Last Updated on: 21st August 2023, 05:01 pm
When you look at the big names that have left the Red Devils this year, you cannot help to wonder if Manchester United are going to be the same formidable force that we have all been used to in recent years.
Big names have either retired or left including Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Edwin van der Sar, Wes Brown, John O’Shea and Owen Hargreaves. Whilst these players were probably past their best, most were arguably world class in their time and would still have been able to offer many positive attributes to the united squad.
With the exception of Ashley Young, the new signings, goalkeeper David De Gea and England under 21 international, Phil Jones are both relatively untested at the highest level. Will their introduction really strengthen the united squad or are they just a small positive to a squad that is now very much weakened?
PENDLE VERDICT – We were surprised that Wes Brown and John O’Shea both went to Sunderland, given that they are both very strong squad players and can be trusted to perform at the highest level. The departure of injury plagued, Owen Hargreaves makes no difference to the strength of the squad because he never played and it was probably the right time for Gary Neville to hang up his boots. Most people would agree that Paul Scholes is a player who’s retirement has to weaken the United squad in some capacity as he was arguably the greatest player that England have produced in recent times. Edwin van der Sar was still at the top of his game when he retired, so his departure has to be a blow.
In conclusion, the answer is YES, we do think that Manchester United are weaker going into the new campaign.
YOUR VERDICT – What do you think?