Manchester United supporters here in the Transfer Tavern are expecting a fierce challenge for the title in Mourinho’s second season in charge of the Red Devils.
Having secured two major trophies in his first season as Manchester United manager, supporters of the Red Devils are eagerly anticipating that the club will mount a serious title challenge having finished a disappointing sixth last campaign.
The Portuguese’s side has been linked with many prestigious players, yet they also will face many difficult decisions regarding players leaving Old Trafford this summer.
Our landlord has opted to look at two players Mourinho could choose to keep or sell at Manchester United this summer.
Chris Smalling
One player who has continuously been touted with a move away from Manchester United in the bar this summer is Chris Smalling. The 27-year-old was used sparingly in the league last season, and the arrival of Vitor Lindelof could well signal the end of the Englishman’s United career.
The defender has been a mainstay in the United squad over the duration of the past seven years; he has amassed a staggering total of 243 appearances for the Red Devils. Now seems like an appropriate end to conclude his United career, the arrival of Eric Bailly last summer saw Smalling lose his status as one of United’s most prominent defenders, and it seems that there are better and younger options ahead of Smalling in the defensive pecking order. Our landlord believes that the defender should be sold this Summer, while the Englishman can bow out on a high having won the EFL Cup ( now renamed the Carabao Cup) and the Europa League.
Luke Shaw
At one stage of his career, Shaw was described as England’s next Ashley Cole, yet his prospects of reaching Cole’s level has regressed somewhat over these past few seasons. Injuries have curtailed his progression in Manchester significantly, and the arrival of Jose Mourinho presented the young full-back with another obstacle that he needed to overcome.
It was apparent for all to see that Mourinho does not trust his full-back entirely – even attributing Shaw’s excellent performances down to himself rather than accrediting the defender himself. This strange and borderline toxic relationship that the pair share has been to the detriment of Shaw’s accession. Having been bought from Southampton for £30M, the 21-year-old was supposed to provide longevity for United in the left-back role – the ideal replacement for Patrice Evra. There is still the possibility that the Red Devils man can realise this ambition if Mourinho decides to entrust his young left-back – this move could engender important benefits in the long-term.
What are your thoughts United fans? Let us know!
