"Louis Van Gaal has recaptured the spirit within Manchester United"

This season has well and truly been reminiscent of another roller-coaster ride for Manchester United. After a stuttering start and only managing 10 points from 13 games, aligned with a very average Christmas period, this resulted in some uncertain questions in the direction of Louis Van Gaal, and specifically the idea that not a lot has really changed since the arrival of the Dutchman. However as the season came to a close, Louis Van Gaal has proved he is more than capable of getting United back to the top. With fantastic, enthralling displays against Liverpool, Spurs and Manchester City, Manchester Untied were able to grab a well needed  position within the top 4 and with relative ease. Is this Mission Accomplished For Louis Van Gaal?

Louis Van Gaal leading United out at Anfield. 

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville recently described the charismatic speech by Louis Van Gaal at Manchester United's player of the year speech as the "best and funniest 20 minutes". The speech really was entertaining, almost mirroring some of the great speeches and interviews done by the great Sir Alex Ferguson, I feel the magic is back at Manchester United. Not just within the playing side, the squad looks more United and together than ever, and more determined to get right back at the top of English and European football. For Louis Van Gaal, his success it is all about respect of his philosophy, hard work, and team work. This has been well transcended within the squad as they all seem to be embedded with the belief that the possibility of a record 21st league title is close. Wayne Rooney was recently quoted as to saying "the team feels close, we are not to far off mounting a serious challenge for the title". 

It would take a very brave soul to disagree with the fact that United are close to competing for the Premier League title. However Jamie Carragher was quoted saying that United were conversely actually ."far from the title".

Celebrations lead by captain, Wayne Rooney in United's 4-2 victory over neighbors Manchester City. 

To seriously mount a challenge for a title you must be able to take as many points off the top 4-6 teams. As we have seen in previous years teams like Arsenal, Southampton, and spurs have played some great football, arguably some of the best football in the league, but their essence of failure when playing the teams around them is there for everyone to see and has stunted their abilities to be able to mount a serious challenge for the title. This is the primary reason that United are closer than people think to another title, their record this season against the top 6 teams has been pretty admirable, considering factors such as a devastating amount of injuries to first team players, and of course it being Louis Van Gaal's debut season. If you look at Manchester United's record against teams in the top 6 this season, out of a possible 30 points from 10 games, they have taken 18 points from the top 6 clubs (BBC Sport) which is a very impressive total. Arsenal have only taken 11 points of the top 6 and interestingly only 6 points off the top 4, with Manchester United managing to take 8 points from the top 4 clubs. However in contrast United have been rather poor against the bottom 10 sides this season, and this is the reason they have fallen well short of the title. The deficit was only 18 points (4 wins & 3 draws) and the title could have been very much theirs. You look to the double over United completed by Swansea, and poor losses to Leicester, West Brom and Southampton at, these are all games you must win to become champions. So United are close, this is obvious to see, but next season how much damage are they capable of conflicting on Chelsea's attempt to retain their Premier League title?

Experts are saying that United need 6 or 5 world class players in order to compete for the title next season, I disagree, they only need 3, even if De Gea does leave. Valdes for me is a good keeper, in his game against Hull he make some truly world class saves, his shot stopping in second to none, and I put the couple of mistakes he made down to nervousness. I expect business will be done early by Louis Van Gaal and Manchester United, and this is in order to allow the players time to integrate into the managers philosophy and the tactics of the team. The position of right back is one that needs improvement, yes Antonio Valencia has performed admirably, and I think he can be a very good back up right back. As for Rafael, Van Gaal does not fancy him at all, I think he likes consistency in his positions within the team, and Rafael is not consistent enough. I would like to see Nathaniel Clyne at the club, as I have said in other blogs, there is a lot of potential there, and he is English and knows the Premier League well. Daniel Alves is available on a free transfer and I do think he would make a decent second choice as he still has a couple of years at the top. Center back has been something of a reoccurring issue for years at Old Trafford, a world class defender is needed. I would like Dortmund's Mats Hummels, but it looks like Valencia's Otamendi could be the one to come into the team, a physically strong, acrobatic leader, and I think he would be perfect for the role needed. Then there is the need of a true combative defensive/ box to box midfielder. I think this will be Gundogan, the deal is done in principle and unless the player changes his mind he will be in the red of united next season for sure, and he has proven this season he is fit again and gradually showing signs of excellence he has previously shown in his time at Dortmund under Klopp.

Louis Van Gaal at the Player of the year awards, where he delivered a passionate and motivated analysis of the season. 

I don't think a new striker is necessary to be honest. Louis Van Gaal plays with a lone striker, and the best position for Wayne Rooney is without a doubt as a centre forward. Nothing is more frustrating as an onlooker than seeing the Englishman lingering like a frustrated puppy within the heart of the midfield area, his full potential can only be fulfilled at the top of the pitch. I would also like to see Robin Van Persie stay, but he has to be okay with being the back up striker and that will be the decision if he stays of goes in the summer, with Juventus, Milan and PSG reportedly interested. A lot of players will be sold this summer, but I do think chances should be given to Adnan Januzai, James Wilson, Andrea's Perieira, and Patrick McNair, they all have great potential, and production of quality youth players is what Manchester United is all about. 

So how far can Manchester United really go next season? Can they challenge or even win the Premier League? Or potentially mount a serious challenge for another domestic or European trophy? Yes I believe they will, I struggle to see United going without a trophy next season, having not won one for 2 years now some of the long serving players such as Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick will want silverware again. With a good summer transfer window, and more progression next season I expect United to finish at least 2nd in the league and to mount a serious challenge in the cups, with a minimum of a quarter final in the Champions League.