#360view: Manchester United showing they mean business

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  • Happier times ahead: Manchester United are becoming a force to be reckoned with.

    Remember the dark days of Louis van Gaal’s first six games in charge of Manchester United? The Reds had stumbled through their worst start to a season since the mid-1980s and it was bad – just two wins from six.

    Funny then, it slipped under the radar that United’s last six games of a maiden campaign under the Dutchman were worse than the first. So poor, in fact, United wrapped up the Premier League season with just five points from 18 and scored just three goals.

    Some of the positivity around their top-four finish masked the fact that they would need a miracle to win the title this season.

    But things have changed because in just a week that perception has been flipped on its head.

    The reason? Well, there are three of them: Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin. Three excellent additions, three exciting names and now United can start dreaming of making up the three positions from last term and win their 21st league crown.

    In total there’s been four signings during the summer with Memphis Depay quickly captured before the season’s end. 

    Now, the face of Old Trafford’s team is different. It’s clear chief executive Ed Woodward has learned from his previous failures in the transfer market.

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    – Who is Matteo Darmian: The Torino full-back set to join MUFC?

    With Schweinsteiger, a World Cup winner, and Schneiderlin, a France international hungry to prove he belongs at the top level, United have reinforcements in an area that’s lacked bite since the 2008 Premier League and Champions League triumphs.

    Darmian, a versatile right-back, who as well as being a very capable defender is accomplished going forward, fills another vital gap. 

    There’s a clear structure to United’s business this summer and brick by brick you feel they’re building a team capable of mounting a challenge to both Manchester City and Chelsea.

    Perhaps it’s not the United way to have made so many changes so quickly. Sir Alex Ferguson had a remarkable ability to freshen up his squads without a huge turnover.

    Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney all arrived as single notable additions in successive years between 2002 and 2004. These subtle tweaks ensured consistent challenges for titles and trophies, much in the way Jose Mourinho has done at Chelsea. 

    That was then and this is now, the landscape is different but after a summer of filling holes, Van Gaal has restored the strength we’ve grown accustomed to with United.

    They’re looking competitive once again. But – and there’s always a but – it’s important to remember that new signings do not carry the luxury of guarantees.

    There’s no certainty they will gel instantly in the way Mourinho has solidified his squad. There are still fundamental issues to be resolved. Without David De Gea, United would arguably have finished fifth last season.

    Though talks with Real Madrid seemed to have stalled, it seems inevitable he will leave. Who will replace him? 

    It’s in front of United’s No1 that there is work to be done, too. The pursuit of Sergio Ramos has gone cold. Nicolas Otamendi is another target but that’s all there is right now. United also need a striker. Robin van Persie is on his way to Fenerbahce and Radamel Falcao is already a distant memory.

    They’re not done yet, but if the past week is anything to go by then expect more aggressive moves in the market by a club determined to restore former glories.

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