Five things Louis van Gaal needs to do to be a success at Manchester United

Posted Wednesday, July 16, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

LOUIS VAN GAAL insists he doesn't need a holiday following his World Cup exploits - but he might be left regretting his decision come Christmas.

DOWN TO WORK: Van Gaal insists he doesn't need a break, but he'll have his work cut out

By then the country will be full of festive cheer, but it remains to be seen if Van Gaal will feel like joining in considering he will have been in charge of Manchester United for five months.

The Dutchman must hit the ground running at the fallen giants if he is to avoid being left looking like a prize turkey by the new year.

But if he thought trying to win the biggest prize of all with Holland this summer was hard enough then he won't know what's hit him when he sets about the final challenge of his glittering managerial career.

Van Gaal flew into Manchester last night to start work on his new project.

His first task was to have dinner with club directors, including chief executive Ed Woodward.

But it can only be hoped Van Gaal's appetite for turning United into champions again is far greater than his fondness for the city's finest restaurants.

Van Gaal will meet his new squad today for the first time and hopes to bond them together in the same way his Dutch side gelled.

He has already ordered them to eat together every day after training, with the club's youth players and coaching staff.

But there are far more pressing issues on the menu for the 62-year-old to deal with than just team spirit.

The United players had a double training session on Monday under assistant Ryan Giggs and Dutch coaches Albert Stuivenberg and Marcel Bout, but it is what happens now Van Gaal is in town that counts.

Here, Starsport looks at the most pressing concerns for Van Gaal on his first day at work at Old Trafford.

1. REBUILD THE DEFENCE

Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have left gaping holes that will be difficult, some even argue impossible, to fill.

Ferdinand was a Rolls Royce of a centre back at his peak, while Vidic led the team with the sort of qualities that made United great in the first place.

To make matters worse, Patrice Evra is now leaving and both Chris Smalling and Rafael are not up to the standards the Dutchman demands.

Van Gaal can forget challenging for the league title without a defensive unit of the highest quality.

Just ask Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers about how costly a leaky defence can be.

Luke Shaw has arrived from Southampton and is a superstar in the making, while World Cup winner Mats Hummels and Bruno Martins are also on the shopping list.

LEGENDS: The departure of Ferdinand and Vidic leaves United with a huge hole at the back

2. CREATE A DOMINATING MIDFIELD

Midfield is of equal concern to the defence.

Ryan Giggs has retired, while Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher are entering the twilight of their careers.

The likes of Tom Cleverley, Anderson, Ashley Young, Nani and Antonio Valencia are just not good enough while £27m-man Marouane Fellaini looks like a fish out of water.

Wesley Sneijder and World Cup legend Marco Reus remain on United's shopping list and represent the kind of quality United need to rejuvenate this key area alongside new arrival Ander Herrera.

FELL GUY: The Belgian struggled last term and United need to add quality players to improve their midfield

3. MAKE ROONEY CAPTAIN

Van Gaal is understood to want his Dutch captain Robin van Persie to take the armband at United too.

But, with respect both, that would be a mistake.

Van Gaal is close friends with Van Persie but sentiment and loyalty shouldn't come into it. This isn't a job for his favourite player.

It is a key role and should be given to someone who has the total respect of the dressing room and who will still be at Old Trafford in three or four years time.

There are no guarantees how long Van Persie will be at United, despite the fact Van Gaal has been made manager.

Wayne Rooney, however, is the most popular star with supporters and this will always be the case while he is at the club.

No-one knows the team and dressing room better than Rooney and the extra responsibility will bring out the best in him.

4. MAKE UNITED GOOD TO WATCH AGAIN

United lost their identity when Sir Alex Ferguson retired and David Moyes took over.

Gone was the swagger, desire and attacking flair that made them a team that never knew they were beaten.

Van Gaal believes in his philosophies and likes to think of himself as an attack-minded coach.

Supporters will demand he adopts a similar approach to the game that Fergie did. Signing the likes Arturo Vidal and Angel di Maria would help.

5. RESTORE PRIDE TO THE DRESSING ROOM

Van Gaal might have managed around the world but the Premier League is new to him and rivals Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger and Brendan Rodgers know the game inside out.

But he will be expected to get the better of all three of his main rivals, not to mention new champion Manuel Pellegrini across town at Manchester City.

To do this he needs a team that is truly united and made-up of stars capable of dealing with the massive levels of expectation and pressure that come with being a player at Old Trafford.

Step forward chief executive Ed Woodward.

Van Gaal has given him his list of targets and having failed so miserably last summer, Woodward needs a transfer window to remember this time round, not another to forget.

There will be no forgiveness if he makes a hash of it at the second time of asking.

DEFLATED: United players last season after conceding to Bayern Munich in the Champions League