The new era behind Louis Van Gaal

The Dutch partnership will be at Old Trafford next season

Finally, he has landed at Old Trafford. It might be twelve years late, but the Red Devils supporters do not mind. They simply can't wait for a new manager, a world class one with proven successful history.

At club level, Louis van Gaal has already tasted success in the Netherlands, Spain and Germany with a CV full of major European titles. Apparently, the board recognises the United nowadays may not afford a long term project but rather need instant success. David Moyes is a decent manager, but has yet to build his authority at a bigger club.

One order that United fans is hoping Van Gaal can restore to is Robin Van Persie's invincibility. Being so pivotal in his debut season at Old Trafford, Van Persie was slowed down by injuries (rumour has it that the Dutch striker implied his injuries were down to the vigorous training implemented by the Moyes) and also looked uninspired under in the 13-14 season. Van Gaal's personal connection should help get the best out of the striker – the exquisite volley for example against Ecuador. He has also demonstrated in the past how to best utilise his attacking assets at his previous clubs. The trio of Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney and Van Persie can be a formidable threat and there are high hopes that they will shine behind van Gaal.

Jones (left) and Evans has to fill the void left by Ferdinand and Vidic

Nevertheless, the first agenda in his in-tray must be to repair or more precisely revamp the defence. Over 500 games of experience between Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are gone. Johnny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have respectively showed glimpses of talents, though still short of solidity, consistency and reliability (Roy Keane would agree). With David de Gea having settled, Patrice Evra staying on for another year and a break from European football, it is the perfect circumstance for the three young centrebacks to step up and show that they can live up to the expectation; though a disastrous pre-season form would convince the authoritative manager to keep them out of the team (forever).

What van Gaal can do to nurture them is to allow them settle in their preferred centreback position, which means to put trust on Rafael and Maroune Fellaini. Rafael's development has stalled as he has struggled to find the balance between aggressiveness and recklessness, or he would end up like his twin brother – signing off his United career with a reckless red card. His sophomore blue saw Valencia and Smalling take up more duties at right back. Exclusion from the Brazil World Cup squad is a wake-up call for the young full back and summer work will be essential in order to impress his new boss.

Will any of Muller (left) or Kroos join?

 Rumours are surfacing that Fellaini will be following his former manager at the exit door. His below-par performance should not be blamed solely on himself. His lack of mobility is no secret but had been well complemented at Everton. Pairing him up with Carrick in a 4-4-2 setup was a mistake that left United midfield short of pace and exposed to counter-attack.

same team next year?

Fellaini is still a world-class player who could be a game-changer. His vision, comprehension and physical presence is invaluable to Manchester United and is sorely missed when the blue part of Manchester has Yaya Toure and Fernandinho whereas the Reds only have Cleverley, Fletcher, and forgotten-man Anderson. A box-to-box type or a more penetrating central midfielder would be his ideal partner, in which he can sit deeper as an anchorman to orchestrate the offence, similar to Carrick's current role. While Toni Kroos is not van Gaal's cup of tea, and even if United could not rival Arsenal to sign Cesc Fabregas, the current central midfielders – even Carrick given his age –  would need miracles so stay in the Dutchman’s plans.

There are a lot to fix that even a manager as successful and experienced as van Gaal should not be expected to steer it right straight away. However, securing the service of the Dutch is the correct decision to re-inject the self-belief in the dressing room. Van Gaal has also made his first key decision right by retaining Ryan Giggs, an iconic and influential figure at Old Trafford with an eye to succeed van Gaal after his three-year rebuilding. Can United fans finally cheer in the post-Sir Alex era? We will wait and see.