Football News: My latest view of Manchester United

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Having seen Dan James play during pre-season I must say I've been very impressed with his work rate, endeavour, desire, with his willingness to press from the front and his ability to burst forward and support the front men from deeper positions. He still looks raw and needs to work on his final ball and decision making at times but hopefully that should improve with time.

Just an early observation but he looks more proficient and dangerous from the left hand side. The same can be said for the likes of Rashford, Martial, Sanchez and even Gomes and Chong.

I'm still concerned that the Manchester United attack remains somewhat unbalanced without a player that is more comfortable playing from the right. AWB will hopefully provide more thrust and width from that side but his strength remains in his unnerving ability to win 1v1 duels and perhaps he won't provide the attacking verve we crave down that side. Mata and Lingard remain enigma's when deployed from the right and their strengths undoubtedly remain in central areas.

I thought Dalot may have been given more game time out wide during pre-season positioned ahead of AWB but to no avail. On a positive note Greenwood has performed well from the right. His movement is good, he obviously has an eye for goal but it's not his natural position and perhaps unfair to expect a 17 year old kid to ignite and bring balance to this Utd attack.

Ole appears to have moved to a midfield axis which has worked well so far but question marks remain regarding Pogba's defensive discipline and Matic's legs in more competitive games. Mctominay has been impressive and surely he is best suited to partnering Pogba in midfield as things stand. (Assuming Pogba stays of course) .

Defensively we still look extremely vulnerable at set pieces and direct balls into the CF. passing out from the back remains problematic therefore I believe the signing of Maguire is imperative. He is dominate in the air, a strong physical presence and he will enable us to build from the back more effectively. Some will argue that he's not the complete CB such an eye watering fee usually commands but let's leave the finances to the Club. Few would argue he's not significantly better than what we've already got and his strengths will crucially compensate for some of our most obvious weaknesses.

It's been pleasing to see a more hard working and energetic style of play, pressing aggressively and effectively and playing on the front foot. A pacy, mobile and interchangeable front 4 will hopefully score goals. A dominate CB, a natural right sided forward/ winger and an ACM would end an excellent pre-season. For me Maguire, Fernandez and Pepe would be perfect. Pepe appears to be moving elsewhere but Maguire and Fernamdez are possible. Whilst long terms problems remain we can be encouraged by a more defined and progressive style of play. With still over 2 weeks of the window remaining hopefully we'll get what we need before it slams shut on August 8th. The time for talking is almost over.

Written by DLIB July 25 2019 21:21:49