Manchester United have agreed terms with Daley Blind. The signing of the versatile defender adds to a host of newcomers to Old Trafford, such as Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Marcus Rojo, and Angel Di Maria, with time remaining for more.
Some have already jumped to the conclusion that the summer has been a failure for the Red Devils, with poor performances reinforcing this view. A scrappy 0-0 draw yesterday with Burnley would have done little to change that perception.
However there are several reasons why United are still title challengers.
The first is the absence of fresh blood from the first two games of the season. While both performances against Swansea and Sunderland were underwhelming, we are yet to see a United premier league team featuring the additions to the side.
The likes of Shaw, and Herrera are now injured, Rojo is still troubled by the strict working visa laws in Argentina, and Di Maria and Blind are yet to play. When these players join, the starting XI will vastly improve.
Di Maria has attacking prowess, Rojo, Shaw and Blind have defensive capacity and the ability to whip in a cross, and Herrera is tenacious. Any side in the Premier League would quake in their boots at the prospect of facing a United team at full strength, given the rest of world class talent at the club in Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney, and Robin van Persie.
The second is the likely departure of under-performing players. While this has become an extensive list over the past season and a bit, removing the likes of Tom Cleverly, Nani, Javier Hernandez, and Shinji Kagawa will benefit the club as a whole.
It is a statement to other players that mediocrity is not accepted at Manchester United. While morale is low, particularly after the humiliating defeat at MK Dons, this would go some way to satisfying the world-class talent at the club, who are surely tired of the inability of some players to play their position.
Finally, and most significantly, is the role of new manager Louis van Gaal. A proven magician on the sideline, Van Gaal has a bold, stern, and innovative approach to the managerial position. He will demand the utmost from his players, something United missed under David Moyes.
United fans respect him and his vision, and the board should give him his due control, even when results might not be going their way. He has already shown his class by giving the captaincy to Rooney, which Rooney needed to reach another level. If Van Gaal had handed the armband to Van Persie, Rooney may have felt neglected, resulting in a repeat of his transfer antics.
Manchester United are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and despite a rough start to the season, they are likely to return to the top.
harrison Langsford
Roar Rookie
hmmm, how'd that turn out Gavin?
Gavin R
Guest
I don't think anyone expected them to be fighting for it. I don't think they'll crack the top 4.
Rabbits
Guest
Let's face it, Man U are in a slump, and they won't be coming out of it anytime soon. I don't think they have it in them to win the premier league this year.
Leonardo
Roar Guru
Rooney's your problem. Missed another sitter or two. He is no captain of the greatest football club in the world.
harrison Langsford
Roar Rookie
agreed
Football United
Guest
You've got two things wrong, Rojo is a centre who just happens to be capable of playing on the left and Blind is a defensive midfielder (he won dutch player of the year in that position) who can play Left back and even Centre back if need be.
Brian Orange
Roar Guru
Thank you, its great to see Man U are going to have another ordinary season. We might even see a different team again win the League Cup, FA Cup and the EPL Premiership. That's one of the things I don't like about the European competitions, the same team(s) winning it all the time.
Midfielder
Guest
Never saw Man U play so bad ... will need a huge turn around in a small time window...
Gavin
Guest
Yeah, why on earth they allowed 700-800+ games of experience in Central defence to leave at once is a real lack of foresight. And even worse that such a significant area has been ignored in the transfers blows my mind.
Ed J
Guest
I find it interesting that they released a left back, and then brought two more (Rojo and Shaw), let go of two central defenders and brought it none. Di Maria is a superstar and will fill a hole in the midfield that lacks pace and creativity. Blind is essentially a left back who can play as a holding midfielder, and Herrera is a good player but if it is a 3-5-2 you have essentially nowhere for Mata (if you have a three man midfield of Di Maria, Herrera and Blind). It would seem that United have brought a mixed bag in terms of quality and have not addressed the real gap which is the centre of defence. Jones is good but prone to mistakes, and that is it. Even if LVG moved to a 4-4-2 he still cannot pick his best players together. United have struggled to recruit well for two seasons now, (really 4 seasons), so I would imagine it will be a while before they challenge for the title. They are becoming the new 90's Liverpool, and frankly that is a good thing.
Schuey
Guest
Manu have the financial clout to return to the top. When will they return to the top is probably more relevant. They won't make top 5 this year.
harrison Langsford
Roar Rookie
I'd like to make the point that i had written this before the Burnley game, so i was yet to see Di Maria make his debut
harrison Langsford
Roar Rookie
i said he needed a captaincy to reach another level. Being the highest goalscorer for Manchester United is probably not abysmal
harrison Langsford
Roar Rookie
well said Gavin
harrison Langsford
Roar Rookie
thank you Vas and i appreciate your honesty. However, you raise a point that i have already made, Van Gaal gets off to slow starts. And while United may not be considered a premier threat this season, under Van Gaal, with a couple more signings in midfield and central defense, United will be a force to be reckoned with. They won't slip into the wilderness as the great Paul Scholes had hinted at.
harrison Langsford
Roar Rookie
i do agree with you J Binnie, and last nights performance was truly woeful given the star studded forward line. Van Persie, Mata, and Rooney never really looked threatening and this is a big worry for United. But three games is not a reflection of the entire season. However, the first two games in particular, and even last night, shows a real shakiness in midfield/defense. Jonny Evans, Fletcher, and Jones all looked susceptible to the Burnley attack. It is here that i agree that maybe the only thing to do is strengthen those positions with further acquisitions to the squad, as the current players in those positions have shown their lack of class for the club over a number of years now.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Still feel that we're a top class CB short of successfully pulling of this formation. But there's no reason why some of our current players can't step back and prove their worth. Not the most organically manufactured squad haha but I think they'll come good soon. United had almost no presence in the middle of the field last night, I think Rooney playing a little deeper might help that. Lets see what Mr van Gaal does.
danwain
Guest
If Rooney has gone to another level he must have been abysmal before....
Gavin R
Guest
Di Maria did play against Burnley last night. Showed a lot of energy and we all know what he is capable of but short of match fitness which is a given considering. Buying half a new starting 11 doesn't always have the desired results and it will take 3 months for them to get it together, by which stage top 4 could be out of striking distance. I think LVG was probably the right appointment; a no nonsense manager who isn't afraid to shake things up. I really hope he is given at least 2 full seasons, regardless of results. The pre season probably lulled them into a false sense of optimism. As for the way forward? They'll have to stick together, believe in the manager and themselves and bide their time
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
You've conveniently overlooked van Gaal's Championship with AZ Alkmaar? A team that is not glamourous and, according to LvG in an interview a few days ago, a club that would be considered in the Dutch hierarchy at about the same level as Burnley is considered in the English football hierarchy. I've saved a copy of your post & will review it in May 2015.