Will The Manchester United Faithful Remain Faithful?

ESPN’s Alejandro Moreno believes that the Manchester United faithful and those who are currently full of praise for Louis Van Gaal will turn on the manager the moment the squad fails to perform.  What do we think?

Let’s rewind and take a brief look back at what happened to Manchester United last season.

In David Moyes’ brief tenure at United, the club broke many records – but not the kind of records you want to see your club breaking. His time at United was the shortest that any manager had been at the club for the last 82 years. The campaign started off really slow for Moyes’ Men, and in hindsight those early losses were just the beginning of what would prove to be one season United players, staff, and fans alike would all like to forget.

The squad lost back-to-back games at Old Trafford for the first time since the 2001-2002 season. United had finished outside of the top three for the first time in Premier League history, and had failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 95′. The club will also not have the chance to participate in the Europa League this upcoming season, after they finished seventh in the Premiership. To sum up last season in one word:  abysmal.

Although it had gotten to the point United fans actually paid £840 to fly the message “MOYES OUT” over Old Trafford during a match against Aston Villa, there were still fans who believed that Moyes was truly the chosen one. Although he had many Manchester United Websites and United fans calling for his head, there were still those who remained faithful. There were plenty of reasons to sack Moyes, as he made a lot of questionable squad selections and consistently under-performed. The squad itself lost it’s faith in the manager, and that’s all she wrote.

Enter Van Gaal.

Although just still the first preseason for the new United manager, Louis Van Gaal has made an immediate positive impact on the club. Not only are the players expressing their joy about the new manager’s philosophies and techniques, but they are performing significantly better on the pitch under his leadership. United have not lost a preseason game so far under Van Gaal, and that momentum is continuing to build.

In front of a sellout crowd of 109,318 (the highest attended football match in US history), Manchester United seemed to almost cruise to a 3-1 victory over Real Madrid. The team passing was phenomenal, and United dominated the first half, but only to lead 2-1 going into half time due to a penalty shot made by Gareth Bale. Both goals were scored by Ashley Young, who has not been favored at Old Trafford among many for a long time. The Englishman is really relishing is new role at wing-back, and is surely hoping to impress the new manager.  Although Real was on the attack for most of the second half, and an appearance from Ronaldo no doubt boosted the confidence of Los Blancos, they could not beat David De Gea – who has been stunning during the US tour.  It’s not like both teams weren’t playing legitimate starters, so I think we can take something away from the result. United are back.

Van Gaal may demand more of his players, but they love him for it. They want to play for him, and they like what he has done to the club so far. They have already bought into his footballing philosophy. If the team loses a game or two here and there, I do not think United fans are so fair-weathered that they will turn on this man so quickly. Winning every game and getting every result you want is great, but you can’t win them all. I believe that despite what happens this season, Van Gaal has already proved that his is the right man for the top job at United. He has proven that his philosophy works time and time again at top clubs all over Europe, and Manchester United fans and players alike appreciate what he has already done and what he plan on doing.   As more signings join the side, expect a lot more magnificence from Van Gaal’s United. Watch this space.

I don’t agree with ESPN’s Alejandro Moreno.  Do you?