Evaluating Manchester United’s Current Squad After Their Tumultuous Summer

The chaotic end to Manchester United’s transfer window overshadowed what had previously been a rather impressive summer spree for the Red Devils.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin and Sergio Romero each made adequate starts, with only the latter showing real fallibility during United’s recent defeat to Swansea.

United’s loss in Wales not only led Manchester United fans into a mad panic but it also provoked Louis Van Gaal, Ed Woodward et al to undergo a huge overhaul of the squad in the final days, hours and minutes of the window.

Out went Adnan Januzaj, Javier Hernandez and, almost, David De Gea, and in came Anthony Martial for a rather extraordinary fee. But where has all of this chopping and changing left Manchester United’s current roster? Well, let’s break it down and have a gander.

Goalkeeeper: David De Gea, Sergio Romero, Sam Johnstone, Victor Valdes

This should be a no-brainer: David De Gea is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. David De Gea is at Manchester United. Thus, David De Gea should start for Manchester United.

But, that doesn’t tell the whole story, as De Gea will no doubt be furious at the club’s failure to sell him to Real Madrid this summer, especially since it collapsed in such a ludicrous manner.

It doesn’t stop there though, because, somehow, Louis Van Gaal has managed to ostracise three out of the four goalkeepers that he has at his disposal, as Victor Valdes has been shunned to the reserves and Sam Johnstone is upset that he hasn’t been sent out on loan to continue his development.

This means that he is only really on solid ground with Sergio Romero, who Manchester United fans were less than impressed with following his repeated poor distribution and the poor second goal he conceded against Swansea.

Depending on his mentality, David De Gea must start. But if Van Gaal is still adamant that his mind isn’t right then it will be Sergio Romero, and he’ll need to have a sustained period of excellence to convince the United faithful that he could be the club’s number one.

Full Backs: Luke Shaw, Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia

This is an area that Manchester United actually look rather secure in. At 20-years-old, Luke Shaw is going to be Manchester United’s left-back for the next decade, and, if he can avoid injury, he is only going to get better and better, as his start this season attests.

Meanwhile, Matteo Darmian harks back to the classic age of Italian defending. Always looking solid at the back and in the tackle, while confidently striding forward when possible too, Darmian looks like an exemplary professional who should be unnerved by even the most ferocious of atmospheres.

And with Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia available as sturdy back-ups, United’s full-back situation is rather fruitful.

Centre-Backs: Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Phil Jones, Paddy McNair

The same can’t be said for United’s centre-back position, where the need for a world-class player has been obvious throughout the summer.

Who would this mythical individual have partnered? Chris Smalling; who following his red-card at the Etihad stadium last season has finally shown the composure and awareness that his game has previously lacked.

Instead, Daley Blind is now at the heart of the United defence. And despite a solid start, the brute strength and cunning of Swansea’s Andre Ayew and Bafetimbi Gomis showed that United just don’t look completely solid with this pairing. He’ll be enough against most of the Premier League, but he will be found out against better opposition.

The players behind them don’t instil confidence too. Phil Jones constantly looks like he has a mistake in him, while Paddy McNair is still too young to be taken seriously. If Blind is found wanting on a regular basis, Jones will be the one to step in and hopefully alongside Smalling he can finally eradicate the gormless errors that have previously stopped him from progressing.

The signing of a world-class centre-back in the January transfer window (ala Nemanja Vidic in 2006) would do just nicely though.

Centre-Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schniederlin, Ander Herrera, Juan Mata

Who’d have thought that the centre-midfield position where Manchester United have struggled so badly for years would now be where the club looks strongest?

That’s the case though. Morgan Schneiderlin has already bedded himself in tenaciously at Old Trafford, while the wily pair of Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger will be interchanged on a regular basis, but both will provide class and composure in equal measures.

But who should be playing further ahead of the two central midfielders, and just off the main striker. United fans have been ferocious in their support for Ander Herrera, as he makes things happen and is always looking to move the ball forward.

Van Gaal has preferred Juan Mata in this berth though, which is fine as the diminutive Spaniard continues to pop up with goals and assists even when he is seemingly out of the game. He could still do that operating on the wing. But his lack of pace doesn’t provide United with the capability of producing pacey counter-attacks, which Van Gaal is after.

Either way, it’s a good problem for Van Gaal to have. And these positions are now teeming with creativity. Let’s just hope that he allows them to flourish.

Wingers: Memphis Depay, Ashley Young, Anthony Martial

There’s plenty of raw potential in these wide areas that should make United fans very, very excited. Memphis Depay has already shown signs that he has the dynamism, strength, and attacking prowess to possibly become a Manchester United legend.

Of course, he’s still only 20-years-old, and he’s going to need months, maybe even years, to be able to provide these abilities on a regular basis.

Meanwhile the main attribute of Anthony Martial is that he’s strong and quick. Other than that, he’s not played enough games to know how he could turn out. But with the sum of money United have paid, the pressure will now be on for him to instantly excel, and time will only tell if he can do that.

Then there’s Ashley Young, who has now become a more attacking version of John O’Shea. He’s reliable, and able to do most things, just without the flair or explosion of ability that comes from the world’s very best. He’ll be a very important utility player for United this summer. Plus Juan Mata can be moved out wide to influence games in a more composed and patient manner.

But do these players have the striker in front of them to create the space and put the finishing touches to their approach work?

Forwards: Wayne Rooney, Marouane Fellaini, James Wilson

Manchester United really, really need Wayne Rooney to be very good this season. Something that he hasn’t been in the Premier League so far. It’s still way too early to tell, but if this indifferent form continues then Manchester United are in serious trouble.

But what are the other options? Not too many, because Martial and Depay prefer to be on the wings, cutting inside and then troubling defences, while United fans won’t want to see Marouane Fellaini deployed as a big-man striker. James Wilson is a sprightly, home grown striker that United fans want to see more of. It’s just that Van Gaal clearly doesn’t think he’s ready to genuinely challenge Rooney.

And this is the big problem for United now. Because if Rooney fails to find form, and Depay and Martial struggle to adapt to the rigours of the Premier League, then goals will soon dry up. That’s obviously the worst case scenario though, but it’s also a scenario that could feasibly happen.

Manager: Louis Van Gaal

Van Gaal’s treatment of De Gea and Valdes, his failure to get the best out of Di Maria, and the astonishing last minute signing of Martial, has added some pressure on the Dutch coach. Mostly because of just how much money United have spent.

It also doesn’t help that while Manchester United have made an adequate start of 7 points from 12 this season, they’ve still looked unremarkable. Considering the amount that they’ve spent, United’s squad should look a lot more impressive than it is.

But there’s certainly enough potential to be excited over, it’s just whether or not Van Gaal can make them tick and get the best out of them while pleasing the Old Trafford faithful at the same time.