Arrogant? Louis van Gaal? Well he has every right to be after the recent turn around at Manchester United. If the season had another 10 games to run Chelsea would surely be looking over their shoulders right now. So has Louis got every major decision right?
Signings
Different players take time to settle when they come into a new league. We have seen it time and again. After quiet starts to their careers, Daley Blind and Ander Herrera are now integral to all that is good at Manchester United.
Marcos Rojo has also performed well when fit and he’s going to be a really good player for the club. Luke Shaw has had persistent injuries making any meaningful judgement difficult.
Angel di Maria is still struggling but many believe that he will come good. Radamel Falcao will surely leave this summer.
VERDICT: Largely excellent investment for now and the future
Departures
Danny Welbeck has shown at Arsenal that he’s a good athlete and willing squad member. But he’s not a world class player and Louis aspires to have a squad full of them.
Chicharito has struggled at Real Madrid.
Tom Cleverley was never Manchester United class and his average form at Villa has proven this.
Nani lacks the consistency of a top player.
VERDICT: LvG has got every decision right with departures
Formation/Tactics
The 3-5-2 didn’t work and some feel that Louis has almost found his best XI by chance, with the suspension of Di Maria forcing his hand.
But he always said that his formation was dictated to by who was fit. With Jones and Smalling available he’s reverted to his preferred 4-3-3. He also had the courage to make constant changes until he found that winning formula. And the use of Mata on the right has been a master stroke.
VERDICT: Louis has shown that he is an elite manager and top tactician
FINAL WORD: LvG took on a massive job and made massive changes – some of which were highly contentious at the time – but virtually every big decision has paid dividends and Manchester United will be challenging for the title next season, even if they don’t invest in major stars this summer.
