Man Utd Season Preview: Key Player, Signing to Watch, Predicted Lineup and Betting Tip
Manchester United are next up in our 2024/25 Premier League season preview as we look back at their 2023/24 campaign, pick out the key player, the signing to watch, predict where they'll finish and make a betting tip via oddschecker.
2023/24 Season Roundup
After a relatively encouraging debut season under Erik ten Hag, Manchester United regressed last term, finishing eighth in the Premier League. The campaign ended on a more positive note, with the Red Devils lifting the FA Cup at Wembley after victory over rivals Manchester City, but it remains to be seen whether the Dutchman will be able to solve the systemic issues that plagued his side for much of last season. After all, only Sheffield United faced more shots (678) than Manchester United (667) in Europe’s top five leagues in 2023/24.
Key Player - Bruno Fernandes
Set to sign a new contract with the club, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is undoubtedly their key player, and will more often than not be the first name on Erik ten Hag’s team sheet. Last time out, the 29-year-old netted 10 league goals, while also providing eight assists. Fernandes also made more key passes (114) than any other player in the Premier League over the course of the campaign.
Signing to Watch - Joshua Zirkzee
United have been one of the Premier League’s busier sides in the summer transfer window, confirming the arrivals of Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, but it is 23-year-old attacker Joshua Zirkzee who you should keep an eye on this coming season. After graduating from Bayern Munich’s youth academy, the Dutchman made a permanent move to Serie A side Bologna, where he would go on to impress, particularly last season. Zirkzee’s 11 goals and four assists in the Italian top-flight last term helped Thiago Motta’s side to a remarkable fifth-placed finish.
Predicted opening day XI: Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Evans, Martinez; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Garnacho; Rashford
Predicted finish - 5th
Betting tip
With Rasmus Hojlund (injury) and Joshua Zirkzee both expected to take some time to get up to speed this season we’re backing Bruno Fernandes to end the campaign as United’s top goalscorer, at 5/2 best price with Ladbrokes, via oddschecker (price correct as of 14:15 on 14/08/2024).
