Louis van Gaal | Manchester United manager

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Squad player for me, useful to have as cover and may play above his current level with a new coach.

Agreed on the assessment TBF. He can be a good cover for Rafael and a situational "do the dirty job" kind of player against more attacking teams.
 
He's won player of the year and he was very good, but yea I suppose he shouldn't be there, where would u have him?

I would add a new section, "Has been". If not, then definitely a squad player, nothing more for sure.
 
This is done a lot, I've always found it strange as a few games seem to greatly impact peoples opinions. What has Kagawa done to deserve to be potentially good where Hernandez is not?

Bit simplistic? They're both good players, but Kagawa possibly has a big future here, Hernandez does not. Hernandez is competing to play as striker with Van Persie, Rooney and Welbeck. Kagawa also has competition, but it's of a different kind, and in a position you can rotate and play about with. We won't be playing about with Van Persie at #9. Hernandez, all things considered, has had a cracking time here, but his time is up.
 
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You might be right, and hopefully we'll be back in the top 4 even without additions but I think it would be a stupid risk to take.

I don't think anyone is arguing that we don't need new players. We have lost Vidic and Rio and while Evra has signed a new one year deal, we really do need Shaw and at least one extra central defender. We also really need a good DM who can play up and down. With no CL games and most probably no Euro Cup games then a large portion of the team might not play usless LvG decides to rotate the squad like Sir Alex used to.

We might still get to play in Europa Cup if Fenebahce is kicked out(had a ruling against them playing in the competition for two years).
 
Bit different to the usual 'strict disciplinarian' image:

Van Gaal, it has since transpired, has been getting things right off as well as on the pitch in Brazil, by creating a relaxed environment, devoid of tension. Van Persie, remarkably, was playing pool with his children only four hours before the Spain game, after Van Gaal invited the players’ families to visit the team hotel. Other players have been spotted driving around with their girlfriends and socialising outside the training camp.

All of which suggests that Van Gaal has learned from 2002, when Holland failed to qualify for the World Cup finals under his watch and senior players complained that his regime was too intense. These days the vibe within the Dutch squad is that they are playing for the manager as much as their country. Van Persie’s “high-five” celebration with Van Gaal, following the first of his two goals against Spain, was indicative of the strength of their own relationship – which bodes well for Manchester United – and the wider sense of harmony within the group.

Source: http://www.theguardian.com/football...is-van-gaal-holland-world-cup-australia-spain
 
Funny, this. Since LvG to United has been announced, he won a total of one (1) competitive matches. It seems that is proof enough that he can do no wrong (Guardian: "nobody expects Van Gaal to lose a game on the tactics board").

Being a Bayern supporter, i've actually *seen* him things do wrongly, and quite big so.
But the same was true for Heynckes....
 
I want Australia to beat Netherlands but also don't want van Gaal to be embarrassed on the world stage.
 
Funny, this. Since LvG to United has been announced, he won a total of one (1) competitive matches. It seems that is proof enough that he can do no wrong (Guardian: "nobody expects Van Gaal to lose a game on the tactics board").

Being a Bayern supporter, i've actually *seen* him things do wrongly, and quite big so.
But the same was true for Heynckes....

You are just jealous.
 
Funny, this. Since LvG to United has been announced, he won a total of one (1) competitive matches. It seems that is proof enough that he can do no wrong (Guardian: "nobody expects Van Gaal to lose a game on the tactics board").

Being a Bayern supporter, i've actually *seen* him things do wrongly, and quite big so.
But the same was true for Heynckes....

The article is about Holland and the last line is in comparison with Van Basten vs Gus Hiddink. It is obvious that tactically he will be better prepared than Van Basten. I sometimes think media and even fans see too much into this tactics and all. Coaches/managers can think of a tactic for a game based on their knowledge of game and prepare team accordingly but then it also depends heavily on players carrying out their job. Now everyone is praising the 5-3-2 approach, but had Spain's 2nd gone in or they had taken their chances early, this could have ended very differently and everybody would have been tearing into LvG.

The fact is, any tactic or formation has its strengths and weaknesses. The good/great managers are aware of it and try to prepare team to make best of strength and minimize weaknesses. For great managers, it clicks most of the time and on some occasions it doesn't.
 
The article is about Holland and the last line is in comparison with Van Basten vs Gus Hiddink. It is obvious that tactically he will be better prepared than Van Basten. I sometimes think media and even fans see too much into this tactics and all. Coaches/managers can think of a tactic for a game based on their knowledge of game and prepare team accordingly but then it also depends heavily on players carrying out their job. Now everyone is praising the 5-3-2 approach, but had Spain's 2nd gone in or they had taken their chances early, this could have ended very differently and everybody would have been tearing into LvG.

The fact is, any tactic or formation has its strengths and weaknesses. The good/great managers are aware of it and try to prepare team to make best of strength and minimize weaknesses. For great managers, it clicks most of the time and on some occasions it doesn't.
From reading this thread and the English media, I thought I sensed a bit of over-enthusiasm. Glad you've set that straight.
 
From reading this thread and the English media, I thought I sensed a bit of over-enthusiasm. Glad you've set that straight.

Please let the United fans just have some days of ultra-optimism. We deserve it after the adventures of 2013/ 2014. :(
 
The article is about Holland and the last line is in comparison with Van Basten vs Gus Hiddink. It is obvious that tactically he will be better prepared than Van Basten. I sometimes think media and even fans see too much into this tactics and all. Coaches/managers can think of a tactic for a game based on their knowledge of game and prepare team accordingly but then it also depends heavily on players carrying out their job. Now everyone is praising the 5-3-2 approach, but had Spain's 2nd gone in or they had taken their chances early, this could have ended very differently and everybody would have been tearing into LvG.

The fact is, any tactic or formation has its strengths and weaknesses. The good/great managers are aware of it and try to prepare team to make best of strength and minimize weaknesses. For great managers, it clicks most of the time and on some occasions it doesn't.

I think part of the tactics is player selection. That is to say players carrying out their instructions is an important part of tactics, there is tactical theory and then tactical execution. And LvG always talks about how each player is given instructions that must be adhered to, quite rightly he praised his players after the game since it isn't easy doing what they've been told under the pressure they experienced. That said, I would say part of getting the tactics right is putting the right players in the right position with the right instructions and Louis probably did this to a high degree of accuracy against Spain.

The test now is consistently getting it right throughout this competition. They spent a lot of time preparing for Spain but Australia will be a different test, they won't be hitting on the counter instead having to break them down. Louis talked sixth months ago in an interview of how Australia will be an interesting game since the dutch have never beaten them, although they have played only twice they still lost both of those games (if I recall correctly).
 
I think part of the tactics is player selection. That is to say players carrying out their instructions is an important part of tactics, there is tactical theory and then tactical execution. And LvG always talks about how each player is given instructions that must be adhered to, quite rightly he praised his players after the game since it isn't easy doing what they've been told under the pressure they experienced. That said, I would say part of getting the tactics right is putting the right players in the right position with the right instructions and Louis probably did this to a high degree of accuracy against Spain.

The test now is consistently getting it right throughout this competition. They spent a lot of time preparing for Spain but Australia will be a different test, they won't be hitting on the counter instead having to break them down. Louis talked sixth months ago in an interview of how Australia will be an interesting game since the dutch have never beaten them, although they have played only twice they still lost both of those games (if I recall correctly).

Ya getting right players for the game is part of tactic and yes coaches expect each player to carry out those instructions to a tee but doesn't happen always. So, my point is, that is all important and necessary, but one needs to keep a bit of open mind about such things and understand that in the end lot depends on players.

The more disciplined and skillful bunch a good coach has at his disposal, better the chance of success. Obvious but often ignored factor. Yet, it still won't be 100% success because as I said, every tactic carries some weakness.
 
Ya getting right players for the game is part of tactic and yes coaches expect each player to carry out those instructions to a tee but doesn't happen always. So, my point is, that is all important and necessary, but one needs to keep a bit of open mind about such things and understand that in the end lot depends on players.

The more disciplined and skillful bunch a good coach has at his disposal, better the chance of success. Obvious but often ignored factor. Yet, it still won't be 100% success because as I said, every tactic carries some weakness.

Every tactic does carry weakness, I agree with that. And when two top tacticians meet it often becomes a battle of who executes their tactic better where the difference, as you suggest, could be how well the players carry out the instructions.

Against a team like Spain with a team like the Netherlands, the latter have a small margin for error so even though it was 5-1 that doesn't necessarily mean had they played a little worse it would have been 2 -1, had they played only a little worse it could very well have been a dominant Spain victory.

I know players carrying out instructions to a tee doesn't always happen but I also do think a coach can do things to increase the probability of it happening, for instance how a team is trained to carry out instructions or deal with scenarios that might arise can impact how well the players carry out the instructions.

Furthermore, how those players deal with pressure also is important that's why I was pleased to read (apparently) Louis van Gaal let the players families see them before the game. I think those players would have been nervous when you consider the platform, the climate and the team they were facing therefore relaxing those nerves a few hours before the game probably helped reduce the errors in that first half.
 
Just saw this quoted:

Galatasaray midfielder Wesley Sneijder admits he would find it tough to turn down an offer from Louis van Gaal to join him at Manchester United.

"If van Gaal were to make me an offer, I would have to at least consider it. Nobody from the Netherlands can simply reject van Gaal."

I know we tried to get him about three years ago or so but not sure I would want him to come. However if van Gaal wants him then who are we to complain?
 
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Just saw this quoted:



I know were tried to get him about three years ago or so but not sure I would want him to come. However if van Gaal wants him then who are we to complain?

He plays in the exact positions of Kagawa, Mata and Rooney at United....

No thanks. He turned us down when he was at Inter, and now he needs a better club call us.... no thanks
 
I'm not sure how many of you were reading the Australia vs Netherlands thread, it started off as praise for Louis before the game started only for people to start criticising him as the first half neared the end and then from Hero to Zero in one Australian goal, allbeit an unfortunate penalty.

Probably a sign of things to come, especially considering his teams (from what I understand) get off to a slow start due to the time required for his ideas to be grasped.
 
He definitely has more "scooby doo's" than Moysie, that's for sure.

Liked how calm he was throughout today's game. Clearly knows what he's doing and believes in it.
 
I'm not sure how many of you were reading the Australia vs Netherlands thread, it started off as praise for Louis before the game started only for people to start criticising him as the first half neared the end and then from Hero to Zero in one Australian goal, allbeit an unfortunate penalty.

Probably a sign of things to come, especially considering his teams (from what I understand) get off to a slow start due to the time required for his ideas to be grasped.
From Center backs having to pass the ball instead of just hoofing it out like we do many times, to actually passing the ball and creating space by doing so instead of just hoofing it to the wing and put in a blind cross. We will have to do a lot of learning and some of the players we have just aren't capable of playing such a system. Yes I'm talking about Young and Valencia. I don't mind us dropping points along the way as long as I can see progress. Look at Rodgers when he was first appointed, Liverpool were conceding a lot of goals, making a lot of mistakes but you could still see the direction in which he was taking Liverpool and with Moyes we just didn't get that. We always went 1 step forward and 10 backwards under him.

Only positives we can take out of last season are the signing of Mata, Januzaj's breakthrough and our away form.

We bring those positives into next season, make the right signings and winning the league won't be a dream under van Gaal.
 
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I don't think anyone is arguing that we don't need new players. We have lost Vidic and Rio and while Evra has signed a new one year deal, we really do need Shaw and at least one extra central defender. We also really need a good DM who can play up and down. With no CL games and most probably no Euro Cup games then a large portion of the team might not play usless LvG decides to rotate the squad like Sir Alex used to.

We might still get to play in Europa Cup if Fenebahce is kicked out(had a ruling against them playing in the competition for two years).

Like I say, We just need 6 players, 3 in defence, 2 fullbacks right and left, and a CB.

In midfield no question we need 2 CM players, one to replace Carrick long term, and another to play alongside the new CM player, I say we need a top class wide player to inject much needed speed back into our game.

Look what robben has done for the Dutch - His speed and dribbling ability gives the Dutch a fantastic dimension to beat a man, and score a few goals. Sanchez could be that guy to solve out lack of speed in our game, and add more goals. Which if LVG plays his cards right, mata Sanchez and janazaj could really give is a dimension to really create chances for RVP
 
Like I say, We just need 6 players, 3 in defence, 2 fullbacks right and left, and a CB.

In midfield no question we need 2 CM players, one to replace Carrick long term, and another to play alongside the new CM player, I say we need a top class wide player to inject much needed speed back into our game.

Look what robben has done for the Dutch - His speed and dribbling ability gives the Dutch a fantastic dimension to beat a man, and score a few goals. Sanchez could be that guy to solve out lack of speed in our game, and add more goals. Which if LVG plays his cards right, mata Sanchez and janazaj could really give is a dimension to really create chances for RVP

To be fair Rooney could run like that but lately he does seem lazy or gets injured. Hopefully LvG can sort him out.
 
To be fair Rooney could run like that but lately he does seem lazy or gets injured. Hopefully LvG can sort him out.

I think united need more dribbling speed, like what robben gives the Dutch. Rooney I don't think can beat a man, which is something we need, as everything is in front of teams. Rooney has never been about acceleration, more making things happen. But we need dribbling speed who can hurt teams, which our current wingers do not provide the team
 
I think united need more dribbling speed, like what robben gives the Dutch. Rooney I don't think can beat a man, which is something we need, as everything is in front of teams. Rooney has never been about acceleration, more making things happen. But we need dribbling speed who can hurt teams, which our current wingers do not provide the team
Rooney was all about acceleration at his best. He was quicker and more of a physical irritant to deal with than Ronaldo at his [Wayne's] peak. Unfortunately he cannot do that anymore.
 
Rooney was all about acceleration at his best. He was quicker and more of a physical irritant to deal with than Ronaldo at his [Wayne's] peak. Unfortunately he cannot do that anymore.

Possibly, to be honest I have not seen that since the 2005/06 season from Rooney
 
I think united need more dribbling speed, like what robben gives the Dutch. Rooney I don't think can beat a man, which is something we need, as everything is in front of teams. Rooney has never been about acceleration, more making things happen. But we need dribbling speed who can hurt teams, which our current wingers do not provide the team

Don't get in to that topic. People will throw any names up their hats and say they can in fact dribble past players. I've heard everything from Rooney/RVP/Young/Valencia to stuff like Evra/Rafael.

I have no clue what people like that regards as dribbling, Rooney certainly hasn't made a clear dribble in ages where he is up against one man and beats him and takes him completely out of the game. Sure he can earn enough for a cross or a pass with his dribbling but that is a bit it, which every player can of course.

But in terms of real dribblers we have Nani and Januzaj(when in his best form), not even Mata or Kagawa can beat their opponents in 1 vs 1's. Talking about consistency, like when you talk about crossing your argument can't be "Well once every third game....".

Does anybody even remember the last time Rooney dribbled past somebody? A good dribbler will do it every game, most of the times he gets a chance in a 1 vs 1 in fact, and I can't even remember the last time Rooney dribbled past someone for real.
 
I think united need more dribbling speed, like what robben gives the Dutch. Rooney I don't think can beat a man, which is something we need, as everything is in front of teams. Rooney has never been about acceleration, more making things happen. But we need dribbling speed who can hurt teams, which our current wingers do not provide the team

True I guess but I also can't see Robben joining us any time soon. Maybe Sanchez as you said but will we get him?

I just hope LvG goes all the way in this World Cup and is able to draw players to the club.
 
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