Manchester United has seen many great players come and go over the years. However, few managers have had as much of an impact on the club’s transfer history as Louis van Gaal. The Dutchman was appointed as manager of the Red Devils in 2014 and had an eventful two-year tenure at Old Trafford. During this time, he oversaw several high-profile signings that have left a lasting legacy on the club. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of Louis van Gaal’s most significant signings for Manchester United.
The Arrival of Anthony Martial
One of Louis van Gaal’s most notable signings was French forward Anthony Martial. In the summer of 2015, the 19-year-old was signed from AS Monaco for a fee of £36 million, making him the most expensive teenager in football history at the time. Martial made an instant impact at Old Trafford, scoring on his debut against rivals Liverpool. He went on to score 17 goals in his debut season, helping United finish fifth in the Premier League and win the FA Cup. Martial has since become an integral part of the United squad and has established himself as one of the best young forwards in world football.
Memphis Depay’s Short-Lived United Career
Another high-profile signing made by Louis van Gaal was Dutch winger Memphis Depay. The former PSV Eindhoven player was signed for a fee of £25 million in the summer of 2015. Depay was one of the most highly-rated young players in Europe at the time and had been linked with moves to several top clubs. However, his time at United was short-lived, and he struggled to make an impact in the Premier League. Depay scored just two league goals in his 33 appearances for United and was eventually sold to French club Lyon in January 2017. Despite his disappointing spell at Old Trafford, Depay has since rediscovered his form and has become one of the best players in Ligue 1.
The Arrival of Matteo Darmian
Italian defender Matteo Darmian was another player signed by Louis van Gaal in the summer of 2015. Darmian was brought in from Torino for a fee of £12.7 million and was seen as a replacement for the departing Rafael da Silva. The versatile full-back made a solid start to his United career, impressing with his defensive abilities and work-rate. However, his form dipped in his second season, and he found himself out of favour with new manager Jose Mourinho. Darmian was eventually sold to Italian club Parma in 2019, bringing an end to his four-year spell at Old Trafford.
The Arrival of Morgan Schneiderlin
French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin was signed by Louis van Gaal in the summer of 2015 from Southampton. The defensive midfielder was brought in to add some steel to the United midfield and was seen as a long-term replacement for Michael Carrick. Schneiderlin made a solid start to his United career but struggled to establish himself as a regular starter under new manager Jose Mourinho. He was eventually sold to Everton in January 2018, bringing an end to his two-and-a-half-year spell at Old Trafford.
The Arrival of Bastian Schweinsteiger
German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger was signed by Louis van Gaal in the summer of 2015 from Bayern Munich. The experienced midfielder was seen as a key addition to the United squad and was expected to bring some much-needed leadership and experience to the team. However, his time at United was marred by injuries, and he struggled to make an impact on the pitch. Schweinsteiger was eventually sold to MLS club Chicago Fire in 2017, bringing an end to his disappointing spell at Old Trafford.
The Legacy of Louis van Gaal’s Signings
Overall, Louis van Gaal’s tenure at Manchester United was a mixed bag. While he oversaw some significant signings, such as Anthony Martial and Matteo Darmian, he also made some mistakes, such as the signing of Memphis Depay. However, his signings have left a lasting legacy on the club and have helped shape the team that we see today. Players like Anthony Martial and Morgan Schneiderlin may no longer be at the club, but their contributions have helped lay the foundations for a new era of success at Old Trafford.
While Louis van Gaal’s time at United may have been short-lived, his impact on the club’s transfer history will be felt for years to come. His signings may not have all been successful, but they have helped shape the team that we see today. As United continues to rebuild and strive for success in the coming years, the legacy of Louis van Gaal’s signings will continue to play a vital role in the club’s history.
Komentar
Posting Komentar