Despite form, club must still address squad weaknesses
IT is almost reaching the stage where it would be slightly underwhelming if United weren’t to be involved in a true title challenge this season.
Although there are still noticeably flaws within the current United set-up, the current run under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is akin to the one which got him the job in the first place, with expectations amplified after an almost freakish turnaround in fortunes.
This season has already witnessed incredible lows and humiliating defeats, yet it is being contrasted by exceptional team performances and a will to win as good as any seen at Old Trafford this millennium.
The New Year’s Day victory over Aston Villa was perhaps the biggest indicator of the changing shift for the club, as United racked up another impressive festive victory against one of the Premier League’s most watchable sides.
There was individual brilliance from Paul Pogba, a goal from open play at last for Anthony Martial and a defensive performance so emphatic from Eric Bailly that even Virgil van Dijk would have been watching on in envy.
What was most impressive, however, is that those three contributions came from players who have struggled for regular game time throughout the season. Pogba is not in the current ‘best midfield’, Martial shares playing time with Edinson Cavani and Bailly is only back in the line-up after injury to Victor Lindelof.
The boost for United is that there is an argument to suggest the best squad will win the Premier League this season - and not necessarily the best team.
While the likes of City and Liverpool arguably have stronger starting XIs than Solskjaer’s strongest side, the squad depth at Old Trafford means they can regularly make wholesale changes without severely affecting the performance levels.
An obvious caveat is that Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire still remain pretty much undroppable, with an injury to either of those sure to derail the unlikely title bid, but the same can be said about the importance of Mohamed Salah at Liverpool or Kevin de Bruyne at City.
Yet the win over Villa did at least point towards three frailties within the first-team squad and a trio of transfer concerns which will need a solution within the next year.
Solskjaer is still keen on signing a new long-term defensive partner for captain Maguire even with the impressive form of Bailly. The Ivorian has been exceptional, but there are still concerns about both his injury record and his often reckless decision-making.
Then there is the issue at rightback. Aaron Wan-Bissaka showcased both his best and worst in the win over Villa with an impressive assist, but an inexcusable lapse in concentration which resulted in the equaliser.
United are currently looking at a possible move for Norwich defender Max Aarons and there is fair argument to suggest Wan-Bissaka needs some genuine competition on the right side of the defence. It might well end up being in the shape of Brandon Williams or Ethan Laird, but there can be no ignoring the growing weakness in defence.
United will add Amad Diallo to their squad later this month, but just like Facundo Pellistri, he will need time to settle.
The young duo could end up solving the long-term right wing issue at the club in the absence of any senior player making the role their own this season. Daniel James and Mason Greenwood were both dropped from the starting XI for the match against Villa as Solskjaer removed the need for a wide man by switching to a diamond set-up.
After an incredible festive transformation there can be no ignoring the growing title credentials of this United side under Solskjaer, but if they want to progress from pretenders to contenders then they will need to solve at least one of these issues soon.