The 2012/2013 season is a season Manchester United supporters will never let slip from their football-tied memory, and will recall for many years to come. The season that the Red Devils lifted the Premier League for an outstanding twentieth time, a record that will take many years to surpass. Not only did they lift the title once again, but said goodbye to an era. The Fergie Era. Sir Alex Ferguson is a footballing icon, who will always have a place in the heart of certainly all Manchester United fans, but also footballing fans, those who love the sport for what it is, rivalries aside. The club also said goodbye to a dynamo midfielder, who graced Old Trafford for many years. The Ginger Prince of Manchester, Paul Scholes. So they've said goodbye to players and staff, but how will they fare in the 2013/2014, and what will be the potential XI for the upcoming months.
The Line Up - With David Moyes taking the reins of the champions, it will be interesting to see how a new manager will arrange a team who have been following the same philosophy of football for so many years?
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
David De Gea didn't have a brilliant first season for the club, but has pulled it together recently, improving performances, and become a first team regular. After recent successful appearances, resulting in many clean sheets, De Gea has already been linked as a credible replacement for Iker Casillas and Victor Valdes, in the Spanish national side. As a result of this, De Gea should be able to retain his first team spot for years to come.
Right Back: Rafael Da Silva
Rafael has improved vastly over the recent seasons, and the young full-back had a brilliant campaign back in 2012. Rafael has become known for his attacking performances, but is also learning more about the defensive side of the game, and is adapting very well, meaning he could possibly be a United regular for many seasons.
Centre Back: Rio Ferdinand
Although the English veteran defender is now aging, he has been solid yet again for the Manchester club. After a very successful, and quite frankly shocking season, Rio will be looking to once again feature for the Reds. He will also be able to apply his knowledge into the games of the younger players, meaning his experience could be key to Moyes. His recent signing of a new contract is an exceptional way to start too!
Centre Back: Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja was unlucky to be plagued by injuries last year, but will hope to continue as captain for the team, and lead them to victory again. Surely Vidic will be back hungrier and more determined then ever after seeing Evans, Jones and Smalling fight for his place in the starting XI. The Serb has been a leader on and off the pitch, and will hope to continue this way for the club in the upcoming season.
Left Back: Leighton Baines
Leighton is probably the star most linked to the club. Loved by Sir Alex, and with Moyes now taking over, a transfer for Baines looks likelier than ever. Evra is getting on, and isn't getting any better. Buttner has potential, but not for starting every week. Baines is the name of the lips of all United fans at the moment, all hoping he will join soon.
Right Midfielder: Wilfried Zaha
After success with Crystal Palace, all Manchester United fans want to see how we will perform for then. With Antonio Valencia regularly earning a place on the bench, and with Nani and Ashley Young unsure who leads the side on the wings, Zaha could be given the opportunity to shine at the Theatre of Dreams, and if performances are to the same caliber as they were at Palace, then United fans are in for a treat.
Central Midfielder: Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick seemed to be drifting away from the side slightly in 2011, but after the recent season, Carrick will be one of the first players on the starting XI. Carrick has shown he is a versatile player, who can make a pass anywhere on the pitch, but also retain possession when needed. Featuring in the PFA Team of the Year is an incredible feat, and one that Carrick will hope to hold onto next season.
Central Midfielder: Shinji Kagawa
One of Ferguson's new signings, Kagawa wasn't able to feature every week for the side. His size would always be an issue in English football, but now Ferguson has bulked him out, Shinji will be ready for action. His occasional displays of magnificence show his potential already, for example grabbing the hat-trick against Norwich. Not many midfielders can do that, especially in their first season. This year could be Kagawa's year, as long as David Moyes decides to play him.
Central Midfielder: Marouane Fellaini
Despite rumours and links to Arsenal, Fellaini could well be on his way to Old Trafford. A key player under David Moyes at Everton, and with depth needed in the midfield, Fellaini could be the man to do so, using his height and power to control the game in midfield, having a very similar playing approach to many of the United players already. The downfall though, could be his price. Fellaini would cost a lot, and Moyes may not be able to pay that much with his previous purchase of Fellaini at Everton considerably cheaper.
Left Midfielder: Cristiano Ronaldo
This would certainly be the signing of the season, and would certainly show David Moyes is here to stay. Fans across the world want to see the wing wizard return to Manchester again, but this time not in a Real Madrid shirt. With possibilities of Nani leaving, as a possible replacement for Ronaldo in Spain, Cristiano would certainly fit right in the team, leaving defender after defender on his trail down the wing.
Striker: Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie was the star of the show last year, and his hat-trick to secure the league title against Aston Villa was something of another class. Many Manchester United fans fell in love with him the day he joined, and with his form, he should easily get the call-up ahead of the likes of Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck to feature as the dominant striker in red.
Not featured - So yes, there are numerous Manchester United players not considered. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones had a solid season, often filling in for Nemanja Vidic, but are not considered this year, as is Jonny Evans. Nani played many times, but could be off soon, maybe to Real Madrid if other transfers do occur. Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia both lose their place in the strongest line-up for the season, but would still rotate with the players, such as Wilfried Zaha to get the game time needed. The biggest loss of course, is Wayne Rooney. Wayne has been linked with a move away from Manchester a few times, but Ferguson refused to let him go. Now although the club are trying to keep hold of him again, will Moyes decide Rooney is not needed and let him go?
Who will Moyes decide to feature in the Manchester United starting XI for the 2013/2014 campaign?
The Line Up - With David Moyes taking the reins of the champions, it will be interesting to see how a new manager will arrange a team who have been following the same philosophy of football for so many years?
Goalkeeper: David De Gea
David De Gea didn't have a brilliant first season for the club, but has pulled it together recently, improving performances, and become a first team regular. After recent successful appearances, resulting in many clean sheets, De Gea has already been linked as a credible replacement for Iker Casillas and Victor Valdes, in the Spanish national side. As a result of this, De Gea should be able to retain his first team spot for years to come.
Right Back: Rafael Da Silva
Rafael has improved vastly over the recent seasons, and the young full-back had a brilliant campaign back in 2012. Rafael has become known for his attacking performances, but is also learning more about the defensive side of the game, and is adapting very well, meaning he could possibly be a United regular for many seasons.
Centre Back: Rio Ferdinand
Although the English veteran defender is now aging, he has been solid yet again for the Manchester club. After a very successful, and quite frankly shocking season, Rio will be looking to once again feature for the Reds. He will also be able to apply his knowledge into the games of the younger players, meaning his experience could be key to Moyes. His recent signing of a new contract is an exceptional way to start too!
Centre Back: Nemanja Vidic
Nemanja was unlucky to be plagued by injuries last year, but will hope to continue as captain for the team, and lead them to victory again. Surely Vidic will be back hungrier and more determined then ever after seeing Evans, Jones and Smalling fight for his place in the starting XI. The Serb has been a leader on and off the pitch, and will hope to continue this way for the club in the upcoming season.
Left Back: Leighton Baines
Leighton is probably the star most linked to the club. Loved by Sir Alex, and with Moyes now taking over, a transfer for Baines looks likelier than ever. Evra is getting on, and isn't getting any better. Buttner has potential, but not for starting every week. Baines is the name of the lips of all United fans at the moment, all hoping he will join soon.
Right Midfielder: Wilfried Zaha
After success with Crystal Palace, all Manchester United fans want to see how we will perform for then. With Antonio Valencia regularly earning a place on the bench, and with Nani and Ashley Young unsure who leads the side on the wings, Zaha could be given the opportunity to shine at the Theatre of Dreams, and if performances are to the same caliber as they were at Palace, then United fans are in for a treat.
Central Midfielder: Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick seemed to be drifting away from the side slightly in 2011, but after the recent season, Carrick will be one of the first players on the starting XI. Carrick has shown he is a versatile player, who can make a pass anywhere on the pitch, but also retain possession when needed. Featuring in the PFA Team of the Year is an incredible feat, and one that Carrick will hope to hold onto next season.
Central Midfielder: Shinji Kagawa
One of Ferguson's new signings, Kagawa wasn't able to feature every week for the side. His size would always be an issue in English football, but now Ferguson has bulked him out, Shinji will be ready for action. His occasional displays of magnificence show his potential already, for example grabbing the hat-trick against Norwich. Not many midfielders can do that, especially in their first season. This year could be Kagawa's year, as long as David Moyes decides to play him.
Central Midfielder: Marouane Fellaini
Despite rumours and links to Arsenal, Fellaini could well be on his way to Old Trafford. A key player under David Moyes at Everton, and with depth needed in the midfield, Fellaini could be the man to do so, using his height and power to control the game in midfield, having a very similar playing approach to many of the United players already. The downfall though, could be his price. Fellaini would cost a lot, and Moyes may not be able to pay that much with his previous purchase of Fellaini at Everton considerably cheaper.
Left Midfielder: Cristiano Ronaldo
This would certainly be the signing of the season, and would certainly show David Moyes is here to stay. Fans across the world want to see the wing wizard return to Manchester again, but this time not in a Real Madrid shirt. With possibilities of Nani leaving, as a possible replacement for Ronaldo in Spain, Cristiano would certainly fit right in the team, leaving defender after defender on his trail down the wing.
Striker: Robin van Persie
Robin van Persie was the star of the show last year, and his hat-trick to secure the league title against Aston Villa was something of another class. Many Manchester United fans fell in love with him the day he joined, and with his form, he should easily get the call-up ahead of the likes of Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck to feature as the dominant striker in red.
Not featured - So yes, there are numerous Manchester United players not considered. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones had a solid season, often filling in for Nemanja Vidic, but are not considered this year, as is Jonny Evans. Nani played many times, but could be off soon, maybe to Real Madrid if other transfers do occur. Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia both lose their place in the strongest line-up for the season, but would still rotate with the players, such as Wilfried Zaha to get the game time needed. The biggest loss of course, is Wayne Rooney. Wayne has been linked with a move away from Manchester a few times, but Ferguson refused to let him go. Now although the club are trying to keep hold of him again, will Moyes decide Rooney is not needed and let him go?
Who will Moyes decide to feature in the Manchester United starting XI for the 2013/2014 campaign?