Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has been reflecting on his side's 2015/16 campaign and has admitted that lessons will be learnt as they go into their final match of the Premier League season.
The Reds have endured a mixed season which involved some incredible highs, mainly thanks to the brilliance of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.
They have also endured some horrific lows, particularly some very uninspiring home draws as well as being knocked out of Europe on two occasions after some pitiful performances.
Van Gaal adapted to life in Manchester last season and was qualified a success by guiding the club back into the top four.
That was a success, but the expectation in his second campaign was that, with some new signings, he would take United to challenge for the Premier League title.
In reality, the Reds are 17 points behind champions Leicester City and face a nail-biting final day, as they have to rely on Swansea City beating Manchester City in order to qualify for the Champions League.
Van Gaal reflects after tough season
Talking in his final pre-match Premier League press conference for this season, van Gaal said that there will be a period of evaluation once the season has ended.
He said: “You have to evaluate yourself and also the staff and the players. Then you have to communicate with them and listen to each other.”
That analysis will inevitably involve identifying players that, by this time next year, will have fired United to a higher position in the league.
More attacking options needed
Van Gaal also thinks his side are strong defensively but are in need of improvement further up the pitch, he continued: “We have to score more in our attacking organisation.”
The Dutchman then revealed he needs “creative, fast players in attack” possibly hinting that United will be in the hunt for players that can provide those qualities.
The Reds will look to end their league campaign on a high as they welcome Bournemouth to Old Trafford with a slim chance of securing Champions League football.
As they bid to say goodbye to the Old Trafford crowd until August they still have the chance of lifting the FA Cup as van Gaal takes his side to his first final as manager. A trophy he will have to win if he wishes to guarantee his position as United boss next term.