VAN GAAL'S SIGNINGS SHOW FAITH IN SYSTEM OVER VIRTUOSOS

Manchester have pressed on heavily in the summer transfer market with a lot of chopping and changing at Old Trafford. Some big name individuals have been offloaded and there are plenty of new faces around but will this improve on last season's fourth-placed finish?

D. Ray Morton, 27th July 2015.

Louis Van Gaal, soaked in beer, will be reunited with Bastian Schweinsteiger for the new season both hoping for more trophies and celebration

With Ed Woodword behind the scenes at Old Trafford scanning lists of Louis Van Gaal's recommended targets, it's all-change at the Theatre of Dreams. Typically, finishing fourth in the Premier League would not be any Manchester United fan's dream, so expectations need to rise for the coming season. Established stars have left opening up some salary space and the marketing revenue keeps coming in. This gives United an unusually strong platform to build off despite not competing in last season's Champions League.

Van Gaal has managerial credibility, something David Moyes did not. His oft-mentioned "philosophy" is being carried out and this involves major restructuring of a squad. It needs to be streamlined and certain, more individualistic, players must go. Everything must fit the part in a Van Gaal team. Nani and Robin Van Persie are gone. At their best for United, they could be match winners. Angel Di Maria is close to a Parisian switch. David De Gea could still go to Real Madrid in a saga that might get to deadline day of this transfer window. Chicarito's future hangs in the balance with him being deemed surplus to requirements last campaign.

Angel Di Maria's Manchester United struggle looks to be coming to a close with a move to Paris St. Germain soon to be completed
 

Confirmed acquisitions are Memphis Depay, Morgan Scheiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Matteo Darmian and just lately, goalkeeper Sergio Romero. Barcelona's Pedro has been heavily linked. These signings, with the possible exception of potential superstar, Depay, are all very systematic players. Their two central midfielders beginning with "Sch" are known for their sturdy positional sense. Matteo Darmian is an unusually disciplined modern full-back known for defensive work rather than acting as an auxiliary winger. Romero is, well, a goalkeeper.

Memphis Depay is certainly the flashiest of United's signings so far but can he step up from the mediocrity of the Dutch league
 

Out with the unpredictable and in with the predictable. Romero, if he is indeed, United's No. 1 next season, has big shoes to fill. His YouTube blooper reel is not very encouraging and may remind some fans of Victor Valdes' unconvincing cameos last season. Nani, Di Maria and Van Persie were (and maybe still are) players who could change a match in an instant. That ship has sailed now. What we will see once we get a few matches deep should be a very different animal indeed.

Thinking United supporters will have doubts unless they are still in the belief that Van Gaal's philosophy is gospel. The second season is always a test of a manager's true ability and despite his trophy-laden history, swords will be out if they do not look like putting on a title challenge. With over €200m spent, it is time to move to the next level.

SOCCERSTASH PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM OF THE SEASON

D. Ray Morton, 23rd April 2014.

Goalkeeper: David De Gea (Manchester United)

In what was a disastrous season for the Red Devils, goalkeeper David De Gea stood out amongst David Moyes' underachievers. The Spanish goalkeeper has enjoyed solid form throughout the campaign and has eliminated mistakes from his game that haunted him on occasions last season. Such is Spain's strength in depth in the goalkeeping department, De Gea might not make the World Cup squad despite the long-term injury to Barcelona stopper, Victor Valdés. He will have to compete with Real Madrid duo Iker Casillas, Diego López and Napoli's Pepe Reina for a place.

Right-back: Séamus Coleman (Everton)

Irish international Séamus Coleman has been the stand-out right-back in this season's Premier League. The 25 year-old from Killybegs has helped Roberto Martínez' Everton in their quest to become genuine Champions League qualification contenders with his direct running, endless stamina and constant overlaps down the right side. Coleman might even be good enough to earn a move to one of the bigger clubs though he would probably be wise to stay put seeing as he's excelling in his current role.

Centre-backs

John Terry (Chelsea)

John Terry has enjoyed something of a revival this year after struggling the year before giving many the impression that his best days as a player were behind him. Under José Mourinho, however, Terry has enjoyed a storming campaign forming a mean defensive partnership with England international, Gary Cahill. Retired from international football so he can recover fully come summer, Terry might well have another season or two left in him performing at the very highest level.

Martin Škrtel (Liverpool)

Maybe a surprise selection for some (the aforementioned Cahill or Manchester City's Vincent Kompany would be popular picks), we decided to put Slovakian defender Martin Škrtel in this XI because of his vital contribution to Liverpool's title charge thanks to his seven league goals. 2013/14 wasn't exactly the year of the centre-back with many high-scoring results, so Škrtel's inclusion here is as logical as anyone else's.

Martin Škrtel, our surprise inclusion perhaps

 Left-back: César Azpilicueta (Chelsea)

César Azpilicueta has been a revelation for Chelsea this season. Favoured by José Mourinho at left-back over Ashley Cole throughout the campaign, the 24 year-old Spaniard has done very well to dislodge a player who many considered to be one of the best left-backs of the past decade. Azpilicueta covers ground very well, can defend and doesn't look uncomfortable out on the left despite being naturally right-footed. An honourable mention in this position goes to Southampton's Luke Shaw who may very well steal poor, bearded Ashley's World Cup plane ticket.

Deep-lying midfield playmaker: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

With that subheading, it could only be Steven Gerrard. Brendan Rodgers has totally altered the former attacking midfielder's playing style so that he now takes the role of an American Football-style quarterback, sitting in front of his defence picking out long passes and dictating the tempo from deep. It is a remarkable turnaround for a player who appeared to be falling into decline before Rodgers' arrival on Merseyside. Gerrard has been colossal for Liverpool and may finally get rewarded with that precious first Premier League winners' medal that has eluded his otherwise glittering trophy cabinet.

Advanced midfielders

Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)

Though Aaron Ramsey has missed a good chunk of the season with a thigh injury, the statistics for when he does play don't lie. Arsenal have been a far, far better team when the Welshman is available for selection. His goals and assists have been a joy to watch (9 goals and 8 assists in 18 starts) and now he's truly overtaken Jack Wilshere as Arsenal's great home-grown hope. His recent goal against Hull City was simply staggering. Receiving the ball with a Cruyff-like turn, he advances in possession, picks out a team mate and makes a beeline towards the opposition's penalty area where he finds himself in the perfect position to score. A pure footballing goal of the season candidate for sure.

David Silva (Manchester City)

The diminutive Spaniard's inclusion in this season's team of the year might not be everyone's cup of tea. Indeed, many people would opt for his giant marauding team mate, Yaya Touré, but despite Manchester City's late league challenge capitulation, David Silva has been immense. In 24 games, he has 7 goals, 9 assists, a pass completion rate of 88% and 3 man of the match awards to his name. Silva has been subtly awesome and deserves a place in the Spanish starting XI during the World Cup. Unfortunately however, playing outside of Spain's Liga BBVA, he's more likely to find himself warming the bench as a squad member.

Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

The Belgian winger has really found his feet this season and has started to look like the world class player Chelsea were supposed to have purchased in the summer of 2012. Hazard's first season was decent, though not awe-inspiring. This year, however, José Mourinho has really gotten the best out of him and in order to do so, he had to do away with one of their key players in Juan Mata who was shipped off to Manchester United in January. Hazard has all the attributes to be a modern great. He has strength, mental composure and the ability to move at pace with the ball seemingly stuck to his feet. If Chelsea's title push hadn't fallen apart (still mathematically possible, I know), Hazard wouldn't just be on this team, he'd probably be named player of the season.

Strikers

Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)

Sturridge gets into this team by default because his Liverpool strike partnership with Luis Suárez has been simply devastating. The 24 year-old England international has scored 20 times in 24 starts and has also chipped in with 7 assists. The fluidity of his dribbling is notable. He often gets the better of defenders when it doesn't look like he has anywhere to go and he must surely be Roy Hodgson's No. 1 choice striker with Wayne Rooney's recent slump in form. Manchester City's Sergio Agüero came very close to taking his spot here but we've opted for Sturridge because he's played that little bit more and is likely to win the title. Statistically, the Argentine has been more lethal but he needs to keep those dodgy hamstrings in check.

Luis Suárez (Liverpool)

The most obvious name on the team sheet. Suárez hasn't just been great this season, he's been a monster! The stats spell it out: 30 games, 30 goals, 12 assists and a mind-blowing 14 man of the match awards. Not only is this the Uruguayan's best ever season, it might be anyone's best ever season in the modern Premier League era. Such scoring feats haven't been seen since the days of Dixie Dean in the pre-war years when football was effectively a different sport. Securing the league title, finishing as EPL top goalscorer and player of the year is more than enough incentive for Suárez to stay and continue building this project despite the flirtatious gaze of Real Madrid.

You can find our Premier League WORST TEAM OF THE SEASON here