Manchester United Season Review – Van Gaal Gets Better of Tough Season
By Kevin Kelly
Manchester United’s season cannot be analysed by just looking at the past 12 months. Having lost their messianic manager in Alex Ferguson in May 2013 and replaced him with the ill-equipped David Moyes, the 2014/15 campaign was one which would need to wrestled back from the depths of mediocrity. Equipped with wads of cash Louis Van Gaal fought throughout the season, often without much of the promised verve of the Dutchman’s philosophy, but did gain qualification to the Champions League for next season, proving his opening campaign a relative success.
Manchester United provided the wily Dutchman Louis Van Gaal with the type of aggressive financial last summer his predecessor David Moyes never saw. In game the Premier League second fee transfer for Angel Di Maria, while millions were also spent on Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Daley Blind, and an eye-watering yearly wage and loan fee for Ramadel Falcao. While some of these players did indeed impressive on their maiden season at the Old Trafford club, not all did, proving the dangers – and rewards – of taking a financial gamble to re-enter the elite of European football.
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Nevertheless the Premier League campaign began conspicuously for Manchester United. Man United would fail to win their first four games of the season, beginning with a home loss to Swansea City and an astonishing 4-0 loss in the Capital One Cup to MK Dons. The first win came away to QPR, winning 4-0 in September. Things may have been looking up from then but that was followed by one of the games of the season; Man United losing 5-3 to Leicester City at the KP Stadium.
Indeed, Man United won just three of their first ten league games, with the last of that sequence being a 1-0 loss at local rivals and champions Manchester City. What was a terrible run of the season evolved into a very solid run, despite performances still not impressing. A 2-1 win over Crystal Palace was the start of better things to come and United went on a 16 game unbeaten run in the league, which lasted from November until February when Swansea City beat them 2-1 at the Liberty Stadium.
The key tactical issue Van Gaal faced for the majority of the season was his formation. Opting for a 3-5-2 variation seemed to cause many problems for Man United, with the Dutchman often frustratingly reluctant to change up his ideas. Exiting the FA Cup at the hands (or feet) or Arsenal and former-Red Danny Welbeck indicated another dip in form – but luckily for Man United, it never came.
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A win at Anfield in spring was to all but seal Champions League qualification for the following campaign; one where fans would hope for better cohesion, and another step forward to the elite of world football.
This summer transfer window is key for Manchester United, with many areas of concern throughout the pitch. If last season’s spending is anything to go by then Man United fans can look forward to the sight of new acquisitions with glee.
Season Verdict: B-