Manchester United: Predicting United's 6 Key Players for 2011-12 Season

After a deserved title last year, Manchester United will enter next season as favourites but with very strong competition and no guarantee of a repeat title.

Players such as Nemanja Vidic and Javier Hernandez played instrumental roles in the previous campaign but which players do we believe will have the most significance for next season?

Here's the six I think will be most important to Sir Alex Ferguson's plans.

Nemanja Vidic

Captain, ever-present and rock at the back.

With Rio Ferdinand's body resembling a crumbling building rather than a toned athlete over the past couple of years, Vidic's presence has been critical alongside young, inexperienced central defensive partners.

The signing of Phil Jones adds yet more depth to United's defence but regardless of Ferdinand's health, Vidic will be key again next year. 

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney had a turbulent 2010 but his role to United's attacking system can't be understated.

In playing off the front striker Rooney becomes the true link-up man and the most critical cog in the offensive machine.

When he struggled last year Javier Hernandez's break-out form was able to keep United afloat in front of goal but Rooney will need to be consistently sublime, especially in big games against strike partnerships such as Carroll/Suarez at Liverpool and Drogba/Torres, who'll surely be back to somewhere near his best at Chelsea. 

Javier Hernandez

His poacher's presence and finishing prowess meant he was an instant hit at Old Trafford lat year: in fact his form and partnership with Rooney kept the Golden Boot front-runner Dimitar Berbatov off the pitch.

Hernandez will need to keep his scoring rate up to take the pressure off others in the United team.

Ashley Young

Despite being much improved last year, Nani still lacks the consistency required as an 'X-Factor' on the wing.

With the Portuguese being used possibly as a make-weight in a deal for Wesley Sneijder, even more impotence in on Young to step up as a new addition and sparkle on the flank.

With Ji Sung Park and Antonio Valencia criticised on occasion for their lack of attacking threat, an in-form Young providing a spark and delivery for the front two could be an irresistible force.

David De Gea

For me the most under-appreciated position in football, without a good goalkeeper you won't win the title.

Over the past few years both Arsenal and Tottenham have had first-hand experiences of how an unreliable pair of hands can cost you and Sir Alex Ferguson himself has seen what a deterrent it can be when he called the likes of Masimo Taibi and Mark Bosnich his No. 1.

De Gea is young and inexperienced and is a bit of a gamble, with no absolute backup in place if the Spaniard struggles United can kiss goodbye their chances of retaining their title. 

A Central Midfielder to Be Named Later

With Paul Scholes retired, Anderson inexperienced and injury-prone, Michael Carrick still not being totally trusted and Ryan Giggs facing a battle against age and off-field turmoil it's an unforeseeable future in the centre of midfield at Old Trafford.

With the Wesley Sneijder transfer saga changing day by day and Samir Nasri's Arsenal future remaining an unknown mystery of the universe United need to bring in a central figure to complete their lineup for next year.