With an experienced Dutch manager who has found success across Europe on a three-year deal at Old Trafford, not only is the expectation to return to the top of English football but to stay their whilst adding to a vast collection of trophies at the club. Even Van Gaal himself has added to the expectation by claiming he can make history at United.

But can the new man deliver success? Here are 5 reasons he can:

1. Experience

With a team that is going through a rare rough patch after dominating in England and Europe for many years, who better to repair the giant that is Manchester United? Over his extensive managerial career, Van Gaal has found success in Holland, Spain, and Germany.  In each of his stints in these countries, Van Gaal has won the league as well as cups at Ajax, Barcelona, and Bayern respectively. The Dutchman can also count the Champions League in 1995 among his successes.

Coming off an appointment last year where United elected to throw a manager inexperienced in Europe into the fire, which by all accounts failed greatly, a proven winner with an impressive pedigree is a smart choice.

2. Mentality  

At the beginning of the 2013/14 season, numerous reports came out that the players did not respect or want to work hard for David Moyes. This was not an isolated case, as these reports became an ongoing problem, popping up not once or twice but multiple times.  Whether these reports were true or not, it became obvious that the manager was not getting the best out of his players. David Moyes did not have the commanding figure that Sir Alex had.

Van Gaal will not have this problem. With a reputation for taking no nonsense, you can expect Van Gaal will whip the players back into shape, similar to the way Ferguson did. Some players may respond positively to this attitude, and some may not, but overall, a commanding figure usually gets the best of the players.

3. Tactics

Van Gaal’s view on tactics is a breath of fresh air for United fans. The Dutch coach’s enthusiasm for attacking football is a stark contrast to the defensive minded approach United displayed this past season. The new Manchester United man also favors high pressing, which is similar to the style Ferguson instilled in United. One can expect they will return to their famous high intensity football.

In Van Gaal’s teams, every player on the pitch has a role, and that role can adapt to the situation, as well as the personnel. This is a very welcome change after a season that saw many players forced into ineffective roles.

Midfield has also been an important link between defense and attack for Van Gaal, so fans may finally see additions in that area. There will likely be changes at the club to fit his vision, but the experienced coach has a clear plan that has brought him success before. Considering the defensive approach at Manchester United failed, a return to attacking can’t be a bad thing.

4. Connection to the Past

By adding Ryan Giggs as his assistant manager, Van Gaal has a tether to the club’s storied past. Having a former player, especially a legend such as Giggs, on his coaching staff, the new manager can transition in much easier than had he decided to clear out the staff completely. Giggs knows the United way by heart, and knows the ins and outs of the club better than anyone. Add in that Giggs knows what it takes to win in English football, and Van Gaal has a very useful resource at his disposal. He will also have a view into the nature of his new players from someone who already has worked with them, which may help Van Gaal develop his plan for United right off the bat.

5. Faith in Youth

What do Clarence Seedorf, Xavi, and Thomas Muller all have in common? They were brought through their clubs and given a chance by Van Gaal. Manchester United has always developed technically gifted youngsters, and with Van Gaal at the helm that tradition will not falter.

With young talents such as James Wilson, Tom Lawrence, and Jesse Lingard looking to cement a place in the first team, it is likely that they will get their chance, which may prove to be a good thing for the success of Manchester United if any of those players can make an impact similar to Adnan Januzaj. The strong foundation focused on youth has brought prosperity in the past, and Van Gaal will only strengthen the foundation.

This season has been a tough time for Manchester United. After the first few months of David Moyes’ Manchester United career went poorly, many expected the team to finally pick up in the second half, an expectation that failed to materialize. Now, languishing at sixth in the table while its future in the UEFA Champions League tournament is hanging by a thread after a 2-0 loss against Olympiacos, more pressure than ever is being hurled at Moyes from all sides of the media, with blame for the disappointing season almost exclusively placed on his shoulders.

Although Moyes deserves some fault for his team’s struggles this season, the blame cannot be entirely placed upon him. Certain players on the United side have failed to step up and, as a result, have helped to cause their team’s decline. So which players’ poor seasons are hurting the team the most?

1. Patrice Evra

Many would argue that last season was the beginning of the end for Evra at Manchester United, with his defensive abilities called into question multiple times. Even then, the left-back had the best scoring season of his career with 4 goals in all competitions, and was still a factor in United winning the title. This time around, his defending has been less than impressive and the scoring is absent. If one moment could sum up a season, it was when Evra elected to walk, not run, back to his own half during an Arsenal counter attack in the recent 0-0 draw.

This momentary disregard of defending duties has been all too common for Evra this season and has caused the team problems, with either no one getting back to cover the position, or a winger having to cover and sacrifice an attacking position. Both situations cause problems for the team and can result in an opposition goal or a hampered counter attack.

Evra’s overall poor defensive displays, coupled with declining attacking qualities have led the long-serving left-back to become more of a liability than a leader on the pitch this season.

2. Nemanja Vidic

The captain has to lead by example and unfortunately that hasn’t happened for Vidic this season. The cult-hero of sorts has had a tough time keeping up at the back, and his lack of pace certainly hasn’t helped as he has gotten older. Neither have various ankle injuries that have impacted him throughout his career.

To compensate for this, the center-back’s positioning must improve, and that just hasn’t happened this season. The recent 2-2 draw against Fulham is the best representation of this. On both of Fulham’s goals, particularly their stoppage time equalizer, Vidic was drawn out of positon, allowing the Cottagers to capitalize. Although usually reliable, Vidic just isn’t the same player that he used to be and it shows on the pitch. We already know he’s leaving at the end of this season, and judging by his performances, it’s as if he’s already mentally said goodbye to the club.

3. Michael Carrick

Perhaps the biggest blow for Manchester United this season is the poor form of Carrick.  The midfielder’s superb form and consistency over the past 3 seasons almost made up for a lack of midfield depth and undoubtedly powered the team to success. Coaches, players, and pundits recognized his influence on the team, and just how much his play contributed to their winning ways. This season has been a different story.

Under Moyes, the center-midfielder is yet to make his mark, and is struggling to get a good run of form going. As Manchester United’s best player in a depthless midfield, this is crippling. Without their lynchpin at his best, the team are struggling to connect the midfield with the forwards.

As a result, fewer chances have arisen, and Wayne Rooney is forced to drop even deeper than normal to get the ball. Carrick’s disappointing season has hurt the team as a whole, and with no one else to carry the midfield, it could carry on much longer than it should.

Sadly for United fans, the number of Manchester United footballers who are additional candidates for the above list of underperforming footballers is far too long. Names like Ashley Young, Robin van Persie, Antonio Valencia, Tom Cleverley and Rio Ferdinand come to mind, just for starters.

For more Manchester United news, analysis and opinion, visit the Manchester United team page.

Manchester United’s recent run of poor performances has only increased the pressure on David Moyes.  A home loss to Everton should have galvanized United to respond against Newcastle, especially given that it was yet another home fixture.

Come kickoff on Saturday though, there was no response whatsoever. The team failed to score once more, this time facing a very defensive minded Newcastle. Had this been an isolated result, concern might not have been raised. But, seeing as that United are slipping from the title race, and very slowly falling out of top four contention, something needs to be done by Moyes, and quickly.

If Moyes is to turn the season around, there are four changes that need to be made to the team. These four key changes would surely help United get back on track and return to their former identity:

1. Mentality

Manchester United in recent weeks has been content to play more defensively, not only in away games but at home. Against Everton it seemed as if they were happy to allow the away side the ball for the majority of the match, and were cautious to throw bodies forward when attacking. Against a side such as Arsenal or City this might be understandable, but against Everton in a home fixture, this style of play is baffling.

Manchester United should be confident in attack, especially since that over recent seasons, the main thorn in the side of United in these games has been Fellaini, who is now a part of their own squad. The mentality of the squad should return to that of previous seasons if they are to better their results. Although Moyes may have a different style in mind to that of Ferguson, he still must realize that he is no longer managing Everton. A cautious approach in these types of fixtures is simply unacceptable.

2. Speed of Play

The fluidity of Manchester United’s play has been less than impressive. Attacking movements have lacked creativity and sharpness. Rarely have United been able to break down opposing defenses in recent weeks. While some may point to a lack of talent as the source of United’s failings, the team is far better than the performances suggest.

It is hard to believe that a squad that won the title last season, with some impressive attacking displays to overcome their defensive shortcomings, would suddenly fail to score in two consecutive home matches, creating few clear cut chances in both. Focusing on increasing the speed of play, and switching to a more attacking mindset, could help solve this growing problem.

3. Motivation

One of the most shocking things about the recent performances is the absolute lack of motivation. In the last four league matches United have been in positions where in recent seasons, you would almost expect them to get a goal to improve the result. However, they failed to get a late goal in any of those games.

Even when trailing at home against Everton on Wednesday and Newcastle on Saturday, there was little urgency in the team to get forward and score. Both the manager and players seemed to not care. This is particularly surprising of the Newcastle game, as they had half an hour to find an equalizer.

At the end of the day, this must fall on Moyes’ shoulders. It is the manager’s job to motivate the players, to get them in the mood to want to fight back, and David Moyes seems to be having trouble doing this.

4. Tactical Substitutions

While credit must be given to David Moyes for greatly improving his tactical substitutions since the start of the season, when his changes failed to make any impact on games, some decisions are still quite confusing.

One example is the substitution of right-back Rafael for right winger Antonio Valencia, which has been made in both of the last two matches. If Rafael had been a defensive minded full-back, this change would make complete sense. The team would sacrifice defensive qualities for attacking prowess, which could help them greatly in creating chances to get them back into the match.

However, Rafael is hardly a defensive full back, and has no trouble getting up the pitch and getting in a cross. By taking him off, United still had attacking capabilities on the right side, but lost defensive cover.

This hurt them against Everton, who scored the winner from a position where a right back should be covering, as Valencia was nowhere to be seen. While the same could not be said for the match against Newcastle, the change again failed to make any real difference.

Ferguson’s tactics and substitutions were not perfect, but often got the job done. Moyes must improve that part of his management if United expect to get anything out of matches in which they are trailing.

Editor’s note: For the latest Red Devils news, analysis and opinion, visit the Manchester United team page.

Last season was the best of Jonny Evans’ Manchester United career. His sparkling late season form was rewarded with continuous team selection by Sir Alex Ferguson, and, with the old guard of Vidic and Ferdinand beginning to show signs of aging, the Northern Ireland international looked to be an integral part of United’s backline going forward.

However an injury at the end of last season’s campaign, combined with another in the final game of pre-season this term, saw Evans’ time on the pitch limited at the start of David Moyes’ Manchester United reign.

As the season has progressed though, Jonny Evans has rebounded and become a key part of the team and their recent resurgence following a tough start in the league. After recovering from injuries and forcing his way back into the fold, he has not only continued his form from last season, but also built on it.

Coming into a massive tie against Arsenal, a clash that Manchester United could not afford to lose, it was crucial that Evans, as well as the rest of the team, maintained their form and composure against the quick and fluid passing the Gunners have displayed so far this season.

A well-earned win saw Manchester United do exactly this, as Jonny Evans put in one of his best displays this season. His performance against the league leaders highlighted exactly how well he has done this season, and how much he has developed since the start of the 12/13 season. Looking at this game, there are several encouraging signs that can be taken away from Jonny Evans impressive display.

1. In the first half, the center-back was tasked with isolating Olivier Giroud and breaking up the link up play that Arsenal were looking to create. Evans did this well, as the Frenchman was unable to make any meaningful contribution to the game due to his limited time and space when on the ball.

2. Even when dropping deeper to connect with the midfield, Giroud was still frustrated by the Manchester United man, as his attempts to receive the ball with his back to goal were stopped immediately by Evans. These battles happened on multiple occasions throughout the first half, and were almost always won by Evans. This allowed Manchester United to quickly recover the ball after losing possession and launch another inquest on the Arsenal goal.

3. Even though his passing after regaining the ball could have been slightly more accurate, the 26-year-old put in a fine first half performance, and looked calm and composed during the first 45 minutes.

4. The second half was much of the same. Arsenal came out determined to gain a foothold in the game, which they did in the most part thanks to better chance creation, but it was to no avail as the Red Devil’s stood strong. Jonny Evans put in numerous important blocks and defensive headers, and along with Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones, kept Arsenal at bay until the final whistle.

Although not perfect, the polished performance of Jonny Evans on Sunday was exactly what you would expect for a top quality defender, and was the perfect embodiment of his impressive form as of late.  His all-around effectiveness has been critical in Manchester United’s revitalization, and will surely play a large part in United’s title charge. Going forward, we can only expect Jonny Evans to continue to be a key part of David Moyes’ plans.

Editor’s note: Stay updated on the latest Red Devils news, opinion and analysis on our Manchester United team page.

Manchester United’s season thus far has been anything but spectacular. David Moyes is yet to figure out his best squad and the team is struggling to not only score goals, but to prevent them. With a tough fixture list to start the season, the players needed to step up, which they have not done. In this disappointing start to the season that reached new lows with the loss to West Brom, there are positives to be taken, albeit slight. Wayne Rooney has seemed up to the task, and Nani has been United’s best winger despite few opportunities.

The best sign for United, though, has come from their exciting young Belgian, Adnan Januzaj. Despite only managing a few substitute appearances this season, Januzaj looks to possess impressive natural talent and prowess, and has made the most of his opportunities under Moyes. To see this, you need only to look at his performances in both the Premier League and Carling Cup, where he has continued his good pre-season form that earned him praise from staff and supporters alike.

Against Crystal Palace, the winger made an immediate impression when subbed on, using ball control and trickery to control the left wing. His introduction was a breath of fresh air for the team who were struggling to produce in the final third, and although Manchester United failed to capitalize on his created chances, it was still a great performance nonetheless, especially for an 18 year old with limited first team experience.

In the League Cup win against Liverpool, Moyes again used Januzaj from the substitute’s bench. Coming into a tight game against a surprisingly strong Liverpool team considering the competition, the teenager was solid. His natural dribbling ability was on show as he made multiple creative runs down the wing, and his overall play proved that he was not at all fazed by the situation.

Given a whole second half against West Brom on Saturday, which surely showed a trust in youth by David Moyes, Adnan made his strongest attempt at nailing down future first team opportunities. His play reminded many of a young Ryan Giggs or Cristiano Ronaldo, as Januzaj radiated confidence. In tight areas he demanded the ball, and tried to carve out chances. At the end of the game, he still took on West Brom’s defense, even in areas where some young players may feel the need to give the ball to their more experienced teammates.

Again, it’s only three substitute appearances, and Januzaj is far from perfect; he still needs to work on his passing game and retaining possession for example, but at a point in the season where Manchester United are struggling to establish themselves, he has proven himself to be a talented prospect. And with Nani being the only winger performing, now may be the time for him to see more action. Whatever David Moyes chooses to do though, Adnan Januzaj has made a case for being a strong part of Manchester United’s squad this season, and in the ones that follow afterwards.

The Gareth Bale transfer saga was always going to be the biggest story of the summer. Ever since Real Madrid showed interest in the Welsh star, any news of his potential transfer dominated headlines across England. While the football world has been wrapped up in in speculation around Bale, Tottenham as a club certainly haven’t. It seems as though they have been preparing themselves to sell him for a while now, quietly strengthening several areas of their squad earlier in the summer.

Although losing the player of the year will hurt Spurs for now, it may not in the long run. By spending a large amount (£99m) of the £86m funds they received from the Bale transfer, the club has gained several top quality players that could lead them to greater heights than Europa League qualification, and help them establish themselves among the top teams in the Premier League for years to come.

Paulinho (£17m)

The Brazilian international was signed after an impressive showing at the Confederations Cup, where his all-around effectiveness was in full show. Whether he plays just in front of the back four, or in a more attacking role, he can do any job that Spurs may require on a certain day. Also, due his stamina and composure, Paulinho often both starts and finishes attacking movements, drawing comparisons to Frank Lampard. The 25 year old’s attributes seem to make him a perfect fit in the Tottenham midfield alongside the creativity of Dembele and the physical presence of Sandro, and he should be a fantastic signing if he can adjust to the pace of the Premier League.

Roberto Soldado (£26m)

A clinical finisher is necessary for any team challenging for Champions League spots or beyond, and in Roberto Soldado, Tottenham have just that. Soldado scored 34 goals for Valencia in all competitions last season, doing so in just 43 appearances. Finishing isn’t his only strength though, as he is superb at holding up the ball and bringing other teammates into the play, which is common among top forwards. In terms of presence though, the Spanish international does not offer much and rarely wins aerial battles. Despite this, with good service, Soldado will almost certainly reach the 20 goal mark this season, as top class finishing and great attacking runs will allow him to capitalize on the service from the wings. 

Nacer Chadli (£7m)

Despite not being a big name signing, and arriving under the radar, Chadli comes from FC Twente offering important attributes such versatility and trickery to the squad. The Belgian youngster is able to play on the wings or even up top if needed, which is where he is often deployed for Belgium, with mixed effectiveness.  His trickery allows him to run at opposing defenders and open up space for other players, which creates chances aplenty. The only question is what role he will be used in this season, as many see him as a squad player that should start from the bench. Whatever capacity he is used in though, Chadli can play an important role in this campaign, as he not only brings impressive skills, but also depth to the team, something Spurs have desperately lacked in the past.

Etienne Capoue (£9m)

Another central midfielder, the French international is a bit different than any of Tottenham’s current players. First off, he is very versatile, able to play in a defensive or attacking role. Also, as he did for Toulouse, he can fill in as a central defender. Second, he is fantastic at breaking up opposing play. Last season, according to whoscored.com, Capoue was dribbled past 0.43 times per game, the fewest for any Ligue 1 player. It’s safe to say he is a defensive stop-gap, and a strong one at that. Not only is he a good defensive player though, as he can also contribute to the attack. Playing long, searching through balls over the top of the opposing defence is a strength for Capoue. This is particularly promising for fans, as Roberto Soldado is adept at latching onto balls played over the top. If the two can combine, Spurs will have a valuable partnership between the midfield and attack, and yet another, more direct, route to goal. Hopefully he can recover from his injury soon.

Erik Lamela (£30m)

In the young Argentinian winger, Spurs have received one of the brightest young stars in Europe. Lamela has true potential to be a great player and a worthy replacement for Gareth Bale, given time to adjust of course. His pace and trickery can open up a tough defence in an instant, and his ball control is admirable for a young player. Like Bale, Lamela can also create moments of brilliance when he is on his day. At just 21 years of age though, he still has a few things to figure out, such as delivering on a consistent basis. But, if his 15 goals and 5 assists in Seria A last season prove anything, it’s that he is starting to utilize his various strengths to the maximum. Spurs fans should be buzzing about this signing, as it is a big step in the right direction after losing Bale.

Christian Eriksen (£10m)

In addition to all of the above players, the signing of Danish creative midfielder Christian Eriksen was one of Tottenham’s biggest coups this summer. This is a footballer who has been chased by many of the top clubs in Europe during the past two years including Liverpool, who reportedly tried to sign the Ajax midfielder on more than one occasion.

And with the transfer window not closing until September 2, you may even expect to see more signings by Tottenham Hotspur. The club may have lost Gareth Bale, but Tottenham Hotspur have gained half a team of quality professionals.

Although Manchester United cruised to their twentieth Premier League title last season, they were far from a perfect side. Inconsistent wingers, coupled with a lack of options in center midfield, weakened a team that boasted one of the most deadly attacking trios in United’s history.

While players such as Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia should rebound this coming season, given the chance of course, the center of the park will still be a problem for Manchester United if they fail to strengthen this summer. In new boss David Moyes though, there is a hope that this growing crisis will finally be addressed. A big name signing or two would help him prove to any doubters that he is up to the task of managing the biggest club in the world. The truth is, though, that very few players meet the standards of Manchester United and David Moyes will have his work cut out for him trying to find the perfect option.

So, realistically, which center midfielders should Manchester United target to improve the weakest area in the team?

Here are 6 potential candidates (in no specific order):

1. Claudio Marchisio

The Italian’s great technique, vision and eye for goal have helped establish him among the best in the world at his position. The heart and soul of the Juventus team, not only does Marchisio offer an attacking option, but he can also get back and help break up opposing attacks due to his high work rate. Recently, he has even welcomed links with the Premier League champions, and now would be the perfect time for Manchester United to make a move. Marchisio would make a good partner for Michael Carrick, and also offer them another deadly option in front of goal, something they have been lacking from the midfield for quite a while now.

2. Thiago Alcantara

Manchester United were close to acquiring Thiago in 2011, but the Spain Under-21 captain elected to stay at Barcelona. This summer may prove to be different though, as the offer of constant first team football may be enough to pull him away. Thiago’s natural vision and technique are what makes him one of the best young talents in the game, and his impressive showing in the European Under-21 championships put these qualities on display. If he continues on the path he is on now, there is no reason not to believe Manchester United would be getting a top quality central midfielder.

3. Beñat Etxebarria

While many of his performances for Real Betis have gone unnoticed, Beñat is truly one of the most gifted playmakers in La Liga. Despite being a deep-lying midfielder he has been a vital part in Betis’ attack, while still contributing to the defensive side of things. Able to  break up opposing movement and quickly launch a counterattack, he would be valuable to any top side. His tough tackling also suggests that he would be able to fit in with the physicality of the Premier League. With his contract running out in 2014, he has been linked with a move to Manchester United, who would do well to secure his services.

4. Kevin Strootman

Despite a disappointing showing in the European Under-21’s championship this summer, Kevin Strootman still remains a good option for Manchester United. Compared to United’s one time talisman and captain Roy Keane, not only does the 23 year old have a commanding presence, but he is also able to combine that with good ball control and vision to create an appealing overall package. In last season’s Europa League he averaged 91.8 percent pass completion, 7.7 tackles, and 1.7 key passes per game in 3 appearances. If signed, he would slot nicely into the team alongside Carrick and add a dimension to the midfield that opponents might struggle to combat.

5. Ilkay Gündoğan

Only fully emerging this past season, Gündoğan has proven himself in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League. He was particularly excellent in Dortmund’s stunning demolition of Real Madrid in the semifinal, and was even better in the Champions League Final versus Bayern, where on the biggest stage in European football he remained cool and composed throughout the entire affair. The only concern though, is that Gündoğan would not provide United with a presence in midfield. However, he would still greatly benefit them with his composure on the ball, and box to box movement off of it.

6. Lars Bender

Leverkusen’s midfield stalwart has been excellent for his side over the past two seasons, especially in the Europa League.  At 24, Lars has earned 18 caps for Germany, and should be a mainstay for years to come if he continues to impress. If Manchester United were to meet the reported £12m price tag Leverkusen have set for him, they would be getting a defensive midfielder that offers them a variety of options. Through his strength, stamina, and skill, Lars can control the midfield and allow Carrick more freedom without having to worry about getting back and making tackles. Also, by acquiring a true defensive center midfielder, United can finally properly utilize the diamond formation that they tinkered with last season.

What are your thoughts about the 6 potential candidates? Are there any missing that should be included? Share your opinion in the comments section below.

The date May 11, 2013 will long remain in the memories of Wigan Athletic supporters. A tactical masterstroke by Roberto Martinez accompanied by a fitting late winner saw the underdogs pull off a shocking upset, one which could possibly be the best in their history. While Ben Watson will be the name to go down in Wigan’s history, Callum McManaman is the one who really deserves the plaudits.

Throughout the game he terrorized the defense and in particular Gael Clichy, who seemed to not know how to cope with the young winger. Although this was only one game in a season of many, it really summed up how well McManaman has played for Wigan over their late season resurgence, and what he brings to the table. At 22 years old, the former Everton youth player is showing signs that he can become a top player, and if he continues to do what he has done best over this short period of the season, it won’t be long before a bigger Premier League club comes calling.

Many were introduced to McManaman through his apparent horror tackle on Newcastle defender Massadio Haïdara. After a poorly timed challenge that appeared to badly injure the Frenchman’s leg, referee Mark Halsey chose to let the incident go, not even giving Newcastle a free kick. After that very tackle, both McManaman and Halsey received heavy criticism from the British press, and when asked by reporters to comment on the incident, Martinez put it down to the player’s “enthusiasm.”

Looking back now, Martinez’s comments were spot on and have more truth to them than originally thought. In a handful of recent games, including the FA Cup Final, McManaman has shown admirable commitment and desire, and you only have to look at his box to box movement against Manchester City to prove that. In today’s game, a player who sacrifices himself for the team’s betterment is very desirable, especially at the top of the table. Even though most teams have a player of that type, McManaman also has other quality aspects of his game that make him a potential star.

Alongside his high commitment and desire, McManaman also has pace, stamina, and skill, all of which were on display in Wigan’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham in late April. Not only did McManaman provide a crucial goal for his team but he was also a constant threat on the wing. On several occasions, Spurs’s defense could not cope with his pace and skill, allowing him enough space to create vital chances, even if they were not converted. He even created chances through skill alone and was able to get the better of Kyle Naughton to get around the left back and into space. Again, although this is only a small sample size, it proves that he can provide what most clubs expect from a winger at the top level.

What sets him apart though is his tactical awareness. In both the FA Cup Final and the game versus Tottenham, McManaman looked for space when off the ball, and was positioned in a way that allowed Wigan an option to counterattack quickly. He also moved inside often and was ready and waiting to provide a final ball to open up the defense. For a 22 year old, who is far from the finished product, this is superb to see.

Despite his promising development, McManaman does need to refine himself further. His crossing could use a touching up and better decision making will only come over time. For now though, the glimpses of brilliance he has shown provide a brief look into the future, and make him deserving of his recent England U21’s call up. Hopefully he’ll be able to shrug off his injury to play. Wigan’s relegation may also prove to be the perfect chance for him to move on to a bigger club, but even if he decides to stay on, a move away will be the only way to fulfill his obvious potential.

While personally I would love to see him at the very top, it would likely result in less playing time, and deny him the chance to grow further. Everton could be one option, and look like a perfect fit even without David Moyes. If Roberto Martinez is the Merseyside club’s next manager, it could be a very real possibility that he elects to bring his young star along for the ride. Where ever he goes, here’s to hoping we will soon recognize the name Callum McManaman as a star for both club and country.

Robert Lewandowski, Jakub Blaszczykowski, and Lukasz Piszczek are three of Borussia Dortmund’s deadliest players. “Polonia Dortmund,” as they are called in Germany, were major parts in Dortmund’s league and cup double last term, and seem to be replicating that scintillating form for the second year running. It comes as no surprise then, that Lewandowski, Blaszczykowski, and Piszczeck are linked with moves to numerous of England’s top clubs, and in the case of Piszczek, even Real Madrid.

Recently, Poland’s former national coach Franciszeck Smuda only increased the speculation by adding that after Euro 2012, “[Lewandowski] is going to Manchester United, [Blaszczykowski] also somewhere in England, Piszczek to Real.” Although none of those transfers happened, they could be a very real possibility following this season’s campaign. This poses an interesting question, could this Polish trio perform the same way in the Premier League? And if England is the next move for any one of these players, which clubs would fit them best?

Robert Lewandowski

The most sought after member of Dortmund has been one of their most exciting players, but he is also one of their most consistent, being directly involved — when this article was written — in 36 of Dortmund’s goals in all competitions this season, scoring 26 and assisting 12.

Only 24, Lewandowski can still improve, although he is already becoming one of Europe’s best young forwards. Due to his incredible goal tally and good link up play in the Bundesliga, he is showing signs that he could play in the Premier League, which is very similar in terms of physicality. Manchester United would be his most likely destination, but he could also very well fit in at Arsenal, who are missing a consistent goal scorer that can also provide assists. Chelsea might also look to bring in Lewandowski, as Ba has virtually no competition due to Fernando Torres’s lack of consistency, although it seems a long shot should Chelsea follow up their interest in Radamel Falcao.

Jakub Blaszczykowksi

“Kuba” as he is known in Poland, is vital to Dortmund’s success, although he usually goes unnoticed. In only 25 appearances in the 12/13 season, he has scored 12 goals himself and assisted 8. What those stats don’t show is what sets him apart, his work rate. Blaszczykowski is as important defensively as he is offensively. He has tracked back numerous times to win the ball back, for both Poland and Dortmund. He can also use both feet if needed, this being demonstrated by his stunning goal with his weaker left foot against Russia in last summer’s European Championships.  The 27 year old has been linked with Liverpool and Chelsea, both of which could use his tireless running and fantastic supporting play. Even Manchester United could benefit from signing him as Antonio Valencia, the only true right midfielder in the squad, is in a seemingly endless slump, and even if he is in form he refuses to use his weaker left foot when needed.

Lukasz Piszczek

One of Europe’s emerging fullbacks at the age of 27, Lukasz Piszczek has certainly improved since his days as a right midfielder although he still maintains his attacking mindset. Piszczek is very much an attacking threat, shown through his slick one two passing with Blaszczykowski against Ukraine followed by a slightly off balance finish. There is no reason to think he could not play in the Premier League, although he has been linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid. If he was to move to England, Arsenal would be a great fit for him. Speculation continues around Bacary Sagna’s future, and if he leaves Carl Jenkinson will be Arsenal’s only rightback. Whether brought in to provide competition or even take over as first choice, Piszczek would not only provide Arsenal with stability at the back, but also an attacking option.

If the constant stream of transfer rumors proves to be true, any one of Dortmund’s popular Polish trio could be headed to the Premier League, and could possibly arrive at your club. Whether they can replicate their form in England remains to be seen, but all signs point toward an exciting future for Poland and Premier League supporters alike.

For Manchester United, this past Tuesday night’s Champions League second leg at Old Trafford was disappointing, to say the least. As the final whistle blew, United supporters and players alike felt cheated out of a tie which they looked set to have won. Controversial calls by referee Cuneyt Cakir, including a sending off for Nani, saw even Mourinho admit that the better team had lost.

After the game, many people were left feeling sick to the stomach, wondering what could have, or even should have been. Although Manchester United ultimately lost, there are many positives to be taken from that tie, and encouragement for the future in not only Europe, but also the Premier League:

1. Valuable experience. For Manchester United’s younger players, this was the biggest test of their careers. Players such as Danny Welbeck, David De Gea and Tom Cleverley have not played in ties of this magnitude, and this experience will certainly help them for future European games. Playing against Madrid will only help these players grow

2. Players that stepped up. As well as gaining experience, certain young players stood out. Welbeck was excellent and besides his finishing, was a star throughout both legs. This is encouraging because due to his poor start to this league season, many people were slating him off as not United quality. If he can develop his shooting skills, he will certainly become a very valuable player. Rafael also played well, in parts, in the Madrid tie. Although he had a shaky start to the first leg, he settled down and played well in defence, while also getting forward. He also contained Ronaldo well up until the sending off during the second leg, after which he switched off and allowed Ronaldo to score the winning goal. Johnny Evans played well in parts in the first leg, and has looked to have eradicated his often mistakes for now.

3. Versatility. The injury to Phil Jones caused United to switch up their lineup and formation ahead of the second leg at home. The switch worked well until the controversial red card. Nani stood out in his limited time on the field, and was influential in the own goal that Sergio Ramos scored. As United compete on multiple fronts each season, it is important that they are able to change the squad depending on any situation, and this current crop of players are able to give them this option.

4. Playing Style. Manchester United are used to controlling ball possession. This season, in all competitions, Manchester United has averaged 56% ball possession, and 478 short passes per game according to whoscored.com. They were also second in this season’s group stage in ball possession, only behind Barcelona. When against a strong Barcelona side in 2009 and 2011, both in the Champions League Final, Manchester United had to make due with less ball possession then they were used to. Barcelona frustrated them and quickly broke them down, defeating them in both cases. Against Madrid, United also had to adjust their play as Madrid dominated possession, having the ball 63% of the time in the second leg alone. The difference this time was that United were able to cope with the change in playing style, and were hard to break down in both legs. This small success could be important in future ties against teams like Barcelona that dominate possession.

Although the result was disappointing for supporters, there were still positives to be taken. These small outtakes from a monumental clash could be encouragement for Manchester United in the Premier League and Champions League.