The biggest loser of the Premier League's opening weekend however has to be Louis van Gaal. The Dutchman took charge of his first league game as United manager with high expectations off the back of an undefeated pre-season campaign that took in a win over arch-rivals Liverpool and a victory over European champions Real Madrid. But his side were undone against Swansea City on Saturday afternoon with the Welsh club recording their first ever victory at Old Trafford and United crashing to their first opening day defeat since 1972. Van Gaal's lack of summer spending was laid bare for all to see with Ander Herrera the only fresh recruit on display while injuries combined with a lack of new signings told, with unheard of rookies Tyler Blackett and Jesse Lingard forced to play in a depleted defence. The Red Devils were fragile at the back and lacked substance in midfield, and this damaging defeat will surely serve as a wakeup call to van Gaal that if he thought taking over at the club was going to be easy, he could be set for another thing coming. Who do you think were the biggest winners and losers from the Premier League's opening weekend? Share your thoughts in the comments thread, below.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
