Who is flying? And how is the season going so far?

Which player is flying?: Matthijs de Ligt has played every single minute of the Premier League campaign and with good reason. Still only 26, De Ligt boasts all the right credentials to become Manchester United’s next captain.

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Which player is floundering?: Diogo Dalot. Ruben Amorim is a big fan of his work ethic and leadership, as were his predecessors. However, he is at the heart of United’s problems far too often and there is not an obvious spot for him in this system.

Tactically I think we… are unquestionably growing into Amorim’s vision, helped by a positive summer transfer window. A 3-4-3 on the face of it actually becomes multiple formations during games, which is an encouraging sign. Better-suited midfielders are desperately needed to increase United’s level further.

I want my manager to give me more of… Kobbie Mainoo. It’s a difficult one. He’s behind Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro in a one-game-a-week schedule. But there are no reasons why Manuel Ugarte should have received more than double the minutes. Mainoo is objectively a more talented player and United currently risk losing him.

Our fans seem obsessed with… overreacting to every result. United win a match? Title challenge! A loss, or even a draw? Crisis! This fanbase is emotional, which tends to add to the turbulent environment.

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But they should be thinking about… the magnitude of the mission. It has been a tough 12 years so you cannot blame some impatience. However, it is easy to appreciate the signs of improvement when you process how bad things were previously.

My expectations for the season were… to finish around sixth to eighth, and that is where we are. So… inconsistent, yet improved, as expected?

Score for the season so far: 6/10. The Grimsby defeat was United’s worst of the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, but the win at Liverpool was one of the better memories. Amorim’s signings have settled well, particularly Bryan Mbeumo and Senne Lammens, and there are signs of progress.

One sentence on how you’re feeling right now: Cautiously optimistic for the winter period… until Afcon in mid-December.

Find more from Alex Turk at Turk Talks FC