Van Gaal: The First 6 Months

Louis van Gaal has reinvigorated Manchester United since taking over the club in July and his short reign as manager has provided great encouragement for Reds supporters around the world. Here, we relive the Dutchman's first six months in charge... Mark Froggatt

JULY: THE FIRST DAY
Van Gaal was officially unveiled on 17 July, when he appeared at an Old Trafford press conference alongside Sir Bobby Charlton. “I have the age to have seen him playing, so I know what he means for Manchester United and English football,” the new boss explained. “It was a great honour to do that with him.”

JULY: VAN GAAL'S STRONG START
ManUtd.com's Mark Froggatt: "What came across most prominently about van Gaal was his complete control of the room and surprisingly relaxed demeanour. Where have we seen that before? An honest confidence – not arrogance – underpinned every answer that was assembled in good time. At one point, a five-second pause followed a question about what he would consider a successful first season at Old Trafford!"

JULY: REDS ON THE ROAD
Van Gaal took charge of a successful pre-season tour that began with a 7-0 win over LA Galaxy. It finished with Darren Fletcher and Wayne Rooney holding aloft the International Champions Cup trophy in Miami following an impressive 3-1 victory over Liverpool.

AUGUST: BACK DOWN TO EARTH
After such a positive pre-season, even van Gaal would not have foreseen a 2-1 defeat to Swansea on the opening day of the season. It was a sobering result, reminding everyone associated with the club of how much work had to be done this term.

AUGUST: DI MARIA'S DEBUT
After joining United for a club-record fee of £59.7million, Angel Di Maria made his debut during a goalless draw at newly-promoted Burnley. The game was scrappy, yet the Argentinian showed glimpses of his immeasurable talent to leave fans purring.

AUGUST: DEADLINE DAY
An eventful transfer deadline day ended with Radamel Falcao and Daley Blind signing on the dotted line, and Danny Welbeck leaving for Arsenal. Van Gaal had virtually overhauled the squad and was about to mould the club in his own image...

SEPTEMBER: RED REINFORCEMENTS
Goals from Di Maria, Herrera, Rooney and Mata clinched a morale-boosting win over QPR in a match that bore resemblance to the first day of the season. This was a new team, with new players and new confidence. Fans left dreaming of a bright future.

SEPTEMBER: LEICESTER LOSS
Despite holding a 3-1 lead - thanks to Di Maria's shot - United succumbed to a shock 5-3 defeat at Leicester City that reminded all supporters that van Gaal’s men will need time to develop. Tyler Blackett also learned a big lesson following his red card.

SEPTEMBER: SHAW'S DEBUT
After suffering an early-season injury, Luke Shaw finally made his Reds debut in a 2-1 win over West Ham and showed all of the quality that convinced the club to pay for his services. The 19-year-old had finally started his Reds career – and in style.

OCTOBER: DAVE SAVES
As Player of the Year, David De Gea’s quality has never been in question. But the Spaniard’s importance to the team was underlined with his jaw-dropping display against Everton, when his penalty save to deny Leighton Baines and a stunning last-gasp stop from Bryan Oviedo helped the Reds bag an important 2-1 win.

OCTOBER: FELLAINI'S RENAISSANCE
ManUtd.com's Mark Froggatt: "Fellaini's renaissance can be traced back to The Hawthorns and his first United goal, after coming on as a substitute to score when he chested the ball down, turned adroitly and powered his finish past Boaz Myhill. That second-half effort earned a first start of the campaign against Chelsea and it was his stifling of Fabregas that helped clinch a dramatic point at Old Trafford."

OCTOBER: VAN GAAL VS MOURINHO
The talk before United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea centred around the battle of the league's two most decorated managers, van Gaal and Jose Mourinho. While both men were more interested in the football, it remains a fascinating duel that will run on and on this term.

NOVEMBER: DERBY DEFEAT
After snatching a late draw with Chelsea, United hoped to glean a positive result from the Manchester derby. But Chris Smalling’s dismissal made life difficult and, in the end, Sergio Aguero’s goal proved decisive. The Reds earned some credit for a spirited performance.

NOVEMBER: GUNNING FOR GLORY
United’s burgeoning team spirit was on display in the 2-1 win at Arsenal, where the Reds were largely outplayed but came together to record a galvanising triumph at the Emirates. Rooney’s excellent counter-attacking goal will live long in the memory.

NOVEMBER: INJURIES HIT HARD
Van Gaal’s squad has been plagued by injury in his first six months, with almost every player picking up a knock at some stage. Di Maria was struck down with a hamstring problem against Hull City, but returned in late December, only to pick up another knock in training before the Boxing Day win over Newcastle.

DECEMBER: SPOTLIGHT ON CARRICK
Michael Carrick returned from injury in the derby, but his influence was truly felt in December. Van Gaal: “He is my vice-captain, he brings a lot of experience but also composure and I can use him in different positions, which I like. Because he is my vice-captain, he can also transfer my philosophy on the pitch.”

DECEMBER: UNITED 3 LIVERPOOL 0
ManUtd.com's Adam Marshall: “We all realise there is much work to be done, particularly if Chelsea and City are to be caught in 2015, and the Premier League is about more than the United vs Liverpool agenda. However, this latest result was a huge one for those who truly appreciate the rivalry.”

THE NEXT SIX MONTHS...
Van Gaal’s press conferences have all been fascinating affairs that have provided plenty of insight, intrigue and even laughs. As time has gone on, the manager has spoken with growing confidence about the future and if his next six months are as entertaining as the first, United fans are in for a treat. Cheers to that!

Credit: manutd.com