It’s an interesting time at Old Trafford, just how far can they go this season?
The boss
The recently appointed Louis van Gaal is the envy of many managers, not just because of his glittering CV featuring silverware at many of the worlds greatest clubs, but also because of his position with Manchester United for the coming season.
It was never going to be easy replacing Sir Alex, and I think it didn’t take the Board at Manchester United long to realise that David Moyes was perhaps not the man to fill significant contours left by Ferguson’s arse in the Old Trafford hot seat over the two previous decades. But Manchester United are a proud club who value longevity, and they gave the Scott every opportunity to succeed before his eventual dismissal.
Moyes’ season at Utd will only have strengthened LvG’s position; with Utd still smarting from no European competition this season, a place in the top 4 is likely to be his minimum target this season. But LvG is a winner, and he will be targeting the Premier League trophy in his first season – possibly citing Liverpool’s title charge without European distractions last season as inspiration.
Louis van Gaal is similar to Ferguson in several key ways (although very different in others); already in pre season we have seen many of Utd’s players perform better than they did at any point last season. This might be because some of them are playing for their futures at the club, but crucially van Gaal commands respect in the dressing room and his players give 100% in every game for him. The fire has been well and truly re-lit under the backsides of the Utd squad, a fire that had been extinguished for a year under Moyes but is burning as brightly as ever again.
Formation
The new manager brings with him a change in formation. Utd fans will have grown up watching their teams spreading the possession with very competent wingers.
Van Gaal has changed the way the team line up, to a 3-4-1-2 formation with wing backs. For me, this is a really interesting approach as it completely goes against my way of thinking. I am of the school of thought that you set up the team according to the players you have – play to your strengths – and centre back is not one of Utd strengths.
Has LvG identified this as a weak spot, and tried to overcome this by crowding the area? Utd have lost 2 of the best centre backs the Premier League has ever seen this summer. Jones and Smalling aren’t ready to take on that responsibility yet, I do hope that this is their season because they have so much promise and it will only be good news for England, but I think they both need a season on loan away from the spotlight where they can play every game and build their confidence back up. Evans is decent, but hardly of the same calibre as Rio Ferdinand and Vidic. I believe to play this formation he needs at least one, preferably two quality new centre backs of a significantly better quality to their existing personnel.
Shaw is a brilliant addition at wing back and should occupy that position for Utd for at least the next decade. Seeing Ashley Young busting a gut to cover that position in pre-season is encouraging also, and he might just have saved his career at Old Trafford. Right wing back might need some attention, Rafael still has plenty of room to improve but I think he would benefit from someone more established ahead of him to learn from.
I have not seen Herrera play much, but he sounds like a quality addition at CM, again a position he should occupy for the next 10 years. The other CM position needs strengthening, but if they do end up getting Vidal then they would really be in business!
Mata will have a storming season tucked in behind RvP and Rooney, but in the two front men LvG has a unlikely area of concern. RvP and Rooney don’t seem to link up very well, with the number of passes they complete to each other sometimes only in single digits over 90 minutes. It might not help that both are amongst the front runners for the arm band, but if LvG can get them singing off the same hymn sheet then those front 3 will be formidable.
Deadwood and acquisitions
Parts of the squad are stale, and, not that money is an issue, but significant funds can be generated, and wage budget freed from their sale.
- Fellaini – is an awkward customer but just doesn’t fit.
- Nani – after some early promise, has regressed.
- Anerson – what a waste of money.
- Kagawa – he was so good at Dortmund, what a shame he hasn’t been able to continue that in Britain.
- Valencia – I just don’t really like him, if I’m being honest.
- Jones/Smalling – both have a future, but one of them (maybe Jones) should go out on Loan this season.
Utd need a few quality additions rather than a massive overhaul. They have significant funds and offloading the above will free up even more. They can afford to go big. I think these 3 players will turn Utd into a serious force for years to come.
Chellini and Vidal would turn Utd into a serious force; drastically improving the back 3 and giving Herrera a world class central midfielder to play alongside. It would cost a lot of money, but Utd have a lot to spend.
Do Barca need to further balance the books? They are in the middle of a significant overhaul at the moment and they might be tempted with a bid. Dani Alves would thrive in that right wing back position, and there would be no better role model for Rafael.
Prediction
Utd aren’t’ far off. They now have the right manager, a big budget and they are still a desirable team to play for. A few smart additions in the right positions and they will be a force, but the transfer window is not getting any younger and they need to start getting some players to sign on the line.
Prediction; they might still be a little short of a challenge this season, but they will regain their position in the top 4, be a force in the cups and could well win the league next season.
The Football's Coming Homepage 