After watching the first two games of Manchester United's tour of America, the Van Gaal experiment is enthralling to say the least.
Watching the United players attempting to adapt to a new system and a new way of thinking is as drastic as Mark Hughes taking over Stoke last season to play neat & tidy football.
This transition is massive, and United's match against Roma showed that.
However, there were signs against L.A. Galaxy for Val Gaal that the system has the potential to work at United, with some improvements needed of course.
When United's front three of Mata, Welbeck and Rooney linked up, United looked a decent threat, in addition to Ander Herrera providing the passes to put them in behind, acting like a quarter-back.
Although, the attack of United has never been put in question.
Even last season, under David Moyes, United's problem was rarely scoring goals, it was their leaky defence which often let them down.
That was evident against Roma.
Unlike the Netherlands, United don't have a "dominant" defender, such as Ron Vlaar.
This may be why the club are continuously linked with the likes of Mats Hummels, because Evans, Smalling and Jones aren't commanding their box.
Smalling and Jones should be able to prosper on either side of the central defender, as they will be given the space to bring the ball out and press high up, but United are crying out for a player such as Vidic in his prime to lead that back 3.
Unless Van Gaal improves this team with signings or threading in youth players, United could have the same problems as last season.
It's quite possible to see this side win against the bottom-half clubs, however when they play the 6 sides that finished above them last season, they may have many problems.
Last season, United only managed to beat Arsenal in the top 6.
That's a terrible statistic, and if the United players don't adapt to the system, they could be caught many times against quick, precise teams such as Manchester City and Chelsea.
Against Roma, the defence had problems with just one striker (Destro) making runs in behind and he was able to have a 1 v 1 in the first 10 minutes.
There are positives with the system which gives hope that United can smoothly see this transition through.
The wing-backs provide United with their traditional with going forward, so the likes of Valencia and Shaw can be used to full effect.
The only minor draw-back for Van Gaal is, where does he fit Nani and Young?
The Portuguese international is wasteful and careless in possession, and isn't the type of player to track back, so where does he fit in the system?
Young on the other hand can be reckless in his defending, but will most likely provide a useful backup to Valencia on the right.
United's midfield isn't a problem nor a success.
It seems they're one class player away in midfield from seriously becoming Premier League contenders (despite a leaky defence).
Whether they bring in Powell or Lingard or insist with Cleverley, it's clear Herrera will be pivotal if United achieve any honours this season.
His vision, weight of pass and calmness on the ball is already incomparable to his team-mates and the likes of Cleverley can only learn from the young Spaniard.
Making 3 assists on his debut is no fluke and at 24, Herrera has been the biggest excitement United fans can look forward to going into the new season.
Hopefully, unused players such as Zaha, Powell and Wilson will be making appearances for United before the start of the season, whether it's against Valencia at Old Trafford or in America.
These three players must be looked at by Van Gaal as they could provide something different to the existing team, an extra bit of imagination.
If United can perfect Louis van Gaal's system, they'll be a force to be reckoned with ahead of the new Premier League season, especially with a few signings, however if they can't adapt and continue their struggling form from last year, it could be a long season for United fans.
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