Manchester United may have strengthened their midfield with the signing of Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba, but there are still too many unanswered questions for them to be considered genuine Premier League title contenders.
On paper, United look better equipped than they were last season. However, challenging for the title is not simply about having a stronger squad. It is about having quality, depth, and reliability across every position.
The goalkeeper situation is one of the first concerns. Senne Lammens looks like the only reliable option between the posts, leaving United with very little margin for error should he suffer an injury or experience a prolonged dip in form. A title-winning team needs certainty in goal, and United do not appear to have enough of it.
The left-back position is arguably even more worrying. 31-year-old Luke Shaw remains the only natural left-back, but his age and injury history make depending on him throughout a long and demanding campaign a major gamble. Patrick Dorgu has already shown that he can not be fully trusted in that position. If Shaw is unavailable for an extended period, United could quickly find themselves exposed on that flank. Even with Shaw, he was exposed in the Red Devils’ recent game against Ipswich Town.
Then there is the question of the left wing. Amad Diallo’s injury should arguably have pushed United into the market for another natural left winger. Bryan Mbeumo provides quality and versatility, but there are doubts about whether he will eventually be used more centrally as a striker. If Mbeumo is moved inside or suffers an injury himself, United could suddenly be short of natural options on the left.
Marcus Rashford and Matheus Cunha are reliable to a large extent, provided they play from the right side of the attack. Although it depends on how the Coach wants his team to play.
Up front, Benjamin Sesko is the only proven number nine in the squad. The Slovenian has the qualities to become an important player, but he is still adapting and has yet to fully gel with United’s style. Expecting a relatively new striker to carry the goalscoring burden of a title challenge is a risk.
Compare that with the other leading contenders. Manchester City have Erling Haaland, Arsenal have Victor Gyokeres, Liverpool have Alexander Isak. Chelsea, meanwhile, have Joao Pedro and still went into the market for Premier League-proven Danny Welbeck. United simply do not possess the same level of established firepower.
The midfield has been strengthened with Youri Tielemans, Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos, but another problem remains, creativity is still heavily dependent on Bruno Fernandes.
Bruno is United’s heartbeat. When he performs, the team often performs, but when he struggles, the entire side can become predictable and ineffective.
A serious title contender needs more than one dependable creative outlet. United currently appear too reliant on their captain to unlock defences, create chances, and influence games.
That dependence could become particularly damaging over a 38-game season.
Even more worrisome is the fact that they would play in the Champions League and other domestic cup competitions this season.
United still have too many positions where one injury, one poor run of form, or one tactical problem could expose a lack of depth.
Until those weaknesses are addressed, Manchester United should be viewed as a team trying to close the gap, not one ready to win the Premier League.
