4 Reasons Why Manchester United Can Mount a Credible 2023/24 Title Challenge

The 2022/23 campaign eventually proved a step in the right direction for Manchester United and new boss, Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman brought silverware to Old Trafford with their Carabao Cup triumph at Wembley. They also locked down a third-place Premier League finish to maintain their Champions League status. 

With Red Devils fans getting a taste of success last season, ten Hag and the United hierarchy are under increasing pressure to make inroads on bitter rivals Liverpool and Manchester City and put up a fight for the 2023/24 Premier League trophy. However, it’s fair to say United are still more likely to be hanging onto their coattails, at least if the bookmakers are to be believed. 

In fact, the latest outright markets for Premier League betting show the Red Devils as 12/1 fourth favourites with Betway, ahead of Chelsea (14/1) and cash-rich Newcastle (16/1). However, there are several ways ten Hag’s 23/24 squad can bely those odds and bid for their first domestic title since 2013. 

There are reasons to be bullish about United’s prospects this season. Below, we outline the quartet of positives for fans to weigh up when deciding their own expectations for the campaign. 

Andre Onana could provide a cheaper, long-term replacement for De Gea 

The shock departure of David De Gea has been digested by United fans for some time now. The long-serving Spaniard regularly kept United in big games but equally his £375,000-a-week wage was proving something of a millstone around the club’s neck. His exit gives ten Hag a chance to build a new spine to his team, starting with the arrival of Inter keeper Andre Onana. 

The 27-year-old Cameroonian international won three Dutch Eredivisie titles under ten Hag at Ajax before moving to Inter Milan last summer. He’s a keeper with good stature at 6ft 3” and is good with his feet. He’s also someone ten Hag trusts and signing a five-year contract with the option of a further year is a major vote of confidence in his abilities. 

Rasmus Højlund has the potential to be United’s Haaland equivalent

The next deal United are looking to seal after Onana is the capture of Danish frontman Rasmus Højlund. After coming through the ranks at his native Copenhagen, Højlund moved to Austrian Bundesliga outfit Sturm Graz, averaging a goal every other game in his debut senior season. That form earned him an eight-figure move to Serie A side Atalanta, where he’s also bagged nine goals in 32 appearances. 

Six goals in as many caps for the Danish senior team has also cemented Højlund as one of the highest-rated Scandinavian prospects in football. At an imposing 6ft 3”, there are definite hallmarks of Erling Haaland, as he’s capable of offering a physical presence as well as a goal threat – unlike Wout Weghorst. 

Handing Fernandes the captaincy could take his game to another level

Ten Hag’s decision to remove the captaincy from Harry Maguire will hopefully take the shackles off the former Leicester defender. However, the move to hand Bruno Fernandes the captaincy will hopefully motivate him to take his game to greater heights in 2023/24. United rely heavily on Fernandes for his creative spark and now he is being tasked with leading the team from the front in multiple ways. 

Fernandes taking the captain’s armband also means he’s effectively guaranteed a starting berth, making it harder for the likes of Christian Eriksen and Fred to nail down a place in the lineup. 

Mason Mount brings greater midfield versatility 

Mason Mount’s £55m switch to Old Trafford from boyhood club Chelsea certainly raised a few eyebrows. Mount played a key role in the Blues’ 2020/21 Champions League triumph under Thomas Tuchel and although he hadn’t reached those heights in subsequent seasons, he was still a major player at Stamford Bridge. Ten Hag confirmed United fought off competition from a string of clubs to get his signature. 

Mount’s arrival gives ten Hag greater flexibility both in terms of the make-up of his midfield and in-game tactics. Mount can be used as a forward-thinking substitute to replace Casemiro when they need to chase the game and even off the number nine as a high-pressing, high-energy number ten. He’s certainly a more dynamic presence than Christian Eriksen, which should help knit the backline and frontline together.

Restoring United to their former glories is akin to turning an oil tanker. Ten Hag has taken steps in the right direction and this year should be another season of progression rather than regression.