Team Focus: Premier League Preview Part 6 - Man United and Newcastle
It's been all change at the top at Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down after 26 years at the helm. In his place comes David Moyes and despite being linked with big money moves for a host of Europe’s top players; only young full-back Guillermo Varela has been signed. The announcement that Cesc Fàbregas will remain at Barcelona saw another target opt against moving to the Premier League champions after Bayern Munich captured the signing of Thiago Alcántara, who was heavily courted by United prior to his switch to the Bundesliga giants.
Despite appearing that way, it wasn't all plain sailing at Old Trafford last season. While the club secured domestic glory, the Manchester side also conceded 43 league goals in the process, the highest since the 45 they shipped in the 2001/02 season. Factoring in the ongoing transfer speculation surrounding Wayne Rooney - one of only four Premier League players to have reached double figures for goals (12) and assists (10) - there’s plenty of discontent around the club. While pre-season gives little away ahead of a new campaign, some poor results have heaped the pressure on Moyes early on as he aims to win over the supporters.
Robin van Persie will again be expected to lead the attack line. The Dutchman finished as the Premier League’s top goalscorer last year (26), contributing to his average WhoScored.com rating of 7.68, a figure higher than any other United player. His goals wrestled the title away from Manchester City last season and he'll be expected to continue his fine form up until May.
Following an underwhelming debut campaign in England, much is expected of Shinji Kagawa in his second season and he’s expected to be the creative fulcrum in a midfield that still requires strengthening. Wilfried Zaha’s permanent return from Crystal Palace will give supporters something to smile about and early signs indicate that he’ll be an improvement on the disappointing trio of Ashley Young, Nani and Antonio Valencia last season.
Yet, without significant investment between now and the end of the transfer window, regardless of continuous rumours linking United with a move for Marouane Fellaini, it’s difficult to envisage the club successfully defending their Premier League crown once again. It’s expected that Moyes’ side will see their position at the summit of the table come under serious threat from their title rivals this time around.
Position Last Season: 1st
New Signings (at time of writing): Guillermo Varela (CA Peñarol Montevideo)
Possible Starting XI (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Carrick, Cleverley; Zaha, Kagawa, Welbeck; Van Persie
Predicted Finish (Average of Authors): 3rd
After their 5th placed finish in 2012, Newcastle significantly underperformed last season, finishing five points and two places above the relegation zone. The Magpies never really recovered from the departure of Demba Ba in January, while Hatem Ben Arfa’s time on the sidelines hampered their attack as they lacked the creativity and fluidity that made them a force to be reckoned with.
The acquisition of Loïc Remy on loan will go a long way to easing the goalscoring burden on Papiss Demba Cissé, the Senegal international netting 8 times in a black and white shirt last season. Despite the Frenchman’s short spell in West London, Remy finished the season as QPR’s top Premier League goalscorer (6) last term and his arrival will only boost manager Alan Pardew’s attacking options, while adding a more penetrative threat than that of teammate Jonás Gutiérrez.
Keeping hold of midfielder Yohan Cabaye will be of the utmost importance. The Frenchman garnered an average WhoScored.com rating of 7.15 last season and despite his injury problems, provided the creativity in the middle of the park, with his average of 2 key passes per game the most of every first team regular. Interest from elsewhere in England and France comes as little surprise, but ensuring he remains at St. James’ Park could perhaps be considered Pardew’s most important piece of business, especially if he remains injury free.
Nevertheless, a lack of investment is possibly the biggest worry to Newcastle this summer. Despite being linked with a number of players - Bafétimbi Gomis and Darren Bent to name two - only Remy’s signed and following their flirtation with relegation, reinforcements are vital ahead of the new campaign.
Gomis in particular would make for a good piece of business, as his 16 goals with Olympique Lyonnais highlights. The fact that he was flagged offside 62 times - only Antonio Di Natale (70) was penalised more in Europe’s top 5 leagues - could prove problematic, especially when considering Cissé was pulled back for the same reason on 45 occasions last season, yet it’s a positive step for Newcastle if a deal can be finalised, providing further competition and cover for Cissé.
As recently appointed director of football Joe Kinnear continues to talk up the possibility of new arrivals, he needs to convince owner Mike Ashley to part with funds in order to bolster the squad before the transfer window slams shut. If Pardew can keep his first-team regulars fit, then it’s unlikely they’ll face a similar relegation scrap in the upcoming campaign, but Newcastle will need to add in order to ensure they’ve secured their top-flight status come May.
Position Last Season: 16th
New Signings (at time of writing): Loïc Remy (QPR – loan)
Possible Starting XI (4-3-3): Krul; Debuchy, Coloccini, Taylor, Santon; Cabaye, Sissoko, Tiote; Remy, Cissé, Ben Arfa
Predicted Finish (Average of Authors): 14th
