Manchester United 2014-2015: Van Gaal's Insane Speech at the end of the awards

[Zomp]

Some thoughts:
 
Luke Shaw has really come into the game more in the second half.  He certainly doesn't look short of fitness tonight.  If anything I've been disappointed with his defending while his attacking has been the highlight.
 
Tyler Blackett has had an excellent tour which is nice to see.  I have no illusions about him contributing this season but it can be a great confidence builder for the future.
 
Ander Herrera is pleasantly a more physical player than I imagined.  If Darren Fletcher can stay healthy, our midfield looks better than last season's version.  
 
While I'm sure LVG would prefer to play 4-3-3, he's right in the the 3-5-2 not only hides our weaknesses (wingers) but plays to our strengths.  Yes, RVP and Rooney can be on the field but the player who will benefit the most is going to be Juan Mata.  Playing centrally like he did during this preseason he was Chelsea's player of the year.
 
 
While I don't think we're there yet...sign a defender, a midfielder and cut the dead weight (Nani, Kagawa, Chicharito, CLEVERLEY) and the season could be interesting.

 

[Zomp]

and whatever potion LVG make Ashley Young take is working.

 

[Bailey10]

Undefeated during the LVG era. Hopefully tonight's "trophy" is the first of many. 

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Manchester United have wasted no time putting up a new statue outside Old Trafford to commemorate the retirement of a legendary club servant, a man perhaps responsible for more victories than any other during the Fergie era.
 

 

[teddykgb]

 

[EastCoasterOutWest]

Manchester United have wasted no time putting up a new statue outside Old Trafford to commemorate the retirement of a legendary club servant, a man perhaps responsible for more victories than any other during the Fergie era.
 

Why isn't he pointing at the penalty spot?

 

[soxfan121]

ManU v. Valencia at Old Trafford on ESPN right now.
 

 Manchester United starting XI: De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Blackett; Young, Fletcher, Herrera, James; Mata; Rooney (c), Hernandez.
Subs: Amos, M Keane, Cleverley, Fellaini, Kagawa, Lingard, Januzaj
 
Valencia starting XI: Alves; Barragan, Vezo, Otamendi, Gaya; Parejo, J. Fuego, André Gomes; Feghouli, Alcacer, Rodrigo.
Subs: TBC
 

 
The way it is written looks like a 3-4-1-2, but ESPN graphic shows Mata as the left wingback (Young on the right) and a back three of Jones-Smalling-Blackett.
 
EDIT: James is the LWB; Mata playing behind Rooney-Chicarito. 

 

[soxfan121]

Rooney hasa penalty saved. No, I don't think Howard Webb is in charge of today's proceedings.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Rooney hasa penalty saved. No, I don't think Howard Webb is in charge of today's proceedings.

 
Seeing the replays, that looked like a massive dive on Rooney's part.  In a friendly no less.

 

[EastCoasterOutWest]

 
Sporting Lisbon defender Marcos Rojo has handed in a transfer request and told his club he wants to be allowed to join Manchester United. 

 

 
Rojo has informed the Portuguese side he will no longer train with them until the situation is resolved to his satisfaction. 

 
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28763841

 

[mgoblue2]

Is Blackett going on loan somewhere? He's had a very good preseason, he ought to go to the Championship or something and just play.

 

[soxfan121]

Is Blackett going on loan somewhere? He's had a very good preseason, he ought to go to the Championship or something and just play.

 
I'm surprised that Hull haven't been on his trail, if only as Europa League depth. Is ManU generally picky about where guys go on loan or is the goal to get them the best competition possible? 

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Rooney has been officially named captain.
 
That gives him 4 days to learn the difference between heads and tails.

 

[URI]

Heads are where the plugs go.

 

[DLew On Roids]

I spent a good two minutes last night looking for a Rooney hair joke.  Congratulations, sir.

 

[Zomp]

I don't think Blackett will go on loan unless we sign a few defenders (I've seen Rojo mentioned a bunch these past few days).  He's looked very good in preseason.
 
Glad to see Rooney get the armband.  For better or worse, he is one of the most senior members of the team and the unquestioned leader.  I don't think you could have given it to RVP as its hard to know exactly how many games he'll play.  Evans was also a good shout but is he really better than Jones?  Don't think so.
 
 
Luke Shaw is out for a month with a hamstring injury.  If Valencia is still hurt and Young plays on the right in the opener, we could see Reece James make his debut.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

I don't think Blackett will go on loan unless we sign a few defenders (I've seen Rojo mentioned a bunch these past few days).  He's looked very good in preseason.
 
Glad to see Rooney get the armband.  For better or worse, he is one of the most senior members of the team and the unquestioned leader.  I don't think you could have given it to RVP as its hard to know exactly how many games he'll play.  Evans was also a good shout but is he really better than Jones?  Don't think so.
 
 
Luke Shaw is out for a month with a hamstring injury.  If Valencia is still hurt and Young plays on the right in the opener, we could see Reece James make his debut.

 
Evans is apparently hurt too.  I think you might rock the James-Blackett-Smalling-Jones-Young quintet in the back and on the wings.  Good time to be playing Swansea at home!

 

[Bailey10]

Miguel Herrera had a great interview with the Men in Blazers on their last podcast. Among the nuggets of wisdom and information was his hope that Chicharito would complete a move to Juventus within the coming.
 
Cue the wild media speculation about a swap deal (which almost never happen) for Vidal. 

 

[DLew On Roids]

I look at the back five posited by MMS and it becomes clear how much Man U are relying on Van Gaal replicating whatever magic pixie dust Ferguson sprinkled on this team two years ago.  Herrera is a great signing, but so far in this window, Man U has probably gone backwards in terms of first team squad talent for the 2014-15 season.
 
I'm trying to be conscious of my obvious bias here, but right now, if Ed Woodward doesn't get some players in in the next 18 days, I don't see how they can compete for a Top Four spot.  And that assumes those players can integrate into the squad with no summer get-to-know-you time.

 

[Zomp]

Thankfully, our schedule starts out a lot easier than last year.  We don't play a team that finished above us in the league until Everton on October 5th.
 
I agree with you about transfers though.  I think 2 defenders and a midfielder are must needed if they want to compete for the title.  But that get-to-know-you time that you speak of (which I think exists, too) can be in September this year because of the schedule.

 

[Zomp]

Also, while the first team squad may have gone backwards with personnel after losing Giggs, Rio, Vidic, and Evra I really don't think we could play worse than last season.  I'm actually really excited about the 5-3-2 and think it will do wonders for Mata and Rooney. 

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

A major shitstorm has blown into Lisbon regarding the Marcos Rojo transfer, with Sporting and third party owners Doyen Sports (ie, the same people who brought you the Falcao saga and who also owned a third of Mangala) fighting publicly.  It seems like Doyen is saying that Sporting contractually owes them money if they turn down United's offer for Rojo, whereas Sporting is alleging that Doyen meddled in the transfer - from what I've read elsewhere, that they met with United and encouraged a bid that would trigger this clause - and therefore that their contract is no longer valid.
 
Long story short: I wouldn't expect this one to happen anytime soon.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Really good Van Gaal article:

http://s.telegraph.co.uk/graphics/projects/the-van-gaal-dossier/

 

[LondonSox]

Good start....

 

[Zomp]

Great post.

 

[soxfan121]

Really good Van Gaal article:

http://s.telegraph.co.uk/graphics/projects/the-van-gaal-dossier/

 
Excellent read and the animated formations are an unexpected bonus. 

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

 
Excellent read and the animated formations are an unexpected bonus. 

Yeah, I liked those animations a lot too. It's really a lot more interesting than a static diagram, which you can hardly tell anything from.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

As if the day didn't go bad enough for the Mancs, it appears a bird took a crap in Ashley Young's mouth.

 

[Apisith]

A reddit slow motion replay showed that it didn't happen. Shame because I had a good laugh about it.

 

[fletcherpost]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2726774/DAVID-MOYES-EXCLUSIVE-Manchester-United-never-gave-time-succeed-fail.html
 
Moyes gives his first interview since his sacking. He seems fine. Wishes he'd got more time. Thinking about working in Europe. Donated his interview fee to Darren Fletcher's charity.

 

[sachmoney]

That was a very good read. Thanks for sharing, Fletch. I hope Moyes gets a new job soon. 

 

[Vinho Tinto]

A major shitstorm has blown into Lisbon regarding the Marcos Rojo transfer, with Sporting and third party owners Doyen Sports (ie, the same people who brought you the Falcao saga and who also owned a third of Mangala) fighting publicly.  It seems like Doyen is saying that Sporting contractually owes them money if they turn down United's offer for Rojo, whereas Sporting is alleging that Doyen meddled in the transfer - from what I've read elsewhere, that they met with United and encouraged a bid that would trigger this clause - and therefore that their contract is no longer valid.
 
Long story short: I wouldn't expect this one to happen anytime soon.

 
This appears to be heading to a conclusion. Rojo "apologized" to the club and supporters. His suspension has ended and he reported to training today. In addition to selling Rojo to United, there is a lot of speculation of Sporting taking a player on loan. The number one being mentioned is Nani's followed by Anderson. 

 

[Zososoxfan]

I'm a huge Argentina fan and was very impressed with Rojo at the WC this summer. I'm excited he's moving to a top-tier league. I'm curious to hear how those more familiar with Man U think he'll fit into the team and the EPL generally.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

I love the juxtaposition of this:
 

 
And this:
 
Manchester United fans plan anti-Glazer protests if club refuses to make world-class signings.
 
It is just so easy to hate this club and their fans (Zomp and other SOSHers excluded).

 

[Infield Infidel]

Nani loaned to Sporting
 
http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-united/story/1993091/nani-joins-sporting-lisbon-on-loan

 

[soxfan121]

Nani loaned to Sporting
 
http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-united/story/1993091/nani-joins-sporting-lisbon-on-loan

 
Burying the lede, eh?
 
Rojo is official for ManU, per that same link. 

 

[Vinho Tinto]

I've seen Bleacher Report and ESPN quote the deal Rojo's deal at 9 million, but the details I've seen have consistently been 20 million.
 
13 million to SCP (Which is allocating 9 for the construction for a new gym for the club's other sports teams - Futsal, Handball, Basketball , etc). 
4 million to Spartak Moscow.
3 million to Doyen. 
 
ManU is paying in 3 installments: 10 million upfront, 5 by December 1st, and the final 5 by July 1 2015.
 
ManU is picking up all of Nani's wages, which makes him the best pick up for any Portuguese team this transfer window. 

 

[teddykgb]

Paying all of Nani's wages a year after senselessly resigning him -- I don't know when the MUFC bitching about City's spending really became absurd, but we've got to be long past that now.

 

[Zomp]

I don't think any reasonable United fan would tell you the issue is how much they've spent, but a) who they've spent it on and b) who they haven't.
 
Woodward's reign so far has been a disaster by any measure.  Buying Fellaini for more than his buyout clause then failing to sign Herrerra LAST summer was awful.  I've got no issue with Herrerra and Shaw as I think they're going to be excellent players for us but I'll admit of being sure about Rojo, who's scouting reports seem mixed.
 
The biggest issue this year so far has been lack of urgency in the transfer window.  Yes, they've signed 3 players but anyone can see 1 (or ideally 2) more is needed.  I would LOVE Di Maria...I think he's a top 15 player in the world and is vastly under appreciated by Madrid...but we need another midfielder.  Carrick's days are numbered and Herrerra and Mata can't do it by themselves.
 
I also love the weeks of being linked with a player, then the player either a) going to another team or b) signing a new contract then the press department issuing a statement saying they were never in for the player.

 

[DLew On Roids]

Welcome to the world of being a normal fan.

 

[Zomp]

Balague reporting Di Maria will sign for United next week...we'll see, but he was spot on about Mata last year.

 

[Bailey10]

A deal for Di Maria being nearly done also makes the Danny Welbeck for sale rumors from last week make a lot more sense. I would still rather part with Chicharito but Welbeck has more of a market and United may be looking to raise some funds after shelling out a massive fee for Di Maria. 

A part of me hopes that if Di Maria does sign on, this spells the end of the 3-5-2 experiment. There's no way he can play as a wingback in that system. Di Maria would be competing with Mata to play behind the strikers or up top himself.
 
IMO the best way to get United's talent on the field with Di Maria would be a 4-3-3. Di Maria out wide and Mata at the top of a 3 man midfield. Only downside would be that Rooney would likely have to play out wide (being more adaptable than RVP position wise). 

 

[Zomp]

I disagree that Di Maria can't play as a wing back.  Sure, it would certainly be tilted but he performed as a shuttler for Argentina and a midfielder for Real Madrid towards the end of last year.  I like the diamond idea in the midfield as well, but I'm not sure we have the defensive midfielder to play it.  IF we do switch to the 4-3-3 I want no part of Rooney on the wing.  That probably means having RVP come off the bench or selling him but Rooney was just made captain and is more likely to complete a healthy season than Robin.

 

[Billy R Ford]

I think Di Maria could play as a left wingback, but I'm not as sure about right wingback- he's extremely one footed with his left foot, so I don't know how well he would defend the right back area when he tracked back. Given United just signed Shaw for LB though, I think it makes the most sense to change the formation to fit Di Maria in.

 

[Zososoxfan]

Di Maria's strengths are attacking on the wing (either side, he's a tremendous inverted winger, but also a phenomenal crosser) and having the workrate to defend in the MF. He may play as a "wingback" but if so, the formation will likely be left-right imbalanced amd the opposite wingback will have fewer offensive responsibilities. I could see LVG also deploying a 3-4-3 of sorts, but in the end, it doesn't matter much what you call it. I think MANU will typically defend with 6 and attack with 4, with one player swinging to commit either to offense or defense, depending on the opponent. MANU looked like shit in the first half today, didn't catch the 2nd. 

 

[Bailey10]

United have been just as painful to watch in their first two games as they were last season. Just absolutely no creativity or ingenuity in the attacking third. The main strategy seems to be the same as last season: pass the ball around side to side outside the box until someone decides to attempt a 25 yard rip that hits a defenders ankles.

 

[soxfan121]

From the comments above and game stories, it really seems like the problem remains central midfield. Fletcher is not good enough at this level anymore (based on the Swansea opener, did he look better today?), Carrick has lost too many steps and Herrera needs time to settle. 
 
I mean, Gareth Barry would be an upgrade on the current group because at least he can be depended on to make safe passes and disrupt the opponent attack. But the lack of dynamism and motor in the midfield has been this team's bugaboo for going on four seasons now.

 

[Zomp]

Fletcher looked worse today. Cleverley's confidence is shot and he won't attempt a pass of more than 15 yards.

 

[DLew On Roids]

I listened to 606 with glee tonight. Especially entertaining was the caller who said he wouldn't watch any match with Ashley Young in the side. That's the Churchill spirit.

I mean, some of us had to watch Ryan Fucking Babel for years.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Babel did score a game-winner against Man Utd.