Louis van Gaal | Manchester United manager

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yup he doesn't strike like a six foot one dude actually, i thought he was like 5ft 9 in or 5ft 10in max. maybe because he is not a skinny lad and is quite stocky actually.
 
Why does every thread get derailed by Shaw comments? :lol:
 
I was reading this about how 4231 could be flawed. Well worth a read. Basically it lacks width, it splits the team into 2 units(attack and defense) meaning you need an absolutely amazing link(like Yaya) etc
http://thinkfootball.co.uk/archives/7354

To be honest its not really an analysis of 4-2-3-1 so much as it is of City in the aftermath of losing the title. Since they won it back, and played great football until about February, I think it tempers the value of the article.

The great thing about football is that the pitch is so big there's no way to cover every area. Overload one area and you leave another area light. 4-3-3 & 4-2-3-1 can sacrifice width up front for the sake of an extra man in central attacking areas. 3-4-3 can leave your defenders in one on one situations, particularly in the inside channels, but allows you to attack with both width and in numbers. 4-4-2 can leave you undermanned in the middle but balances width in attack with a solid defence.

In truth any sane formation with the right players, coached well, against the right opponents, can work.
 
All the talk about formations. A formation is simply a blueprint. You need the construction workers to execute the blueprint in such a way the idea becomes reality. It's the inter-connectivity of a system and a formation. It's also important you are making good use of the construction workers and their respective roles. With any blueprint, there are health and safety concerns. In the same way with a formation, there are pros/cons, strengths/weaknesses. The bigger question is how you will address these concerns as you look to build the overall structure.

That's what van Gaal has to figure out with this squad so not sure if it's just as simple as one formation that's most suited for the squad. That depends on the architect as well
 
No idea about the formation, but we will have a traditional #6, #8 and #10 in every game I'd imagine. Whether that's in a 352, 4231, 4411 or whatever, I'd imagine we will always have those three positions filled.
 
I am not really convinced 3-5-2 is a good Option for us, sacrifycing real wingers but it seems the only Formation to solve our Rooney, Mata, RVP Problem, getting them all in one side without playing one out of position . Maybe worth a try.

Normally I like 4-1-4-1 the most or let's say 4-3-3. A #6 combined with 2 box-to-box players. Given we have many #10's, a 4-2-3-1 seems most likely so far.
 
I'm going for a tactical long shot, but I reckon we'll start 1 keeper in every game.
 
Can't see us lining up without Mata.

I love Januzaj, but he's not going to beat out Mata for a starting spot if we play decent football. Not next year.

How many teams have 2 wide players better than Mata? Bale and Ronaldo are the only clear-cut pair, though Neymar-Sanchez might as those players are young enough to be improved next year.

I think, under LVG, Mata will be a wide starter here, and we'll either field one of Kagawa or Rooney as the most advanced in a 3, or we'll sign another CM and play without a 10, so one of these:

---------RVP-----------
Winger---------Mata
----Kagawa/Rooney-
--Herrera--------------
-----------DM-----------

or

---------RVP-----------
Winger---------Mata
--Herrera--Strootman
--------DM-----------

Basically, we need to sign a top-left sided attacker who can stretch play and score goals (Reus, Griezmann, Sanchez maybe). Basically, i think we're looking to actually replace Ronaldo now.

I've figured it out. We should sign Ronaldo!
 
Tomorrow is essentially a win win, if NED win and progress thats great for our new manager and RVP's confidence and moral, if NED loose they have done well in the comp and we get our new manager before pre season starts and more time to asses certain situations and transfers, the selfish side to me wants that to happen but I will equally be cheering for them to win.
 
Tomorrow is essentially a win win, if NED win and progress thats great for our new manager and RVP's confidence and moral, if NED loose they have done well in the comp and we get our new manager before pre season starts and more time to asses certain situations and transfers, the selfish side to me wants that to happen but I will equally be cheering for them to win.

I want them to win the WC for sure. Can you imagine RVP lifting the WC!
 
Tomorrow is essentially a win win, if NED win and progress thats great for our new manager and RVP's confidence and moral, if NED loose they have done well in the comp and we get our new manager before pre season starts and more time to asses certain situations and transfers, the selfish side to me wants that to happen but I will equally be cheering for them to win.
For me going out to to Costa Rica would be a big disappointment. If they progress and meet Argentina in the next round I think Ill feel as you do now.

I agree with you inasmuch as the QFs is clearly a very respectable stage to get to. But you also have to consider the opposition and the sense of a missed opportunity if they get knocked out by a team they will feel they should have beaten.

For me there is still no ambiguity, Van Gaal is our manager now and as such I want him to win, even if it squeezes out time he could otherwise be with our squad. The better he does at the WC the more respect he is going to command in our dressing room right from the off, even if he already has a pretty impressive CV that should command respect anyway.
 

That's a rubbish article. They made the mistake of putting Vidal on the right and Herrera on the left, when it would be the other way around. You also don't drop Mata, the guy has too many goals in him to drop. Januzaj will be an impact sub off the bench, which tbh I think is fair enough because he's still young and inconsistent. Not to mention having Jones/Smalling at RB ffs. Bah, awful article is awful. Whoever wrote it needs flogging with a cabbage.
 
For me going out to to Costa Rica would be a big disappointment. If they progress and meet Argentina in the next round I think Ill feel as you do now.

I agree with you inasmuch as the QFs is clearly a very respectable stage to get to. But you also have to consider the opposition and the sense of a missed opportunity if they get knocked out by a team they will feel they should have beaten.

For me there is still no ambiguity, Van Gaal is our manager now and as such I want him to win, even if it squeezes out time he could otherwise be with our squad. The better he does at the WC the more respect he is going to command in our dressing room right from the off, even if he already has a pretty impressive CV that should command respect anyway.
I totally agree. LVG appears to do things his way regardless of what others think. This may rub some people the wrong way thus doing well in the WC justs adds to his currency. I don't think anything less than a semi-final appearance would satisfy him especially since the Netherlands reached the finals in 2010 albeit with a better playing squad.
I have to add that I really like his relationship with his players. Seeing pics with them smiling with him and with his hand on their shoulders gives me a good feeling. Sneijder speaks highly of him despite LVG taking the captaincy away from him. He also said that he was happy to be just a pawn in LVG's plans.
 
With our current squad And the strong links to the likes of vermalen, de vrij and Vidal can see us lining up in a 3-4-3, with vermalen or possibly carrick as a sweeper, the fullbacks playing wide in midfield (Valencia would compete with Rafael and might explain his new contract) and then mata platings behind Rooney and RVP.

It's one of the few ways I can see him fitting RVP, Rooney and mata into the same team without having to push mata and or Rooney into a wide position, could also explain we are looking for 2 cb's and why we are after Vidal rather than a more out and out defensive midfielder.
 
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For me going out to to Costa Rica would be a big disappointment. If they progress and meet Argentina in the next round I think Ill feel as you do now.

I agree with you inasmuch as the QFs is clearly a very respectable stage to get to. But you also have to consider the opposition and the sense of a missed opportunity if they get knocked out by a team they will feel they should have beaten.

For me there is still no ambiguity, Van Gaal is our manager now and as such I want him to win, even if it squeezes out time he could otherwise be with our squad. The better he does at the WC the more respect he is going to command in our dressing room right from the off, even if he already has a pretty impressive CV that should command respect anyway.
plus Dutch FA said SFs were target when LVG was appointed iirc
 
Tomorrow is essentially a win win, if NED win and progress thats great for our new manager and RVP's confidence and moral, if NED loose they have done well in the comp and we get our new manager before pre season starts and more time to asses certain situations and transfers, the selfish side to me wants that to happen but I will equally be cheering for them to win.
Not really a win win. Losing to Costa Rica would be a massive anti climax. With all due respect you want to go out to a bigger country than that. Van Gaal said his aim is to reach the semi finals from start of the competition so his morale would be pretty low if he doesn't meet that goal after coming so close.
 
A few days here or there won't make a difference to his impact on the players at United. He has got this far, no one should want to see him go out to Costa Rica so he can have an extra 4 or 5 days with United.
 
That's a rubbish article. They made the mistake of putting Vidal on the right and Herrera on the left, when it would be the other way around. You also don't drop Mata, the guy has too many goals in him to drop. Januzaj will be an impact sub off the bench, which tbh I think is fair enough because he's still young and inconsistent. Not to mention having Jones/Smalling at RB ffs. Bah, awful article is awful. Whoever wrote it needs flogging with a cabbage.

Carvalho being the most advanced midfielder in front of Vidal and herrera :wenger:
 
Isn't the WC over two days before we head to America? LvG only needs to sacrifice his holidays but wouldn't miss any day if the tour.
 
I am not really convinced 3-5-2 is a good Option for us, sacrifycing real wingers but it seems the only Formation to solve our Rooney, Mata, RVP Problem, getting them all in one side without playing one out of position . Maybe worth a try.

Normally I like 4-1-4-1 the most or let's say 4-3-3. A #6 combined with 2 box-to-box players. Given we have many #10's, a 4-2-3-1 seems most likely so far.

With the quality of the current wingers, I would be very happy to sacrifice the wingers
 
With the quality of the current wingers, I would be very happy to sacrifice the wingers

To be fair Louis van Gaal might try to get Young, Welbeck, Nani, Valencia, Januzaj, Zaha and Lingaard performing out wide.

Some of these players lack creativity and decision making but they do work hard and are more than capable of passing the ball to an available team mate before moving into space. This will be required until the final third however with world class quality in Mata and RVP and then support from Herrera there will be less need for individual brilliance from them, simply passing and finding space is enough. When in space even Young or Valencia will be dangerous out wide.
 
To be fair Louis van Gaal might try to get Young, Welbeck, Nani, Valencia, Januzaj, Zaha and Lingaard performing out wide.

Some of these players lack creativity and decision making but they do work hard and are more than capable of passing the ball to an available team mate before moving into space. This will be required until the final third however with world class quality in Mata and RVP and then support from Herrera there will be less need for individual brilliance from them, simply passing and finding space is enough. When in space even Young or Valencia will be dangerous out wide.

That is way too many options especially with no European football this season, when can gaal could easily move on nani and Young on, and sign a stellar winger who could do the work of both of them.

With Valencia and young, they are not dangerous players, their assist records is has shocking as their goals tally, so we will be going into games carrying players. I would rather united sold nani and young, and go all out for a Sanchez or a do Maria

Again with guys like welbeck he is not really a wide player, so again it's square pegs in round holes, janazaj could but we still need more acceleration and speed to out attacking play
 
With the quality of the current wingers, I would be very happy to sacrifice the wingers

I think Welbeck and Januzaj out wide would be fine considering the quality we have up front. It would give us pace at least. Herrera will improve us dramatically in the middle and by all accounts we're still after someone to partner him so the midfield shouldn't be an issue for once.

Herrera (New CM)
Januzaj Mata Welbeck
Van Persie

If we could get di Maria or Sanchez then we should go for it mind but I'd be happy with that this season if we don't
 
Hilarious how so many people leave Rooney out of their line-ups. It's getting desperate. As if one of his first acts will be to go in and say to the man who has an average of a goal every other game over the last 10 years "I couldn't possibly use you". These aren't favourite line-ups it's just a 'how can I arrange the team purposefully leaving Rooney out?' thing.

It's also funny how everyone agrees van Gaal is likely to go 3 up top but suddenly when they realise one of those three is very likely to be Rooney it suddenly all changes. So we guess 3 up top but when we do the formations we put just one up there, because we don't want to be seen to include Rooney because real fans hold grudges....or something.
 
That is way too many options especially with no European football this season, when can gaal could easily move on nani and Young on, and sign a stellar winger who could do the work of both of them.

With Valencia and young, they are not dangerous players, their assist records is has shocking as their goals tally, so we will be going into games carrying players. I would rather united sold nani and young, and go all out for a Sanchez or a do Maria

Again with guys like welbeck he is not really a wide player, so again it's square pegs in round holes, janazaj could but we still need more acceleration and speed to out attacking play

Valencia is staying because of his new contract.

Januzaj, Zaha and Lingard should all be given a chance.

Nani has shown enough times how good he is on his day therefore Louis van Gaal should be given a chance to get him performing consistently.

Welbeck would be third striker after Rooney and RVP assuming Hernandez leaves, but he should be given game time out wide. In Louis van Gaal's system he will be tasked with much less defensive work and far more attacking as a winger therefore he might perform better than he has.

Even if he moves Young on that's 6 players for two positions.

If Di Maria and Sanchez are available we should obviously bid since they will be available at a very fair price but we should not go out of our way to sign a wide player.

We should focus on signing a top level centre back and a top level number six taking our signings to four players. If a player like Vidal is available then obviously we need to be in for him also but otherwise in terms of non-oppurtunistic signings, I would sooner spend another £60m on a centre back and number 6 taking our spend to £120m and then look to offload players we get good bids for to lower our net spend.
 
Hilarious how so many people leave Rooney out of their line-ups. It's getting desperate. As if one of his first acts will be to go in and say to the man who has an average of a goal every other game over the last 10 years "I couldn't possibly use you". These aren't favourite line-ups it's just a 'how can I arrange the team purposefully leaving Rooney out?' thing.

It's also funny how everyone agrees van Gaal is likely to go 3 up top but suddenly when they realise one of those three is very likely to be Rooney it suddenly all changes. So we guess 3 up top but when we do the formations we put just one up there, because we don't want to be seen to include Rooney because real fans hold grudges....or something.

How do you think Louis van Gaal will include RVP, Rooney and Mata?
 
How do you think Louis van Gaal will include RVP, Rooney and Mata?

So how we include Rooney with the other two is an issue but we can fit Welbeck in there no worries?

It's funny how in every either/or scenario it's ALWAYS Rooney that misses out. Even if RVP breaks his leg in pre-season training I bet that "where will Rooney play if Wilson starts?" questions will be asked

He's a versatile forward who for years has played in a variety of wide and deep positions and despite the "we only watch football once every for years" twats that a large number of United fans seem to now subscribe to the theories of, has been highly successful in doing so for the best part of a decade.

The idea that if he doesn't play in the number 9 position he can't possibly be used is the biggest load of absolute shite I've ever heard of and it's all just part of this desperately sad internet Rooney-hate meme that we now somehow have to pretend that he hasn't been someone who has been one of our best players over the years in about three different positions (CF, WF, AM).
 
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