Manchester United fans will look back on 2014 with a real mixture of emotions but will perhaps come to remember it in years to come as the time in which the revival began.
The David Moyes era ended in horrendous fashion with heavy home defeats to arch-rivals Liverpool and Manchester City whilst a seventh-placed finish ensured the Red Devils missed out on Champions League football for the first time in more than 20 years.
But after a difficult start, Louis van Gaal is starting to get to grips with Premier League football having won six and drawn one from his last seven games – a run that has seen United labelled the dark horses for this years title race.
Whilst that might be a bridge too far, Champions League qualification looks entirely doable although there are improvements to be made before United can think about getting back to where they want to be.
Perhaps these five New Year’s resolutions we have identified might help them get there that little bit faster?
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Click on Louis van Gaal to reveal FIVE ‘New Year’s Resolutions’ for Man United to stick to in 2015.
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Sign a top class centre back – or two?
The failure to add a top class centre back in the summer has perhaps prevented United from having a real crack at the Premier League title this term.
It remains a mystery as to why nobody was brought in to replace the departing Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand and January looks the time to rectify that mistake. A number of top defenders have been linked including Atletico Madrid duo Diego Godin and Miranda.
But perhaps the most exciting rumour concerns Borussia Dortmund captain and German World Cup winner Mats Hummels who is reportedly a top target for United this winter and disillusioned at Signal Iduna Park.
Sign a defensive-minded midfielder
Whilst the failure to sign a centre back was strange, the failure to add a proven defensive midfielder was just as difficult to understand. Darren Fletcher is still some way from recapturing the form he showed prior to his illness whilst the least said about Anderson the better.
If it had not been for a mini revival from Maroaune Fellaini in the middle of the park, United could well have found themselves in trouble.
The Belgian does not appear to be the long-term answer however and reports suggest a deal for Roma’s Dutch international Kevin Strootman has all but been agreed – a player who will add a great deal to this United side.
Get Smalling, Evans and Jones to shape up or ship out
The form of the defenders United currently have on their books has simply not been good enough during the first half of the season. Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones have done little to suggest they are the long-term answer, and all have been guilty of poor decision making and mistakes at one time or another.
All players are seen as having potential but a more ruthless stance from van Gaal in the New Year – whether that means shipping one out straight away – may well see them finally fulfill some of that potential that is so often talked about.
Get Falcao fit and firing – or identify a replacement fast
United fans were thrilled with the deadline day capture of Radamel Falcao but with just two goals over the first half of the season and consistent struggles with fitness, it remains to be seen as to whether Louis van Gaal will opt to make his move permanent.
If United can get a Champions League place tied up sooner rather than later – something which looks likely at present – time can be spent getting Falcao up to full fitness and scoring goals consistently. Otherwise, the club should identify a replacement fast – preferably one that won’t cost £40 million and £200,000-a-week in wages.
Clear out those unwanted players
Given that United have spent more than £200 million on new players over the past 18 months, it is vital 2015 is a time in which the club balances the books a bit more. In order to do that, United must be more ruthless when disposing of the deadwood.
It remains a mystery as to why Anderson is still on the club’s books being paid each week whilst a permanent move for on-loan winger Nani should also be sorted.
If Anderson is a dead certainty to be sold, other players such as Smalling, Jones, Evans, Fletcher, Fellaini and even big money signing from 12 months ago Juan Mata should look to do more in order to convince van Gaal they have a long-term future at the 20-time champions.
