With over fifteen players sent on loan in the last eight months, Manchester United have their books filled with hungry and young (and some not so young) talent. Another season is easily coming to a close and we review some of the players who, in personal opinion, can contribute to the first team next season.
Jesse Lingard
After two excellent summer-break tours under two different managers, Lingard’s long-expected debut on the opening day of the season ended in disappointment after just 23 minutes – knee injury kept him out for five months. The 22-year-old is currently loaned to Derby County in what’s his fourth Championship loan in four years and is doing well at promotion-chasers, usually playing at the left wing or #10 position. Van Gaal will have his name underlined, especially because of his versatility and close-control technique. His time to shine is certainly to come, knowing the managers intentions of giving the chance to promising academy products.
Luis Nani
Once considered as having the better potential than Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani’s United career went downhill with constant hamstring injuries and lack of playing time to catch a good form. Inconsistency was an epithet most often mentioned when describing the Portuguese, which left fans frustrated, knowing his technical ability and the sheer moments of brilliance he is capable of providing. This season’s loan to his parent club Sporting Lisbon seems to be a hit, with Nani playing regularly and performing magnificently, especially in the Champions League, which brings the best out of him (4 goals and 2 assist in 5 games). Nani signed a five-year-contract under Moyes and it will be interesting to see if van Gaal can revitalise his United career.
Javier Hernandez
In the light of recent Champions League performance, in which he was the only scorer to take Real Madrid to semi-final, the questions about “Little Pea” have once again been asked. It is obvious the Mexican’s goal-scoring thrives when given confidence and belief, but knowing van Gaal’s high standards, he will not be first choice at United. However, his impact when coming off the bench was regularly fertile for Manchester United in situations when the Reds are struggling to put the ball into the net and with Falcao’s trial failing and van Persie’s status in question, Hernandez would be a very good back-up option, if he’s willing to play that role.
Ben Pearson
Current limited numbers of players who can play in midfield may force the staff to give the chance to this youth graduate. Pearson has almost every predisposition to become a complete midfielder United have longed for a quite a time, with his quality passing, tackling and stamina. He is a regular at League One club Barnsley and is at right age (20) to be given a pre-season tour place. Van Gaal certainly won’t put himself in the same situation again next season, having to put Rooney in midfield due to short bench, and Pearson could be new revelation, just as Paddy McNair is this season.
Tom Cleverley
Cleverley’s situation is simple; if he would accept to play a second (or even third) fiddle, van Gaal would turn him into a decent back-up option in his 4-3-3 (4-1-4-1) system. Nonetheless, he is not a youngster any more and neither did he set the world under his feet at Aston Villa. Considering that his contract runs out in two months, it would be a miracle if Cleverley stayed at Old Trafford next season, with a number of other clubs interesting in his services.
Likewise, a significant amount of players will have to be offloaded or sold. It’s hard to see positive denouement in the red shirt for Nick Powell, Guillermo Varela, Ben Amos (who celebrated 25th birthday this April), Sam Johnstone, Will Keane and Angelo Henriquez. van Gaal’s end of season “purge” is inevitable and he will certainly have little emotion towards players who didn’t show enough quality or dedication to succeed at United.
The likes of Saidy Janko, Reece James, Paddy McNair, Joe Rothwell, Andreas Pereira, James Wilson and maybe even Adnan Januzaj will have to be loaned if they want to have a long-term future at the club.
Another summer transfer spree is expected to happen and a rare squad position will be available for these Academy youths, so the solution where they have a regular play-time will be beneficial to every party involved.
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