Who Is United's Strongest Player?

It's a question every fan would have an opinion on: Who is the strongest player in the Manchester United squad?

It’s also a debate that has prompted plenty of responses among Reds supporters since Memphis Depay was pictured training with his new club, displaying an undeniably impressive physique that has inspired many of his team-mates to describe him as “the tank” and “a beast”.

Antonio Valencia bulked up to cope with the demands of the Premier League while playing for Wigan Athletic and the Ecuadorian powerhouse is also known for his capabilities in the gym.

Of course, Wayne Rooney has a natural strength that has allowed him to out-muscle top-flight defenders since he was 16. Phil Jones also wields raw power in defence and you would hardly mess with the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin or Michael Carrick.

However, when we pitched this topic to Luke Shaw, no stranger to the gym himself, the left-back pointed in the direction of another of his hulking United team-mates.

“There is one who I would say – he is in the gym every morning and afternoon – and that’s Tyler Blackett,” said Shaw. “He’s the one that springs to mind. We don’t tend to do gym work together, it’s more an individual thing as we have our own programmes, but I’d say him from what I’ve seen.”

When we put this view to Blackett, the young defender was pleased to be nominated and remained confident he is the strongest Red. "I would say so, yeah," he said. "I do try to give my best in the gym and I am trying to get stronger each and every day. I do work hard and I try to push myself in every way possible.

"Being a central defender, you have to be strong and you come up against all different kinds of opponents. They are big, small, fast, so you have to be ready for a mix of everything.

"It has helped me step up from youth football. You have got to try to adapt physically to each game. Once you have grown up, you are playing against physical players and you have to be ready for them."

Although Tyler backed himself with the weights, he did concede he has rivals for the crown of strongest player. "There are a couple. Antonio Valencia has obviously got a very good physical shape. Memphis is now here and he is quite big, so we have quite a few strong lads in the squad."

Ashley Young has also joined the debate and the winger put forward two names. "I was going to say Memphis. He was getting changed the other day and his legs are massive – it was like seeing Roberto Carlos again! It could well be him, but Tyler is in the gym every day so it could also be him."