Manchester United have desperately needed a left-side flanker for quite a few years now, never really replacing the world’s best in Cristiano Ronaldo. But they have finally found a potential replacement in the promising young Dutch star Memphis Depay.
The 21-year-old finished his 2015 campaign for PSV Eindhoven with an admirable 26 goals and five assists from 36 appearances. But you must wonder, will he be able to cope in England where he comes up against arguably some of the best defences in the world?
As Manchester United progresses through the seasons their players start to get older, weaker, and slower as fatigue kicks in. It came to Louis van Gaal’s attention that Manchester needed some young blood and he immediately landed Angel Di Maria on a five-year contract and then looked for branching youngsters like Ander Herrera.
After these signings, we all expected at least a top three finish for the Red Devils but instead we saw a bumpy season including an embarrassing 5-3 loss to Leicester City which saw Manchester united finish the season in fourth place behind Arsenal.
An improvement from the 2013-14 season, but expectations were higher.
There is tonnes of pressure on Van Gaal and his players this season as there is on every club, which is why the signing of Depay is being criticised. The Dutch wonder kid lacks experience and you would expect him to take at least a few months to get into the real spirit of the English premier League.
United fans have already seen just how hard it is for even the best players to adapt, with Di Maria coming in for criticism during the second half of his debut season.
You would hope Van Gaal has a good start to the season and a good end, otherwise we may never see him as a coach in the Premier League again.
Tyler Galea
Roar Rookie
Well actually Manchester did need a Left side player of good quality... unless you're arguing guys like Antonio Valencia and Nani are doing the job? That's who they have been forced to play on the left side because the lack of buying good players now they have Depay, that could change. I do believe 27 is possibly even just below the average age of a footballer so Di Maria was not a 'young buy' but definately not an old buy. I look back on the Manchester United 2014/15 campaign and see their biggest winning streak in the EPL was six wins in a row. If that's where they had a good run and 'picked up from' why did they then lose 1-0 to Chelsea and then, 3-0 to Everton and even worse 1-0 to West Brom? Is that picking up form?
144
Roar Guru
1)Manchester United have desperately needed a left-side flanker for quite a few years now, never really replacing the world’s best in Cristiano Ronaldo. Ferguson did well without Ronaldo, changing the formation and winning many titles after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Saying that they have desperately needed a left sided flanker is meaningless 2) Van Gaal didn't sign Di Maria because he wanted to inject youth into the side - Di Maria turned 27 years old when he joined united so the fact you are saying he was purchased to bring about youth nous to the side is incorrect 3) the expectation was a top four finish, it was a bumpy road yes but United had a great run and picked up form
Tyler Galea
Roar Rookie
I think Van Gaal is a good manager but he just needs to makes some more signings. The right and left midfield is a struggling problem for the Mancs, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia need to go and Manchester need to sort out their back four, Ramos being a possible signing
Okurut David
Guest
its no wonder that vangals adarmant formation wilnot make him shine just like dimaria.man u needs a good coach because vangaal ended last season without knowing the best 11 and he gumbled throughout the season.