Manchester United Focus

Ever since the departure of the most successful league manager (Sir Alex Ferguson), United have been finding it difficult to compete at both the domestic and European level. With the appointment of a successor in David Moyes, United ended up in the 7th position, which couldn’t qualify them for any of the European competition, thereby bringing an end to his reign as the manager of the club. So many excuses were given for his failure, one of which was the lack of activities in the transfer market.
Louis van Gaal came on board after a successful outing with the Netherland national team at the world cup in Brazil. The likes of: Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao and Daley Blind were brought into the club, which took their spending for that summer to around €120M. United finished in the top four, which was their target for the season, but their performances weren’t “united like”. Though they struggle with injuries at some point, but a slow start had already defined their season.
The rebuilding process for the 2015/2016 season has already began with the signing of some key players.
The goalkeeping position has been in doubt since last season, when the No1 goalkeeper who was also the best player by a mile in the united squad last season (David De Gea) has refused to commit his future to the club by extending his contract which is entering into the final year. The goalkeeper has been linked with Real Madrid. Though the Spanish outfit wants him, with the departure of their longest serving goalkeeper (Iker Casillas), but are sure not ready to a huge sum for a player who is going into his last year of his contract. With United not willing to sell him cheap, and Real not meeting their asking price, they will have to wait till the end of the season to get him on a free transfer. United might also have to do without the services of their No 2 goalkeeper (Victor Valdes) who might be heading to Valencia on a season long loan, after being left out of the tour to America.
United’s defence has been a major talking point since the departure of Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja vidic. The defence was a major suspect last season. Matteo Darmian has been signed to replace Rafael at right-back, who could be on his way out of the club and a possible addition of a central defender (Nicolas Otamendi or Sergio Ramos) could partner any of Chris Smalling or Phil Jones.
A midfield set up without Michael Carrick last season, was a midfield without an anchor man, a dictator of the game. The 33year old man is prone to injury, and as such, the midfield was without a leader, causing Wayne Rooney to be deployed in that position. United have solved the problem with the additions of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, who are coming with wealth of experiences at the local and European stages.
Going forward, United refused to make the loan deal of Falcao permanent because of his below par performance last season, and Robin Van Persie also sold out of the club. The record signing (Angel Di Maria) might also be sold to PSG. Memphis Depay has been signed to play either on the wings or with Rooney up top. Nicolas Gaitan might come in, in place of Di Maria. A supporting striker is on the card, with players like: Benteke, Kane, Lewandowski and Cavani being considered.
This is a club side on the rise.