LVG Needs Set Tactical Plan Before Succeeding with Man Utd Summer Recruitment

Louis van Gaal has got 12 games to get Manchester United back into the Champions League. And he's got 12 games to find a plan for next season.

It seemed certain they would be back among Europe's elite when they were winning six games in a row in November and December. But not any more. 

It's likely United will need another 25 points to be sure of finishing fourth. That means winning eight and drawing one of their last 12 games. But with five of the Premier League's top seven still to play, that's easier said than done.

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If United do qualify for next season's Champions League, they're going to stumble over the line. It's understandable, with Van Gaal only in his first season at Old Trafford and his rebuild on hold until the summer.

But then what about next season? Expectations will never be so low at United. A top-four finish was the minimum requirement this season. Next season, the fans, and the board, will expect a credible title challenge.

But to do that, Van Gaal needs a plan. There didn't seem to be one during last summer's recruitment drive. The Dutchman spent his first three months with the players, teaching them to play 3-5-2. Then he spent a British record fee on Angel Di Maria, who played his best football at Real Madrid in a 4-3-3.

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Any plan must start with a system. Van Gaal is a coach and likes the tactical battle with other managers, tweaking his formations to expose weaknesses in opposing teams.

He's used 3-5-2 and variations of 4-4-2 at United this season. But having a settled system helps when it comes to signing new players. It's much easier to slot players into a system than finding a system to suit a group of players. It's one of the reasons United have struggled for consistency so far this season.

After the defeat to Swansea, United face a tough task to finish in the top four. They've got a daunting run-in while Arsenal, Southampton, Tottenham and Liverpool have all been in better form over the last 10 games.

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But to avoid a similar situation next season, Van Gaal must get his summer recruitment right. The supporters will expect his rebuild to be complete after overseeing three transfer windows.

But it's difficult to make meaningful additions without a plan of how you want to play. With the right results between now and the end of the season, Van Gaal will get away with it this season. But expectations will be higher next year. And so will the pressure on the United manager to get it right.