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This transfer window proved an interesting caper for the red side of Manchester, as their on-field results continued to underwhelm in an eerily similar fashion to last season’s failed David Moyes experiment.
New manager and purported saviour Louis van Gaal adopted a problem-solving method never before seen in the hallowed halls of Manchester United Football Club.
Just throw some money at it.
On paper, United’s window as a whole is flawless. They have brought in some truly world class talent and I don’t think anyone is really arguing that the likes of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao can improve the squad of any football club.
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However, in United’s case they have had a window wherein they have employed Real Madrid’s tactics of generally ignoring the areas of their squad which actually needed strengthening and instead purchased a couple of supposed galacticos.
Analysing United’s squad at the beginning of the campaign and watching them play last season yielded the knowledge that reinforcements were needed, and following the departures of Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand over the summer the defence should have been the priority.
They began on the right track with the purchase of Luke Shaw, a now 19-year-old left back with undoubted potential to become the Premier League’s best in his position. However, paying 30 million pounds for a player of this age and inexperience is a seriously risky proposition.
As the window progressed, United did manage to strengthen their defence further, with the acquisitions of World Cup finalist Marcos Rojo and Netherlands international Daley Blind. I would perhaps suggest that Van Gaal had forgotten about the signing of Shaw and felt he still needed to plug the gap left by the departures of Patrice Evra and Alex Buttner and thus signed two more.
Otherwise there is simply no logic behind spending more than 50 million pounds on left backs in one window. Especially when you have been sending your team out in 3-5-2. Judging by the first few matches this season, albeit without these three signings, United will struggle to fill a sizeable gap at centre back this season, and depending on Jonny Evans certainly won’t get them anywhere.
It seems as though Van Gaal will have to shelve his beloved 3-5-2 for now in lieu of a formation where he can field one or even two of his three new left backs.
United have been aware of the need for midfield reinforcements since the Sir Alex Ferguson era. Moyes attempted to plug the hole with the vastly overpriced Marouane Fellaini and we all know how that went, and Van Gaal seems to have fared slightly better signing Ander Herrera and Di Maria for a combined 88 million pounds.
However, while Di Maria is undoubtedly world class, he occupies a position (left wing) in which United already possess the likes of Juan Mata, Ashley Young and Adnan Januzaj. Spending 59 million pounds in a position your squad does not really need to strengthen cannot exactly be considered smart business.
In Herrera’s case I believe he is a signing United truly needed, their squad has been crying out for a midfielder who will control position and will dictate play, and I believe they have finally found one. A look at their current squad shows that they continue to be light in central midfield, with Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Herrera and Fellaini unlikely to convince fans.
Up front United have never had a problem. Last season Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney managed 12 goals in 21 games and 17 goals in 29 games respectively, and they were ably supported by Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez. However, the latter two have since departed the club, to Arsenal and Real Madrid respectively, and United have welcomed the addition of Monaco striker Radamel Falcao on a season long loan.
United now boast three world class strikers, but it will take some brilliant man management skills from Van Gaal to get the best out of all thee. Falcao is a signing that will be judged on one thing, goals. Van Gaal has taken a big gamble on the Colombian who has a history of injuries and the Dutchman will be hoping that he can stay fit, adapt to the English game and deliver.
Essentially, this United team has been bolstered on paper through the tenacious, cashed-up approach of Louis van Gaal and Ed Woodward, but what will really matter in the end is the ability of Van Gaal to get the best out of his playing group. Expect United to start slow but come home strong. Hang in there United fans, there are better times ahead.
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