Boring, slow and embarrassing. That's an incredibly short but strong summary of Manchester United under David Moyes. In a season filled with painful defeats by lower EPL sides and early Cup defeats, United fans were slowly standing against the successor of Ferguson, David Moyes. Now that David Moyes has left and Louis van Gaal has taken over his place, it is inevitable that the fans except things to go back as they were, under Ferguson. A.k.a. being successful again, winning trophies again.
Former Man United manager, David Moyes
But is that a realistic goal or an ideal dream?
Considering the current squad it looks more like a far fetched dream that Manchester United will be back in the top 4. Sure, they may have spent shitloads of money for the likes of Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera, but one has to realize that there are still vital spots in the team that need desperately to be addressed.It says enough about your team if the likes of Darren Fletcher and Fellaini still are playing for your team and making quality minutes too.
When it comes to forward options, United do not lack depth with Van Persie, Chicharito, Rooney and Welbeck all wearing the red shirt. Although, when you look closer than just the names, you can notice that there are still problems in what is probably Uniteds most quality position. Van Persie and Rooney are slowly reaching their prime, Rooney demands to play in another role than just as the 9 of his team. Van Persie got quite a few times injured, Welbeck, although improved, still has big trouble with scoring goals and converting chances. Hernandez does not add enough to United's game, he is not a player that can link up with the other attackers or dribble the ball for more than 5 seconds.
Then again, compared to other title rivals, they are not as bad as they look like. Arsenal still has to deal with the likes of Giroud (has an incredibly bad goal record in big games) and Yaya Sanogo (still has to score his 1st EPL goal), Liverpool has got Sturridge who has a terrific season, but that had more to do with the fact that his striker partner was a biting magician called Luis Suarez, it's not certain if he will achieve similar results without his Uruguayan partner. Chelsea got Diego Costa - who was arguably one of the best strikers in the world last season and a very efficient one too. After him comes Torres, who is notorious for being so ridiculously bad in being clinical in front of goal.
After shortly analyzing their forward options, United also dont lack in depth when it comes to wingers. But, purely based on quality and potential, only the young Januzaj will actually be a consistent part of the team. Valencia and Young, 2 other options, are not consistent wingers and do not have much potential either. Young (who is so shit even a bird shit on him) does not possess any special skill that makes him a good player for a top team. The same goes for the predictable one-foot Valencia, although Valencia is more versatile. Nani has been shit all season and struggles with fitness and consistency for a while now.
Valencia and Young, 2 players they need to get rid off
Now come the midfielders, maybe the weakest position of United before they signed Herrera. Darren Fletcher and Fellaini are not top league material, they are slow midfielders who are not exactly great in terms of passing the ball, ball circulation, intercepting and pressing. Therefore it is utterly important to replace these 2 by players with actual quality like Vidal, and since United are in a position where they have to overspend to get the player they want, it will cost them a lot of money to do so. I haven't seen a lot of Herrera so I can't form an opinion yet, but he cant do worse than these 2. Kagawa and Mata are attacking midfielders, whom are good but not world class beaters. But good enough to play for Man United, that's for sure.
Newest signing, Ander Herrera (Getty)
I've earlier said that the midfield may be Uniteds weakest link, but one must have noted the amount of goals they were conceding in nearly every game. And the fact that a lot of them were positional and individual mistakes by their very own central defenders. United sold the 2 rocks who were their centre backs for seasons, Rio Ferdinand and Vidic. And unless they are not planning to buy new defenders, their weakest link will remain their defense because they don't got exactly the best players. Evans may be the only consistent defender who could play all season without too many problems. Jones and Smalling are still very inconsistent. Put Smalling as a full back and you will make a disaster.
There isn't much to be said about their goalies. De Gea is one of the best goalies in the world and maybe the only good performing player of last season.
In short, United still needs to get 4 quality players, 2 midfielders, 2 defenders to be part of the top 4 again. In football, anything is possible but it will be very, very hard for them to get to the desired level with the current crop of players. There are too many players that need to be sold or loaned out and replaced with newly, actually potential players. To name a few players: Nani, Valencia, Young, Fletcher, Fellaini.
There is not much to complain about Van Gaal, however. A disciplined coach who knows what he is doing and one who can make a semi-good team very successfull.
Nevertheless, it is going to be an excited season
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