5 Manchester United players most likely to get affected by Louis van Gaal's appointment

It is quite natural that when a new manager arrives at a football club, he brings with himself his ideas, philosophies, tactics and formations. And these changes receive mixed reactions from the player who might or might not fit into the ideology of the new manager.Therefore, with the arrival of Louis van Gaal at Manchester United, it isdefinitethat the current players at Old Traffordwill beaffected.Here we look at the five players most likely to get affected at Unitedbythe Dutchmans appointment

#1 Robin van Persie

The player who is going to benefit the most due to van Gaal’s arrival at Old Trafford is the Dutchman’s fellow countryman Robin van Persie.

van Persie, although quite vocal in Moyes’ support, was clearly not happy with the former United manager’s training methods and tactics, the effects of which were quite visible in the poor form and fitness of the Dutchman throughout the campaign last year.

Now with the arrival of van Gaal, van Persie is only going to flourish as the Dutch manager knows his striker very well and knows exactly how to get the best out of him.

van Persie, who was named the captain of Netherlands by van Gaal, is almost certain to be given the captain’s arm band at United as well.

So a player who might have thought of leaving Old Trafford had Moyes stayed at the club, will now certainly look forward to successful years ahead with van Gaal.

#2 Wayne Rooney

If van Persie is happily looking forward to the future at United, Rooney might as well be feeling skeptical after the assurances given to him by David Moyes last year.

It was the former Everton manager who rejuvenated Rooney’s passion for United after the Englishman was treated differently by Sir Alex Ferguson the season before. Moyes promised, and then later duly adhered, to playing Rooney in his preferred position, offered him a bumper contract and would have certainly handed him the United captaincy as well.

But now with Moyes long gone, all these dreams seem to be short lived. It remains to be seen if van Gaal, too, assures the United number 10 of his preferred playing position, something which Rooney has publicly stated he wants to play in at Manchester United.

The next season might well again see a change of balance in Rooney-van Persie talismanship.

#3 Adnan Januzaj

Louis van Gaal has a proven track record of nurturing young talent at all the clubs that he has managed across Europe. During his time with Bayern Munich, he played a key role in promoting young players like Toni Kroos, David Alaba and Thomas Muller who have become world class today.

Also, previously with Ajax, he had contributed immensely ot the growth of Dutch players like Patrick Kluivert and Edgar Davids who played a starring role in Ajax’s 1995 Champions League victory. Even at Barcelona, he handed debuts to Xavi and Iniesta.

Therefore, the Dutchman’s appointment at United is welcome news for United youngster Adnan Januzaj, who is very talented and has a great mentality. And the Belgian is only going to get better by working under van Gaal.

#4 Marouane Fellaini

The Belgian, signed for more than his buy out clause on the last day of last year’s summer transfer window, was, perhaps, the worst United signing in recent years.

He has failed to make any sort of impact at United so far. And if he was hoping for a second opportunity and a better second season at United, then he is most likely to get disappointed as he certainly doesn’t fall into van Gaal’s ‘type’ of player criteria.

Unlike David Moyes, van Gaal puts more impetus and focus on free-flowing, fast and possession based football, something which Fellaini isn’t suited for.

Moreover, with United looking to sign atleast a couple of world class central midfielders this summer, the future looks quite bleak for the former Everton player under van Gaal.

#5 Shinji Kagawa

If there’s one player who is yet to fulfil his true potential at Manchester United, it is the Japanese international Shinji Kagawa.

After showing glimpses of his talent in his injury disrupted first season under Sir Alex, big things were expected from him in his second season at United. However, unfortunately for the Japanese, David Moyes never really showed any kind of faith in his abilities and, hence, was never given a consistent run in the first team last season.

But now with van Gaal’s arrival, whose short intricate passing style of play matches quite well with that of the Japanese, it remains to be seen if he sees van Gaal’s arrival as an opportunity to finally showcase his talent at United ,considering the fact that he would have certainly left Old trafford had David Moyes stayed at the club.

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