Brad Friedel: Manchester United Set to Be Frustrated Over Hugo Lloris Pursuit

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In came Louis van Gaal previous year.

Rio spoke to us at the launch of BT Sport’s Premier League coverage in London, with the names he threw up as the best players he played alongside certain to set a few tongues wagging. Back then, the pre-knighthood Alex Ferguson was clinging on to his job by his fingernails, gaining a stay of execution thanks to success in the 1990 FA Cup and the following season’s European Cup Winners’ Cup.

“There is no place for one player [who does not do do that]”.

Pedro wore the same number last season and will continue to wear it for the forthcoming campaign, the Catalan giants have confirmed.

United were right to pursue Ramos given the immediate boost that he would have given to their squad and there is still great room for optimism given the players they have already signed this summer and the fact that Barcelona’s Pedro may still arrive. Darmian, Memphis and Schneiderlin all started, with the Frenchman even scoring what proved to be the only goal of the game after just five minutes.

If van Gaal’s intentions are now to sell De Gea to Los Blancos, quite why the former Netherlands manager has waited so late in the transfer window is a worrying decision. During United’s preseason tour of the United States, Van Gaal bemoaned the lack of creativity in his lineup, or in other words, a Neymar, Eden Hazard or Lionel Messi “impact player”. Success this season, and he will forever remain the man who pointed United towards the future in the post-Ferguson era. Certainly, if United fail to launch a title challenge and are knocked out of the cups early this coming season, Van Gaal may see the axe.