Expectations were humble when Erik ten Hag took charge of Manchester United last summer, but the Dutchman set the benchmark high in his first season at Old Trafford.
It had been six years since the Red Devils last hoisted a piece of silverware before the ex-Ajax manager halted that excruciating wait with a League Cup triumph in February.
Goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford took down Newcastle United in the Wembley Stadium showpiece, highlighting Ten Hag’s decent maiden campaign in England.
The 53-year-old sweetened his early experience in the Premier League with a top-four finish, helping Man Utd return to the Champions League after a year-long absence.
Although the long-running takeover saga has hindered Ten Hag’s ambition to reinforce his squad this summer to mount a title challenge next term, United have done some stellar work in the window.
Unlike last year, when a top-four finish was the club’s prime objective, the three-time European champions will aim higher in 2023/24, inspired by several eye-catching summer deals.
Here is our Man Utd season preview for 2023/24, in a season where there’s a genuine belief amongst bookmakers that Man Utd will challenge for the title or at least are favourites for the top four this season. If you are looking to place a bet on Man Utd, try 1xbet – best football betting site for all Premier League matches.
On to the season preview:
Man Utd Fixtures
Man Utd’s new season kicks off on Monday, August 14, as they welcome perennial mid-table strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers at Old Trafford before taking on Tottenham Hotspur (A) and Nottingham Forest (H) in round two and three, respectively.
United’s trip to last season’s runners-up Arsenal, who have massively strengthened Mikel Arteta’s options in the summer, falls on September 3 and will serve as a warm-up for the first Manchester derby of the season.
Last season’s treble-winning Manchester City will land at the Theatre of Dreams on October 28, while the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium comes on March 2, 2024.
December could be a season-defining month for Man Utd, as they’ll have to handle an action-packed, seven-game schedule, including high-profile match-ups against Newcastle United (A), Chelsea (H), Liverpool (A), and Aston Villa (H).
Ten Hag’s side will drop the curtain on the upcoming campaign away to last season’s surprise package, Brighton & Hove Albion, while their final league fixture at Old Trafford pits them against Arsenal on May 11, 2024.
Manager
The appointment of Ten Hag in the build-up to the 2022/23 season triggered mixed feelings, mainly due to his lack of experience in Europe’s top-five leagues.
However, the Dutchman silenced his critics by turning Man Utd into genuine top-four contenders in his first Premier League season, not to mention his League Cup success.
Ten Hag excelled in making the Red Devils a formidable defensive unit, as witnessed by the fact only Man City (33) and Newcastle (33), conceded fewer goals than United (43) last term.
Furthermore, he rebuilt the aura of invincibility at Old Trafford, developing his team into one of Europe’s fiercest hosts, with only Brighton taking home all three points from the Theatre of Dreams in 2022/23 (W15, D3).
A lack of an out-and-out centre-forward took its toll, though, with only Villa (51) scoring fewer Premier League goals than United (58) among sides to have qualified for European competition.
But after adding to his firepower this summer, Ten Hag is confident of addressing Man Utd’s scoring woes next term.
Transfer Business
Man Utd’s decision to cut ties with long-serving goalkeeper David de Gea has been the highlight of the club’s summer dealings, with Andre Onana arriving from Inter Milan to take the Spaniard’s place between the sticks.
It wasn’t a secret that Ten Hag preferred a technically-gifted keeper to help his team build from the back, which was the main reason behind De Gea’s departure.
Chelsea’s homegrown playmaker Mason Mount is another significant summer addition, while Rasmus Hojlund’s arrival from Atalanta is designed to offload some scoring burden off Marcus Rashford’s shoulders.
Rashford has put pen to paper on a new deal following an impressive last season in another noteworthy piece of business.
Harry Maguire’s imminent move to West Ham United is equally important as Man Utd finally managed to remove the underperforming ex-captain from their payroll.
Starting XI
(4-2-3-1): Andre Onana; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw; Casemiro, Christian Eriksen; Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Antony; Rasmus Hojlund.
Prediction
While last season’s success must have seen fans’ ambitions skyrocket, the Old Trafford faithful should refrain from putting huge expectations ahead of Ten Hag’s team.
Considering it’s been a decade since Man Utd last won the Premier League, giving Man City a run for their money is the bare minimum the Dutchman will expect from his men.
To better position themselves in the title race, the Red Devils must make amends for a poor two-game losing start to the 2022/24 season and hit the ground running from the get-go.
As mentioned above, December will be critical, while the upcoming Champions League return threatens to put more squeeze on the team’s fitness throughout an exhausting campaign.
Having reached the grand finals in the League Cup and the FA Cup last term, United should remain a relevant factor in both cup tournaments, which may also be their best chance of adding to their glittering trophy cabinet.
Predicted finish: 2nd
