MANCHESTER UNITED

Title Odds 7/1

In Fred (Shakhtar, £52m), Lee Grant (Stoke, £1.5m), Diogo Dalot (Porto, £19.8m)

Out Daley Blind (Ajax, £14m), Sam Johnstone (West Brom, £6.6m), Michael Carrick (retired), Cameron Borthwickjackson (Scunthorpe, loan), Joel Pereira (Vitoria Setubal, loan), Axel Tuanzebe (Aston Villa, loan) Net spend £52.7m

What’s new?

Not much and that is the problem. Jose Mourinho has been making angry noises about what he does not have instead of what he does and pre-season has not been great. Is Mourinho trying to create that siege mentality he needs? If he is, it does not seem to be working with this group of players and if that is the case, this could be a very long, difficult season.

Most exciting signing

Fred (below) is the big (but short) name and may well prove to be the missing link in midfield between Paul Pogba (above) and Nemanja Matic, bringing balance to the centre of the team.

How will they play?

Exactly the same as last season. Sometimes a 4-3-3, occasionally a 4-2-3-1, always rigid, disciplined and ready to pounce on mistakes – Mourinho’s football is pragmatic but it gets results. Entertainment has been missing at Old Trafford and it seems unlikely Mourinho would change his methods now.

Who has it all to prove?

Paul Pogba. He returns to his club a World Cup winner, having apparently stepped up to become one of the leaders in France’s dressing room as a video on social media showing him delivering critical team talks suggests. Mourinho will be desperate to see something similar. He could be the difference.

Who will be player of the year?

History and all the signs suggest it will be David De Gea once more but if Pogba brings that level of focus and desire to his game in the Premier League as he does his country, he could be one of the best players we will see all season. Manager’s survival rating The boat is starting to look a little rocky, toys are being thrown overboard and nothing seems settled. Is it part of a bigger plan? This is Mourinho’s third season, traditionally the one that ends in a fiery exit, and if things do not go well by the time we are in winter, it could be a familiar story. 5/10

If they were a World Cup side they would be …

Germany. Once admired and copied the world over, now looking slightly stale and in need of reinvention.