Van Gaal’s Last Gasps Before Transfer Window Closes

Last week was a dramatic one in the ongoing opera that is the summer transfer window. Manchester United has been making big moves but little joy has yet to materialise for the Red Devils. After the team’s scoreless draw against Newcastle United, fans are clamouring for an effective scoring threat. So far the team has only scored twice in three games and rumours are flying about the team springing to purchase a superstar striker before the transfer window closes next Tuesday.

Manchester has made some smart moves with its midfield. They added experienced talent in the forms of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin while bringing in young Belgian striking sensation Memphis Depay. However, many wonder if this will be enough to revitalise the team’s ailing offense, particularly following the losses of Radamel Falcao and the disappointing Angel di Maria. It’s been a while since Wayne Rooney has found the back of the net. This has supporters more than a little concerned about the team’s talismanic center forward.

Several Bookmakers’ Manchester United section notes that expectations for the team are exceptionally high this year, particularly in comparison to last year’s performance. The team will have a tough match against Swansea next weekend with neither team coming away as a clear favourite at the moment. The big question will be whether or not Wayne Rooney can find his long misplaced scoring boots while the rest of the team still searches for its legs.

Earlier this summer, the team was taken for a ride by Spanish defender Sergio Ramos, who used United’s interest to shore up his own contact renewal with Real Madrid. This mirrors the team’s experience in trying to sign Argentine defender Nicolas Otamendi, only to see him move to crosstown rivals Manchester City. Last week, the team was shocked when what had seemed like a done deal with Barcelona winger Pedro fell through only to see the lanky Spaniard sign with Chelsea.

ESPN’s Transfer Talk section reports that United scout Ed Woodward’s recent trip to Spain wasn’t to look at Pedro at all, but instead to have a little chat with the 23-year-old Brazilian phenom, Neymar. Barcelona manager Luis Enrique did not deny United’s interest in the striker, but he refused to entertain any further inquiries about Neymar. While The Guardian reports that the Brazilian forward is open to the idea of a spending spell in Manchester, we wouldn’t recommend holding your breath. Barcelona’s transfer ban means they can’t replace anyone they’ve shipped off until January. The Blaugrana will already have a difficult time finding a replacement for Pedro and we can’t see them parting with another star piece of their starting 11 without an immediate substitute available.

With a week left to make a move and a lot of leftover cash from the failed signings of Pedro and Ramos, anything could happen. Whatever the team decides, one thing is for sure: Louis van Gaal needs to find a way to get his team some goals, or he might not be long for Old Trafford.