Man Utd under Van Gaal: How Depay, a Liverpool star and a Man City style could have been

MANCHESTER UNITED remain far from the finished product under Jose Mourinho. But what would Louis van Gaal’s third season have been like had he been given more time? Express Sport now looks at how things could have been over at Old Trafford.
Manchester United thought Van Gaal was the man to steer them back to the summit of English football when he swaggered into town in 2014.

After all, this was the same man who had steered a woefully average Netherlands side to the World Cup semi-finals just months previously.

Ultimately, though, his Manchester United reign failed to take off. An FA Cup triumph aside, the club never looked likely to win the title.

Yet Express Sport looks at how Van Gaal could have changed things in three ways had he stayed in charge.
Depay may not have been a Man Utd flop
Manchester United have been linked with a swoop for Zlatan Ibrahimovic but, if their attack really does need reinforcing with a returning start, they would be better going for Memphis Depay instead.

The Dutchman has his mojo back. Nearly two years on from his departure, the Holland international is back to his best.

Louis Van Gaal always knew Depay had the talent to succeed at Old Trafford. His tough love approach, though, failed to get the best from him.

However, that could have been different in Van Gaal’s third season. He would likely have given Depay more of a chance to flourish – unlike his successor. And history suggests that, when he gives talented youngsters a chance, they tend to kick on.

United have a buy-back clause in his Lyon contract. It’s about time they considered triggering it.
A Liverpool star
Van Gaal wanted Liverpool star Sadio Mane to join his United revolution back in the summer of 2015.

At the time, the Dutchman knew his side needed a pacey forward. Pedro, his No 1 target, had snubbed a move to Old Trafford for Chelsea instead.



Mane then became a target but, ultimately, stayed at Southampton.

The Liverpool star recently claimed he had discussed a move with Van Gaal but settled on moving to Anfield instead.

The truth of the matter is, though, that by the time United had a chance to make a move Mourinho was in charge. And he ultimately opted to splash the club’s cash elsewhere.
A Man City style
Van Gaal himself claimed that he wanted to implement a style of play at United similar to what Pep Guardiola has done at Manchester City.

He said earlier this year: “Pep Guardiola is, for me, currently the best coach of the Premier League.

“He shows a football that I would have liked to play at Manchester United.

“But he has better players for it.

“For me, the process would have taken longer. Unfortunately, I did not get the time.”
What else?
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford would no doubt have kicked on at United under Van Gaal.

Both players have blown hot and cold under Jose Mourinho yet, under the Dutchman, they delivered with impressive inconsistency.

Paul Pogba probably wouldn’t be there. Van Gaal doesn’t care for egos, no matter the talent. Just look at Angel Di Maria.

And Daley Blind would probably still be partnering Chris Smalling at the back. Victor Lindelof would be nowhere in sight.

Source:www.express.co.uk