To say that Manchester United’s last Premier League season was a disappointment would be the understatement of the century. For the first time in over two decades, the Red Devils failed to qualify for Europe and ended up finishing in seventh place. While the position itself was bad, what made it even worse was the style of football being served up. The team had no clear identity and the squad was not strengthened, which made for a dull, dour and disappointing season.
This time around, the Red Devils start with a clean slate and hopes are high, partly because of the two signings, but more so because of the new man in charge. Louis Van Gaal led an unfancied Dutch side to third in the World Cup just a couple of weeks ago and the club and the fans will be hoping that he can do the same at Old Trafford as well. Already the Dutchman has shown that although he is only likely to be here for a few years, he wants the club’s future to be safe and secure. With his footballing philosophy and notion that the youngsters should be given a chance, things are finally starting to look up for the Red Devils who are hoping to erase last season from their memory.
Transfers
Although the club have only made two signings so far, their importance to the lineup coupled with probably arrival of a few more players means that the club are on the right track as far the signings are concerned. Patrice Evra has been on a downward spiral for the last couple of seasons and replacing him with a prodigiously talented teenager in Luke Shaw means that the future is well and truly secure. In Ander Herrera, they finally have a box-to-box with bundles of energy and who can make a difference in both attack and defence.
While it has been a good window so far, the club still need at least another experienced centre back, another central midfielder and one world-class winger. With deals for Mats Hummels, Arturo Vidal on the horizon, things are certainly looking a lot better than last summer when they over-paid for their only summer signing in Marouane Fellaini, who has, thus far looked a shadow of his former self. With less than a month to go before the League season starts, Van Gaal will be looking to wrap up his deals soon, so that he can start to plan for the upcoming campaign.
Tactics
In almost every club, Van Gaal has managed so far, the Dutchman has used a 4-3-3 formation. Although he is lot more flexible than most, as was apparent from his time in charge of the Dutch national side, he is likely to try and make the 4-3-3 work. If he is to do that, he will need a more defensive midfielder, to play alongside Herrera and possibly Carrick, who look set to occupy the other two roles. Going forward as well, accommodating Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney might be difficult in a 4-3-3 with neither too keen on playing on the wings. While a 4-2-3-1 might also work, again the problem of accommodating both Van Persie and Rooney arises yet again.
If this is the case, then Van Gaal is likely to use the 3-5-2 formation which he used to great effect with his national side in Brazil. Given the club’s lack of quality wingers and the presence of two highly-energetic and young full backs in Rafael da Silva and Luke Shaw, this formation might just be a better fit at Old Trafford. This formation will mean that Herrara and Carrick or another new signing can play in central midfield, with Mata operating in front of them, as the more attacking player. It will also mean that both Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney can start and give opposing defences a headache right from the start.
The only problem with the 3-5-2 is that the club don’t have naturally left-sided centre back. While this isn’t a problem in a four-man defence, it is crucial in a 3-5-2. This coupled with the absence of an experienced centre back means that unless the club sign someone like Mats Hummels, this formation is likely to be highly risky with three relatively inexperienced centre halves in Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.
The most likely Manchester United lineup to be used:
De Gea; Rafael, Evans, Jones, Smalling, Shaw; Carrick, Herrera, Mata; Rooney, Van Persie.
Expectations:
While the arrival of a new coach, a new philosophy will certainly improve the club, it is difficult say whether it would be enough for them to be challenging for the title. With Chelsea and Manchester City looking strong yet again, the chances are, that the title is between the two and the Red Devils might have to be content with a top four finish. Although they face stiff competition for that as well, Liverpool’s loss of Suarez and the transfer inactivity at Tottenham means that the task might not be as difficult as winning the title.
With no European football, the club can concentrate on the League and put more emphasis on the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup. While it is difficult to see them winning the League, a top four finish coupled with at least one trophy doesn’t seem altogether difficult. If Van Gaal does manage that, along with a clear identity of where the team is headed, then it would more than make up for last year’s disastrous campaign.