In his first season as the Manager of Manchester United, Louis Van Gaal managed to achieve the target that was set by the United Hierarchy- Qualify for the Champions League. After finishing fourth in the table, United went through the play-off, where they swept aside Club Brugge 7-1 on aggregate to book their place in the group stages.
In the transfer market, United’s approach could be described as one of hits and misses. As early as July United had managed to lure Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Memphis Depay and Matteo Darmian, which did help to solve problems in midfield and right back. Unfortunately for United, people will remember these last three months for the players Van Gaal missed out on. From Sergio Ramos to Pedro, many of United’s pursuit this summer resulted in failure.
The major talking point this summer was the deadline day signing of AS Monaco’s Anthony Martial for a whopping £36m, making him the most expensive teenager in the history. He has been bought to provide cover for Wayne Rooney upfront given that all the other strikers previously on United books have left the club for greener pastures.
The Red Devils started the season with two one-nil victories over Tottenham and Aston Villa respectively. In the first match, Tottenham ran United close but left undone by an own goal by Kyle Walker. The headline of this match was Van Gaal’s decision to rest David De Gea amidst rumors about a future move to Real Madrid. Against Aston Villa, United laboured to a 1-0 victory in a match where their football lacked fluency and urgency, just as it had against Tottenham on the opening day. It was the forgotten man Adnan Januzaj who scored the winner in the first half.
On match day three, United welcomed Newcaslte to Old Trafford. Poor finishing by the front line left United stretching to even secure a single point. Krul made some fine saves to deny the likes of Rooney and Deepay. Their 100% record in the League had come to an end, this match highlighted the glaring problems in United’s attack. A week later United suffered their first defeat of the season as Andre Ayew and Bafetimbi Gomis secured a deserved win for the Swans. This was their third consecutive victory against United. Van Gaal’s man lacked any sense of purpose and one couldn’t stop wondering whether a title challenge could be a goal too far for United right now.
United have scored just three Premier League goals so far ‒ one courtesy of Tottenham Hotspur defender Kyle Walker, another a deflected shot by Adnan Januzaj who has since left on a season-long loan to Borussia Dortmund, and the third by Juan Mata. With Rooney having not scored in the Premier League since April 4, the club are seemingly pinning their hopes on Anthony Martial who has 11 goals to his name.