Two Teams We Can't Wait To Manage on FIFA 23

The European football season drawing to a close also brings with it the end of a FIFA video game's lifespan. Right now, it's FIFA 22 that is winding down, enjoying its last few months as the number one sports simulation on the market. Soon it will be replaced by FIFA 23, and excitement has already reached a fever pitch, even though the game won't be released until the end of September. And the game will be monumental for a number of reasons.

 

Firstly, the upcoming sporting spectacular will be the last EA Sports video game to be titled with the name "FIFA," and that's because the Canadian company has chosen not to renew its licensing agreement with World Football's governing body. From September 2023 onwards, the games will be known as EA Sports FC. Another reason why anticipation is at an all-time high for the next installment in the series is the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which gets underway in November. 

There are a wealth of exciting teams you can lead to glory from September onward, from the top to the bottom of the footballing pyramid. Whether it's a side such as the all-conquering Manchester City, with new signing Erling Braut Haaland brought in to aid their search of a maiden UEFA Champions League crown. Or perhaps Nottingham Forest? Recently promoted to the English Premier League for the first time in over 20 years, can you lead them to top-flight survival? Those two don't quite make our list of must-manage clubs in FIFA 23, but let's take a look at two that do.
 

FC Barcelona 

Xavi's Barcelona revolution is well underway, and following on from his great work is an exciting prospect. Superstars Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and returning hero Dani Alves all joined the Catalan giants back in January, as the Blaugrana threatened to make a late charge for the La Liga title. Ultimately, they were pipped to the prize by Real Madrid, but with youngsters such as Pedri, Gavi, Ansu Fati, and Nico González, overthrowing your arch-rivals should be the number one priority for the 2022/23 campaign. 

 

An obstacle you will need to manage during your time in Catalonia will be Barça's horrific finances. As of last summer, the club were in debt by as much as €1.35 bn, and reducing those arrears also has to be high up on your order of business. Somehow, despite those crippling losses, Robert Lewandowski, scorer of 447 Bundesliga goals for both Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, could be on his way to the Camp Nou after announcing his intention to leave Bavaria. Despite being almost 34 years old, Poland's captain could be the one to lead you back to glory. 
 

Manchester United 

Another club in dire need of a rebuild is Manchester United. The Old Trafford-based club is the most successful in English Premier League history, but they haven't won the league since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson, whose tenure ended almost ten years ago. In fact, they haven't even won a trophy since José Mourinho led them to a treble of sorts, lifting the Europa League, the EFL Cup, and the Community Shield back in 2016/17. But five years without a trophy is not something the home faithful expect, and they will be expecting you to lift some kind of silverware before the season is out.

 

If you are to win a trophy, however, you will need to do so without the services of Edinson Cavani, Lee Grant, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, and Paul Pogba, all of whom have been released upon the expiry of their contracts. 

Luckily, though, you will have a difference-maker that goes by the name of Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite being 37, he still managed to bag an impressive 24 goals in 37 Premier League and Champions League games last season, and he will once again be your main man next term.