Why Manchester United Will Be Even Better in Louis Van Gaal's 2nd Season

In Louis van Gaal’s press conference ahead of Manchester United’s loss to West Bromwich Albion at the beginning of May, he essentially outlined a three-point plan to improve the Red Devils’ overall performance next season.

Although his answers were not structured as such, his responses to journalists covered three issues that could be key to bringing about an improvement in United’s form during the 2015/16 campaign.

Let’s take a look at them here. All quotes are from the same press conference except where otherwise stated.

Pre-Season, or 'Preparation Time'

One of Van Gaal’s linguistic quirks is to refer to pre-season as "preparation time." Speaking about his plan for the summer of 2015, he said: 

"

I think also the preparation of our season. Manchester United has already adapted to a better preparation.

We shall have two bases in the U.S. so we are not flying between matches; we are going via bus, which is better. They have adapted to my criteria, so we shall have a better preparation.

We have started very badly this year. When you cut out the start, we shall equal Chelsea, but we have to start better. When I previewed our preparation now, it looks better. But we have to see.

"

United endured a difficult start to the season, which featured a rather spectacular injury crisis. Better "preparation time" should help avoid this.

In seeking to find a balance between commercial requirements and the interests of the team, it seems as though Van Gaal’s influence has been felt.

United will be travelling within the U.S. by bus rather than on a plane. It is a shorter tour, both geographically and in terms of time. This has taken on additional importance, since it looks as though United are likely to finish fourth, meaning they will face a two-legged Champions League playoff in August.

Less time travelling will also mean more time on the training pitch, which is especially important for any new arrivals.

The playoff also means United have to hit the ground running; losing that tie would mean United miss out on the Champions League.

Breaking Down Teams That Come to Defend: 'The Next Stage of the Process'

United’s defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, their narrow win over Crystal Palace back in November 2014 and their 1-0 home defeat to West Brom are all examples of games in which United really laboured against a defensive opponent.

United’s dominated possession in each of those games but struggled to make the breakthrough.

This is clearly something that is on Van Gaal’s mind. He described mastering games of this type as the next phase of United’s process. He pointed out that results against top teams had generally been excellent—and they have—but clearly, stubborn, deep-lying defences have caused United problems.

A significant step toward fixing this issue has already been taken. The impending arrival of Memphis Depay is important both in that he is an incisive, goalscoring winger and also because of his set-piece record. Seven of his 22 goals in the Eredivisie this season came from direct free-kicks, per Squawka's Twitter account.

United have badly missed a true dead-ball specialist, and acquiring one should give them an added threat against well-organised defences.

Adding Balance to the Squad, or 'Selection'

The Depay deal has been announced, and it seems all but impossible that his signing will be the last of the summer. When Van Gaal told journalists he had "already said" that his "selection" lacked balance, he was telling the truth. He mentioned it as far back as July 2014, per BBC Sport.

He has come back to the point a few times throughout the season. Having chosen not to reinforce the first team during the January transfer window, this summer will be his best chance to add that balance.

There will be a great deal of speculation over whom exactly United will sign, but logic would suggest that an experienced central-defender, a central-midfielder or even two and a right-back will be on the shopping list. A striker may also be necessary, depending on the futures of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao.

It is hard to imagine United’s squad will not be more balanced by the time next season begins. It also seems likely that some of United’s summer signings will improve the quality of Van Gaal’s first XI.

United’s best performances this season have been among their best of any recent campaign. However, they have seriously lacked for consistency. 

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

With a less demanding pre-season tour, more work on the training pitch around breaking down stubborn defences and a better-balanced squad, all the ingredients will all be in place for Van Gaal’s United to give a greater account of themselves next season.