I do feel that losing DiMaria would have affected the plans going in to that season massively even if the previous season was well, pretty tragic by the end of it. I would have presumed his role would have been out on the right wing, or like he played for Ancelotti at Real being the guy that took the ball out of the midfield. LVG did say he wasn’t happy with not getting someone in for the right, be that the plan he always had, or just after DiMaria left.
I do think you have a case with Rooney in that I seem to recall stories of LVG asking Rooney if he can do it, if he can lead the line. Probably madness indeed because even tho I was an ardent Rooney fan, that just wasn’t going to be his position at that point in his career.
As for his recruitment that season in hindsight it’s not been great but at the time Darmian was Italy’s fullback and playing really well for Torino. Blind was player of the season or some rubbish. Schneiderlin(someone I didn’t really rate) but was in the team of the season at Southampton. Depay was, well.... a highly touted youngster tearing up the Dutch league who had a pretty decent WC the previous year when he played for LVG.
Sweinsteiger, well I can sort of understand why he was brought in, a guy already immersed in how LVG wanted to play to hopefully pass it on and make it easier for everyone else. His physical decline even tho for me it was evident in the Bundesliga was just something he couldn’t get to grips with in this league. Although he and Carrick playing in velvet slippers and silk robes whilst smoking cigars vs Liverpool is one of my favourite recent United memories. It was just class personified.
As for Di Maria, he tried him pretty much everywhere, on the wing, through the middle like Ancelotti, heck even as a second striker once or twice. It just didn't work out and by the end of the season, he benched him. So, he had to be ready for his exit and I don't think it affected his plans in that sense.
One thing, though, hindsight is a wonderful thing. Aside from Rooney role, I was (and I'm sure many others) pretty happy with our team and signings that season. I hoped Bastian could give us at least 2 good seasons, Schneiderlin was highly rated and Depay, as you say, was a promising talent. Darmian was also seen as a solid upgrade. But, as a manager, you live and die by your decisions and the transfer window bar Martial turned out to be a disaster.
I did love that game you mentioned against Liverpool, but after that, it was mostly an agonizing experience.
Also, when we talk about our signings, it is really incredible how little value for money did we get after Ferguson, not just in that transfer window. But, that's another subject I guess.