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The Dutchman has created a new-look side since taking over in charge
By RAJVIR RAI FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 09:15 EST, 29 December 2014 | UPDATED: 10:53 EST, 29 December 2014
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It's been one hell of a rollercoaster year for Manchester United, who started the year hopelessly with
one manager and end it somewhat optimistically with another.
Kicking off 2014 with FA Cup and League Cup elimination, David Moyes' six-year contract as boss at
Old Trafford was continually questioned as United looked a shadow of their former selves under Sir
Alex Ferguson's compatriot replacement.
Following Moyes' sacking in April United appear to be revitalised under former Holland manager
Louis van Gaal, who joined in the summer and broke the British transfer record with the signing of
Angel Di Maria. Rajvir Rai reviews the year for Manchester United.
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STARS OF SPORT
David Moyes started the year under a dark cloud as he struggled as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor
JANUARY
A month that very much set the tone for the rest of David Moyes doomed reign saw Manchester
United crash out of the FA Cup (losing to Swansea at Old Trafford at the first hurdle) and the Capital
One Cup (losing on penalties against Sunderland). A humbling 3-1 defeat against Chelsea in the
middle of the month left the reigning champions 14 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
The 37.1million signing of Juan Mata from Chelsea, however, did provide some cause for optimism.
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a star-studded collection
of diners at the grand
opening of Jinjuu
Eto'o pulls off another
hat-trick with move to
Italy in the pipeline
Samuel Eto'o looked
dapper as he caught the
train to London as his
Sampdoria move nears
Sturridge can't wait to
strike up a partnership
with Balotelli
Daniel Sturridge is
closing in on a return to
the Liverpool side after a
lengthy injury lay-off
United stars talk goal
of the season, Rooney's
dress sense and
measure Fellaini's hair
Wayne Rooney and his
team-mates took time out
to discuss eachother
Despite a poor run in form Moyes dipped into the January transfer market by signing Juan Mata from Chelsea
FEBRUARY
Despite the addition of Mata, United still could not click into top gear and managed a single win a 20 victory at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace. Uniteds struggles were best summed up in the 2-2
home draw against Fulham, which saw Darren Bent score in Fergie Time for the visitors a sign
that Old Trafford was no longer the fortress of old. Amazingly, Moyes side put in 81 crosses during
the game, with Fulhams Dan Burn saying afterward: Ive (not) headed that many balls since the
Conference! On the plus side, Wayne Rooney ended speculation over his future by signing a new
five-and-a-half-year contract.
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Season at a glance
LIVE TABLES
FIXTURES
SCORES
Premier League
Saturday 31 January
Mata's inclusion failed to inject much impetus into the flailing Manchester United squad as they drew to Fulham
Hull
12:45
Newcastle
Crystal Palace
15:00
Everton
Liverpool
15:00
West Ham
Man Utd
15:00
Leicester
Stoke
15:00
QPR
Sunderland
15:00
Burnley
West Brom
15:00
Tottenham
Chelsea
17:30
Man City
13:30
Aston Villa
Sunday 1 February
Arsenal
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Arsenal
13:30
Aston Villa
More fixtures
MARCH
Two successive 3-0 home defeats against Liverpool and Manchester City piled the pressure on
Moyes. A 3-0 victory over Olympiakos secured Uniteds place in the Champions League quarter
finals, but the atmosphere around certain sections of Old Trafford seemed to be growing more toxic.
Marouane Fellainis substitution during the Manchester derby was greeted with loud applause and
during the next home game, a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa, a plane carrying an anti-Moyes banner
flew over the ground though it was booed by the large sections of the home fans. United ended the
month 15 points off leaders Chelsea and 10 behind Arsenal in fourth.
Naughton desperate
for first-team football
after completing 5m
switch to Swansea
Swansea City completed
the signing of Tottenham
full back Kyle Naughton
Manchester is red
while Liverpool sell
more shirts in Bristol
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Trust in Moyes hit an all-time low when a seemingly clueless United side fell at home to rivals Liverpool
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Certain fans at Old Trafford grew frustrated with Moyes as United also lost 3-0 to neighbours Manchester City
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Yaya Toure (left) and Edin Dzeko (right) celebrate goals in City's convincing victory at Old Trafford in March
APRIL
open in browser PRO version
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After just 10 months in job, Moyes who was given a six-year contract after replacing Sir Alex
Ferguson was sacked. Ironically the nail in the coffin was delivered by his former club Everton who
eased to a comfortable 2-0 win on the Scots first return to Goodison Park. Earlier in the month,
United crashed out of the Champions League as they were beaten 3-1 (4-2 on agg) by Bayern
Munich, despite taking a surprise lead in the Allianz Arena through Patrice Evra. Ryan Giggs took
over as interim manager and started his reign with a thumping 4-0 home win over Norwich.
FOOTBALL JACKPOT
By April it was decided that enough was enough and David Moyes was sacked as Manchester United manager
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Red Devils legend Ryan Giggs was appointed as interim manager, winning his first game by thrashing Norwich
MAY
The euphoria of the Giggs era which also saw former Class of 92 members Phil Neville, Nicky Butty
and Paul Scholes take prominent roles on the coaching staff was punctured by a 1-0 home defeat
to Sunderland. In what proved to be Giggs farewell game at Old Trafford a 3-1 win over Hull
there were debuts for youngsters Tom Lawrence and James Wilson. A 1-1 draw with Southampton on
the final day saw United finish 22 points behind champions City in seventh their worst Premier
League finish. Eight days after the season finished, Louis van Gaal was appointed as manager with
Giggs as his assistant.
Manchester is red
while Liverpool sell
more shirts in Bristol
than on Merseyside
London the most popular
place for the majority of
sides' sales
Aston Villa end goal
drought... on FIFA!
Gabriel Agbonlahor,
Christian Benteke and
Andreas Weimann took
to FIFA to prove they still
know how to find the net
Gauld scores first
Sporting Lisbon goals
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JUNE
With the Premier League over all eyes were on the World Cup and Van Gaals Holland to see what
lay ahead at Old Trafford. Back in Manchester, chief executive Ed Woodward, under pressure after a
botched summer 12 months earlier, swung into action as United announced the signings of Ander
Herrera for 29m from Athletic Bilbao and Luke Shaw from Southampton for 30m. Alexander Buttner
became the first casualty of the new era, leaving for Dynamo Moscow as speculation grew as to how
Van Gaal would transform his squad.
Adebayor could've
been sent off when he
caught Reed in the face
GRAHAM POLL: The
Togolese striker could
easily have been sent off
in the 17th minute...
Which former Premier
League star was forced
to get Torres tattoo after
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United chief Ed Woodward began the spending spree by bringing in Luke Shaw (left) and Ander Herrera (right)
JULY
With the World Cup over, Van Gaal arrived for his first day of work at Carrington on the 16th. By this
point stalwarts Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra, as well as a number of fringe players,
had left and United were being linked with a whos who of football: Arturo Vidal, Mats Hummels and
even Cristiano Ronaldo. The Dutchmans first press conference will be remembered for his plea that
it will take three months for his new squad to understand his philosophy. But Van Gaals first game
was a thumping 7-0 friendly win over LA Galaxy and was followed by victories over Roma and Inter
Milan.
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shirt off
Bubba Watson has quite
the reputation for being a
bit of a joker away from
the golf course...
Westwood to the
rescue on holiday!
A British millionaire has
told how golfer Lee
Westwood saved him
from drowning off the
island of Barbados
Lampard becomes
National Literacy Trust
ambassador as Man City
star bids to get more
children reading
Lampard hopes to help
motivate kids to read
El Fitouri stars on trial
at Manchester United...
after being released by
rivals City last year
Salford City defender
stole the show in game
played on Monday
July said goodbye to Manchester United defensive stalwarts Rio Ferdinand (top) and Nemanja Vidic
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Louis van Gaal returned from the World Cup after his Holland side reached the semi-finals of the competition
AUGUST
Uniteds impressive pre-season form continued with victories over Real Madrid, Liverpool and
Valencia. The new era was well and truly under way as United lined up in an unfamiliar 3-5-2
formation and Rooney was appointed the clubs new captain. Optimism abounded after such an
impressive pre-season, but the mood quickly changed as Swansea ruined the party on the opening
day of the season, winning 2-1 at Old Trafford in Van Gaals first competitive game in charge. Two
league draws against Burnley and Sunderland followed, as well as a humbling 4-0 defeat in the
Capital One Cup to MK Dons. United again dipped into the transfer market, adding Argentine duo
Marcos Rojo and Angel Di Maria for a combined 66m.
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Khan's supermarket
sweep! Boxer takes trip
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SEPTEMBER
September started with a bang as Radamel Falcao arrived on loan from Monaco and Daley Blind
signed for 14m from Ajax taking Uniteds summer spending to 160m - but academy product
Danny Welbeck was sold to rivals Arsenal. At the fourth time of asking, Van Gaal finally got his first
win as United thumped QPR 4-0 at Old Trafford. A week later, however, they were embarrassed
again as they lost 5-3 to Leicester squandering a 3-1 lead. Uniteds injury worries continued as Van
Gaal was forced to turn to youngsters Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair in the absence of Shaw,
Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.
Barcelona defender
Pique and pop star
partner Shakira to raise
funds for Unicef through
Baby Shower initiative
Couple are expecting
their second child
Suarez, Bale, James
and Benzema unite
against 'haters'
Luis Suarez is no
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Luis Suarez is no
stranger to controversy
but is now inviting fans to
'bring on the hate'
Bouchard and
Sharapova party ahead
of Australian Open
Eugenie Bouchard was
joined by a host of tennis
stars attending the
annual Players Party
Which striker built a
snowman in his garden
to help sharpen up his
finishing?
Clue: this snow sculptor
is already pretty ice-cool
in front of goal
Let's dance! Cazorla
inspired Arsenal to City
victory... now WATCH
him celebrate with fancy
footwork on pitch
Santi Cazorla danced
with delight on pitch
Star signing Radamel Falcao and Dutch World Cup star Daley Blind also joined the United ranks in September
Which international
star showed off this Bad
Michael Jackson tattoo?
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OCTOBER
With no European or Capital One Cup football, United only played three times in October, stealing
last-minute points against West Brom and Chelsea after beating Everton at home a game notable
for Falcao scoring his first goal for the club. After nine games, Van Gaals side sat ninth with 13
points one fewer than Moyes had at the same stage the season before.
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October marked Falcao's first goal for the Reds with this finish to beat former United goalkeeper Tim Howard
NOVEMBER
Defeat in the Manchester derby courtesy of a Sergio Aguero strike and a first-half Chris Smalling
red card - meant it was Uniteds worst start to a season since 1986. Level on points with West Brom
and Newcastle, Van Gaals side were already 13 points behind league leaders Chelsea. But three
wins on the bounce against Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Hull lifted United into the Champions League
places. Two clean sheets in four games were a welcome boost after Uniteds defence had been so
porous earlier in the season.
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Austrian Annemarie
Moser-Proell's 35-yearold record
Wilder crowned
heavyweight champion
It might not have been the
stunning knockout victory
many had predicted, but
the giant beat Bermane
Stiverne
Mayweather mosaic on
display in Manchester...
will the boxer who has
everything make a bid?
One thing he hasn't had
the chance to purchase
is a mosaic of himself
Aguero shows off new
shooting boots
Striker Sergio Aguero
wore his new pair of
Puma boots during Man
City's Premier League
clash with Arsenal
More questions began to be asked about the United back line when Chris Smalling saw red against City
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Sergio Aguero scored the only goal of the day as United's city rivals took the lead just after the hour mark
Which title-chasing
Premier League star is
celebrating baby news?
The midfield maestro
revealed he is to become
a father for the second
time
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'You will see a true Louis van Gaal team next season!'
Season at a glance
LIVE TABLES
FIXTURES
SCORES
Premier League
Team
DECEMBER
Uniteds good form extended into the Christmas period with wins over Stoke, Southampton, Liverpool
and Newcastle and draws at Aston Villa and Tottenham meaning United finished 2014 on a ninegame unbeaten run. The upturn in form had sparked talk of a title a challenge notably from senior
players such as Rooney and Carrick but Van Gaals side were still 10 points behind league leaders
Chelsea and just three points ahead of Southampton and Arsenal in fourth and fifth. With the
January transfer window set to open, United were again being linked with big money moves notably
a 120m move for Gareth Bale.
GD
Pts
Chelsea
22
32
52
Manchester City
22
23
47
Southampton
22
21
42
Manchester United
22
15
40
Arsenal
22
14
39
Tottenham Hotspur
22
37
22
10
36
Liverpool
22
35
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Liverpool
22
35
Swansea City
22
-4
30
10
Stoke City
22
-4
29
11
Newcastle United
22
-9
27
12
Everton
22
-4
23
13
Crystal Palace
22
-8
23
14
22
-9
22
15
Aston Villa
22
-14
22
16
Sunderland
22
-14
20
17
Burnley
22
-15
20
18
Hull City
22
-10
19
19
22
-16
19
20
Leicester City
22
-14
17
More tables
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Manchester United
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Comments (41)
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It was a year that could go right way or highway but fortunately Manchester United choose a
right a man to lead them into a great future under Louis Van Gaal they will flourished in his
guideline next season i expect Pellegrini won't survived into job either this year or next year
similar to Mourinho will he leave in foreseeable future? but i i believe there are more to come for
Manchester United especially Wayne Rooney as captain i believe someone will come and
overshadowed Wayne which my estimate would be a young talented prospect i leave a dot mark
for that.
Click to rate
LVG is experiencing the same inconsistencies that Mourinho experienced last season. Give
LVG another year and I'm sure Utd will be better than ever!
Click to rate
if united do not beat stoke there will be no title push on last two games they wont just think
yourself lucky you are where you are and still not mid table 3rd or 4th may be top two no
Click to rate
Some dark dark days under Moyes - it was like Christmas morning when he was sacked!!
Makes us all appreciate the good times even more!!
Click to rate
35
More watched Utd when in Div2 (74-5) than City last yr as PL champions. And Blue's would have
the nerve to say Manchester is theirs..................... Yea right !
Click to rate
42
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Best news for us this yr was being voted the loudest fans in PL . After all the glory hunting tags
we have unduly earned this confirms our commitment to UTD win or lose
Click to rate
39
FROM THE
MAKERS OF
CANDY CRUSH
Would rather AFC drop points than CFC or City. Says it all really
Click to rate
6
more
Two tiers this yr . City and CFC. Big Gap then AFC, MUFC, LFC . All reds know this to be right
so why make ridiculous claims of winning PL ? Wise up lads
Click to rate
We are sadly no where near the standard set by CFC and City. Get a grip lads. Best supporters
by a country mile following an average side. Sad but TRUE
Click to rate
Lol comedy company , what title challenge, you are as close to 9th spot a you are to 1st what a
laugh, and I can tell you picking 12 point in the last 6 games was a lot of referee help again and
just scraped through on a fluke.... lol wake up to yourselves, you wont even be in the top 4... No
champions league again....
Click to rate
25
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