5 Key players for Manchester United in 2014/15

Manchester United may have won all their pre-season games under Louis Van Gaal so far, but all of them have been against oppositionwho seldom gave it a go. Even before reaching half-a-dozen games as manager, Van Gaal already has two trophies to his name and although they are nowhere near as valuable as the Premier League, it is still more than what David Moyes managed last season.Over the course of just a single season, the Red Devils went from being the rulers of the land to a side that struggled to break down opposition on their own turf. With a new manager, a couple of new signings and clear style of play, things are starting to look up for the Red Devils. But if they are to get back into the top four, let alone challenge for the title, it will certainly take some doing. If however, they do manage to do so, it will largely hinge on some key players.Here are five players who will have a huge bearing where they finish this season.

#5 Luke Shaw

If there is one player on whom there are huge expectations ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign, it is Luke Shaw. Not only was the teenager the first to lead the exodus at Southampton, but in the process also became the world’s most-expensive teenager. At United, Shaw will have to adapt and play as a wing-back, which is a position that although he has never played, looks like one that is made for him.

With this new 3-5-2 formation, a lot of emphasis will be on the wing-backs to provide the width going forward, while at the same time ensuring stability at the back. The teenage Shaw is arguably one of the best equipped to deal with his current position even though he has no prior experience of playing there. While there are some fitness concerns surrounding Shaw, when the season starts, there is no doubt that the Englishman will be fit and raring to go.

The Red Devils will need him to be at his best, because as of now, they have no one to replace him and are banking on him staying fit throughout the campaign. Quick, strong, good in the air and effective both at the back and going forward, Shaw will look to continue his amazing start to his Premier League career.

With thousands of eager eyes cast upon this prodigiously gifted left back, the club will be hoping that all that attention only makes him strive harder.

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#4 Juan Mata

The two-time Chelsea player of the year, Juan Mata was signed in January this year by David Moyes. It was a move that smacked of desperation and one that looked like a luxury as the Red Devils already had another player in Shinji Kagawa who could essay the same role as Mata. The Spaniard had little time to impress last season, but already showed glimpses of what he is capable of, with the ball at his feet.

With a full pre-season under his belt and a formation that will see him play in his preferred position, Mata is already looking like one of the main men for the Red Devils this season. With Van Gaal opting for a 3-4-1-2/3-5-2, Mata is going to be a crucial cog in the Manchester United machine as he will be given the responsibility of linking the midfield and attack.

Mata has shown that when he is left to play as the central playmaker, with little or no defensive duties thrust on him, there are few in the world who are better than he is at creating goal scoring opportunities for both himself and his team-mates. The Spaniard’s keen awareness of space and ability to pick out a precise through ball makes him a valuable asset and one that is likely to be the instigator of a lot of the side’s attacks this season.

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#3 Jonny Evans

The departure of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra means that Jonny Evans is now the senior statesman in defence. The Belfast-born centre back is not only the most experienced defender currently at United, but he is also likely to be entrusted with the responsibility of being the central, ball-playing centre back in Van Gaal’s three-man central defence. Irrespective of whether United sign another central defender or not, he is likely to be the leader in defence and his performances will go a long way towards deciding how well the side performs.

The 26-year-old has been at Old Trafford for long enough to know the pressure that comes along with being the side’s leader in defence. Having served as an understudy to both Vidic and Ferdinand, Evans has certainly learnt from the best and the time has now come for him to show just how good he can be. Whether it is timing his tackles, intercepting crucial through balls or bringing the ball out of defence, Evans has shown that he can do it all with consummate ease.

Even in an injury-hit 2013/14 season, Evans averaged more clearances and blocks per game in the League than either Jones or Smalling and won two-thirds of his aerial duels. Now all he has to do is stay fit and ensure that he puts all that hard work into practice. Who knows, if he does well enough, he might even land the captain’s arm-band.

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#2 Ander Herrera

Even before officially taking charge at Manchester United, Van Gaal had already done something that Moyes couldn’t manage last summer – secure the signature of Ander Herrera. Last summer’s attempt to procure the Spanish midfielder was a pathetic display that smacked of a man who didn’t know what he was doing. But now that the midfielder is finally here, he can show Old Trafford just why Moyes wanted him so badly.

A combative midfielder by trade, Herrera is one of those rare midfielders who love attacking as much as making a crucial tackle in defence. Not only can he find a teammate with a defence splitting pass, as he demonstrated in the 7-0 rout of LA Galaxy on his debut, he is equally capable of hassling the opposition into submission further back. It is this dual nature in his play that makes Herrera such a valuable addition to the Red Devils’ midfield.

Irrespective of whether a deal for Arturo Vidal is finalized or not, Ander Herrera will be one of the main men for Manchester United this season. Herrera’s ability to turn defence into attack from central midfield is a quality that bodes well for Van Gaal, who looks to convert this United side into one that can not only counter-attack at pace, but can also trouble the opposition in possession by cutting through their defence like a knife through butter.

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#1 Wayne Rooney

The past 18 months has seen four managers take charge of Manchester United, and all four of them have gone about their job in different ways. But the constant in all those four distinct managerial reigns is Wayne Rooney. The Englishman has been in scintillating form over the past 18 months, scoring and assisting more goals than any other United player and being a central part of any United attack during that time.

Now, under new management yet again, the Englishman will be key to Van Gaal’s plans as the Dutchman looks to make the most use of the club’s varied front-line. With Robin van Persie ruled out of the opening fixture, the onus will once again be on Wayne Rooney to break down the opposition’s defence. Thankfully for Rooney and the club, he has some support in the form of Juan Mata and Ander Herrera.

As a result, the club would require the services of the goal scoring Rooney more than the creator Rooney. If the Red Devils are to have any chance of finishing in the top four, Rooney will once again have to be at his best and continue his record of having at least 10 League goals and assists since he moved to Old Trafford. Currently 28 and in his 11th year with the club, the club will once again need Rooney at his best, if they are to even come close finishing in the top four, let alone winning the League.