Louis van Gaal is perhaps the least favourite post-Sir Alex Ferguson manager among Manchester United fans. Although he managed to finish in the top four in his first season, the Dutchman still had very little success, crashing out in the Champions League group stage during his only chance at the competition. His style of play was probably what fans hated the most, though, playing very defensively and not at all in keeping with the way United had been so successful under Ferguson. There were many players signed by Louis van Gaal at Manchester United, and here is where they have ended up.
Thirteen Players Signed by Louis van Gaal: Where are They Now
Ángel Di María
Success Rating — 8/10
Joining for a club-record fee, and being handed the number seven shirt straight away, can weigh heavily on a player. This was the case for Angel Di Maria. He failed to impress at Old Trafford, with just three goals in 27 Premier League appearances.
Although he was one of the biggest flops since Ferguson’s retirement, it was not all his fault. Van Gaal played the Argentinian in a position that was far too deep for someone like Di Maria, and the Dutchman’s style of play ended up being the end of Di Maria’s career at United. He was sold a year later to Paris Saint-Germain for much less than he was bought, and has since excelled in Paris, becoming instrumental in their team. Marcin Bulka, the reserve goalkeeper for the French side, recently released that Di Maria hates former club United, even having to change the channel if they appear on television.
Anthony Martial
Success Rating — 8/10
One of the more successful signings for the Dutchman, Anthony Martial is still at United. A first-team regular, the 24-year-old has established himself as United’s striker this season after Romelu Lukaku left the position open. He has 16 goals this season and looks to be a star of the future at Old Trafford, despite the possibility of a move to Inter Milan in the summer.
Luke Shaw
Success Rating — 7/10
Although the Englishman has remained at United since signing, winning the Player of the Season award, and had a recent pick up in form, he has not been consistently excellent. The Englishman became the most expensive teenager in the world when he signed for the Red Devils in 2014, and kept showing the promise he had done with Southampton until a leg break in 2015. He has not been the same since then. However, the first-team breakout of Brandon Williams seems to have perked him up, adding competition to the left-back position.
Ander Herrera
Success Rating — 8.5/10
Ander Herrera has been one of the most successful players signed by Louis van Gaal during his time at Manchester United. Although he left for PSG on a free transfer last summer, he was a wonderful midfielder for the Red Devils, and one without whom they would have struggled. One of his most memorable contributions is consistently keeping Chelsea star Eden Hazard quiet when the two sides clashed, and he was one of the best players for the job. The Spaniard will always hold a place in the hearts of United fans as one of the few shining lights in a dark period for them.
Morgan Schneiderlin
Success Rating — 4.5/10
A disappointing signing, Morgan Schneiderlin joined Manchester United after a very impressive season with Southampton in 2014/15. The Frenchman was extremely average and left a year-and-a-half later for Everton, where he remains fighting for a place in the first-team.
Memphis Depay
Success Rating — 6.5/10
Not successful at United, Depay did well after his exit. The Dutch winger looked to be a very promising signing when he joined, however, he failed to impress, and left in the same window as Schneiderlin, after a year-and-a-half. He is now an important part of Olympique Lyonnais’ team, scoring goals more frequently than at United and just looking much better overall.
Marcos Rojo
Success Rating — 5/10
Manchester United fans would be forgiven for forgetting about Marcos Rojo of late. The Argentine joined from Sporting Lisbon in 2014 but has never been first-choice in the Red Devils’ defence. He moved to boyhood club Estudiantes de la Plata on loan in January, and that could become permanent in the summer with United looking to offload deadwood.
Matteo Darmian
Success rating — 5/10
Matteo Darmian is another rather forgettable figure from the defence. Primarily a right-back, but able to play anywhere across the defence, Darmian, like Rojo, never cemented himself in the starting XI. Always a squad player, the Italian left Old Trafford last summer, joining Parma.
Daley Blind
Success Rating — 6.5/10
Daley Blind was much better than anyone gives him credit for at Old Trafford. The Dutchman joined from boyhood club Ajax in 2014 and provided United with incredible depth due to his versatility in any defensive position. He rejoined his former side in the summer of 2018, and, bar a health scare, he has been very successful.
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Success Rating — 5/10
Although Bastian Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin could have formed an excellent midfield combination, it was not to be. Both disappointing, with Schweinsteiger clearly past his prime, the German legend moved to the USA where he finished his career, retiring in January 2020.
Vanja Milinkovic-Savic
Success Rating — 1.5/10
Sharing a last name with someone far better, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic never succeeded at United. He left for Lechia Gdansk of Poland in 2016, and joined Torino not too much later. Still contracted to the Italian side, he has had many failed loan spells, and is one of the worst players signed by Louis van Gaal.
Victor Valdés
Success Rating — 4/10
Victor Valdés joined United as an experienced backup goalkeeper having been let go by Barcelona the summer before. He was not in Manchester for long, joining Middlesbrough in 2016. Valdés stayed with them for a year and then retired.
Sergio Romero
Success Rating — 7/10
Sergio Romero is one of the best back-up goalkeepers in the world. The Argentine is a fantastic player between the sticks in his own right, and has shown his quality in cup competitions like United’s winning the Europa League in 2016, and their current campaign in the Europa league. Mostly a cup keeper, Romero occasionally appears in the Premier League, and is another great player signed by Louis van Gaal.
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