The View From Europe: Thoughts Of A Travelling Red Devil

Manchester United is a club synonymous with football fans worldwide. The name is something recognised by all lovers of the game and is very much related to the giants of world sport.

So when the team collapsed on the pitch last season, as it became embroiled in farce, the eyes of the world couldn’t quite believe what it was seeing. There was a sense of jubilation amongst the, once green eyed monsters, in Britain, who took great satisfaction in the club’s turmoil.

But around Europe and beyond, there was a bemusement to it all. It all came from nowhere, nobody saw it coming. A period of transition would of course have to take place and to have thought anything else would have been naive, but what happened was total failure.

But rising from the ashes of last year’s mess comes a new Manchester United. Led by a master of his craft, Louis van Gaal, and it’s time to be excited for football once again.

And European football fans are running scared.

I’m currently working overseas, based an hour north of Barcelona, and, speaking to the locals, it’s really interesting to hear their thoughts on Manchester United.

There is a huge respect for our football club amongst all nationalities. That much is clear. But the fear of the club has dwindled dramatically over the past twelve months.

The Spanish league possesses the world’s best players, since 2008 they’ve consistently brought the top players from the English league to theirs. That trend will no doubt continue for years to come.

But there is a real feeling that this year Manchester United will be back stronger than ever. That theory comes from one factor.

Ander Herrera.

It’s incredible how highly thought of he is over here by all football fans. He is seen as the natural heir to Xavi’s throne and the thought is that once he proves what a class act he is, either Barcelona or Real Madrid will bring him back.

That’s a massively frustrating thought, but it’s something that, I believe, United are in control of. We have an opportunity to rebuild a dynasty now. The signings so far have been promising and have also had an eye on the future too.

We have an incredible opportunity to create a team good enough to compete not only at the top of English football, but at the top end of European football, on a consistent basis and Louis van Gaal is just the man to do it.

Ultimately, it will be the performances on the pitch that reinstate fear of the team, but LVG’s appointment has already started that process. We may not be in Europe this season, but Europe certainly hasn’t forgotten about us.

Greg