Unless results go their way on the final day of the season, Manchester United will end their first campaign under Louis van Gaal’s stewardship in fourth place. A return to Champions League football is all that was truly expected of the Dutchman’s first season in charge. However, looking towards next season, what constitutes a good second term for Van Gaal?
Following the debacle of David Moyes’ time in Manchester any positive movements that were made in this campaign would be rightly lauded. Although they have returned to European football’s premier competition it has not gone without a hitch and it certainly has not been a cheap return.
Angel Di Maria was clearly the centrepiece of Van Gaal’s first summer transfer policy and along with the expensive loan of Radamel Falcao neither has added a great deal to United and both could be on their way in the coming months. Arguably only Herrera and Blind could be deemed a success from last year’s transfer binge. This time around United must get in right in the transfer market and a repeat of last year’s lapses may not be overlooked so lightly.
With no European competition of any variety this year, their workload has been substantially lighter than any of their competitors; next year’s return to the Champions League will not be seen as a nice day out and their fans will want to see them challenge. That will add a significant amount of work for the squad next year and in order to ensure his team can handle the additional demands, the depth must be improved. Too many times this year they have relied on a small group of players, they have got away with it due to the relative lack of games, next term will prove sufficiently harder.
In terms of cup competitions, this year lengthened their trophy ‘drought’ to two years; they were soundly beaten by third tier MK Dons in the Capital One Cup before a disappointing defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup. Mourinho proved in his first spell at Chelsea how important a cup win can be to begin a reign, Van Gaal should be taking all competitions seriously next year, the fans at Old Trafford demand success and a cup win would please the more pessimistic element of their fanbase.
In terms of league position they have been streets away from the leading pack; they will finish at least 12 points behind Champions Chelsea and that is a gap that must be bridged next year. This year Van Gaal was given quite an easy remit; return United to the top four and all else will take care of itself.
In year two of ‘The Van Gaal Project’ more will be expected of his charges, next year fans and press alike will have heightened expectations of what United can do. If next season pans out as this one has there may be significantly more pressure on the manager than there currently is.
Next year is a big one for both Manchester United and Louis van Gaal, although this season has been a good start, it is just that, a start. Next year must be better.
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