Wanted to post this as a self post but this is an appropriate thread too, so here it goes.

Will our missed opportunities cost us?

First:

We were in the race to sign de Bruyne

We allegedly met with Pep

There was a possibility to sign Mane

We failed to sign Kante

I didn't include players like Sanches, Thiago, Fabinho and similar because they aren't (currently) playing in the PL. I could've included Fabregas, Firmino and Otamendi, but I don't think they would've had a significant impact on our team.

We don't have world class players in the team, except De Gea. Rooney and Ibra are past it (great players but they aren't really game changers anymore).

Schweinsteiger was excommunicated from the team, Young and Carrick are just rotation players now, Valencia is still really good but isn't world class, not even close (because of his lack of defending abilities).

We've got a lot of potential stars: Pogba, Martial, Rashford, Shaw, Bailly. The problem with them is that they aren't consistent, and that's normal, they are still young and developing. Then we have some good players that need time to show if they have wc potential or are they going to be just squad players: Memphis, Mensah and Tuanzebe. I love that we have so many talented players, but we can't rely on them in big games, they don't have the mental strength to handle the pressure yet.

Next, we have Mkhitaryan and Darmian. Players who should be good but still haven't adapted completely (ok, Mkhy is still new and needs time but he's almost 28, doesn't have many years left on the top level).

Some consistent, good players but not the type of stars that could change the dynamics of the game are Smalling and Mata. Then there are some squad players: Herrera, Fellaini, Blind; they are similar to Mata and Smalling in terms of quality and impact but not as much consistent.

The last group are players which aren't bad nor good and they can't be relied on in important games, although they are fine rotation options in less relevant games: Rojo, Jones, Schneiderlin, Lingard.

If you take a look at our main rivals, they have at least 3 world class players (except Pool):

Arsenal - Čech, Özil, Sánchez (and some great, young players in Xhaka, Bellerin and Oxlade-Chamberlain; but not world class, though)

Chelsea - Courtois, Hazard, Willian, Costa (some great players too: Fabregas, Kante, Matić, Zouma, Azpi)

Liverpool - no wc players but a lot of great, fitting players for their system: Coutinho, Clyne, Henderson, Lallana, Milner, Firmino, Mane (and Sturridge when fit)

Tottenham - Lloris, Alderweireld, Kane (lots of great players too: Lamela, Son, Dembélé, Rose; also like Liverpool, fitting for their system, probably wouldn't be so good on a individual level)

City - Kompany, Silva, de Bruyne, Agüero (and great players in: Bravo, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Gündoğan, Nolito; plus a lot of talent in: Iheanacho, Sterling, Sané, Stones and Gabriel Jesus)

My point: we don't have a better squad than those teams, bar Liverpool and Tottenham, but they have fitting players for their systems and that looks good, something like Atletico M. who doesn't have as many stars as Barcelona or Real but fits the needs of Simeone's style of play and it works for them.

We shouldn't be judging yet because we are still 5 game weeks in, but you can't deny that all of those teams adapted better than we did (although we had some amazing moments too). Our problem is that we aren't playing constantly good, players aren't supporting each other on the pitch and we don't look fluid because of that. In the end, we don't have a wide range of great players to choose from and if our main guys underperform, we can't do much to change it unless someone produces a wonder (like Rashford against Hull). We lack creativity too which allows other teams to park the bus and wait (Hull, Feyenoord), probably because we don't have a world class playmaker/number 10 to unlock them and I don't think James will fix that (which is suggested by various portals and such).

The last one isn't a mistake per se but we missed on Pep and got Mourinho. Don't get me wrong, I love Mourinho and he's a great manager but everyone said he is done and that the Chelsea job ruined him after being wounded from the Madrid stint. I didn't notice it then but Pep does seem to be more prepared and motivated (this was hard to write). I still hope Jose will come out good and beat the haters and doubters.

So please, let's have a discussion about our team and expectations this season. Criticise my way of thinking freely, I know I have a lot of flaws in my arguments. The last three years got to me and this season gave me a glimmer of hope then crushed it all in the last two games. I've been a fan for almost 14 years now and United was the only joy I've had in my life, I have nothing else so I tend to be a bit emotional, sorry.

Thank you for your time!