Manchester United have a big season ahead, with Champions League football returning and fans hoping they can maybe even challenge for the league title once again.
They will be expecting big performances from their key players, but which United players could surprise us this season?
Jadon Sancho
It’s fair to say that £73million signing Jadon Sancho has yet to live up to the hype that surrounded his arrival.
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He only has six assists in two seasons at United, much fewer than the 41 he made at Dortmund in the four seasons he spent in Germany. There have been flashes of brilliance and hints of good form that earned him that price tag, scoring against Chelsea and Manchester City along with assists against Spurs and Leeds during the 2021/22 season reflect that. And the statistics show that his performances deserve more assists too.
He averaged an assist every six and a half games last season, but his expected assists were up at one every five games, two-thirds of his attempted dribbles were successful and he’s scoring a goal every three games, which is impressive for a winger.
Sancho will be able to take heart from this, but he hasn’t started as much as he would’ve been hoping to in the Erik ten Hag era. If he gets the starts he craves he could prove why United were so desperate to sign him.
Matej Kovar
After quiet spells at Swindon Town and Burton Albion, Kovar was sent to Sparta Prague last season, where he excelled to help them win the league title.
It won’t be regular first-team football for Kovar, especially with Andre Onana looking set to join, but he could be required to play a back-up role.
And if United are to go far in cup competitions again this season, expect to see him between the sticks for a League Cup or FA Cup game where the stakes are a little lower.
Alvaro Fernandez
After time in four different academies as a youngster – including Real Madrid – Fernandez is now knocking on the door of the senior team.
The left-back is able to get up the wing and join the attack, as well as coming into central areas to strengthen the midfield. Left-back is a position where some questions have lingered in the past, however, Luke Shaw has become a stalwart there in the past few seasons, making it difficult to become a regular starter.
Like Kovar, Fernandez may also be used in cup games, but United may even send him on loan again this season, as Preston North End were graced with his services during their challenge for the Championship play-offs last season.
But if he stays at the club, he could be about to make his mark.
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