More mails on why United are so back and Matthijs de Ligt will/might be absolutely fine, further Chelsea shenanigans and thoughts on the new Champions League format here. Send your thoughts to theeditor@football365.com.
Glaze over As we’ve already seen in the Mailbox this week, it’s very hard to quantify to non-United fans exactly why United fans are so chirpy about the new ownership. The Glazers are still technically around, but for all intents and purposes, INEOS are now running Manchester United Football Club. It’s the F.
C. part that fans ultimately care about, and literally just not being the Glazers is the first step to success for Sir Jim and his Avengers lineup. Sure, “Manchester United” should be challenging for the league and Champions League every year, but for most of the last decade this has been Manchester United in name only.
Swap the jerseys and the badges and those teams wouldn’t look out of place in the Championship most weeks. We’re realistic enough to know that a 30-point gap to Man City can’t be bridged in one summer. There was simply too much deadwood to ship out and gaping holes to fill to be challenging for the top trophies immediately.
The four signings to date (hopefully at least one midfielder to come and desperately need a left back) have all improved the strength in depth of the squad and that’s a huge start. Also, do not underestimate the difference that a fit squad will make. Cup final notwithstanding, there were very encouragin.