Manchester United could miss out on Champions League football next season following our 4-0 hammering at the hands of Everton on Sunday.
The result leaves us three points outside the top four after Chelsea were held 2-2 at home by Burnley on Monday. The Blues, who sit in fourth spot, also have a superior goal difference than us.
We are back in action on Wednesday when we host Manchester City, but it would be a tough ask for a side to bounce back from a 0-4 drubbing to get anything against the Premier League leaders. Then we host Chelsea on Sunday which is a crucial encounter in our quest for a top four finish.
Whether we qualify for next season’s Champions League or not, there are several players that need replacing over the summer. Here are the three that require the most attention:
Right-Back
Ashley Young has moved over from left-back to the right of our back four following an injury to Antonio Valencia. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has yet to put faith in Diogo Dalot at this position. The Portuguese youngster has started a few games down the wing too. Regardless of what we currently have, Young simply cannot be a starter next season if we want to be serious in our top four bid and, ultimately, a title challenge in the coming year or two.
The England international has been turned inside out by the top stars down their left this season and Young could be exposed again on Wednesday when he is likely to come up against Raheem Sterling or possibly Leroy Sane. The thought of that fills United fans with nerves.
Centre-Back
It’s been a problem position for us for a number of years now. Eric Bailly fell out with Jose Mourinho earlier this season and has continued to be injured ever since. Whether the Ivorian will be in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s long-term plans remains to be seen but his injury record ever since he joined us has certainly been poor. Victor Lindelof has stepped up for us this season but we need a partner for the Swede. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have proven time and again they are not consistent nor reliable in our defence.
Jose tried to fix this problem position over the summer but we failed to land the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Samuel Umtiti or Clement Lenglet, who were all strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford.
Holding Midfield
Nemanja Matic is a shadow of his former self these days. The Serbian is too slow and immobile for the top half of the Premier League and simply gets torn apart by some of the top players. We have little backup in this position too. Ander Herrera looks set to leave in the summer and Fred has been nothing but a disaster during his first season in England. Scott McTominay simply plays further forward than what this role requires full-time.
Chelsea found their answer with N’Golo Kante, Manchester City have Fernandinho, Liverpool have Fabinho and Arsenal have Lucas Torreira. It’s time Manchester United brought in a top player in this role.
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