Manchester United: five predictions for 2017-18

With the summer now over and the Premier League season set to being this week, here are ten predictions of what will happen to Manchester United this season:

1. Romelu Lukaku will score at least 30 goals

Zlatan Ibrahimovic got close last year with 28 and would have made it if not for an injury late in the season. Lukaku has been an elite player who has been a top Premier League scorer over the last few years.

With the Champions League games and the Premier League games both on the schedule, barring any injury there is no reason why Lukaku shouldn’t find the back of the net at least 30 times. With Paul Pogba now more free to roam and set the table for other players, Lukaku is in for a big year.

2. United will allow the fewest goals in the Premier League

They were close last season as they allowed just 29 Premier League goals. Now, there is no team out there more suited to prevent teams from scoring than United.

It all starts with David De Gea. He is a top three goaltender and can make saves that few guys in the world are capable of. With the addition of Victor Lindelof the centre back position is more solid and the recent addition of Nemanja Matic will make it even harder to access the improved back line.

More from Playing for 90

Furthermore, Tottenham lost Kyle Walker to Manchester City this summer; weakening their defense. I expect less than 25 goals to be scored on United during the year.

3. Martial will get loaned out either before the end of the summer transfer window or during the winter

There have already been rumors about him going to Inter Milan and having Ivan Perisic coming to United. As much as Jose Mourinho says otherwise I don’t think he’s high on Martial at all. The only way that Martial could stay is as a full-time left wing.

During Martial’s brief tenure at Old Trafford there has been a lot of turnover. Two managers, different systems, different positions and responsibilities, a lot to ask of a 20-year-old kid coming to one of the biggest clubs in the world. It is possible he just needs a fresh start and to go to a place where he can play up top a lot; where he seems to be most comfortable.

4. Marouane Fellaini will remain with the club

There were rumors that Fellaini was going to be sold to Galatasaray. Well, those never materialized. Personally, I think Mourinho likes Fellaini too much to send him away. I also think he realizes the value Fellaini can bring to the club–he’s good on set pieces and can put the ball in the net at times.

Fellaini is not an every game starter but he can be used as a sub in Champions League and Premier League action as well as eat minutes in the FA and League Cup games.

5. United will advance to the knockout stage of the Champions League

Okay so this is the bold one. While they may not advance past the round of sixteen, United has the moxie to make it that far. They have a coach who has won a Champions League crown as well as top end talent and squad depth.

Next: Six potential Neymar replacements

Make no mistake, they are not ready to challenge the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich just yet. But making it to the round of 16 will certainly be a step forward for the club.

Home/Manchester United