Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has wasted no time in beginning to shape his squad for the 2016/17 season after taking over the reins at Old Trafford.
Eric Bailly became the first signing of the new era when agreeing to move from Villarreal, subject to a work permit, and the Ivory Coast international will provide a strong option in the middle of the defence. Mourinho has tended to move swiftly for dominant centre-backs at his previous clubs and it is clear he has been impressed by the African's performances in La Liga and the Europa League.
Of course, one of his mainstays at Chelsea was a fellow countryman of Bailly's in striker Didier Drogba and Ivory Coast have been among the elite sides from their continent for some time now. United's defensive record was the joint-best in the Barclays Premier League last term, but Mourinho still felt the need to strengthen. Louis van Gaal admitted he feared United could be susceptible to high balls, particularly at set-pieces, and, at around 6ft 2ins tall, the new boy is aerially proficient.
Another of the manager's immediate priorities was to retain Michael Carrick's services for another season. The midfielder is a huge influence in the dressing room and on the field, and it is no coincidence youngsters such as Tim Fosu-Mensah highlighted his calming presence throughout games. Particularly when the chips were down, the cool head of the 34-year-old steadied the ship.
Carrick knows the club inside out and, as Mourinho has noted, will provide invaluable support to the new regime and in helping any new signings and youngsters settle into the first-team picture. Of course, there will be much focus on which of the homegrown talents build on their exploits last term and become regulars in the squad.
Marcus Rashford made rapid strides and can further enhance his reputation at Euro 2016 while Fosu-Mensah offers versatility, athleticism and enormous potential. Cameron Borthwick-Jackson is another who grasped his opportunity and could be expected to cover Luke Shaw when the England international regains full fitness after his broken leg. Clearly there is a wealth of teenage talent available at United which should prove useful, particularly with a Europa League campaign to navigate.
There are hopes Andreas Pereira can force himself into the frame but the talented midfielder is likely to be unavailable for the start of the season due to his international commitments with Brazil at the Olympics. If the host nation go far in the tournament, as expected, he could miss the opening two league games at the very least.
Chris Smalling will be suspended for the Community Shield against Leicester City at Wembley on Sunday 7 August but free to play a week later following his red card in the FA Cup final win over Crystal Palace. United's Copa America representatives - Sergio Romero, Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia - will have finished their international commitments long before the domestic action gets under way again.
On the outgoing front, Nick Powell and Victor Valdes are the most high-profile names to be released. Powell spent the end of last season on loan at newly-promoted Hull City after making two substitute appearances under van Gaal. Valdes was also farmed out, to Belgian outfit Standard Liege, and the experienced keeper will surely have no shortage of takers.
Obviously, there will be an intense focus on which players are pursued during the summer transfer window with hundreds of names speculatively added to the already long list of rumoured targets. Mourinho will know which areas he needs to strengthen and his decisive moves in the market so far provide every confidence he will have the right mix of options come the transfer deadline on 31 August.
#Football #ManUtd #Mourinho #TheSpecialOne #EPL #BPL #BarclaysPremierLeague