Manchester United Transfer News: Louis Van Gaal Dealings 'Baffle' Alan Shearer

Premier League legend Alan Shearer has questioned Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal's summer transfer business, describing the Dutchman's approach as "baffling."  

The former Newcastle and England striker has questioned the wisdom of moving forwards Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez and bringing in the "untried" Anthony Martial from Monaco.

In his column for the Sun, Shearer also threw doubts on the decision to ship out Adnan Januzaj on loan to Borussia Dortmund:

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[Van Gaal's} recent attempts to change that [win record] in this summer’s transfer window have been baffling. He has had to accept he can’t get the best out of British record signing Angel Di Maria. He has started Adnan Januzaj in four games this season, including the Champions League qualifiers — and then decides to ship him out. He tells Javier Hernandez he has another chance and then sells him. A rather baffled Robin van Persie is then also dispensed with.

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United have had a mixed start to the season thus far, picking up seven points from four Premier League games, with their most recent outing being a 2-1 loss to Swansea City.

A successful-looking transfer window which saw the early purchases of Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin ended with the signing of Martial and the failure to bolster the centre of defence.

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe believes United's transfer activity was far from disastrous though: 

Van Gaal has yet to wholly convince as United boss after 50 matches, with his huge spending producing a similar return to the much maligned David Moyes in his time in charge at Old Trafford, per Bleacher Report UK:

Shearer arguably has a point when questioning the deadline day signing of 19-year-old striker Martial for €50 million (£36 million)—potentially rising to €80 million (£58.8 million) with add-ons.

Martial has very little experience at the top level, and according to the CIES Football Observatory (h/t ESPN FC's Richard Jolly) he was the most overpriced player in Europe in the summer transfer window, with United paying €27.9 million (£20.4 million) more than they should have.

However, United were at least successful in bolstering their attack—which is currently overreliant on an out-of-form Wayne Rooney—and Martial has a huge amount of potential.

Jamie Jackson of the Guardian reports Van Gaal is happy with his transfer activity, but Shearer and others do have legitimate reasons to have their doubts.

Seemingly the most vulnerable area in the Red Devils squad—the centre-back region—was not strengthened, and the strike department is still very much a work in progress.

However, the effectiveness of Van Gaal's transfer policy this summer cannot be judged just yet with the season only in its early stages. The proof will be in whether United can contend for the Premier League title this season and whether they can make an impact in the Champions League.

On such successes or failures will Van Gaal be judged, and it could either cost him his job at United or further enhance his reputation as a top manager.