Manchester United: What to Expect from United's New Signings After Their Debuts

Manchester United sent their Premier League rivals a message on Sunday, as they gave Queens Park Rangers an unwelcome reminder of what it used to be like to visit Old Trafford. Goals, excitement and the classic swagger has returned, signalling that the post-Ferguson United have finally halted their decline.

The comfortable 4-0 win suggests that the misery of the last 14 months is now behind them and a bright future once again awaits. A host of new signings, a switch in system and the appointment of a tactically astute head coach means Manchester United fans can get excited again—and the likes of Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao and Ander Herrera are set to lead the way.

Of course, it's worth remembering that it was only one game and it will be far from the toughest test United will face this season. But regardless of the opposition, the manner of the victory has birthed a new wave of optimism. It was a throwback to the classic United of the past, but there are different faces carrying out similar roles.

Manager Louis van Gaal had already been under increasing pressure to deliver. The Mirror's Andy Dunn claimed that "the jury remained out" on the Dutchman following the drab draw against Burnley, prior to the international break. But his team's rebuttal on the pitch was stern and remorseless.

Dunn, one of many critics of Van Gaal's 3-5-2 system used in fixtures prior, saw the former Dutch national coach abandon the philosophy in favour of a midfield diamond—and he was better off for it.

Despite the upset, Van Gaal has spent his money wisely. He has been trusted as the man to form a new look United after the club hierarchy lost all faith in David Moyes earlier this year. 

Van Gaal's side have turned a corner that wasn't even in sight while Moyes was in charge. The Scot's tenure brought about a fall from grace in the 2013/14 season, as United finished in seventh place and out of the European qualification positions for the first time in the Premier League era.

Spending £150 million on players since the managerial switch has been a big reason for the improvement, there's no doubt about that. The calls for such an investment to take place would not cease last season. Bereft of talent (in midfield especially), United needed to recruit a host of world class players; and in Di Maria and Falcao, that's exactly what they ended up getting.

Fellow new signings Ander Herrera, Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo helped United significantly in their quest for their first Premier League win of the season, but it was the club's new No.7 who stole the show on Sunday afternoon. 

Deployed in central midfield, Di Maria's direct, pacey dribbling style brought a breath of fresh air to Old Trafford, while he simultaneously echoed the abilities of new assistant manager Ryan Giggs—who terrorised defences in a similar way during his 24-year stay in United's first team.

Di Maria will be the type of player to take matches by the scruff of the neck and produce moments of brilliance to decide them, as he has proven so often before at club and international level. His recent performance for Argentina against Germany is a perfect example.

While playing under Van Gaal though, Di Maria will be held to the highest of standards. His manager reflected following the win and still found reason to pick at his performance, even after playing a part in three goals. Di Maria's 80.3 per cent passing accuracy was the lowest of all United's outfield players, and as David Woods of the Daily Star reported, the Dutchman wants to see an improvement:

"

When you have a part in three goals and make the first goal yourself, then he can't have played bad. But he had a lot of unnecessary losses (of the ball) so we can do better, even Angel Di Maria.

You can say it is impossible to do better when you prepare three goals and make one yourself.

But I am a trainer and a coach and reading the game and there are two or three things we need to improve on as a team.

"

Di Maria's high profile home debut coincided with a late introduction for Colombian striker Radamel Falcao. The former Monaco star is likely to get among the goals over the coming weeks as he regularly interchanges with Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney for a striking berth.

Falcao was denied the dream opportunity to break his duck late on in the match, but with a record as rich as 104 goals in 139 games since the start of 2009/10, per Opta Joe on Twitter, rest assured that his goals will soon start to flow.

Ander Herrera has, like Di Maria, been seen already. But his first goal for the club came in a match where United struck an excellent midfield balance. Occupying the right side of a diamond, Herrera diligently carried out duties in both defence and attack, showing the midfield bite that was expected from him when he signed from Athletic Bilbao.

He will need to pick his moments in future matches, but the Spaniard showed an eye for goal when he clinically fired home after a pass from Wayne Rooney.

But the attacking performance was based on a solid midfield foundation—as Daley Blind's simple yet effective outlook on the game allowed United to flourish in the final third. Blind may lack a yard of pace, but his anticipation for snuffing out danger and his aptitude to not overuse the ball is a welcome relief.

United fans who have been craving a midfield anchorman have finally got their wish. 

According to Opta Joe, Blind recorded 112 successful passes in the fixture and with Van Gaal prepared to keep using him in midfield, United's forwards will be able to focus more on creating opportunities. The Dutchman occupied the centre of the pitch and was happy with his debut, according to Guardian writer Jamie Jackson:

"

It is a new team and it can be difficult at first but I think we did well.

Everybody is feeling good and everyone helped each other when we lost the ball. It’s important that we do that as quickly as possible when we lose it. That is the manager’s philosophy.

We did a good job as a team. This is a new beginning and we’re looking forward to the next game.

"

Marcos Rojo's addition to the defensive line was another step in the right direction, but there will still be work to do on the squad in future transfer windows. Another top quality centre half—perhaps even two—is required, as well as another quality creative midfielder. 

But for now at least, Van Gaal has the nucleus of a new look squad that will be able to make their way back into Europe's premier club competition. With rivals Arsenal and Liverpool looking shaky at the best of times, United have an opportunity over the next few weeks to establish themselves in the Champions League places. 

United face a trip to Premier League newcomers on match day five, and if they can pick up another three points, confidence will remain high. In turn, West Ham United, Everton and West Bromwich Albion will face infinitely sterner tests than last season over the next few games, but the true test of United's mettle will come as they face consecutive clashes with Chelsea and Manchester City in October and November.

But a team with confidence is dangerous. Just watch United grow over the next couple of weeks.