Players United risk losing if they stick with controversial manager.
Louis van Gaal arrived at Manchester United this summer with something of a mixed reputation – for all his success in different leagues throughout Europe, there were an equal amount of controversies and high-profile fallings-out with big-name players. Is something similar already happening at Old Trafford?
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Manchester United transfer news
News has emerged today that David de Gea is not even on speaking terms with the Dutchman, which will not be good news for United fans after the Spanish goalkeeper’s superb individual displays for the club this season. One feels that without the Real Madrid target, they would be far lower in the table, and he certainly looks a more important figure for the future of the club than van Gaal himself, who has had a mixed performance as manager in the Premier League.
De Gea’s contract expires in 2016 and there’s no doubt his future is up in the air. If United stick with van Gaal, he will surely ruffle a few feathers, and there seem at least five more big-name players whom the club risk losing if he sticks around…
1) Angel Di Maria
A world class player signed for a club-record fee of £59.7m, Angel Di Maria has surely earned the right to be played in his proper position. Still, van Gaal has experimented with the Argentine in a number of unusual roles, including as a striker, and it’s clear to see his form has suffered as a result. Having won the Champions League at Real Madrid, Di Maria made a big sacrifice moving to Old Trafford this season with no European football on offer. It is thought that Paris Saint-Germain were his first choice before Financial Fair Play complicated the move, and it seems likely he could look for an exit if United fail to make the top four and he continues to be used incorrectly.
2) Radamel Falcao
A player already surely on his way out of Old Trafford, Radamel Falcao has had a dismal time since joining the Red Devils on loan from AS Monaco. Despite a reputation as one of the best strikers in the world, the Colombian has suffered a crisis of confidence after a poor start due to only just returning from a long-term injury. Still, from reports in the press and quotes from van Gaal and the player’s agent, it seems the situation was not dealt with well at all. Snubbed altogether from United’s squad for the Southampton game a couple of months back, Falcao clearly doesn’t feel loved at United and has seen this affect his game. His loan move will surely now not be made permanent next season.
3) Adnan Januzaj
Brought into the first-team by David Moyes last season, Adnan Januzaj instantly looked like one of the most promising young players in the game. However, the Belgian has stalled this season after being given limited playing time by van Gaal, and rumours have already surfaced that he could be loaned out or even sold before long. One thing’s for sure, young players need regular playing time and confidence instilled in them, and this is once again a case of some poor handling from van Gaal, who has made Januzaj into something of an outcast at the club for no obvious reason.
4) Ander Herrera
A player who only joined United this summer, Ander Herrera is another promising player who hasn’t really been used as much as merited. The Spaniard has shone whenever given a chance in the starting lineup, but van Gaal has continued to keep him on the bench despite not having many other options in the creative midfield department. With United crying out for a player of this quality and calibre, it seems strange for the manager to delibirately bench him when he’s only just arrived and barely been given the chance to show what he can do.
5) Wayne Rooney
Finally, could club captain Wayne Rooney even be considering his future at Manchester United if things go on like this? The England international has flirted with leaving Old Trafford twice before, coming extremely close to moving to rivals Manchester City and Chelsea. With van Gaal baffling everyone by removing him from his preferred striker’s role and playing him in midfield, where he has struggled, it would not be a surprise if he were another frustrated member of the first-team who could look to move on after being misused by the controversial Dutch tactician.