How Can Louis Van Gaal Improve His Squad Without Spending Millions?
If you had told any Manchester United fan during last summer's World Cup that their team would be in third position in the Premier League on Christmas Day—five points clear of Arsenal and 10 points clear of Liverpool—they would have danced a merry jig for you.
But this is indeed where the Red Devils currently reside—as excess wrapping paper and too many mince pies rapidly become but a distant memory.
The first half of Louis van Gaal's task as United boss this season is almost complete, but nobody picks up medals and trophies in January.
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After a truly soul-destroying injury crisis, LvG's United are currently the best team in the country—if you discount Chelsea and Manchester City from the mathematics: Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini's sides are way ahead of the chasing pack in terms of depth and quality.
But with the January transfer window now only days away from opening, Van Gaal will once again have a limited period to improve his squad as United push to re-enter the Champions League.
However, can the Dutch coach improve his current setup without breaking the bank? Here, we review how LvG can improve his team without spending millions:
Stick With a Formation
Louis van Gaal has been forced to chop and change his formation throughout his tenure at Old Trafford due to United's incredible injury list—which has grown weekly since pre-season.
LvG has always leaned towards 4-3-3 throughout his coaching career, but the manager has been unable to set his Red Devils team up in his favourite formation.
This season alone, United have played 3-5-2, 4-4-2 diamond and 4-1-4-1—with Van Gaal switching back to his three centre-backs tactic in the past few matches.
Outright confusion has reigned supreme on the pitch at times, as United's pick-and-mix sides have battled to diversify within the chosen shape.
The manager must now choose a formation and stick with it—otherwise he risks seeing the wheels of United's campaign come spinning off into the dirt.
So far, the Red Devils have accumulated points in spite of their performances, not because of them.
Van Gaal is clearly struggling to find a method to include all of his main protagonists in his team—with Wayne Rooney forced to drop into midfield and Angel Di Maria asked to play a more limited winger's role. But now the former Bayern Munich coach has worked with this squad for a number of months, he must give them a tactic they can use on a weekly basis.
If he does this, the Lancashire spring rose could bloom into something surprisingly beautiful, sooner rather than later.
Start Radamel Falcao and Make Him First Choice
The Colombian superstar Radamel Falcao finally got a much-needed start away to Aston Villa last Saturday—and the striker did not disappoint, taking a beautifully timed header and scoring United's only goal of the game.
Falcao is one of those world-class players who needs no advocating or hyperbole.
He is the best on the planet when fit, and if he is to stay at Old Trafford beyond the end of the current campaign, he must start multiple matches—and fast.
Of course, United are blessed in the attacking department with both Rooney and Robin van Persie present.
But if Van Gaal can get Falcao somewhere near his most devastating form—he will destroy Premier League defences.
We are still waiting to see the best of the player as he finds his equilibrium in the United side, but last Saturday he suggested he is not far from his best.
If United get Falcao near to where he wants to be, Champions League qualification will be a breeze.
Van Gaal Must Trust Ander Herrera
The transfer window is once again upon us and every top midfielder in Europe is dressed in the shop window, as Ed Woodward strolls down the proverbial Oxford Street of London.
But many forget United recently shelled out for a top-class midfield operator—namely Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao.
Herrera started life at United in the perfect manner, starring in the club's pre-season tour as the Red Devils put Liverpool, Real Madrid and a host of teams to the sword.
And the Spaniard carried this good form into the new campaign until a rib injury halted his involvement and left him in the treatment room for a number of weeks.
Herrera is now back in the squad, but the emergence of Marouane Fellaini has seen the player stuck on the bench, reduced to a supporting role.
However, Herrera was not brought to United to warm the bench—he is a player who is about to come into his prime and needs Premier League matches to progress.
Van Gaal seems to favour the more physical Fellaini who is superior in the air and has played his best football for the club under United's new regime.
But Herrera is the key to United's long-term progression. Bleacher Report's Guillem Balague said in his article for The Telegraph in June that he believes Herrera is the heir apparent to Andres Iniesta and that the north-west giants had purchased a top-class midfielder:
"So what’s he like and is he worth the money? First and foremost, Ander Herrera is one of those rare commodities, namely a great professional but also a real football fan.
An intelligent, quick attacking midfielder with a great brain and a superb attitude he is not dissimilar to his idol, Andres Iniesta, who might or might never get Andres highs but he is nevertheless considered by many to be the logical successor in the Spanish side to Barcelona’s mercurial maestro.
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Balague continued with the compliments for his countryman, saying Herrera's "work ethic and dedication are beyond reproach," and United fans have already seen this from him in his short time at Old Trafford.
Van Gaal must now show more faith in his multi-million pound investment and give him the responsibility to make his side tick.
Herrera is a player who should become vital to LvG's implementation of his own philosophy, and he has the talent to become United's central fulcrum.
But the player will struggle to settle if he is stuck in the dugout—Herrera could become a world-class player but only if his manager gives him the confidence and faith he needs.
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