---
title: "An analysis of Louis van Gaal’s first signings"
canonical: "https://readmanutd.com/2015/04/22/an-analysis-of-louis-van-gaals-first-signings/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
section: "Articles"
published: "2015-04-22T08:00:01Z"
modified: "2015-04-22T08:00:01Z"
---

# An analysis of Louis van Gaal’s first signings

**The 2014/15 transfer window saw the reshaping of a Manchester United squad on a scale we had never seen before, both in personnel and in the vast quantity of money lavished on improving upon a dismal 2013/14 campaign.**

Louis van Gaal was brought in to re-establish United amongst the Premier League’s top order, by qualifying for the Champions League, and £150 million was spent to ensure that this happened.

Nearly one year on, with United on course to return to European football, we take a look at the impact the new signings have made during their first season at Old Trafford.

**Angel Di Maria (Real Madrid, £59.7 million)**

Manchester United broke the British transfer record to secure the signing of Angel Di Maria. The winger had enjoyed a wonderful season in Spain, culminating in being named man-of-the-match in Real’s 4-1 triumph in the Champions League final. With ‘La Decima’ finally achieved, Los Blancos made their customary venture into the transfer market and signed James Rodriguez, Colombia’s World Cup star, who played in a very similar position to Di Maria. He had already been moved back into midfield, with great effect, to compensate for the arrival of Gareth Bale the previous summer.

It was to be a case of one in, one out at Madrid and when his availability was made known, United moved in to seal the transfer, reportedly beating off competition from Paris Saint Germain. Di Maria was handed the fabled number seven shirt at Old Trafford in what seemed like the perfect fit.

Di Maria’s time at United can be broken into three parts. He dazzled in early matches and looked highly promising. He made a superb goal-scoring debut in the 4-0 romp over Queens Park Rangers in September before showing incredible skill to score with an audacious lob in the 5-3 defeat against Leicester City.

Midway through the campaign, the Argentine suffered a couple of niggling injuries which meant he was in an out of the team. The attempted burglary of his home, whilst he was there with his family, has definitely had a huge effect on his season. It is hard enough settling into a new country and culture and this wouldn’t have made it any easier.

The latter part of the season has seen the 27-year-old struggle to regain his September form. Perhaps that early promise masked the fact that he was still settling in and a few bumps in the road have now made it quite obvious. Whilst there is no doubting his ability, Di Maria has yet to set the Premier League alight. But despite the criticism of his form it is worth noting that in considerably less minutes on the field, Di Maria has a better assist and chances created record than Phillipe Coutinho. The Liverpool attacker has been lauded by critics and nominated for PFA Player of the Year. Imagine what Di Maria can achieve when he finds his form!

**Luke Shaw (Southampton, £27 million)**

Manchester United made Luke Shaw the world’s most expensive teenager when they secured his signature from Southampton. It has been a whirlwind couple of years for the 19-year-old.

After making his debut in January 2012, the left back steadily rose to prominence over the next two seasons, and he was named in the PFA Team of Year for the 2013/14 season. In February of that season, he made his international debut against Denmark, before being selected as a part of Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad. With England already out, Shaw played in 0-0 draw with Costa Rica, becoming the youngest player to participate in the tournament.

In truth, Luke Shaw has endured a difficult first campaign at Manchester United. Injuries and fitness issues have stopped him getting an extended run in the first team. He has admitted that the big step up from Southampton to United has been harder than expected and has taken time for him to adjust to.

There is no doubting that Shaw has enormous potential. He has all the attributes to become the number one left back for club and country for the next decade at least. In the defeat to Chelsea, in his first appearance in six weeks, we saw the promise come to the fore in what was a terrific performance.

If he can rid himself of his injury problems there is no reason why Luke Shaw cannot become the best left back in the world. That £27 million fee could be an absolute bargain.

**Daley Blind (Ajax Amsterdam, £14 million)**

No one was caught off guard by the capture of Holland international Daley Blind. Having worked closely with Louis van Gaal during Holland’s successful 2014 World Cup campaign, where he famously set up Robin van Persie’s spectacular header against Spain, the deal to United was the transfer window’s worst kept secret.

The signing of Blind, son of Ajax and Dutch legend Danny, was a fairly straightforward one. The 25-year-old was the stand-out player in the Eredivisie in 2013/14, being named the Dutch Footballer of the Year.

Despite suffering a knee ligament injury which saw him miss two months of the season, Blind has been a superb asset to Louis van Gaal’s squad. His versatility suits his manager’s philosophy and he has excelled in a variety of positions. His recent performances at left back have coincided with the teams’ upturn in form and he has also scored a couple of crucial goals, earning draws at The Hawthorns and Upton Park.

£14 million pounds seems like a steal on the early evidence of Daley Blind’s Manchester United career. Whilst not always noticed, his contribution is always vital to the team’s success. He looks like an inspired purchase.

**Marcos Rojo (Sporting Lisbon, £16 million)**

Not many Manchester United fans would have heard of Marcos Rojo before the 2014 World Cup. But when he sealed a £16 million transfer to Old Trafford many were familiar with the Argentine defender. His terrific performances in Brazil as a powerful full back had helped his country reach the final.

Work permit problems prevented his debut from taking place until the 4-0 defeat of Queens Park Rangers. Since then, his passionate and whole-hearted displays have made him a fan’s favourite. He’s been in and out of the team since dislocating his shoulder in the 1-0 Manchester derby defeat at the Etihad in November but has shown a great desire to perform in the red shirt when he has played.

In the current transfer climate £16 million is a relative bargain, and Rojo plays with such passion and gives his all for the jersey, that he looks worth every penny. Combine that with pace, power and a crunching tackle and he will surely go on to be a great signing for the club.

**Victor Valdes (Barcelona, Free)**

Not many clubs can boast having two top class goalkeepers. Thanks to the January capture of Victor Valdes, Manchester United now can.

Part of the all-conquering Barcelona side of Pep Guardiola, Valdes announced his decision to leave the Catalan giants when his contract expired in the summer of 2014. He was linked with clubs across Europe including Monaco and Liverpool but a serious knee injury suffered in March of that year derailed any move and also saw him finish his glittering Barcelona career on a stretcher.

Having been given his first chance at Barcelona by Louis van Gaal, it was little surprise when he was offered the chance to return to first team training at United’s Carrington base. He impressed enough with his fitness and ability to be offered an 18-month contract in January.

Although he is considered as an experienced backup, the rumours sparked from his signing that he was going to replace apparent Madrid bound David de Gea. What we do know is that Manchester United have a terrific player with incredible experience, shown when he gave an inspirational team talk to the Under-21 squad before he made his debut in a match against Liverpool. When called upon Valdes will be a wonderful servant for the club.

**Radamel Falcao (AS Monaco, £6 million Loan)**

Not a day seems to go by without a mention or report on the future of Radamel Falcao. Arguably the most talked about player in the Premier League this season, Falcao has endured a difficult campaign, and has had more impact in the newspapers than on the pitch.

In what was the most sensational transfer of recent times, I wasn’t the only fan waiting up to 1.30 in the morning to see if the deal to bring Falcao to Manchester was done. The initial talk was of a move to City but it was United who got their man, in a year-long loan deal with a view to a permanent move in the summer.

A loan deal was made on account of the serious knee injury Falcao suffered in January whilst playing for Monaco. It was the second such injury he’d suffered during his career, as a result of this one he missed the 2014 World Cup, and it seemed like a wise move from the United board to go for a loan move first.

Many would have expected the deal to have been made permanent soon after, such was the quality of the player. But in his short time in England, the Falcao we have seen has been a pale imitation of the incredible striker who had graced Spain and Portugal with majestic performances and goals galore. On his day he was the best striker in world football.

But 4 goals in 24 matches isn’t the sign of a great forward nor a fully fit one. Perhaps the injuries and the fact he’s been playing professional football since the age of 13 have finally caught up with him. He has struggled to adapt to the tempo of the Premier League, with niggling injury problems and looks completely bereft of confidence.

It will take a £43.5 million pound deal to make Radamel Falcao a permanent member of the Manchester United squad. Whilst a deal looks unlikely at present, there is still time for the Colombian to prove himself in the final few matches. He still needs to prove that he is no longer living off of a reputation forged in the past. If he can do that, as I’m sure plenty of United fans would love to see, then he could hold on to the famous number nine shirt of Manchester United for a while longer.

**Ander Herrera (Athletic Bilbao, £28 million)**

After almost a year-long pursuit, Manchester United finally got their man when they signed Athletic Bilbao midfielder Ander Herrera.

The 25-year-old had already come to the attention of United supporters as part of the terrific Bilbao side that shocked Old Trafford with a 3-2 victory in the Europa League back in 2012. He is typically Spanish; a great passer, intelligent on and off the ball and wonderfully intuitive of where his teammates are on the pitch.

Considering this and the position that he plays in, Herrera is just what United have been crying out for. A top central midfielder. He might have initially found it difficult to get a starting berth in Louis van Gaal’s side but he has well and truly nailed down a position now.

A string of fine midfield displays over the Spring have made Herrera one of the first names on the teamsheet. He’s linked up marvellously with Juan Mata and Antonio Valencia and he’s added goals to the team from midfield, leading to comparisons with a certain Paul Scholes.

He’s arguably more similar to Barcelona pair Xavi and Iniesta. And if he continues to play in the same manner, there is no reason why he cannot reach the same level of his illustrious compatriots. An inspired signing.