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How times change. By the end of the 2013-14 season, most United fans were staring at a bleak future. While some were frustrated with David Moyes, the others were infuriated at the Glazers’ lack of investment on transfers.
Now, however, it is a great time to be a Manchester United fan. After a year in the abyss of mediocrity – more infamously known as Moyesocrity – they now find themselves in a position of more optimism than they did during the time of even Sir Alex Ferguson.
With the arrival of Louis van Gaal, heavy investment has happened and just a year after having the most disappointing season in recent history with the weakest they had ever had, the Red Devils’ current team is almost enviable.
A fortune was spent in the last transfer window and the Dutchman hasn’t stopped there as Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin and the very experienced Bastian Schweinsteiger have been bought to boost their chances of winning the Premiership.
The influx of these players shows the intent of Louis van Gaal – he is here to take the team back on top.
Depay slated for big things
Memphis Depay was the first signing of the summer. It can be concluded from the 2014 World Cup that the former Bayern Munich manager is a big fan of the youngster and he has his reasons.
He scored 28 goals in 40 league games last season – an astonishing stat given that he is just 21 years old. Some might argue that it was in the Dutch league shouldn’t be given much importance, but this is a league that created great players like Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and many others.
As of now, United have no true number 9 at the club. Wayne Rooney hasn’t played there for so long that classing him as one wouldn’t be justifiable.
With Memphis Depay on board, the former Barcelona manager has someone who he can rely on to score many goals. His pace, dribbling and finishing style are very similar to a certain Red Devil icon named Cristiano Ronaldo. And like Cristiano, Memphis plays best when he is allowed to cut in from the left-wing.
With Wayne Rooney in a support role, Memphis can have the time of his life as Wayne Rooney can effectively create space and feed him balls there – just like how Karim Benzema does for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Darmian: special player
Then comes Matteo Darmian. When there is a tug of war between the most successful and best club in Italy and the most successful club in England, one knows that the player in question is special. The Italian is a big talent and was the best right sided defender in Serie A last season playing as a wing-back in Torino’s 3-5-2 formation.
Since the departure of Gary Neville, no-one has really made the right-back position his own. While a lot was expected from Rafael when he was signed, he hasn’t lived up to what was expected of him and it was time for someone else to be given a chance.
The Italian is not only an upgrade to the Brazilian; he is also a lot more versatile. He can play anywhere in defense and midfield, but it will be at right-back where he will get his chances. His biggest strength is his tackling – he is an astute tackler and once he makes an effort, he is most likely to end up with the ball at his feet.
Many players in Serie A tried and failed to get past him last season. He was like a rock at the right-side and the same will be the case at United. His attacking skills, however, need to honed as his execution in the attacking half leaves a lot to be desired. And van Gaal is the perfect man to make this happen.
Abundance of talent
Not so long ago, Manchester United fans craved for a world class midfielder. And they signed two on the same day in the form of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin.
None of them can be classified as ‘defensive’ midfielders, but both of them can be labeled as complete players.
The Frenchman will add much-needed diversity from the base of midfield and also protection to the back four. He is an excellent sprayer of possession and moves the ball around quickly, making the team more efficient. He also adds bite to the midfield, making him a really complete and elegant midfielder.
The only person at United, until now, who could do that was Michael Carrick and it was the same Carrick who was outplayed by his now-team-mate in this year’s Southampton-United clash.
As we saw last season, United struggle when Michael Carrick struggles or doesn’t play. With Schneiderlin on board, United have adequate back-up and won’t have similar predicaments anymore and even if they get highly unlucky with both Schneiderlin and Carrick getting injured, they will still have Bastian Schweinsteiger.
The German needs no introduction, neither does he requires one to say what his specialties are. In his 30s, his signing – for 15 million pounds – has baffled some, but he adds something that no other signing does: experience.
He is not here to impose his stature on the pitch – at least that’s not the primary. With him on the ship, he can be the mentor of the current midfielders at the club and his experience will make the ones around him better.
What he will do on the pitch is an added bonus; it is his knowledge of the game that is so valuable that is made United pay 15 million pounds for a 30-year-old.
Starting his career on the wings, the German knows all about adaptation and that is the key for any player that plays under Louis van Gaal. The Dutchman loves to tinker with formations and his players and this is another place where the World Cup winner’s guidance is an asset.
With these arrivals, the playing time of the existing midfielders will take a severe hit. Angel di Maria, after becoming the most expensive player bought my Manchester United, spent most of his time on the bench last season due to his failure to follow his manager’s instructions.
Players who may make way
And then there is Juan Mata. Since Jose Mourinho played a part in his life, his career has gone downhill. Once a star and indispensable at Chelsea, he now finds himself in more scrutiny with these arrivals. David Moyes cashed in on him in the winter window of 2013. While he was a starter for the Scot, his life took another turn when van Gaal was signed.
And now, with the Dutchman preferring Ander Herrera over him, it seems like his playing time will take a further hit.
Another player who played a lot last season could find himself warming the bench more this season. Ashley Young was preferred to Angel di Maria last season despite not being as talented as the Argentine. With van Gaal, it is never only about talent – it is about which player does what he asks of them, and Young did it better than di Maria.
However, with the inclusion of Memphis Depay, Ashley Young’s place in the starting XI will into question and it is most likely that he will see more time on the bench than last season.
As the season draws near, a lot of optimism can be smelt around the air at Manchester United. The fans can’t wait for the season to begin and they have a reason to be restless.
