Five things we learnt about Manchester United this week
Three games into the new Premier League season and Manchester United are still waiting for a win.
The Red Devils were held to a goalless draw against newly promoted Burnley at Turf Moor.
Recent signing Angel Di Maria made his debut and despite some flashes of brilliance, he was unable to change the scoreline and ultimately had to be substituted as a precaution when he went down with cramp after 70 minutes.
With the summer transfer window closing at 11pm on Monday night and an international break that will see United not playing until the 14th of September, manager Louis van Gaal will be expecting his restructured squad to return with an improved display that quickly translates into points.
Things need to improve and fast, and here are five points for United fans to ponder.
Van Gaal brings in one of his most trusted men
A £14 million fee has been agreed with Dutch club Ajax to bring Daley Blind to Manchester United.
The left-back, who can also play as a defensive midfielder, had been linked with United all summer and with the window closing shortly Van Gaal will be relieved that the deal has been made official.
At 24 years old Blind has featured for Van Gaal’s Netherlands 19 times and was named 2014’s Dutch Footballer of the Year.
Di Maria to wear famous number seven shirt
Fresh from his £60 million move from Real Madrid, Angel Di Maria stepped out for his debut match wearing United’s iconic number seven shirt.
The winger will join the likes of Eric Cantona, David Beckham and ex-Madrid colleague Cristiano Ronaldo; all of whom were hugely successful during their time at Old Trafford.
The 26 year old was already aware of the expectations that come with wearing the number seven due to conversations with Ronaldo and stated that he hopes ‘to do as much for the club as Ronaldo and all the others have been able to.’
United are league’s most expensive squad
With a combined squad value of around £401.2 million Manchester United are now the Premier League’s most expensive side.
After finishing a lowly seventh last season, the Red Devils have been throwing a huge amount of money around.
The £60 million signing of Angel Di Maria this summer helped bump United to the top of the list.
Despite their recent misfortunes the club will have the most expensive English squad to pick from in an attempt to reclaim Champions League football.
Local rivals and last season’s champions Manchester City’s squad surprisingly fall £57 million short of their neighbours – and that is before we consider the potential arrival of Radamel Falcao.
Work permit issues become worrying
Despite signing for the club nearly two weeks ago Marcos Rojo has yet to obtain the work visa that will enable him to play for United.
The £16 million signing, who will be wearing the number five shirt, is currently at the Argentinian embassy in Madrid where they are processing his application.
Fellow new signing and compatriot Angel Di Maria has an Italian passport and so did not have the same problem.
The 24 year old will now have to wait until after the international break to make his highly anticipated – and deeply needed – debut.
Rooney is now skipper of both club and country
England manager Roy Hodgson has chosen Wayne Rooney to be his new captain.
With Steven Gerrard’s retirement from international football following the 2014 World Cup, the ‘honour’ has fallen to United’s number ten, who also recently became their captain.
Rooney has eleven years experience playing for England’s senior team in which time he has won 95 caps and scored 40 goals for his country.
The 28 year old could play his first match as captain when England take on Norway on the 3rd of September.
Manchester United supporters. Do you think Van Gaal is on the right track? Will United be a better team after the international break? Let us know your thoughts below or tweet us @LaFootyettes.
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