CUP OR BUST FOR VAN GAL?

Manchester United manager Louis Van Gal takes charge of the  old Trafford outfit for the second time after guiding them back to champions league football in his first season.  This was seen as a good job done from most fans of Man United since they had a turbulent season under previous manager David Moyes that led to the club finishing 7^th and missing out on Champions league football. But new manager Van Gal has overseen a major overhaul of United’s squad bringing in top-notch names to old Trafford. With these huge spending in his first season as well as the start of this new season, nothing short of a major trophy for united would be seen as a failure for the veteran Dutch manager.

Van Gals first season at united saw players like Ferdinand, Evra, Vidic, Welbeck, Nani and host of other first team players depart the club. New recruits were Shaw, Ander Herrera, Daley Blind, Angel Di Maria, Marcos Rojo and Radamel Falcao. Van Gal had a tough start as United’s manger last season managing just three points from possible 15. But United bounced back strongly as the season progressed winning some important games like the Manchester Derby, beating Liverpool on both legs and Arsenal as well.

This current season has also seen further changes at the old Trafford outfit that saw players like Di Maria, Robin Van Persie, Radamel Falcao amongst others headed for the exit door for Memphis Depay, Bastian Swienstiger, Anthony Martial and Sergio Romero. The Dutchman seems to have gotten the caliber of players who would fit into his “philosophy” and nothing but success is expected of him at the end of this season.

United has started the season well as compared to last season. They lie 4^th on the premier league table with four points separating them from leaders man city. They are also on top of their champions league group with 7 points with two matches to go. But there is a bit of inconsistency in their performance so far this season drawing most of the games and failing to score for three matches in a row that included their early exit of the capital one-cup against championship side middlesborough. This has lead criticisms of the Dutchman’s style of from most of United’s former players particularly Paul Scholes who blamed United’s lack of goals on how Van Gal sets up his team. But the former Bayern Munich manager seems not concern about his critics and pledged to do everything he can to get Man United to where it belongs.

Will the Dutchman prove his critics wrong or will it be another frustrating season for the Red Devils since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.  Well, that will be known at the end of the season but Van Gal certainly knows with this huge spending, a trophyless season for united under his care will not be a good record on his rich CV.