After Sir Alex Ferguson retired as Manchester United manager, he appointed David Moyes to be the next manager, the so call "Chose One". Undoubtedly Moyes is a good manager, but just good enough for middle team. He can't really control the superstar players like Rooney, Van Persie and even the defense trio (Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra) mentioned that they don't know what is his tactic. Moyes was sacked when there were still 4 matches left last season. He can't even finished one whole season with United. It can be seen that even the board is not really happy with his performance. Soon after the season finished, on the 19th May 2014, Manchester United announced Louis Van Gaal as the new manager!
Louis Van Gaal had been a manager for several BIG clubs like Ajax, Bayern Munich and Barcelona. During his time in Barcelona, Mourinho (as assistant) and Guardiola (as player) played under him. He like to give chances for young players to play so that they can develop and he is a manager with strong philosophy. He want his players to adapt his philosophy, those who can't shall leave no matter how big the player is. This is what a strong manager must be, strongly believe in his own philosophy!
"I had been in Barcelona, no.1 in Spain.
I had been in Ajax, no.1 in Netherlands.
I had been in Bayern Munich, no.1 in Germany.
Now I'm in Manchester United, no.1 in England!"
- Louis Van Gaal, 17th July 2014
Before Van Gaal start working as United manager, United already got new signings - Luke Shaw from Southampton and Ander Herrera from Spain. However, this was not the end. After Van Gaal came, crazy shopping had begun. August had been a crazy transfer market for United, name after name had been announced as United new signing. Daley Blind, Marcus Rojo, and even Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid! Di Maria is now United's highest record transfer fee (£60 mil) after Mata's £37.5 mil last season. On the last day of transfer market, United loan in the tiger, Radamel Falcao for one season. In total, Manchester United has 6 big new signings in the summer transfer market! There are so many players coming in mean there are a few going out to, like Kagawa (BVB), Welbeck (Arsenal), Chicharito (loan,Real Madrid), Cleverly (loan, Aston Villa).
Despite there were so many big new signings, the start of the new season (2014/15) did not start really well. United lost 1-2 against Swansea in the first match of Premier League and only got 5 points in the first 6 matches. United even lost 0-4 against MK Dons in League Cup and was eliminated. People start questioning about Van Gaal's performance. As an experienced manager, he has his own way to handle the media. He explained it is not easy for players to quickly adapt his philosophy especially when there are so many new players. He said he will need three months for the players to slowly adapt his philosophy.
I can think of a few reasons why United started so poorly. One of the reason is because of his formation. He play the same formation as he used for Netherlands in World Cup, the 3-5-2! 3 center backs, 2 wing backs, 2 center midfield, 1 attack midfield and 2 strikers. This is not a usual formation that United will play as United had always been playing 4-4-2 or 4-5-1. That's why the players still can't get use to the formation yet at the start. Another reason is because of the fragile defense line. 3-5-2 might be quite strong in holding possession and attacking, but when the opponents got a chance for counter attack there will be just 3 defenders to defend. Furthermore, after the departure of the defense trio (Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra) United left with the young trio (Jones, Smalling and Evans) which make the defense line even more fragile. There were already a lot of matches because of the poor defense, United can't win the match. One more reason is the INJURIES!!! Until now Manchester United don't have all the players in full fitness. When one started to come back from injury, there will be another new injury! There is one moment where all the defenders were injured and Van Gaal had to bring in younger players like McNair and Blacket to play and even Carrick had to play as center back. Now I hope there won't be any more new injury and Van Gaal will sign in an experience center back as the defense leader.
After 3 months from the start of the season, things started to get in shape. After the lost against Manchester City, Manchester United had won 7 matches in 9 games and still unbeaten! United had beaten Arsenal, Liverpool and Southampton as well. Players started to adapt Van Gaal's philosophy and improve in every matches. After the last match in 2014, Manchester United is in 3rd place and 10 points behind the leader - Chelsea. If Manchester United can keep the unbeaten streak and start the winning streak again, there is still chance to fight for Premier League Champion!
In the first half of the season, my opinion
The best/most consistent player so far...
David De Gea!!!
De Gea had been splendid in last season, this season is even better! There are a few matches because of his splendid form had save Manchester United from losing.
 |
| The last minute save against Everton |
 |
| the saves against Liverpool |
The player came from the "dead"
There are 2 names in my mind for these player. Ashley Young and Fellaini!
Last season there was a lot players performed terribly including Young and Fellaini and they were at the sideline for being sold. However, after Van Gaal came, it was like to total reborn for them.
Fellaini perform like what he used to be in Everton, a tall player that help United get the high ball and a physically strong player that help United steel ball form opponents. This was my expectation of him when he came from Everton last season, but it was a disaster. Even though now there was a few sloppy moment from him, but it is really good to see him regain his confidence and performing well for United.
As for Young, he still play the similar position as last season but somehow he slowly becoming a threat for the opponent at the left flank and his crosses in last season was always to nobody but this season his crosses had become more precise. He is the player that totally changed my opinion about him.
The best match so far
14th December 2014, against Liverpool!!!
Manchester United won 3-0 against Liverpool! With Rooney, Van Persie and Mata scored the goals. United didn't create a lot of chances but they score when there is one and the counter attack was splendid. However despite United won 3-0, the man of the match was De Gea! He had countless saves for United including one on one against Sterling and a few chances from Balotelli. He was really splendid on that night.
Now the second half of the season is on the way and winter transfer market is starting soon. Despite United had started playing well, the Red Devil is coming back, but my expectation for this season is still finish in top 3 to get Champion League qualification and fight for the champion next season. Now I only hope for 3 things: buy an experience defender! No more injury! Improve away form!
Glory Glory Man United!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment