I think you're falling into the trap of underestimating the players because they're being managed poorly.
It's not luck that we wanted Pogba and Sanchez and Fred but they'd all been poor while our signings have been exceptional. We aren't dodging bullets, you're just seeing great players go into a bad environment, with little individual coaching, no real style of play, and a dressing room with zero morale, while on the other side of town, great players are going into a great environment, happy dressing room and receiving great coaching.
Pogba in form from Juventus or France alongside Fred and Matic would be a midfield worthy of a title contender. Lukaku, Sanchez, Martial in form is the same as a front line. The goalkeeper is obviously good enough.
So you have the defence, where Luke Shaw seems to be coming out of hibernation finally, Diogo Dalot looks good and had a big reputation as a potential future star for a reason, and Bailly is fine when he's not injured. Lindelof was a massive prospect before Mourinho ruined him and when he plays for Sweden even after barely playing for United he looks like he could be useful.
They probably need another 2 fullbacks and a CB and they'd be at worst guaranteed top 4 and playing some decent football.
It's 90% in the manager.
Let's look at Uniteds sqaud:
De Gea - World class.
Romero - Okay as a Backup.
Grant - Okay as a 3rd keeper.
Darmian - Not good enough
Dallot - Youngster
Valencia - Too old
Bailly - Flashes of quality and might be okay with a top centre back as a partner
Lindelof - Would suffice as a backup
Jones - Not good enough
Smalling - Not good enough
Rojo - Not good good enough
Shaw - Could work out as a good player in future
Young - Too old
Pogba - Fantastic player but a terrible attitude, pep would have sold him in mourinhos position
Fred - New signing who needs time
Herrera - Okay as a backup
Fellaini - Might get away with being a backup under a new manager, depending on his playstyle
Mata - Regressed massively under Mourinho, might be okay as a backup
Matic - Getting older will need to be replaced soon
McTominay - Youngster
Pereria - Youngster
Sanchez - Good player but hasn't been at his peak for a long while
Martial - Could do well under good management
Lingard - okay as a backup
Lukaku - Might do well under new management
Rashford - Not progressing enough
I count about 6 players who need replacing there.
1 World class centre back and another solid centre back. 2 new full backs. A Right winger and probably a new striker to be a backup for Lukaku
I'd be amazed if that doesn't cost at least £250m
