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.
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.
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.
