Van Gaal’s busy summer reviewed

By Mark Young

Back on May 20, before Louis van Gaal finished third at the World Cup and before the likes of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao rocked up at Old Trafford, Mark Young wrote an article outlining what the Dutchman needed to do during the summer. It can be read here. Today’s article returns to those pointers, and assesses whether the five things highlighted were looked at. With silly season gone and the hard work underway, has LVG started on the right foot and is it the beginning of a successful period at the Theatre of Dreams?

Transfers

It was quite clear for everyone involved that United needed new players in if they were going to compete for top four, let alone the title. The summer started well with Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera coming in to the club but the next month or so would be quiet, leaving many thinking Louis van Gaal would panic buy.

As mentioned in the original article, squad numbers five, seven, nine and 11 were all vacant. Number 11 was taken by Adnan Januzaj with the other three soon to be filled. The number five was filled by Marcos Rojo as he signed from Sporting Lisbon, but the profile and undoubted quality of the new number seven and number nine were to send Red Devil’s pulses racing.

Over £60 million was spent on Angel Di Maria and the Argentinian was subsequently handed the iconic number seven. At the time, he was seen as a panic purchase but ever since his home debut against QPR, he has sparkled. He provides exactly the pace and invention the lacklustre Reds required.

There needs to be someone to finish off chances and that came in the final hours of deadline day. Current hitmen Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie were joined by Radamel Falcao, a transfer that didn’t look like happening even as the deadline approached. Falcao on his day is the best striker on the planet so this original loan deal could prove quite a coup for United as El Tigre pulls on his number nine shirt.

Most of Van Gaal’s signings have hit the ground running, but the question remains as to why the Dutchman didn’t sign a top class centre half. There may be something afoot in January but for now, the defence looks the weakest part of the team.

Dead Wood

Van Gaal started the club’s tour of the United States by saying that every player would get their chance to impress. At this point, Vidic, Ferdinand and Evra had left and everyone was ready to try and impress the new boss.

Out of the players mentioned in the first article, Cleverley, Nani, Buttner and Hernandez have all moved on. The signing of Falcao forced Welbeck to move to Arsenal and lack of opportunities meant Shinji Kagawa moved back to Borussia Dortmund. Probably not for the want of trying, Anderson has managed to hold on to his shirt at United and Wilfried Zaha is getting football at Crystal Palace.

One of the players who made an impression with LVG early doors was Ashley Young. He impressed at wingback in America but after a poor start to the season, the winger is once again on the outside looking in.

The dead wood movement will continue to be a slow process but the signs are good and decisions have been made quickly and firmly to build Van Gaal’s squad.

Tap Into potential

United started the season with three centre backs – Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Johnny Evans. Their potential is still to be realised and early season injuries mean that they still haven’t had a chance to spread their wings, but the feeling is that the opportunity will arise for at least one of them.

As mentioned Zaha is now out on loan and Januzaj has been handed the number 11 shirt. This is quite something for a player so young, but it’s a sign that he is in future plans.

It is the more unknown players that have had, and taken, their opportunities under the new boss. Tyler Blackett lost his place through suspension and he was replaced by Paddy McNair who has also started well. Local lad Jesse Lingard started the first day of the season and despite a hefty price tag, Luke Shaw has a lot to give.

The beginning of the Van Gaal reign looks likely to profit from the youth set up and that includes James Wilson, who is down as the fourth choice striker in the United squad, learning from Rooney, Van Persie and Falcao. There are worse people to learn from in his position that’s for sure.

Walk In with a swagger

As stated originally, this writer believed that Van Gaal had to arrive at Old Trafford and make an early impression. The aura surrounding LVG sparkled in the summer, as he led a little-fancied Holland team into third place at the World Cup, smashing Spain 5-1 in the process. This performance meant he gained automatic respect from people who didn’t know his history, and with that he did walk in with a confident swagger and a cautious optimism.

This optimism seemed bullish and silly a couple of weeks ago but with injuries clearing up and a smashing array of attacking talent, the swagger is set to continue. Van Gaal’s confidence in his own decision-making was further highlighted as he named Wayne Rooney as captain, and despite a silly red card against West Ham, the gaffer’s faith seems well placed as the former Everton striker and soon to be England record-breaker has been leading from the front. Robin van Persie, Van Gaal’s captain of the Dutch squad, was the obvious choice with Rooney being seen as a huge curve ball.

Get Old Trafford Rocking

Turning Old Trafford back into the Theatre of Dreams has been tough this season but recent signs suggest that is back on track. Losing 2-1 to Swansea was a shocking start to the season but QPR, West Ham and Everton have visited since with eight goals scored and only two conceded.

The crowd are noisy and cheering on the new recruits with Di Maria and Falcao lighting up Old Trafford along with Ander Herrera. Rooney and Van Persie have also helped and David De Gea was the headline grabber last weekend with a match winning performance.

A 2-1 win over Everton where United ground out a second result on the bounce was cheered from the rooftops as United’s Spanish number one’s name was up in lights.

Baby steps indeed but the team are taking games by the scruff of the neck and goals are always in full flow, whether for or against United under Van Gaal. At this moment in time, Old Trafford is certainly rocking.

The five point summer plan has certainly been followed to some extent by Van Gaal, but the most accurate of points made from that article almost five months ago was the sign off line where I stated, “Hold tight folks, the Dutch master class is going to be fun”. This heart-stopping rollercoaster is certainly that, so keep on holding the rails, as business is about to pick up.

Did Louis van Gaal make the right signings over summer? Do United have the quality to win back the title, or even finish top four? Who should the Dutchman look to bring in during the January transfer window?

Read more from Mark Young here!

@markyoung1988