It’s certainly been a far better campaign for Manchester United as they sealed their place in the top four and with it a return to the Champions League next season after a year away from European competition.
But while it’s been a decent first term in charge for Louis van Gaal, the Dutchman has an important summer ahead as he looks to strengthen the squad once again to ensure his side can mount a serious challenge to Chelsea and co for the Premier League title.
There have already been changes announced at Old Trafford, with the club securing the services of PSV star Memphis Depay, while Columbian striker Radamel Falcao has failed to impress ensuring he won’t make his loan spell at the Red Devils into a permanent one.
A number of areas within the squad are expected to be improved, but perhaps Van Gaal’s biggest task will be finding a new central to midfielder who can fill the void left by Michael Carrick, with United having struggled at times this season in his absence.
The Reds put together an impressive run of victories through March and April that proved decisive in their bid for the top four; with important wins over Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Michael Carrick was one player in particular who played a key role in these matches, but his withdrawal late on against City due to injury, coincided with a run of three straight defeats there-after.
With Carrick on the sidelines, United managed just one win in their final six league games, highlighting his importance to the side, and how they have failed to replace him for the run in.
Thankfully for Van Gaal, his injury didn’t cost the team their place in the top four, but having seen how his side have failed to cope without the midfielder, he will surely be looking to ensure that doesn’t happen again next season.
One name that has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, and could provide the perfect remedy to resolve the situation is Bayern Munich star Bastian Schweinsteiger.
The German midfielder has just a year left on his current deal with the Bundesliga champions, and reports this week have suggested Van Gaal will be able to persuade him to leave Bavaria and the pair could be set for a reunion this summer.
A fee of £10m has been reported, and if true United would certainly be getting value for money.
There’s no doubting his ability on the ball, and he’s certainly the type of player that has the quality to control and dictate the play just like Carrick does.
He may be 30, but he’s still got three years on the England star, who at 33 has proved he is still as effective as ever when on form.
With Bayern potentially looking to freshen up their midfield with some younger talent, The Red Devils may well have a shot at pulling off this marquee signing, but it certainly remains a doubt as to whether Schweinsteiger would consider leaving a club where he has spent 17 years, and made over 500 first-team appearances.
Should he desire a fresh challenge however after winning the lot during his time in Germany, he would be a great addition to the United squad and is the calibre of player that can edge them closer to a title challenge.
Should Carrick’s injury problems persist next season, they must ensure they have an alternative option in place to cope with his absence, and there aren’t many better options in world football than Schweinsteiger.
Whether they can pull it off remains to be seen, but if they can bring him to Manchester; that will be one less problem for United to worry about in the future.
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