After United defeated Liverpool 3-1 in Miami on Monday night, the squad were crowned champions of the Guinness International Champions Cup. This is the first trophy earned under new manager Louis van Gaal, and will surely not be the last. United finish their preseason tour of the US undefeated – going 5-0 while defeating top clubs from around the world. Although the tournament was strictly preparation for teams involved, United have sent a message to the rest of the footballing world with their performances throughout the competition – they mean business.
Last week, van Gaal said that upon the tour’s completion, he would make the decision regarding which players United is going to sell and which players will remain at Old Trafford. The United manager has said that he will say to the players what he believes must be done regarding their futures, and not to the press. This is good and bad, because the speculation we will encounter in the meantime is just that, speculation. Who do we think is leaving Old Trafford before the months’ end? Who deserves to stay?
Although Ashley Young has been out of favour at United for quite a while, his performances so far at the wing-back position under van Gaal have given the Englishmen another chance to show his worth, and he has reminded United fans everywhere that he is still a talented and valuable player. He put in a Man of the Match performance against Real Madrid, scoring twice against Los Blancos. I don’t think Youngy is going anywhere.
A lot of players are linked with moves away from United, with numerous teams showing interest in Shinji Kagawa and Javier Hernandez. Both players haven’t really performed poorly, but they have not exactly lived up to the expectations the club had of them. Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis says that he is ready to offer Marouane Fellaini a way out of the Premier League club. Fellaini cost United £27.5 million, making him the club’s fourth most expensive player. The Belgian International has failed to score once in a United shirt. I also believe that Luis Nani will be on his way out before the new season begins, possibly along with Tom Cleverley.
I think Wilfried Zaha should be sent out on loan, because although he clearly shows potential and glimpses of brilliance, he still isn’t ready for consistent first-team football at United.
LVG has made it clear that he will not buy players just to buy players. He will use the majority of the players he already has at his disposal, especially after they have impressed on the US tour. What United need is another central midfielder and a strong centre-back. If we could sign Arturo Vidal from Juventus and Mats Hummels from Borussia Dortmund, I believe United will boast one of the most solid squads in the Premier League.
Just two weeks remain until the start of the Premier League season, and players across Europe have seen United defeat Real Madrid and Liverpool 3-1. Though we won’t be in the Champions League or even the Europa League, van Gaal and company will be able to divert their full attention to hoisting the Premier League trophy at the end of the season for the 21st time in the clubs decorated history.
Who do you think United should cash in on? Who should they keep? Who should they bring in?
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