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Our club-by-club guide ahead of the start of the 2014/15 Barclays Premier League campaign
Tue 5 Aug 2014
BPL Kick-off: Van Gaal has returned feel-good factor to Old Trafford
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Manchester United
Manager: Louis van Gaal (June 2014)
Home ground: Old Trafford
Players in: Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera
First five BPL matches: Swansea City (H), Sunderland (A), Burnley (A), Queens Park Rangers (H), Leicester City (A)
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Louis van Gaal will take charge of his first competitive match as Manchester United manager when the 13-times Barclays Premier League champions kick off the 2014/15 campaign against Swansea City at Old Trafford.
The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona coach, who led the Netherlands last month to third in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, took over at Old Trafford this summer with a view to improving the seventh position the club finished last term, the only time they have not finished in the top three in the Barclays Premier League.
Although the 2013/14 campaign started well for new manager David Moyes with an emphatic 4-1 victory at the Liberty Stadium in a reverse fixture of this season's opening-day encounter with Swansea City, early-season defeats by West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool led United to slip out of the top six. The League's best away record kept United in the hunt for UEFA Europa League qualification, but Tottenham Hotspur edged them to sixth in the final weeks.
United added to the January signing of Spain midfielder Juan Mata from Chelsea with his compatriot Ander Herrera and England left-back Luke Shaw, who established himself as one of the Barclays Premier League's leading young talents at Southampton.
Wayne Rooney, who needs 15 more goals to become the second-highest scorer in Barclays Premier League history, and Robin van Persie are among a host of attacking options who will lead United's pursuit of a 21st top-flight title.
Rooney helped United cap off a promising pre-season with a goal in their International Champions Cup final victory against Liverpool in Miami. Van Gaal also led his side to pre-season wins against Los Angeles Galaxy, AS Roma, Inter Milan and Real Madrid as he picked up his first trophy as United manager.
The Dutchman's assistant is Ryan Giggs, the club legend who retired from professional football after scoring 109 goals in 632 Barclays Premier League appearances and playing a part in 13 title triumphs, including their most recent in 2012/13, and was interim manager after the departure of Moyes for the final matches of last season.
After the League opener against Swansea, United will play newly promoted Burnley, Queens Park Rangers and Leicester City in the opening two months of the season. Sunderland, who knocked United out of the Capital One Cup semi-finals last season, and West Ham United also face Van Gaal's side in the early stages.
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Best BPL finish : 1st (1992/93;1993/94; 1995/96; 1996/97; 1998/99; 1999/00; 2000/01; 2002/03; 2006/07; 2007/08; 2008/09; 2010/11; 2012/13)
Last five BPL finishes : 7th 1st 2nd 1st 2nd
Seasons in the BPL : All (1992/93-2013/14)
Most BPL appearances : Ryan Giggs (632)
Top BPL goalscorer : Wayne Rooney (158)
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The local view - James Ducker (The Times)
Hopes for the new season.
As a minimum requirement, Louis van Gaal will be expected to guide Manchester United back into the Champions League, although as the Dutchman stressed at his formal unveiling as manager last month, "for me the challenge is always first, and not fourth". Going from seventh to first would be a tall order, especially as Manchester City and Chelsea both have better-quality squads, but the lack of European football at Old Trafford should boost the prospects of a sustained title push. Liverpool demonstrated the benefits of an absence of European distractions last season. In contrast with 12 months ago, United also have a very kind start. Beyond that, United supporters will want to see a marked improvement in the style and speed of their team's football after the ponderous, one dimensional fare too often served up last term.
What was the overall impression of last season?
Beyond the improvement of David De Gea, the emergence of Adnan Januzaj and Wayne Rooney's sporadic return to form, it was a disastrous campaign. There was criticism of the quality of the squad that Sir Alex Ferguson had bequeathed David Moyes, but it should not be forgotten that the former Everton manager took over the champions. The manner in which the players - famed for their defiance, resilience and character under Ferguson – failed to perform was disappointing, as was shown in the abject 3-0 defeats at home to Liverpool and Manchester City respectively in March. Although United had a respectable away record, they were consumed by fear at Old Trafford, where they lost seven times in the league.
What are the special qualities of Louis van Gaal?
Ruthless decision-making and a big-club mentality for a start, which, after the uncertainty that seemed to inhibit Moyes, are being warmly received at Old Trafford. Van Gaal has wasted no time imposing himself, introducing a new 3-4-1-2 system he used to good effect at the World Cup finals with Holland this summer - double training sessions have been a fixture as he attempts to school the squad in the formation's finer details - as well as a host of rules designed to foster team spirit and discipline. For example, the senior squad, academy players and coaches now all eat lunch together at the club's Carrington training ground at 1pm. Carrington is being overhauled, with surveillance cameras installed on the training pitches so Van Gaal can film and review sessions in microscopic detail. After the laboured football last season, Van Gaal has been striving to increase the speed, tempo and precision of United's play.
Manchester United's strengths and weaknesses.
Financially, United continue to go from strength to strength, a new 10-year kit deal with Adidas for a reported £750 million underlining the club's global commercial appeal, despite their worst Premier League season for 23 years. In Rooney, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata, they have one of the league's most formidable attacks which, if utilised properly, should deliver goals and in De Gea one of Europe's outstanding young goalkeepers. Van Gaal has an impressive track record of success and appears to have quickly won the respect of the squad. Do not underestimate either the desire to atone for last season's embarrassment. Yet weaknesses abound. Ander Herrera's arrival from Athletic Bilbao should improve a midfield that has been neglected for too long and remains an area of concern and we will wait to discover whether the likes of Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling - all of whom have had poor injury records in recent years - can prove they are good enough to fill the void left by Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
What is the mood like among the fans?
Hugely optimistic. Van Gaal's arrival has restored the feel-good factor. There is, of course, a danger that too much faith is being placed in the manager when the squad still requires surgery in key areas but it is not uncommon to hear supporters describing how they have "got their club back". The early signs have been very encouraging, with fans buoyed by what they saw on the club's pre-season tour of the United States and plenty quietly expecting the team to mount a genuine challenge for the championship.
What are the matches the fans always look forward to, and what are the ones they dread?
For the first time in a very long time last season, it was possible to detect a sense of dread among the United fan-base when the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City visited Old Trafford in March and subsequently underlined just why United supporters had been so apprehensive, both sides taking the champions apart. That - the sense of dread - will not be the case this term. The traditionally big games against City and Liverpool will be relished and the matches against Chelsea will be eagerly anticipated, not least because of the long standing relationship between Van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.
Who is the best young talent BPL fans might see emerge this season?
Adnan Januzaj enjoyed an impressive debut season despite United's struggles and if the team can get their swagger back he could be in his element. The Belgium winger may have to be patient, though. There are no wingers in Van Gaal's system, and although there is confidence that Januzaj will thrive in time in the No 9 or No 10 roles, he will have to make the most of opportunities when they come. Reece James impressed on the club's tour of the US and the left-back may get a chance as an understudy to Luke Shaw. De Gea has bulked up again and looks impressive. Neither Herrera, Evans nor Tom Cleverley could be classed as young but they are the sort of players who should blossom under Van Gaal.
Manchester United in three words:
Wounded. Hungry. Expectant.