)
Four games in-charge. Just the two points, and an embarrassing defeat to a League two side in the second round of the League Cup. Not the kind of start Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal was looking for. But, the Dutchman has seen it all before.
In 2009, when Van Gaal was made Bayern Munich manager, the Bavarians got off to a similar start. They went winless in their opening four games, and were on the brink of crashing out of the Champions League by November. Arjen Robben had just been signed from Real Madrid, and a string of youth team players, including Thomas Mueller and Holger Badstuber were given an opportunity in the first team. Bayern won the domestic double that season, beating Bayer Leverkusen to second place in the Bundesliga, and outclassing Werden Bremen in the German Cup final.They would have secured a historic treble, had it not been for Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan in the Champions League final. With Mourinho on Inter's side, there was only going to be one winner in Madrid that night. But, Van Gaal had made his mark.
If history is anything to go by, then Van Gaal has got off to the perfect start at his new club. Against Burnley on Saturday, United were their usual selves. Listless, unimaginative and no where near world class. Angel Di Maria provided the sporadic flashes of brilliance, but even he couldn’t save them from a drab 0-0 draw. With United swooping Radamel Falcao on transfer deadline day, they now have bundles of quality upfront. Their performances may have been abominable so far, but there are better things to come from Van Gaal and Manchester United. Here’s why. At least on paper, their front four are as good as any team in England, or for that matter in Europe. Di Maria, Falcao or Robin Van Persie (depends on who ends up playing), Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney will strike fear into the hearts of any defence in Europe. Here’s a comparison. Real Madrid possess Cristiano Ronaldo, Karem Benzema, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez. Chelsea have Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and Oscar. The United quartet is right up there with the best, if not better.
Van Gaal’s main job now, is to come up with a formation that can accommodate the star players he has bought. His favoured 3-4-1-2 will certainly not work. Di Maria playing wing back will not only defy logic, but will prevent him from providing the much needed pace and width that United has been craving for so long now. Van Gaal tried playing Di Maria in a more central role on Saturday, but its the wide areas where he’ll be best suited. If he chooses to play a 4-3-3, then he would have to get rid of Mata, or play him in a deep playmaking role. There is a problem of plenty for Van Gaal, but its a problem he would like to have. However, central midfield still remains a worry. With the deal for Juventus star man Arturo Vidal falling through, and both Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera out injured, Darren Fletcher will have to take a bulk of the responsibility. But, once the United midfield is back to full strength, one can expect them to start winning more regularly.
However, the defence needs serious tightening. Van Gaal would have loved to sign a central defender, but now its his duty to get the best out of the limited resources he has. The arrivals of Daley Blind, who can operate both at the back and as a holding midfielder; and Marcus Rojo will add to the defence. But, the likes of Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones will have to raise their game, if United is to secure a top-4 finish this season. Van Gaal has taken over at a time, when the confidence of United players is at an all-time low, and the fear factor has gone out of their game. So it would be fatuous to expect them to win the league this season. But with a hard task master and fine tactician like Van Gaal at the helm, United’s prospects look bright. Lack of quality was a problem under David Moyes, but under Van Gaal, United has the right personnel to challenge for top honours again. United has made all the right moves in the transfer market, now its up to the players to perform.
