After what can only be described as a horrific campaign for Manchester United last season, there is now fresh optimism after the club introduced Louis van Gaal as the new manager for next season. He is currently managing the Netherlands at the World Cup and will have full attention on his new job after the tournament is over. What will he bring to United?
Van Gaal is known as a strict manager but one that players do have respect for. This is obviously important as it was clear at times that there was not a mutual respect between David Moyes and his players. Van Gaal knows Robin van Persie very well, having managed him at international level and this could prove to be a huge benefit, especially with the striker not doing so well last year in a United shirt.
The Mirror suggests that Dutch international Daley Blind is now a target of Manchester United. He is also currently playing under van Gaal and has put in some very good performances so far at this World Cup.
Manchester United have already signed 24-year-old midfielder Ander Herrera and this shows that, even though they are not going to be playing European football next season, there is still something about the club that can help attract players. The chance to play under a manager like Van Gaal could well be onw of them. As well as Herrera, Luke Shaw is also expected to sign in the coming days and if this does happen it means that United have fought off other interested clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City, both of whom are Champions League clubs.
It seems as though van Gaal’s appointment is already starting to take effect, with new levels of optimism amongst supporters who believe that Manchester United can get back to winning ways next season.