Every player was handed a clean slate when the Dutchman arrived at Old Trafford following the World Cup this summer and now its make or break time for several as a clean sweep is expected. In order to pave the way for new additions, van Gaal will make cuts this week and will be up front and honest with those who are surplus to requirements.

Here’s what LVG had to say about his plans for a massive cull.

“You always have to give a chance to the player to make a transfer [to leave] when you see that his chances of playing are not high. You have to say it in advance because 31 August is too late. I shall say to the players what I think after this tour.”

Good or bad news, United’s players can be assured of one thing: van Gaal will give it to you straight.

So far his no-nonsense approach has won him plenty of fans among the playing staff, supporters and neutrals, as he’s whipped the Red Devils into shape and has his players champing at the bit to impress. So, which players are on the chopping block?

Javier Hernandez and Shinji Kagawa have been linked with moves away from United for so long but the duo combined to see Hernandez scored against Real Madrid on Saturday. Maybe they will stick around, for now. Others like Wilfried Zaha, Nani, Anderson and Tom Cleverley have all played bit-part roles in North America thus far and will be looking worriedly over their shoulders.

With Marouane Fellaini rumored to be heading out of the door, plus the likes of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Johnny Evans still trying to impress in defense, it seems as thought van Gaal’s new-look United could start to take shape later this week.

An exodus should lead to an influx of new players. One needs to happen before the other and van Gaal is about to start wielding the axe.

Never mind all that: Harry Kane was healthy, and scored three goals as Spurs kept pace with group mates Real Madrid in filing a 3-0 win at APOEL Nicosia in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Kane said he was very proud of the side’s performance, as youngster Anthony Georgiou and seldom-used Georges-Kevin N’Koudou put in shifts in the win. From the BBC:

“We weren’t pleased with the first-half and a couple of chances could have gone the other way. We were more clinical and in the Champions League that is what you have got to be.

“We are missing a few players but the lads who stepped in were fantastic. We have a solid squad and you have to be ready. 3-0 away in the Champions League no matter who you play is a good result.”

Kane has 11 goals in September between club and country, and has six hat tricks in 2017. There may not be a finer big striker firing in Europe right now, and both England and Spurs will hope to ride him well into 2018.

A point from far from home is not the end of the world, but Liverpool will rue its missed chances in a 1-1 draw at Spartak Moscow in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Goalkeeper Artyom Rebrov had a stellar day for Spartak before being injured and then replaced by Aleksandr Selikhov, who was also strong for the Russians.

Fernando (not that one) scored a free kick for Spartak, while Philippe Coutinho bagged the equalizer that keeps the Reds ahead of Spartak on goal difference. Both sides are three points behind Sevilla.

Hugo Lloris flubbed an early clearance and was fortunate to see the back-bounding ball dribble wide of his left post.

Carlao could’ve given APOEL a surprise lead close to halftime but headed wide of the net from within 10 yards.

Kane nearly added an assist to his ledger at the start of the second half, but Son Heung-min just missed his effort wide of the frame.

He scored another goal anyway, and another one. Moussa Sissoko set Kane up for the second of the night, a relatively simple finish for the striker, and Kane completed his trio of goals when he headed Kieran Trippier‘s cross home.