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| Louis van Gaal has splashed the cash at Manchester United but which players have been a success? |
LOUIS VAN GAAL has spent an eye-watering £265m during his Manchester United revolution but it is highly debatable whether the money has been well spent.
The United squad needed a major overhaul and there are few arguments about the out-goings - apart from perhaps Javier Hernandez, who is scoring goals for fun in Germany while Van Gaal's team struggle to find the net.
But the replacements - Anthony Martial apart - have yet to make any discernible improvement to performances. In fact, United's two best players this season have been Chris Smalling and David De Gea, two of the survivors form Sir Alex Ferguson's last title-winning team in 2013.
United are only one point better off after 17 games than after the same period under David Moyes two years ago - and Moyes had guided the team though to knock-out stages of the Champions League and semi-finals of the Capital One Cup.
The jury is still out on most of Van Gaal's signings, although only time - and possibly a change of manager - will tell whether that is because they are inhibited by the Dutchman's tactics or are simply struggling to come to terms with English football.
SUCCESS
Anthony Martial
The young France striker is the one unqualified success, although at 19 he still has much to learn. He has scored seven goals already and everything suggests that with his pace, skill and calmness in front of goal he will go on to justify a transfer deal that could amount to £58m.
PLENTY OF PROMISE
Luke Shaw
After a nightmare debut season when injuries restricted him to only nine starts, Shaw started the current campaign superbly, showing the ability that prompted United to pay nearly £30m for him. His season was cruelly cut short by the horrific leg break in mid-September but he is still only 20 and provided there are no problems with his recovery, he will surely go on to prove a top player for club and country.
NO COMPLAINTS
Daley Blind
The Dutchman has proved a reliable and versatile player as a midfielder, centre-back and left-back. Great delivery with his left foot.
JURY'S OUT
Memphis Depay
He was player of the year in Holland last season with the goals that steered PSV Eindhoven to the Eredivisie title, but has shown only brief flashes of his ability and struggled for consistency and to adapt to the demands of the Premier League amid question marks over his attitude. But time and age is on his side.
Ander Herrera
The Spanish midfielder is a crowd favourite with his energetic performances and eye for goal but injuries and Van Gaal's system of playing two holding midfielders mean he has never had a lengthy spell in the team.
Morgan Schneiderlin
United knew what they were getting - a steady, unspectacular, ball-winning defensive midfielder who would protect the back four. Started well but has been hampered by injuries and has been in and out of the team.
Matteo Darmian
Like Schneiderlin, the Italian right-back started well but was embarrassingly hauled off at half-time after nightmares at Southampton and Arsenal and hasn't recovered his early form, not helped by a recent injury. Van Gaal's preference to use Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young ahead of him will not have improved his confidence.
Marcos Rojo
The Argentina defender has looked the part at times - especially when keeping Kevin De Bruyne quiet in the Manchester derby - but can't seem to stay fit for very long. Two dislocated shoulders plus a hamstring injury have hampered his progress.
Sergio Romero
The No 2 keeper started with four clean sheets in his first five games but was not always convincing and De Gea went straight back in after his transfer saga was resolved.
NOT WORKED OUT
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Looks past his best and too slow for the Premier League, although the German argues he was never quick and his football brain and vast experience makes up for that. All his know-how didn't prevent him from foolishly throwing his forearm into Winston Reid's neck to earn his current three-game ban.
Angel Di Maria
Looked a dream signing in his first few games last season with the sort of X-factor United fans crave. But couldn't adjust to Van Gaal's demands and lost his way, not helped by his family being unsettled by their home being burgled, and couldn't wait to jump ship when Paris St Germain came calling.
Radamel Falcao
In the end, Untied were just relieved they took him on loan and didn't shell out the £50m up front. After recovering from a cruciate ligament injury, the Colombia striker never look like recapturing the form he showed earlier in his career at Porto and Atletico Madrid - as Chelsea are finding out.
Victor Valdes
Signed as top-class cover and competition for De Gea but fell out big time with Van Gaal. Still at United but frozen out and expected to move on in January.
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