Last season, the goal for Manchester United was a top-four finish and berth in the Champions League. Both of those were accomplished as the Red Devils head into the 2015-16 season with their sights set on bringing silverware back to Manchester.
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United have won a record 13 Premier League titles, but after finishing seventh in the league in 2013-14, David Moyes was sacked and Louis van Gaal was brought in to start a new era at the club. Van Gaal has spent massively to bring in top talent for his side, and improvements have been made heading into his second year in charge.
Crosstown rivals Manchester City have finished above United on the table in three of the past four seasons, as the Red Devils will have to overcome Chelsea and Arsenal as well if the PL trophy is to return to Old Trafford.
Best possible XI:
-- De Gea --
-- Darmian -- Jones -- Blind -- Shaw --
-- Schweinsteiger -- Schneiderlin --
-- Mata -- Depay -- Young --
-- Rooney --
Transfers in: Sergio Romero (Free, Sampdoria), Matteo Darmian ($18 million, Torino), Bastian Schweinsteiger ($22 million, Bayern Munich), Morgan Schneiderlin ($40 million, Southampton), Memphis Depay ($40 million, PSV Eindhoven)
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Transfers out: Robin van Persie ($6 million, Fenerbahce), Radamel Falcao (season-long loan, Chelsea), Tom Cleverley (Free, Everton)
Last season: Fourth place in the Premier League -- The goal last season was to get back into the Champions League, and that goal was accomplished. It took a bit of time for Louis van Gaal to implement his system, and injuries forced some to play out of position for stretches of the season. At the end of the year, United was back in the Champions League after their worst ever Premier League finish in 2013-14.
Star player: Wayne Rooney -- The captain is currently the third all-time leading goal scorer for Manchester United, and at just 19 goals shy of Sir Bobby Charlton for the record, Rooney could end the season as the greatest scorer in club history. Last year, injuries forced Rooney to play in a midfield role for certain parts of the season, but when he was placed back in his preferred spot at striker, his production rate shot up. Now with Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao gone and Chicharito’s status at the club uncertain, Rooney and 19-year-old James Wilson are the only true strikers on the Red Devils’ roster. That means all the pressure is on Rooney to come up with the goals when United need them most.
Coaches’ Corner: Louis van Gaal is entering his second season as a manager in the Premier League, and now Manchester United is officially “his” team. The Dutchman was given a massive budget to bring in the players of his choosing, and has had time to develop his system and tactics with the side. Always an interesting press conference, Van Gaal has a way of dancing around questions with his quick wits and wry humor, which can be both entertaining and frustrating at the same time. Now that he got United back to the Champions League, LVG will have his focus on trophies in the 2015-16 season.
PST predicts: The Red Devils will be looking at a finish towards the top of the table. After finishing fourth last season, the fans at Old Trafford want silverware and will hope to challenge the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City for the Premier League title. There is some debate as to whether or not United is a legitimate contender this season, but there is no doubt that they are still one of the elite clubs in the world.