Record crowds in the US United fans hope this is a sign of times to come. Both they and Real Madrid field strong teams in this exhibition match at Soldier Field, Chicago, and United impress with a 3-1 victory in front of a crowd of 109,318. Ashley Young scores a brace while Javier Hernandez nets against the team he will join on loan the following month.

Wayne Rooney made captain Van Gaal entrusts star man Wayne Rooney with the club captaincy, with Darren Fletcher named as vice-captain. The decision is a successful one, with Rooney hitting good form.

False start for Van Gaal Despite an undefeated pre-season, Van Gaal’s competitive debut at Manchester United ends in defeat. Gylfi Sigurdsson gives Swansea all three points, in an entertaining game where both Tyler Blackett and Jesse Lingard were handed full debuts.

Angel wings in The United hierarchy are keen to back Van Gaal, and Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rojo are all signed for large sums, before Angel Di Maria joins for an English transfer record of nearly £60 million. They are soon joined by Daley Blind, for £14 million.

Humiliated by MK Dons The lowest point of Van Gaal’s fledgling United career. He fields a young side against League One side MK Dons, but even so would not have been prepared to watch his team succumb to a humiliating 4-0 defeat.

Welbeck says goodbye Welbeck, who started in the game against MK, is soon sold to Arsenal. Van Gaal deems the forward “not good enough” for his starting XI, and has no hesitation in selling a player who had been a part of the club since 8 years old.

Rangers put to the sword United finally return to winning ways with a comprehensive 4-0 win against lowly QPR. New signings Di Maria and Herrera both find the net, whilst loanee Radamel Falcao makes his first appearance for the Red Devils.

Hit for five by... Leicester? Manchester United throw away a two-goal lead on the road to Leicester, for their second league defeat in five games. They concede four second half goals in a performance which leaves them 12th in the league.

Derby disappointment The already daunting challenge of winning at the Etihad Stadium is made even more difficult for United when Chris Smalling is sent off for two yellow cards in the first half. Marcus Rojo is stretchered off with a shoulder injury as Sergio Aguero gives City a 1-0 victory.

Liverpool swatted aside United recover after the City defeat and go on to win six in six throughout November and December. The highlight is a comfortable 3-0 victory over rivals Liverpool which lifts them to third in the league.

Humbled by Cambridge Van Gaal’s uninspiring cup form continues as his expensively assembled side fail to break down a dogged Cambridge United in the FA Cup fourth round. They eventually see them off 3-0 in an Old Trafford replay.

Hitting back at Big Sam Daley Blind hits late to snatch United a point at Upton Park. Van Gaal reacts furiously to Allardyce’s post-match claim that his United are a ‘long ball team’, by producing a series of detailed graphs and statistics in his press conference.

Doubled by Swansea Swansea become the first team to complete a 2014/15 double over United, when they once again win 2-1. Manchester United drop to fourth as Arsenal move up to third.

Di Maria's Cup KO Much is made of Arsenal’s poor record at Old Trafford, but they progress to the FA Cup semi-finals at United’s expense. Danny Welbeck hits the winning goal before Di Maria is sent off for tugging at referee Michael Oliver’s shirt, on a miserable night for the Old Trafford faithful.

Revenge on Manchester City United move four points above their city rivals, after recovering from a Sergio Aguero opener to stroll home 4-2 winners. Young, Fellaini, Mata and Smalling all get their names on the scoresheet in a win which means United are only two points behind second-placed Arsenal.

Crushed at Everton Against a resurgent Everton, United lose consecutive league games for the first time under the stewardship of Van Gaal. In the following match they are beaten for a third time, to West Brom, and hopes of a finish above City are dashed.

Depay swoop confirmed Highly-rated Dutch winger Memphis Depay - and his dog - elect to join United ahead of teams such as Liverpool and PSG, in a £25million switch from PSV. He finishes his last season in the Eredivisie as the competition’s top scorer with 22 goals.

Doubts over De Gea With Iker Casillas struggling for form at Real Madrid, rumours grow that goalkeeper David De Gea is angling for a summer switch to the European champions. Van Gaal concedes that the player’s situation in England is “difficult”.