Ander Herrera: Identified by David Moyes and signed by the club more than Louis van Gaal, Herrera has found himself marginalised while the manager looks for an upgrade. Yet his performances have been encouraging. (Photo: Paul Ellis / AFP)
Ander Herrera: Identified by David Moyes and signed by the club more than Louis van Gaal, Herrera has found himself marginalised while the manager looks for an upgrade. Yet his performances have been encouraging. (Photo: Paul Ellis / AFP)
Angel Di Maria: The most expensive player in the history of British football has not justified his £59.7 million (Dh339.7m) fee. Louis van Gaal is still searching for the best way to use him. At least Di Maria offers urgency. Too few others do. (Photo: Peter Powell / EPA)
Angel Di Maria: The most expensive player in the history of British football has not justified his £59.7 million (Dh339.7m) fee. Louis van Gaal is still searching for the best way to use him. At least Di Maria offers urgency. Too few others do. (Photo: Peter Powell / EPA)
Radamel Falcao: Scored 155 goals in 200 games for FC Porto, Atletico Madrid and AS Monaco. Has just four in 19 for Manchester United. Doesn’t look to have overcome his injury and wouldn’t get in most Premier League sides. A disaster. (Photo: Oli Scarff / AFP)
Radamel Falcao: Scored 155 goals in 200 games for FC Porto, Atletico Madrid and AS Monaco. Has just four in 19 for Manchester United. Doesn’t look to have overcome his injury and wouldn’t get in most Premier League sides. A disaster. (Photo: Oli Scarff / AFP)
Marcos Rojo: Benefited from Louis van Gaal’s obsessive demand for left-footers when he signed the Argentine. A competitive player has done respectably but needs a regular partner. (Photo: Paul Ellis / AFP)
Marcos Rojo: Benefited from Louis van Gaal’s obsessive demand for left-footers when he signed the Argentine. A competitive player has done respectably but needs a regular partner. (Photo: Paul Ellis / AFP)
Luke Shaw: Has to improve defensively and Louis van Gaal seems to prefer Ashley Young’s attacking skills when he plays with wing-backs. At 19, he has the time to come good but was overpriced at £27 million (Dh153.6m). (Photo: Jayne Kaim / Oncea / USA Today Sports)
Luke Shaw: Has to improve defensively and Louis van Gaal seems to prefer Ashley Young’s attacking skills when he plays with wing-backs. At 19, he has the time to come good but was overpriced at £27 million (Dh153.6m). (Photo: Jayne Kaim / Oncea / USA Today Sports)
Daley Blind: Scored two vital late equalisers and has the right attitude but hasn’t been penetrative enough with his passing. His lack of pace is an issue in an ever-changing midfield. (Photo: Kieran Galvin / EPA)
Daley Blind: Scored two vital late equalisers and has the right attitude but hasn’t been penetrative enough with his passing. His lack of pace is an issue in an ever-changing midfield. (Photo: Kieran Galvin / EPA)

Sport

Are Louis van Gaal’s summer signings at Manchester United flops? - A verdict

Richard Jolly
Richard Jolly
Greater Manchester, England

February 26, 2015

  • English
  • Arabic

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal announced his arrival in the summer with £152 million (Dh846.9m) in purchases to bolster the squad that struggled under David Moyes in 2013/14. Richard Jolly examines the underwhelming return the princely sum has bought. Click the arrows above to scroll through his verdicts.

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MATCH INFO

Liverpool 2 (Van Dijk 18', 24')

Brighton 1 (Dunk 79')

Red card: Alisson (Liverpool)

Favourite things

Luxury: Enjoys window shopping for high-end bags and jewellery

Discount: She works in luxury retail, but is careful about spending, waits for sales, festivals and only buys on discount

University: The only person in her family to go to college, Jiang secured a bachelor’s degree in business management in China

Masters: Studying part-time for a master’s degree in international business marketing in Dubai

Vacation: Heads back home to see family in China

Community work: Member of the Chinese Business Women’s Association of the UAE to encourage other women entrepreneurs

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Pad Man

Dir: R Balki

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte

Three-and-a-half stars

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

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