Dean Henderson, Sheffield United, on loan from Manchester United (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images)
A look at how Solskjaer could shape the Manchester United squad next term.
Manchester United have had a relatively good season this time out, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer helped to regain some of the form he showed when he was first unveiled as manager. Of course, now that the Premier League season is confirmed to be back underway, United’s focus will be on breaking into that top four ahead of Chelsea.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was once confident that United could “explot” the transfer market, but now they have to be more realistic as it approaches and the Coronavirus situation is doing the club no favours.
Anyway, here’s how I think Manchester United will lineup in the new season.
Goalkeeper: Dean Henderson
This just makes perfect sense to me. With the Euros approaching in the summer of 2021, Dean Henderson will either want to be starting for Manchester United or elsewhere, and the Red Devils simply can’t afford to let his potential go to waste, so they must give him what he wants.
This does mean the likelihood of selling David de Gea increases, but this transfer market isn’t the time for sentimentality. De Gea has been declining for some seasons now, so the best thing for United to do is sell the Spaniard and keep ahold of Henderson.
Dean Henderson</a> will either want to be starting for Manchester United or elsewhere, and the Red Devils simply can’t afford to let his potential go to waste, so they must give him what he wants.</p>
<p>This does mean the likelihood of selling <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://fbref.com/en/players/7ba6d84e/David-de-Gea?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">David de Gea</a> increases, but this transfer market isn’t the time for sentimentality. De Gea has been declining for some seasons now, so the best thing for United to do is sell the Spaniard and keep ahold of Henderson.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Defenders - A potential back three </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-481792" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1205329777-850x560.jpeg" alt="Manchester United" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Luke Shaw, Manchester United (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Centre back: Harry Maguire</h3>
<p>I firmly believe that the media hounding of Harry Maguire can be unfair at times, but this is largely down to his price tag. I don’t have an ounce of doubt in my mind that the Englishman will prove the doubters wrong next season, and he needs to given <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://fbref.com/en/players/a29c3ed6/Gareth-Southgate?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Gareth Southgate</a>‘s Euro selection is imminent.</p>
<p>Maguire, known more formally as “slab head” is key to the United defence in terms of winning aerial duels, and also showing leadership qualities. He is now playing in the prime stages of his career, so don’t be surprised to see him being the first name on the team</p>
<h3>Centre back: Thiago Silva</h3>
<p>I know what you’re thinking; Kian, this isn’t FIFA 14 career mode. And you’d be right, <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://fbref.com/en/players/86e7deaf/Thiago-Silva?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Thiago Silva</a> is a generic name that anyone can throw in there. However, with the Brazilian’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, he would be an ideal option for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to replace <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://fbref.com/en/players/f5deef4c/Victor-Lindelof?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Victor Lindelof</a>, who was United’s weak link in the defence this season.</p>
<p>According to <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://le10sport.com/football/mercato/exclu-mercato-psg-ancelotti-degaine-pour-thiago-silva-506682">Le10Sport, Manchester United are interested in signing Silva on a pre-contract agreement. With Ligue 1 declared void, he will have a lot of time to think and I can personally see the transfer going ahead.</p>
<h3>Centre back: Luke Shaw</h3>
<p>It’s not his natural position, granted, but I can see Shaw being played at centre back, so that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can get the best of both worlds (you’ll see what I mean in the next page). Shaw has had an incredible turnaround this season so he deserves to still be featured in the starting XI.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Midfielders - Wing-backs are the way to go </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-479179" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1209672134-850x560.jpeg" alt="Manchester United" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Bruno Fernandes and Fred, Manchester United (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Right wing-back: Aaron Wan-Bissaka</h3>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://fbref.com/en/players/9e525177/Aaron-Wan-Bissaka?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Aaron Wan-Bissaka</a> is one of the best defensive full-backs around at the moment and he will certainly transcend his good form into the new season. He is simply a solid addition so there is no chance he will lose his place in the starting XI, even with the latest formation switch.</p>
<h3>Centre midfield: Bruno Fernandes</h3>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://fbref.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=507c7bdf,9227838e&search=Bruno+Fernandes&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Bruno Fernandes</a> was the best player in the Premier League last season after he arrived, although frustratingly it was only for a month or two before the season was called to a halt. He was a great attacking influence for United and he scored twice and provided three assists during the time, so Manchester United have certainly found their replacement for <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://fbref.com/en/players/867239d3/Paul-Pogba?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Paul Pogba</a>.</p>
<h3>Centre midfield: Nemanja Matic</h3>
<p>This position will undeniably be rotated between Fred and Nemanja Matic, but I can’t help but give this one to Matic. Especially given the youthful feel to this United side, Solskjaer will benefit from having one or two senior players in the starting lineup.</p>
<p>Matic is great at dictating the play in midfield and he’s certainly not lost this role with Fernandes’ introduction since the two midfielders can work together very nicely.</p>
<h3>Left wing-back: Brandon Williams</h3>
<p>The 19-year-old Brandon Williams was a key member of United’s starting XI before Covid-19 put a halt on the season. That said, he will be one of the players that immensely benefits from the league’s return as he hopes to persuade Solskjaer to start him next season too. I’m sure he will have no problems doing so if his form continues.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Attackers - A young English triangle of dreams </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-481793" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1247097055-850x560.jpeg" alt="Manchester United" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Jadon Sancho, Borussia Dortmund (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)</p>
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<h3>Attacking midfielder: Jack Grealish</h3>
<p>With Aston Villa soon-to-be relegated, of course, Grealish will leave. He is far too good to be playing in the second tier of English football and I would go as far as saying he’s worthy of Champions League football. If Manchester United can provide this, then Grealish wouldn’t look out of place.</p>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://fbref.com/en/players/b0b4fd3e/Jack-Grealish?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Jack Grealish</a> may set the Red Devils back in finance, but if they can remove some of their deadwood, including <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://fbref.com/en/players/2c0f8e9e/Alexis-Sanchez?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Alexis Sanchez</a> and Paul Pogba, then they would surely raise enough funds. Grealish would walk straight into the XI and begin creating chances for the two players ahead of him.</p>
<h3>Striker: Marcus Rashford</h3>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://fbref.com/en/players/a1d5bd30/Marcus-Rashford?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Marcus Rashford</a> was the best United player before his injury, as he scored 14 goals and provided four assists across all competitions for. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is clearly a big fan of the 22-year-old, so I have no doubt in my mind that, providing he is fit, Rashford will start for the Red Devils.</p>
<h3>Striker: Jadon Sancho</h3>
<p>Now, this is the luxury player that Manchester United would love to sign. <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://fbref.com/en/players/dbf053da/Jadon-Sancho?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22>Jadon Sancho</a> is thought to be the most sought-after player in the summer transfer window, but United will be confident they can sign him. According to <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://www.espn.co.uk/football/soccer-transfers/story/4108394/chelsea-eye-havertz-as-sancho-alternative-in-summer-overhaul-sources" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ESPN</a>, Chelsea believe that Sancho will sign at Old Trafford this summer, so rival fans are already fearing the worst, and so they should be.</p>
<p>Of course, if United fail to sign Sancho, then it’s by no means the end of the world. Solskjaer has both <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://fbref.com/en/players/8b788c01/Anthony-Martial?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Anthony Martial</a> and <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://fbref.com/en/players/58eee997/Mason-Greenwood?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Mason Greenwood</a> that he can call upon in this position if need be.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="light" data-text="Manchester United lead the race for this Jadon Sancho alternative" data-url="https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/09/manchester-united-jead-jadon-sancho/" data-call-to-action="More"> <div class="story-link-related"> <a class="story-link-related-btn" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-related-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/10/manchester-united-solskjaer-lineup-next/"https://playingfor90.com/2020/06/09/manchester-united-jead-jadon-sancho/"> <span class="call_to_action">More:</span> Manchester United lead the race for this Jadon Sancho alternative </a> </div>
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<p>How would you like to see Manchester United lineup next season?</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">