Manchester United Transfer News: Board Reportedly Debating Louis Van Gaal Funds

The Manchester United board are reportedly hesitant to hand manager Louis van Gaal funds to bolster his squad midseason, given the recent run of poor results.

According to ESPN FC, the hierarchy are concerned about reports of unrest at Old Trafford and will hold talks about the situation prior to the January window.

It’s noted there are suggestions that various players are unhappy with the playing style and the strict mannerisms of the Dutchman, which could prevent a splurge in the January window:

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Sources say the board did want to back the manager with more big buys over the January transfer window—with particular focus on the need to bring in a goal scorer—but there is now debate among the hierarchy over whether that would just see a squad increasingly built to Van Gaal's specifications, when there could yet be a summer change of manager.

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Despite spending big again ahead of the 2015-16 season, with the likes of Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Matteo Darmian moving to Old Trafford, the squad still lacks balance.

In midfield the team is very well stocked and between the sticks the Red Devils have a world-class operator in David De Gea. However, out wide and up front, Van Gaal’s transfer business has left United without sufficient depth or quality. 

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The recent form of players who have recently moved on like Javier Hernandez and Angel Di Maria make the summer transfers all the more frustrating for United fans, per TheSPORTbible:

Regardless of whether or not the Red Devils are willing to stick it out with Van Gaal, it doesn’t make sense to throw money at the problems in January.

The midseason market is not a time for teams to spend big money on key players, as their current employers are unwilling to have their season disrupted. So if the Red Devils do want to bring in a marquee winger or an established striker, they’d have to pay well over the odds.

As Bleacher Report’s Sam Pilger noted, despite spending heavily since making the move to Old Trafford, Van Gaal hasn’t been particularly effective when it comes to signings either:

The Red Devils have had two summer windows of major upheaval in the last two years, meaning the first XI from the Dutchman’s first season is barely recognisable from the one which has been fielded as of late. 

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Getting these players and fans back onside seems as though it’s going to be the manager’s biggest challenge.

Reports of discontent behind the scenes will do little to placate an anxious fanbase and if the Red Devils take to the field against Norwich City this weekend and seek to play slow, stagnant football, then you suspect the angst will tumble down from all sides of Old Trafford.

Van Gaal has a stellar reputation and after being backed emphatically since taking over the job at Old Trafford, the months to come are an ideal opportunity to show why he’s accrued such stature in the game. Shrewd coaching and man-management is required in the short term at United, not another spree in the transfer window.