The 2014/15 Barclays Premier League will kick off this Saturday when Manchester United take on Swansea at Old Trafford. It will be the debut for Louis Van Gaal as manager of United and most likely the debut for summer signings Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera. United fans are much more confident about this season compared to last year because of the faith in Van Gaal.
Endless articles have been written about the failure of David Moyes and the dreadful season Manchester United had last year. That is all in the past now and these are the realistic expectations that United fans can look forward to this season under Louis Van Gaal.
Strengths
3-5-2
Throughout United’s impressive preseason, Van Gaal has played the 3-5-2 system. Van Gaal has said numerous times in interviews that he will not change his system or philosophy and that he will find players to fit that scheme. Fans around the world will have seen his system work well during the World Cup with the Netherlands squad. United have the potential to be potent on the attack because of the wingbacks in the 3-5-2 system. It seems to have worked well during the preseason tour in the United States, but time will tell if Van Gaal will be able to make it work against Premier League teams.
No Champions League Football
Although not being in Europe is a hard pill to swallow, it may be a blessing in disguise for Manchester United. Liverpool is the prime example of the benefits that come from having a season with fewer fixtures. Brendan Rodgers was able to have more time with Liverpool and make their system of football work. Last year he showed everyone what they were capable of by nearly winning the title. Not having European fixtures may give Van Gaal that little bit of extra time to fine tune his master plan for United. It will also give the players extra rest days so that they are ready for league matches.
Mentality
Van Gaal is a man with a plan. He knows what wants from players and the players know what is expected of them. Van Gaal commands respect and is a proven winner. The ‘Iron Tulip’ will have the Manchester United machine running much like it did under Sir Alex Ferguson. It will be no nonsense on and off the pitch. United will no longer look dazed and confused like last season but instead they will begin to reclaim their dignity. Old Trafford will once again become a place that opposing teams fear and Van Gaal will get every ounce of talent out of his players. It will be back to business for the Red Devils.
Rooney and RVP
United have lost a huge portion of their veteran talent from the squad. Even though that loss may hurt us in pressure situations, it also allows the young talent to grow and become the backbone of the new United era. That young talent will look to Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie for guidance. It is the best combination of players that Van Gaal could ask for. RVP is extremely close with Van Gaal and knows exactly how to guide the players to play in Van Gaal’s system. Rooney is next in line for the ‘Club Legend’ tag and will make the United faithful believe again. He was given a huge contract deal last season to keep him at Old Trafford. It will be close, but I think Rooney will captain United this season. Rooney and RVP will lead the young team back into the top four.
Click on No. 2 below to see Man Utd’s Weaknesses, and final season Predictions
