Malacia and Martinez (yes, I know, it's early days) and a world-class DM, I’m going to bump us up to 4th. Plus, Chelsea aren’t looking so hot.

Anyway, what's the consensus here?

4th. If we had a better attack I would consider 3rd

 

[Stacks]

I think we'll improve from last season, strictly in terms of having more of a desire to fight and go after other teams. That said, we're still skint in the attacking department relying on Martial, Ronaldo, and Rashford to net us goals, and that doesn't exactly fill one with complete confidence.

I expect a lot of squeaky bum finishes and a net loss to mental wellness around here.

Sancho, Anthony cost 160million I am surprised you have missed them out

 

[Rams]

Certainly things look far more rosy then after the Brentford match, partly due to the Casemiro & Antony signings and partly due to how quickly ETH had got on top of the attitude problem within the squad.

 

[Dans]

Top 4 and EL Semi at the very least.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

I can’t see us finishing ahead of City, Liverpool, Spurs or Arsenal. 5th or 6th seems quite achievable. Before our recent signings I’d have had us lower than that but there are still too many holes in the team to get top 4 imo

 

[Yagami]

My expectations of good football in general has changed. I thought we'd target press resistant players under ten Hag, but nope.

In terms of league finish, I said top 4 with de Jong or 6th without. Still feel the same.

 

[RedMilo]

Anywhere between 4th & 6th. I don't think we will concede as much this season, due to the tenacious players we have brought into the side aka Malacia, Martinez & Casemiro, which is positive, but lack of ball carrying midfielder (De Jong) and replacing CR7 was key for me, for us to really kick on, and start builidng a side to challenge again.

 

[King Azaz the Unabridged]

Same as before the transfer window opened: a good cup run, ideally winning the Europa, and a massive improvement on last season's league results. 70 points is a fair benchmark for a first season after finishing 6th - Van Gaal (just about) hit it after the Moyes debacle, Mourinho and Solskjaer missed out by a handful.

If we finish outside the CL spots because 4 other clubs do well (which is not at all implausible if Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea all hit 75+ points - Liverpool will clear it comfortably despite their start IMO), no issues. If we struggle to win 50% of our games, that's an issue. But either way, the manager should be safe for the season regardless of where we finish.

 

[redshaw]

A little better, think I had us 5th-6th but said the likes of Chelsea are gettable. We've given ourselves a better chance but it could be a crowded place around the 4th spot. City have gave Arsenal a huge helping hand, Conte is one of the best.

Hopefully we can win Europa if it looks like 4th spot is not attainable

 

[dave2528]

Sancho, Anthony cost 160million I am surprised you have missed them out

I've not forgotten them and for sure they're an improvement on the wings, but someone has to be on the end of their creativity and put the ball into the back of the net.

I'm confident we improve on last season. I just think we're not likely to run up the score line and that every point will be hard won.

 

[greendevil]

Should be aiming for top 4 and taking the Europa League seriously, not bothered about the League Cup or FA Cup this season. I know we need to win trophies but we really need to be in the Champions League to attract players and help build us back up to challenge regularly for trophies and eventually a real title challenge if Ten Hag is allowed to do what he wants to do.

 

[londonredmaniac]

I think we are in for an up and down season.

I think we can get some solidity at the back if the current partnership works out...Varane hasn't exactly got the best fitness track record.

We don't have a consistent goal scorer bar Ronaldo and struggle to link the play through the middle.

I think I'd we had solved one of the three areas in total (defence/mid/attackers) in total I would be a bit more confident.

If we can get the best out of Antony, Sancho, Bruno and Eriksen and find some actual consistent form in Rashford and Martial we could see a pretty good season.

Who knows, maybe I'm going to be pleasantly surprised! I like what I've seen from Martinez and Malacia so far...and Eriksen brings a really decent option for unlocking a defence.

Here's hoping.

 

[avgp_1]

Still going with sixth, Antony will take time to get going. We are better defensively for sure but injuries will hurt us

 

[GazTheLegend]

I would be surprised if we finish top four. Liverpool and Manchester City are definitely better. As to the rest it will depend on the results between us and Arsenal, Spurs, and Chelsea. The transfer window has probably made us stronger in the first 11 but I'm personally still a bit worried about our depth in certain positions. I hope I'm just being pessimistic but for me it's top 6 this season with a strong run in the Europa League being the minimum expected.

With the amount we've spent I think we are entitled to expect better, but I'm a realist.

 

[Momochiru]

In the fight for top 4 until the last day and a good run in the cups, hopefully winning one.

I would say we have 50% chance for making top 4 and 30-40% of winning the EL - overall it's a good chance of qualifying for CL.

 

[Lynty]

The window met my expectations, so my prediction hasn't changed. We'll get top 4, maybe top 3.

Chelsea look a mess.
Liverpool only just starting to get their shit together.
I've been saying for over a month, regardless of how good Spurs or Arsenal start, they can't be trusted to keep it up past February. The chances of both of the biggest bottlers to change their ways in the same season is slim. I expect at least one of them to hit a dreadful run of results.

 

[A-man]

Expect top-4 considering our spendings. However I did have that hope last season as well, after we added Ronaldo, Varane and Sancho to the team who already finished 2nd in the league and reached EL final.

 

[Ldn FanBoy]

WIN THE LEAGUE!!!

 

[SirScholes]

expectations remain the same because we couldn’t fix every issue in one window

close the gap to top 4, challenge for it, and have an actual style of play

 

[Zen86]

We should be targeting Top 4 based on our summer business. It’s going to be an interesting race though with Arsenal and Spurs looking stronger.

 

[Maticmaker]

Not really, its still going to be a question of time, both for ETH and the club to get its act together.
The new players seem to be exciting additions, but so did a lot of others in recent times, but like a number of players who made a mark when they first arrived they then faded; this new lot have to be capable of turning the ship around and not get dragged along with it, in its wake.
But then again, like many of us watching United in recent years I've become something of a cynic.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

My expectations for the season we're a) not be total shit and b) have some sort of identity/plan as a team.

I'll still stick with those objectives