I think the title will be heading to Manchester this season as I don't see any of Arsenal, Chelsea or Spurs being able to compete with us and City. Whilst pondering this I arrived at the conclusion that we have the strongest squad in the league (on paper), so what with the disadvantages of our Europa League commitments I think the title will be a very close run race. Upon arriving at my conclusions I compared our squad with City's:
Goalkeeper
The easiest verdict to reach, De Gea is simply the best in the world for me therefore even if Bravo does settle in immediately it still wouldn't swing it City's way.
Verdict: UNITED
Defence
I've split it into full backs and centre backs in my mind. For full backs it's clear we have the best one of either squad in Shaw and what with Valencia's resurgence (hopefully continuing) I'd call it a draw because despite City's wealth of experience across Sagna, Zabaleta, Clichy and Kolarov, simply put I think all 4 are past their best. It's just our backups in Darmian and Rojo leave a lot to be decided. As for centre backs I think we quite comfortably lead the way, Smalling, Bailly, Blind surpasses Stones, Otamendi, Kompany. Done us both a favour by excluding Jones and Mangala.
Verdict: UNITED
Midfield
After keepers this was the next simplest decision. Again we have the best midfielder of either squad in Pogba and our remaining options of Herrera, Fellaini, Schneiderlin and Carrick make for a pretty well balanced selection. City will be relying on Gundogan to return well from injury but even given that happening they still only have Fernandinho, Fernando and Delph. Schweinsteiger and Yaya cancel each other out as neither look like featuring or playing any sort of substantial role this season.
Verdict: UNITED
Attack
This was extremely tight, largely due to the similarities in our arsenals e.g. Ibra and Aguero star men, Rashford and Iheanacho up and coming. De Bruyne is simply league's ahead of Rooney as the main playmaker but similar could be said for Martial and Sterling. Silva perhaps takes the edge over Mkhi at this time purely based on his experience in the league whilst the impact of our squad players (Lingard, Memphis, Sane, Navas) is yet to be seen whilst Nolito looks like a steady addition. I confess I do see City scoring more than us this season so I'll give them the edge.
Verdict: CITY
What does everyone think? It's quite clear to me now I've laid out my thoughts which is why I'm surprised so many pundits keep saying City's squad on paper is the best. I think they have an abundance of riches in attack but it's a very top heavy squad, there's question marks over their defence and midfield for me.
Goalkeeper
The easiest verdict to reach, De Gea is simply the best in the world for me therefore even if Bravo does settle in immediately it still wouldn't swing it City's way.
Verdict: UNITED
Defence
I've split it into full backs and centre backs in my mind. For full backs it's clear we have the best one of either squad in Shaw and what with Valencia's resurgence (hopefully continuing) I'd call it a draw because despite City's wealth of experience across Sagna, Zabaleta, Clichy and Kolarov, simply put I think all 4 are past their best. It's just our backups in Darmian and Rojo leave a lot to be decided. As for centre backs I think we quite comfortably lead the way, Smalling, Bailly, Blind surpasses Stones, Otamendi, Kompany. Done us both a favour by excluding Jones and Mangala.
Verdict: UNITED
Midfield
After keepers this was the next simplest decision. Again we have the best midfielder of either squad in Pogba and our remaining options of Herrera, Fellaini, Schneiderlin and Carrick make for a pretty well balanced selection. City will be relying on Gundogan to return well from injury but even given that happening they still only have Fernandinho, Fernando and Delph. Schweinsteiger and Yaya cancel each other out as neither look like featuring or playing any sort of substantial role this season.
Verdict: UNITED
Attack
This was extremely tight, largely due to the similarities in our arsenals e.g. Ibra and Aguero star men, Rashford and Iheanacho up and coming. De Bruyne is simply league's ahead of Rooney as the main playmaker but similar could be said for Martial and Sterling. Silva perhaps takes the edge over Mkhi at this time purely based on his experience in the league whilst the impact of our squad players (Lingard, Memphis, Sane, Navas) is yet to be seen whilst Nolito looks like a steady addition. I confess I do see City scoring more than us this season so I'll give them the edge.
Verdict: CITY
What does everyone think? It's quite clear to me now I've laid out my thoughts which is why I'm surprised so many pundits keep saying City's squad on paper is the best. I think they have an abundance of riches in attack but it's a very top heavy squad, there's question marks over their defence and midfield for me.