Manchester United 2022/23 season preview: How to watch, summer transfers & league prediction
By Sean Walsh
Manchester United are heading into a season with a new manager for the first time since 2016, and there are plenty of reasons for fans to be optimistic (even if only cautiously).
The Red Devils are coming off the back of their worst ever Premier League season, but with Erik ten Hag at the helm and a clearer vision in place, United's long term future looks stable at the very least.
Teams around them have significantly strengthened in the transfer market and this could yet be a transitional year at Old Trafford, but the building blocks are in place for a sustainable project.
Here's 90min's preview of United's season.
How to watch Man Utd on TV
- Manchester United fixtures & results: 2022/23 season
- Premier League fixtures & results: 2022/23 season
- How to watch Premier League fixtures on TV
Man Utd summer transfers
While a deal to bring in priority target Frenkie de Jong is continuing to drag on, United have at least made some other shrewd moves this window.
Tyrell Malacia is a great prospect at left-back, while bringing in an experienced and (positively) influential figure like Christian Eriksen felt like a no-brainer. Lisandro Martinez has also signed from Ajax.
Cristiano Ronaldo is continuing to search for an exit, but he is extremely short of suitors right now.
Ins:
- Tyrell Malacia (£13m, from Feyenoord)
- Christian Eriksen (Free, from Brentford)
- Lisandro Martinez (£49m, from Ajax)
Outs:
- Lee Grant (Retired)
- Edinson Cavani (Released)
- Jesse Lingard (Free, to Nottingham Forest)
- Juan Mata (Released)
- Nemanja Matic (Free, to Roma)
- Paul Pogba (Free, to Juventus)
- Dylan Levitt (Undisclosed, to Dundee United)
- Andreas Pereira (£10m, to Fulham)
- Dean Henderson (Loan, to Nottingham Forest)
Man Utd squad numbers 2022/23
Ten Hag has confirmed that Harry Maguire will remain club captain ahead of the new season.
Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window
1) David de Gea
2) Victor Lindelof
3) Eric Bailly
4) Phil Jones
5) Harry Maguire (C)
6) Lisandro Martinez
7) Cristiano Ronaldo
8) Bruno Fernandes
9) Anthony Martial
10) Marcus Rashford
12) Tyrell Malacia
14) Christian Eriksen
16) Amad Diallo
17) Fred
19) Raphael Varane
20) Diogo Dalot
22) Tom Heaton
23) Luke Shaw
25) Jadon Sancho
27) Alex Telles
28) Facuno Pellistri
29) Aaron Wan-Bissaka
33) Brandon Williams
34) Donny van de Beek
36) Anthony Elanga
37) James Garner
38) Axel Tuanzebe
39) Scott McTominay
43) Teden Mengi
44) Tahith Chong
46) Hannibal
47) Shola Shoretire
75) Alejandro Garnacho
Man Utd key players 2022/23
Star player
After a disappointing campaign by his own lofty standards, Bruno Fernandes will be looking to re-establish himself as one of the Premier League's best players this year.
An astute tactician in the dugout and competition in the form of Christian Eriksen should help him recapture the form that saw him become an instant fan favourite at Old Trafford.
One to watch
Even if United get De Jong through the doors this summer, they're still in need of a more physical defensive midfielder (let's stop pretending Scott McTominay is that).
This is a real chance for James Garner to prove his worth after an outstanding season on loan at Nottingham Forest. Ten Hag isn't shy to give youth a chance and if he can't get a tune out of his other deep-lying midfielders quickly, then the 21-year-old could find himself in the lineup.
Man Utd kits 2022/23
Home kit
Away kit
Third kit
United have not yet unveiled their new third kit, though leaks suggest it will be neon green with black trim similar to the design of the away strip.
Man Utd Premier League prediction
United's biggest problem this season is that the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal have made significant summer signings on top of already having settled teams.
Their best hope of returning to the Champions League could be via winning the Europa League - they've reached at least the semi-finals on their last three forays into the competition - but domestically, this is largely a season for rebuilding.