After sacking the ‘Chosen One’ with four games remaining in the season, Manchester United seems to have found the man to replace David Moyes. Dutch master tactician Louis van Gaal has reportedly agreed a two year contract worth 7m per year with an option for a third year. The Dutchman is currently on duty with his Netherlands squad in preparation for the World Cup and the deal won’t be officially announced by Man United until after their friendly match on Saturday.
The Daily Mail revealed that appointed interim manager Ryan Giggs and United’s Chief Executive Ed Woodward were in the Netherlands yesterday to discuss the plans he has for the club. It was reported that Giggs was offered the position of Assistant Manager and van Gaal also discussed his plans of bringing youngsters through from the academy. Man United has a tradition of giving youth a chance to prove themselves in the first team and van Gaal is a manager who likes young players. It may be a match made in heaven but the ‘straight-talking’ Dutchman likes to do things his way and not being told otherwise.
Despite not being announced until next week, the 62 year old manager made it clear to the Man United board that he wants to bring in some new faces to the club. He has set his sights on Roma’s Kevin Strootman, Toni Kroos of Bayern Munich, William Carvalho of Sporting Lisbon, Mats Hummels of Borussia Dortmund, Southampton’s Luke Shaw and PSG’s Edinson Cavani. There was also mention of Dortmund’s Marco Reus and Feyenoord’s young dynamo Bruno Martins Indi, who is a part of van Gaal’s World Cup provisional squad.
The hierarchy at Old Trafford has made over 100m available for the recruitment of players but from now until the World Cup is concluded, Ed Woodward and Giggs are tasked to try and get the deals done. After he (van Gaal) discussed the plans and strategies of what he wants to achieve during his Man United tenure, it is expected that Giggs should be able to inform each target individually where they fit in the team and what is expected of them should they sign for Man United.
This promises to be a vital transfer window for the Red Devils as they strive to reclaim the Premier League title as well as their rightful spot amongst Europe’s elites in the Champions League. The immediate target for Man United and for van Gaal is to get back into the Champions League and should they lift the title next season it will be a bonus. However, a lot is dependent on how well they perform in this transfer window after enduring a nightmare last summer under then manager David Moyes.
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