Premier League Preview
Manchester United
Manager: Louis Van Gaal
Captain: Wayne Rooney
13/14 position: 7th
Top League Goalscorer: Wayne Rooney 17
You’d be forgiven, for all of the intense media interest at Old Trafford at this present time, if you thought that Sir Alex Ferguson had chosen Louis Van Gaal to be his chosen predecessor, such was the calamity and disaster of the infamous Moyes era.
Combined with the departure of chief executive David Gill, replaced by the unproven Ed Woodward, and the departure of Ferguson’s coaching staff, it felt like year zero at United under David Moyes. Whether it be the failure to capture anybody better than the Mauorane Fellaini who looked devastating at Everton yet completely out of his depth at Old Trafford, or failing to capture both the players or fans desires by playing criminally boring football, or losing the dressing room that would fight to the death for Ferguson, it was a mistake that Manchester United will hope will not happen again for a long, long time.
The fear factor had gone; Newcastle, West Brom, even a poor Tottenham won at Old Trafford in 13/14, and that’s before you get onto being humbled at home by rivals City and Liverpool. But Van Gaal swaggers into a challenge to rebuild and rejuvenate a poor squad that Ferguson just didn’t have the drive to do it again, after doing it so many times in his 26 years at Carrington.
Van Gaal has brought in Ander Herrera from Athletic Club and Luke Shaw from Southampton, but already has expressed frustration at Woodward for failing to secure Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid. His 3–5–2/5–3–2 system that elevated the Netherlands above expectations in Brazil will be deployed again, but he needs the players to do that. Woodward has to deliver, otherwise face the infamous wrath of an angry Van Gaal. 4th
FANS OPINION: Cameron Dunbar @Cdunbar8
What is your idea of a good season for your club?
A return to the top four and a dramatic improvement in performance and effort levels from last season. Need to see that fight and never say die attitudes return.
Worst case scenario?
It can’t get any more abject than the David Moyes era. Can it? Finishing outside the top 4 again would be awful.
Best player?
Potentially Juan Mata. It looks like he’s finally going to play in his proper position, gives him the chance to recreate some of his brilliant form at Chelsea from a few years ago – expect great things.
Player you’d happily drive to his next club?
Fellaini! An absolute donkey of a signing, the £27 million tree just isn’t a United player, having the special ability to be able to arrive late to every challenge and miss the ball. The Belgium definitely isn’t a Van Gaal type player and I’m sure United will save me driving him out of Old Trafford by selling him in a next couple of weeks.
Fans hero?
Could be the new boy Ander Herrera, skilful, positive, can really pick a pass and for a slight lad he doesn’t back out of challenges. He will certainly take to the Premier League well and the United fans will soon see him as one of their favourites.
If you could pick, who would you want your team to do the double over this year?
Liverpool. Obviously.
League winners?
Chelsea. Unfortunately.
Relegated?
Burnley, QPR and Leister City, think it will be a huge ask for the promoted boys, although I said the same last year so who knows.
Surprise package?
With a few more signings of the right quality, and not to sound too bias, it could be United.
Who will win the golden boot?
If he can stay fit then it would be Agüero all day for me but that seems to be a problem for him. Otherwise I think it could be Rooney, finally playing up top in his favourite position and add to the fact that he looks as fit and as trim as he ever has.