It’s expected to be a busy summer of transfers for the Red Devils.
Of all the supposed ‘big teams’ in the Premier League the 2013/14 season will have been the most disappointing for Manchester United, who finished seventh whilst trying to defend their title.
It was their lowest top flight points total since the competition’s rebranding in 1992 and also sees them without European football next term for the first time since 1981.
As a result David Moyes was sacked as manager and after Ryan Giggs’ four matches as interim, a permanent successor for the Scot has been employed in the shape of legendary Dutch boss Louis van Gaal.
The current Netherlands head coach has a big task on his hands to turn things around at Old Trafford and that is expected to start with a host of new faces being brought in.
So here is how van Gaal’s starting XI could look in 2014/15.
GK – David de Gea
Despite the generally poor performances from the Red Devils last campaign, the goalkeeper was actually one of the few positives and at 23-years-old de Gea has the opportunity to continue developing into a world-class stopper.
RB – Phil Jones
Moyes couldn’t seem to establish where Jones’ best position was – with the England international also deployed as a centre-back and in midfield – but to many the 22-year-old is the natural candidate to take up the right-back position.
LB – Luke Shaw
Although Patrice Evra has been tied down to another one-year deal with United, van Gaal needs to look to the future and impressive Southampton left-back Shaw is still just 18-years-old and yet plays with a maturity beyond his years.
Source: Manchester Evening News.
CB – Jonny Evans
With both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic leaving the Theatre of Dreams this summer, building a new central defensive partnership is a priority and with doubts over both Jones and Chris Smalling in the position, Evans is the most qualified candidate currently at the club.
CB – Mats Hummels
Although developing a homegrown player like Evans or even Jones at the back is a positive, they will need top-class support and that could be supplied by Borussia Dortmund and Germany stalwart Hummels.
Source: Manchester Evening News.
CM – William Carvalho
One of the many issues with the team last year was in central midfield, where none of Tom Cleverley, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini and Darren Fletcher truly impressed and having scouted this Portugal international for some time, Carvalho could well be a fine purchase from Sporting Lisbon.
Source: talkSPORT.
CM – Michael Carrick
Despite the fact Carrick had a poor year, the Englishman is the best of an average bunch and has shown in the past he has the talent to cut it at the very top – plus the defensive responsibility of Carvalho would give the 32-year-old more chance to dictate play from the middle.
RM – Yevhen Konoplyanka
Despite the Red Devils being linked with the likes of Marco Reus and Arjen Robben, neither are likely to join the club and instead a better option in attacking midfield would be the £12m Konoplyanka, who almost joined Liverpool in January for the same price.
Source: Mirror.
CAM – Juan Mata
Although he struggled upon first arriving from Chelsea for £37.1m, Mata showed towards the end of the season the class we had become used to from the Spain international and he No.10 role is undoubtedly his best position.
LM – Wayne Rooney
One thing that Moyes really struggled with was trying to get Rooney and Robin van Persie into the same XI -which was exacerbated by the arrival of Mata – but the only way that seems feasible is to push the England international out to the left flank and then to let him roam.
ST – Robin van Persie
There was talk that van Persie would look to leave the club this summer, but the appointment of his fellow countryman and current national manager will have allayed those fears and the 30-year-old is one of the few truly world-class performers on their books.
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