Manchester United come into this new season with probably the most momentum and goodwill compared to any in the last few years.
Players have been signed previously too, but the change in ownership and executive structure giving competent messages has fans convinced it’s finally not a false dawn.
There is a core of young players developing together and the sprinkling of some experienced heads with holes in the squad addressed makes it for an exciting opening to the season.
Everything looks positive but amid the wave of optimism, Ben Foster has made a fair comment about what could be United’s biggest concern ahead of the season.
Ben Foster on Man United’s biggest worry
Players are happy, the manager’s future is settled, the plan is in place and actions are being taken to execute it. So, what’s the worry?
It’s a huge intangible that has haunted the United side and its players for the last decade and Foster thinks that’s a question mark players need to answer this season.
Speaking on the podcast, “Fozcast“, Foster said that Man United are the “hardest team to play for” in the world due to the pressure and scrutiny it invites because of its sheer size and following.
He said the club is hedging their bet on young players so it’s effectively a trial by fire for those youngsters who will have to step up and show they can perform under the intense glare.
He said: “I’m not worried about the players’ quality, I think that’s fine. My worry is if they can deal with that expectation, deal with playing for Manchester United.
“That has always been the problem, especially in the last few years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. It’s the toughest team to play for in world football. It is the hardest team to play for in world football because the expectations are so high, the pressure is so much.
“You try and put that pressure on the shoulder of 23/24-year-old lads is a lot to ask. In that Sir Alex Ferguson era you had so many leaders and winners. Football in general has seen those characters watered down but United remain the hardest team to play for in world football”.
A challenge more than a concern
Ben Foster’s comments make complete sense, especially because United have seen countless instances of gifted players arriving through the door but wilting under the pressure.
Not everyone can deal with the pressure of carrying the expectations of billions around the world and that has heightened in the era of social media.
However, the new crop should take this as a challenge to overcome instead of a concern to be bogged down by.
The likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have already shown they possess the ability and swagger to not just handle that pressure, but relish it to empower themselves.
The cultural reset of the dressing room has been a running theme under Erik ten Hag and the current squad looks to have a majority of players who are strong characters first, and world-class footballers second.
A similar thinking has gone into the transfers of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui as well, two players with tremendous pedigree and leadership qualities to add to the current dressing room.
However, unless United see success in major competitions, that intangible concern will hover above the group of players. They can get rid of it by proving it is not longer a worry. Early signs are optimistic.
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