Ahead of the start of the Europa League and cup competitions in England, we look at five United squad players who may just prove invaluable this season.
After a blistering start to the season, in which Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have all picked up maximum points from their first three games, it’s already looking likely that this season’s title race will go right down to the wire.
With games set to come thick and fast as we head further into the season, player rotation – and the ability to keep your best players fit for the important matches – is going to become more important than ever.
Ahead of the start of the Europa League and domestic cup competitions for Manchester United, we take a look at five players within the Red Devils’ squad who might just prove vital over the latter stages of the season.
Memphis Depay
So much was expected from this man upon his arrival at the Theatre of Dreams last season; things just haven’t gone to plan thus far for Memphis Depay.
Joining the club fresh from being crowned the Eredivisie’s top scorer with title-winning underdogs PSV Eindhoven, Depay made the move to England in a deal reported to be worth around £25 million.
Arriving upon a wave of expectation and burgeoning potential, Depay seemed to be destined for great things at United, especially after being given the club’s iconic number 7 shirt – previously worn by United legends David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, George Best and Eric Cantona, to name but a few.
After impressing in his first few games for the club however, Depay soon began to struggle for consistency, quickly falling out of favour with then-manager Louis van Gaal, and becoming a source of ridicule among many rival teams’ fans.
Undoubtedly still a player with massive potential, and the ability to grab the game by the scruff of the neck when necessary, Depay certainly still has time on his side in terms of winning his place back in United’s starting eleven.
And with a new manager in charge in the form of Jose Mourinho, and United’s attacking ways of old slowly creeping back into the picture, this season might just prove to be the making of the talented young winger from Holland.
Marcus Rashford
The fairy-tale story of last year’s Premier League, and one of only a few shining lights in what proved to be an otherwise disappointing campaign for the Red Devils; Marcus Rashford’s breakthrough has certainly been spectacular.
A late addition to United’s Europa League squad before their round of 32 clash against FC Midtjylland – owing to an injury suffered by Anthony Martial – Rashford forever cemented his name in United’s footballing folklore by scoring two goals on his debut, to become United’s youngest ever scorer in a European competition.
If two goals on his debut wasn’t enough however, Rashford then went on to bag a further brace on his Premier League debut just two days later. The young Wythenshawe-born striker also bagged the only goal in his first Manchester Derby, again becoming the youngest player in United’s long history to do so.
Finishing the season with eight goals and two assists in his 18 appearances, Rashford certainly made sure that all eyes would be on him come the start of this season’s campaign.
After marking his first Premier League appearance of the season with a goal – coming on as a late substitute in last week’s game against Hull for United, and scoring 92nd minute winner – the fairy-tale certainly seems far from over.
With games set to come thick and fast after the International break, expect to see the young striker in United’s starting line up – and in the goal scoring charts – in the coming weeks.
Michael Carrick
From burgeoning potential and youth, to one of United’s more senior servants; Michael Carrick looked to be a man on his way out of the club just weeks before the season began.
A key component of previous manager Louis van Gaal’s patient and low-tempo style of play, many saw new manager Jose Mourinho’s appointment as the perfect chance to give Carrick the proper send off the midfielder has earned over the past ten seasons.
With his contract set to expire imminently however, Mourinho chose to reward Carrick with a new one-year deal, opting to keep the former Tottenham and 34 times capped midfielder at the club for just a little longer.
Whether this is down to an appreciation of Carrick’s talents and abilities, or maybe even just a ploy to ensure that the dressing room still contains players who remember what it was like to win trophies under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, remains to be seen.
What doesn’t remain to be see however is Carrick’s undoubted ability both as a holding midfield player, as well as a less-conventional ball playing centre back when called upon to act as so.
With experience in abundance, and the ability to match, Carrick will no doubt prove an invaluable asset as the season progresses, and may just see his playing time increase exponentially as Mourinho grinds towards the business end of the season.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah
Another young player who burst onto the United scene last season and hasn’t looked back since. Fosu-Mensah is certainly a player who has got a lot of people within United’s hierarchy very excited indeed.
Standing at three inches over six feet, and possessing pace and ability in abundance, Fosu-Mensah broke through into United’s Under-21 side playing as a right back who was also capable of filling in at centre midfield, holding midfield, and even in the centre of defence when needed.
Labelled as one of the brightest prospects United’s academy has produced in years – alongside teammate Marcus Rashford – the young Dutchman has been touted as the player capable of filling United’s right back spot on a long term basis.
As a player who is also tall, fast and strong, Fosu-Mensah certainly fits into the ‘Mourinho-type’ player mould, something that puts him in great stead in terms of securing more actions in United’s first team over the coming months and years.
Marcos Rojo
Completing our list is another man who joined United on a wave of expectation and promise, but has since been unable to live to both his price-tag, and his reputation; Marcos Rojo has certainly had a tough time in the Northwest of England.
Moving to United for a fee of £16 million from Sporting in the summer of 2014, Rojo joined the club on the back of a very impressive 2014 World Cup for his native Argentina.
Capable of playing both as a centre back, and as a left back – as he did for Argentina at the tournament – Rojo was meant to be the answer to United’s long standing issue of a lack of real depth within their defensive line.
The Argentinian defender just never seemed up to it however, making only 25 appearances in his debut season, and quickly falling out of favour with manager Louis van Gaal,
Now with Mourinho in charge however, things are a little different, and Rojo has a fresh chance to prove himself once again.
Sure to provide valuable cover to both Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly – as well as Luke Shaw at left back – over the course of the season, this might just prove the final season that Rojo has to impress the United hierarchy.
If he is to impress once again for the club however, his versatility could prove invaluable – especially given fellow defender Phil Jones’ long standing issues with consistency and fitness.
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