It’s a big year for the Red Devils.
Following the disaster that was the 2013/14 season Manchester United have a lot to prove over the next 12 months, with new manager Louis van Gaal the man tasked with guiding them to success.
Here CaughtOffside takes a look at the Red Devils and how they are likely to fair in the coming 12 months.
Pre-season form:
LA Galaxy 0-7 Manchester United (Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney (2), Reece James (2), Ashley Young (2)).
Manchester United 3-2 AS Roma (Rooney (2), Juan Mata).
Inter Milan 0-0 Manchester United – United won on penalties.
Real Madrid 1-3 Manchester United (Young (2), Javier Hernandez).
Manchester United 3-1 Liverpool (Rooney, Mata, Jesse Lingard).
Transfers in:
Ander Herrera, Athletic Bilbao – £29m.
Luke Shaw, Southampton – £27m.
Vanja Milinkovic, FK Vojvodina – Undisclosed.
Transfers out:
Federico Macheda, Cardiff City – Free.
Jack Barmby, Leicester City – Free .
Rio Ferdinand, QPR – Free.
Louis Rowley, Leicester City – Free.
Ryan Giggs – Retired.
Nemanja Vidic, Inter Milan – Free.
Alexander Buttner, Dinamo Moscow – Undisclosed.
Patrice Evra, Juventus – £1.2m.
Bebe, Benfica – £2.4m.
Key strength:
Despite the issues that are clearly still prevalent in the squad there are probably few better attacks in the whole of the division than van Gaal’s
In Robin van Persie and Rooney there is a genuine world-class partnership, which is well supported by Danny Welbeck as backup and Mata in the No.10 role
Biggest weakness:
As good as they are offensively there are still some big concerns at the back, despite the fact van Gaal appears to have brought some more stability with a 3-5-2 formation.
Question marks remain over Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling and one would think at least one more top-class centre-back is needed before the transfer window shuts.
Key player:
Wayne Rooney
The England international may not be as talented as van Persie or even arguably Mata, but with the captaincy looking to be heading Rooney’s way all eyes will be on the 28-year-old.
After years of being accused of a poor temperament and going missing in big games this could be the chance for the forward to prove all those doubters wrong.
One to watch:
James Wilson
During Giggs’ short spell as interim manager the Welshman gave some more unknown players at Old Trafford a chance during the 3-1 league win over Hull City.
This 18-year-old striker netted twice in the game to make all the headlines and Wilson will be hoping van Gaal has also taken notice of his progress in the Under-21s.
Target:
Having already spent over £56m on new players and more arrivals expected before September 1 there is no doubting that the target will be to win the league.
Yet with competition as strong as it is the board are probably sensible enough to realise that a return to Champions League qualification will serve as a good result.
Predicted finish:
4th
Van Gaal’s teams generally take a little longer than most to bed in, with the 63-year-old less concerned about results and more that everyone is taking his tactics on board.
Of course in the end points are what matter and we don’t expect it to be a repeat of last term, but those thinking United will bounce straight back to their best could be a bit disappointed as the squad still needs much improvement.
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