Since the highs of 2012/2013, Manchester United have plummeted to an all-time low after David Moyes' sacking just 10 months into an ill-fated but rather false-started reign. Failure to reach the Champions League for the first time in almost 20 seasons saw their second change in management in a year. This season, they start a first campaign without European involvement since 1991.
I've already had a say on the tumultuous period under poor David Moyes, who was summoned by predecessor, Sir Alex Ferguson. While he just could not simply turn down a job at one of the most successful clubs in the world, it also turned out that he was nowhere near good enough - that's if they were looking for someone to hit the ground running or else.
In many ways, that is the same task given to new boss, Louis Van Gaal. Yet already, even without a semi-successful World Cup with his native Netherlands, he is someone who brings so much more of a winning aura that was always going to be lacking with Moyes at the helm. That is despite looking like your long-lost aunty.
But after such a torrid time last year, how will he be able to affect the fortunes of Manchester United? Pundits are already tipping the Red Devils to make the Champions League, though with all these changes afoot, harmony is bound to be disrupted in some way.
Whether it is the new management or lack of games this season, it will be interesting to see how much did less than one season under Moyes damaged the club. After all, you'd think after the dugout felt the wrath of supporters for weeks on end, appointing someone as holy to United fans as Ryan Giggs would get them back on track. Alas, it wasn't to be, as a defeat to Sunderland towards the end of last season proved the wounds in this club are deeper than previously thought. Van Gaal has an enormous job on his hands.
For starters, the catastrophic effect of Moyes' tenure means the prestige and lure of the club has diminished slightly. This summer, we are already seeing the result of last year's shocking displays.
Take, for example, the signing of Ander Herrera. Van Gaal sanctioned the move whilst working in Brazil, and built up a lot of hype as the move went through. But we must remember that this is a player they chased last year with David Moyes - and was reportedly involved with imposters - the epitome of the debacle that was last year's summer transfer window at Old Trafford.
So if Van Gaal does have a luring effect about him, we cannot say for sure that they are working. It would also be fair to say that Ander Herrera is not in the same ballpark as Alexis Sanchez or Diego Costa, who have moved to their "title rivals". This must surely be seen as confirmation that United have taken a firm step backwards. Luke Shaw, meanwhile, is an exceptional prospect - and will pay off that massive transfer fee, no problem.
Transfer business aside, there are still worse underlying problems that Van Gaal alone will not be able to fix. If you think of Liverpool, a team who went from 7th to 2nd last year and now think they can win league titles again (yeah, right), what kind of effect will the United team that finished top by some margin and managed 7th themselves last time around?
Getting the players to tune in to his way of playing will be crucial to whether they are in the Champions League next season. A 5-3-2 system that took Netherlands to the semi-finals of the World Cup looks set to be the way forward for United, but that is yet another change that could take some getting used to. And as they should know all too well from last year, if you're not on your game in this league, you'll be punished.
But last year's coaching staff of Steve Round and Phil Neville et al were as uninspiring as their football last year, so much so that perhaps Phil should just stick to the commentating.
And despite an excellent front line, three of their back-four has departed, leaving Rafael the sole survivor at right-back - probably the worst of the lot. And with that probably now becoming a back-five, the amount of quality in their ranks could be questioned.
I'm not entirely sure if this is because of last season, but now, I look at their midfield, and it is also incredibly underwhelming. The signing of Herrera gives it a more refreshed look, but only he and Mata have a bit of excitement about them. Adnan Januzaj has a big future ahead of him, but when will he be ready to step up? In the meantime, none of Ashley Young, Tom Cleverley, Nani, or Marouane Fellaini even warrant a place at a club like United, never mind getting a game.
If Van Gaal has any player-transforming techniques, however, United may very well get somewhere this season, because they certainly do need it. If he can persuade Dirk Kuyt to play at left wing-back and get a half-decent job out of him each time, he should get some joy out of the uninspiring look and feel to this current United side.
But the issues do not stop there, oh no. There is the captaincy issue. Louis Van Gaal does not strike me as a man of much sentimental value. Therefore, it was a little bit of a surprise that he gave Wayne Rooney the armband this week. But it could be a choice that brings the best out of Wayne. It is a bit like giving candy to a small child, one who wants to be at the centre of attention, or in Wayne's World (see what I did there?), paid the most money, if a happy Wayne gets you goals, so be it. For Wayne, it will feel like responsibility, and I'm sure, for Van Gaal, it will be just an armband.
I mean, to snub his fellow countryman, Robin Van Persie, a man who captained Arsenal to third place with the armband with 30 league goals along the way, shows Van Gaal has the best interests of arguably his most important player at heart. And for him, I'd imagine that takes some guts. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if he asks his Holland captain to do some leading duties for him.
Although, Manchester United 14/15 are not half the Arsenal 11/12 team - and that's saying something.
Ultimately, however, it is the results that will concern everyone connected with the club the most. Van Gaal is essentially the guy they should have gone for last year - someone with an impressive record on the domestic and European stage, someone who can handle big egos and someone with one of his own. All the hallmarks of a successful manager, and effectively, a successful team. You see it at Chelsea, at Bayern, at Real Madrid, you name it. If there's anyone who can take United back to where they belong, it's Van Gaal.
He can solve many problems that United were plagued by last year. Old Trafford lost its fear factor. Van Gaal makes Old Trafford scary again. Fans turned on Moyes by staging fly-by protests at games - but they would not dare do the same to Van Gaal. This man will unleash his gonads at you if you get on the wrong side of him. P*** him off at your peril. This man has gotballs guts - just what you want from a man taking a job like this.
This is a tough, but crucial season for Manchester United. A priority must be an immediate return to the Champions League - especially with the unrivalled lucrative deal with Adidas that is affected by their league finish. A good season is top four - but a winner like Van Gaal will want more. But the squad is still scarred by last year's shortcomings, and it would take a miracle to send those guys straight back to the top.
My gut says that a manager like Van Gaal will inspire this team to a successful campaign. Couple that with the departure of Luis Suarez from Liverpool, it leaves the door open for someone to grab fourth, and the Dutchman has more than enough tactical nous to make it happen - and I'd be confident in saying that 2013/14 will be seen as a minor blip in United's illustrious history - but the re-building process will take longer than they would prefer.
I've already had a say on the tumultuous period under poor David Moyes, who was summoned by predecessor, Sir Alex Ferguson. While he just could not simply turn down a job at one of the most successful clubs in the world, it also turned out that he was nowhere near good enough - that's if they were looking for someone to hit the ground running or else.
In many ways, that is the same task given to new boss, Louis Van Gaal. Yet already, even without a semi-successful World Cup with his native Netherlands, he is someone who brings so much more of a winning aura that was always going to be lacking with Moyes at the helm. That is despite looking like your long-lost aunty.
But after such a torrid time last year, how will he be able to affect the fortunes of Manchester United? Pundits are already tipping the Red Devils to make the Champions League, though with all these changes afoot, harmony is bound to be disrupted in some way.
Whether it is the new management or lack of games this season, it will be interesting to see how much did less than one season under Moyes damaged the club. After all, you'd think after the dugout felt the wrath of supporters for weeks on end, appointing someone as holy to United fans as Ryan Giggs would get them back on track. Alas, it wasn't to be, as a defeat to Sunderland towards the end of last season proved the wounds in this club are deeper than previously thought. Van Gaal has an enormous job on his hands.
For starters, the catastrophic effect of Moyes' tenure means the prestige and lure of the club has diminished slightly. This summer, we are already seeing the result of last year's shocking displays.
Take, for example, the signing of Ander Herrera. Van Gaal sanctioned the move whilst working in Brazil, and built up a lot of hype as the move went through. But we must remember that this is a player they chased last year with David Moyes - and was reportedly involved with imposters - the epitome of the debacle that was last year's summer transfer window at Old Trafford.
So if Van Gaal does have a luring effect about him, we cannot say for sure that they are working. It would also be fair to say that Ander Herrera is not in the same ballpark as Alexis Sanchez or Diego Costa, who have moved to their "title rivals". This must surely be seen as confirmation that United have taken a firm step backwards. Luke Shaw, meanwhile, is an exceptional prospect - and will pay off that massive transfer fee, no problem.
Transfer business aside, there are still worse underlying problems that Van Gaal alone will not be able to fix. If you think of Liverpool, a team who went from 7th to 2nd last year and now think they can win league titles again (yeah, right), what kind of effect will the United team that finished top by some margin and managed 7th themselves last time around?
Getting the players to tune in to his way of playing will be crucial to whether they are in the Champions League next season. A 5-3-2 system that took Netherlands to the semi-finals of the World Cup looks set to be the way forward for United, but that is yet another change that could take some getting used to. And as they should know all too well from last year, if you're not on your game in this league, you'll be punished.
But last year's coaching staff of Steve Round and Phil Neville et al were as uninspiring as their football last year, so much so that perhaps Phil should just stick to the commentating.
And despite an excellent front line, three of their back-four has departed, leaving Rafael the sole survivor at right-back - probably the worst of the lot. And with that probably now becoming a back-five, the amount of quality in their ranks could be questioned.
I'm not entirely sure if this is because of last season, but now, I look at their midfield, and it is also incredibly underwhelming. The signing of Herrera gives it a more refreshed look, but only he and Mata have a bit of excitement about them. Adnan Januzaj has a big future ahead of him, but when will he be ready to step up? In the meantime, none of Ashley Young, Tom Cleverley, Nani, or Marouane Fellaini even warrant a place at a club like United, never mind getting a game.
If Van Gaal has any player-transforming techniques, however, United may very well get somewhere this season, because they certainly do need it. If he can persuade Dirk Kuyt to play at left wing-back and get a half-decent job out of him each time, he should get some joy out of the uninspiring look and feel to this current United side.
But the issues do not stop there, oh no. There is the captaincy issue. Louis Van Gaal does not strike me as a man of much sentimental value. Therefore, it was a little bit of a surprise that he gave Wayne Rooney the armband this week. But it could be a choice that brings the best out of Wayne. It is a bit like giving candy to a small child, one who wants to be at the centre of attention, or in Wayne's World (see what I did there?), paid the most money, if a happy Wayne gets you goals, so be it. For Wayne, it will feel like responsibility, and I'm sure, for Van Gaal, it will be just an armband.
I mean, to snub his fellow countryman, Robin Van Persie, a man who captained Arsenal to third place with the armband with 30 league goals along the way, shows Van Gaal has the best interests of arguably his most important player at heart. And for him, I'd imagine that takes some guts. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if he asks his Holland captain to do some leading duties for him.
Although, Manchester United 14/15 are not half the Arsenal 11/12 team - and that's saying something.
Ultimately, however, it is the results that will concern everyone connected with the club the most. Van Gaal is essentially the guy they should have gone for last year - someone with an impressive record on the domestic and European stage, someone who can handle big egos and someone with one of his own. All the hallmarks of a successful manager, and effectively, a successful team. You see it at Chelsea, at Bayern, at Real Madrid, you name it. If there's anyone who can take United back to where they belong, it's Van Gaal.
He can solve many problems that United were plagued by last year. Old Trafford lost its fear factor. Van Gaal makes Old Trafford scary again. Fans turned on Moyes by staging fly-by protests at games - but they would not dare do the same to Van Gaal. This man will unleash his gonads at you if you get on the wrong side of him. P*** him off at your peril. This man has got
This is a tough, but crucial season for Manchester United. A priority must be an immediate return to the Champions League - especially with the unrivalled lucrative deal with Adidas that is affected by their league finish. A good season is top four - but a winner like Van Gaal will want more. But the squad is still scarred by last year's shortcomings, and it would take a miracle to send those guys straight back to the top.
My gut says that a manager like Van Gaal will inspire this team to a successful campaign. Couple that with the departure of Luis Suarez from Liverpool, it leaves the door open for someone to grab fourth, and the Dutchman has more than enough tactical nous to make it happen - and I'd be confident in saying that 2013/14 will be seen as a minor blip in United's illustrious history - but the re-building process will take longer than they would prefer.
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