More and more, I'm thinking: NO. With only a few days left in the summer transfer window, we're learning that Louis van Gaal is not messing about. As detailed in this Telegraph article, there are up to 10 players who may be shown the door. Much to many supporters delight, Tom Cleverley is reportedly off to Aston Villa. Not many heartstrings will be plucked over that news, but there are several others whose transfer listings may be lamented. Welbeck and Kagawa are perhaps the most noted. I'm sure there are many who would like to see them get more chances.
Manchester United Football Club is the biggest club the world. As it has in the past, the club can weather a storm or even years of drought. We must all keep this in mind. However, some may argue that with the financial ramifications of 1-2 years of mediocre results, there is cause for slight panic. I know, panic is an ugly word, and I don't feel it, but if you look at the actions of the club this summer, spending £130+ million in a single transfer window is far from the normal sense of calm.
I'm not panicking, but I must admit that my sentimental connections to some of our players has waned. While Sir Alex was delivering a steady stream of trophies over the last few years of his reign, we afforded several players a lot of time to develop their full potential. We could afford to let our hearts influence our minds because of a some magic moments and glimpses of greatness. We could afford hope for players like Nani, Anderson, Zaha, Cleverley, Chicharito, Welbeck, Rafael and Smalling. Sir Alex took what turned out to be a huge risk on hope in the form of David Moyes.
I don't think we can afford such sentiments anymore and Louis van Gaal has the resume and the killer instinct to make it right. If Manchester United are to reclaim our dominance, hope can only take a couple roster spots. Unfortunately, the mediocrity of hope has become the norm.
