With Louis Van Gaal joining Manchester United as the Head coach after a drastically bad season, the new era begins at the Old Trafford. Even with Van Gaal in Brazil, he is still doing his job. Last week we saw not one but two players sign for the Red Devils. Ander Herrera, who was pursued last summer by Manchester United but failed to get his signature on paper, was more than happy to pay the release cause with his own money to join the Red Devils. Athletic Bilbao prevented the transfer from going through, but with Herrera paying the release cause, the Red Devils, Ander Herrera and Athletic Bilbao were able to get the deal for a reported £29m ($49mil). At the press conference, Herrera told the official Manchester United website:
“Signing for Manchester United is a dream come true. I have played at Old Trafford for Athletic in the UEFA Europa League and it was one of the highlights of my career so far. I have joined United to do all I can to help the team reach the club’s objectives. Having arrived on Tuesday, (June 24) I’m excited to now be living in Manchester and I can’t wait for my first game in United’s famous red shirt. I will never forget my time with Athletic Club and I’d like to thank the fans and staff for all their support and, above all, wish all my fantastic former team-mates all the best for the future.”
But who is Ander Herrera you may ask? For those who don’t know him, Herrera was born in Bilbao, Spain in 1989 and started his career at Real Zaragoza before moving to his hometown to play for Athletic Bilbao in 2011. He made 94 appearances for Bilbao and scored just 7 goals during his 3 years. He has yet to represent his home nation by playing in the senior club, but with career moving to Old Trafford, we may have a chance to see Herrera shine under Van Gaal.
Two days after seeing Ander join Manchester United, we also saw the Red Devils secure the signature of 18-year-old Luke Shaw from Southampton in a reported £30m ($51). Shaw signed a four-year deal worth £100,000 a week after United fought off Chelsea and their Derby Rivals Manchester City. During the interview and presentation of Luke Shaw, he said, “I am thrilled and excited to be joining Manchester United. I have been at Southampton since I was eight years old and I would like to thank them and the fans for everything they have done for me. I want to continue to progress my career and joining United is the ideal place for me to do that. I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life and also looking forward to learning from the world-class players and management at the club.”
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The Red Devils have been looking into Shaw since last year as well and seeing him shine in the World Cup with England caught the interest of Manchester United. Since signing Luke Shaw, the fee made him the most expensive teenager in the premier league and the Red Devils hope the fee is well worth at the end.
With these two players joining Man United, we begin to see the new era under Van Gaal. There are many more players Man United are looking for, one being German and Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels. Will Manchester United be able to come back after a horrible season under David Moyes and bring silverware again to Old Trafford?
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