Manchester United season preview, De Gea's last dance, midfielder hunt, Maguire shines in training
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Hope you are doing well and haven’t began fretting over Raphael Varane’s imminent transfer to United.
The French defender has already left Real Madrid and is waiting on a visa. He must follow guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 before entering the UK in order to finally join up with his new club and teammates.
My only issue with this is I wanted Varane to get some minutes under his belt against Everton in the final pre-season friendly this weekend. But it now looks like he could miss pre-season completely ahead of the new campaign.
By the time this comes out he could be in Manchester… Who knows?
This may well put the club completely off leaving deals until deadline day, and I should hope they are learning their lessons after getting two deals agreed quickly this summer.
Anyhow, enjoy the rest of this week’s newsletter. I’m off to visit the coast of Ireland before getting back into the proper swing of things next week, as we will bring you a Strettycast recording with former academy graduate Daniel Naridello and Jonathan Shrager.
Season preview interview with Stretty News writer Andy Iczster - read his recent column on fan culture.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
In all honesty just getting back into the ground and the hustle and bustle of a match day. Its something that’s been part of my life for so long I don’t really know anything else. I run my entire life around United whether that’s family holidays or work. I’m sure I’m not unique in this but it’s a different vibe and expectation to the start of the season. To me the football is almost secondary.
Do you think United are ready to compete?
I actually do with the signings made so far. We have strengthened in the areas every United fan could see we were weak in. I’ve really been impressed with Ole’s identification of players, even the ones we have missed out on (Haaland, Bellingham to name a couple). Every signing he’s made has worked unlike previous recruitments via other managers. We fell away last season and had some really poor results against teams we shouldn’t have. I think we will have the capability to move through the gears this season with more options. I also don’t think Liverpool, Leicester and Everton will be as close. I expect the main challenge to be from City and Chelsea.
In your recent column for Stretty News, you wrote about fan culture. What is it you miss the most from when you started going to games?
I love this question and there are quite a few things. If I had to pick one though it would be atmosphere. Every single person going through the turnstiles was a mad, passionate red. There for one thing to support the team and the lads on the pitch. Nothing else mattered. That’s been diluted over the years from the age group of fans attending to people just turning up for a day out.
Biggest pet hate from modern football?
Fan channels and negative divisive agendas. Half and half scarves come a close 2nd… what are people thinking?!
After recent signings, what do you say to people who think United fans will go quiet on the Glazers?
I think some will definitely be placated by signings. However, it’s a bigger problem than a few signings and one meeting in 16 years. There are talks about protests at the Leeds game and if so Ill be there. We cannot trust the Glazers they will continue to lie and manipulate the fanbase and take dividends out of the club. The money being spent on these signings is self-generated. They’ve ignored fans and under invested for years. A leopard doesn’t change its spots.
Will you attend protests this season?
Yes, see above.
What are your expectations for Solskjaer and his team?
I think we need to reach another cup final this season and win that. In the league a strong challenge (not 20 points behind) throughout the season. I still think City are favourites to win it again. For the Champions League QF minimum.
Midfielder hunt
There are several big names being linked with moves to United, if Solskjaer is able to add a new midfielder to his squad this summer. And talk of a formation switch to 4-3-3 means we won’t be subject to watching Fred and Scott McTominay play in a double pivot.
Nemanja Matic remains the only true defensive midfielder in the squad but he hasn’t got the legs anymore, and I don’t want to see us carrying players like that next season after making such fine additions to the squad like Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.
I have no doubt in my mind that if a decent offer came in for Matic, United wouldn’t think twice about selling. Sadly it looks like another summer when we struggle to shift players who won’t earn anywhere near the same wages elsewhere.
The latest on Declan Rice is he’s back training. West Ham took the opportunity to tweet a smiley pic of the England international, without doubt buzzing at the prospect of playing in the Europa League when Champions League clubs want to sign him…
In Spain, they are building hype around Saul Niguez. The player is being touted around Europe - particularly in the Premier League - but is he the solution to what the manager is asking for?
Ruben Neves is a brilliant young player with tons of experience. I wish I could get more excited about these links, but I’ve heard nothing — and there’s very little in the press apart from Dean Jones, who previously worked at Bleacher Report.
I know United like Eduardo Camavinga but there doesn’t appear to be a rush on that front. Still a very young player and one who can leave Rennes on a Bosman next year.
Strettycast Ep 116: Does Solskjaer have the tools to compete for the Premier League?
Also available on Apple Podcasts and Acast.
Harry Maguire takes foot tennis seriously
Last dance for De Gea - Spaniard likely to start vs Leeds
The keeping situation is no closer to being resolved, with no offers coming for David de Gea and United reticent to lose Dean Henderson, as a potential future star. As Paul Rowles sees it, we are in a scenario now where the club want to put their faith in Henderson, but recognise they are stuck with De Gea who is well within his rights to sit tight on his contract running until 2023 which the club sanctioned. Unless something unexpectedly dramatic materialises in the next four weeks, United will be facing the same problem as last season, with two number ones earning close to £500,000 per week with one of them guaranteed to be discontent at their lack of playing time. This is without mentioning that United added another old boy Tom Heaton to their ranks AND retained fourth official and part time player Lee Grant! It is a department bereft of ruthlessness.