532 when they have the ball, 3412 when we do.
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
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Vermaelen.I haven't seen this mentioned today. Hummels or Benatia?
I'm just watching some of the game again and I've noticed how much space is being created and how much room each player gets. I hope it's more the team making all that space and taking advantage of it instead of just a poor LA Galaxy team being unable to mark players and defend properly.
Under Moyes there was often a huge area in midfield with like one United player right in the middle of it separated from the rest of the team. From this game, you can just see the amount of options all over the pitch that each player has the opportunity to take advantage of. Very promising stuff.
Under Moyes there was often a huge area in midfield with like one United player right in the middle of it separated from the rest of the team. From this game, you can just see the amount of options all over the pitch that each player has the opportunity to take advantage of. Very promising stuff.
When he's talking about us having 4 number 10s and therefor not balanced, who is the fourth besides Mata, Kagawa and Januzaj?
I thought it'd be Mata, Herrera, Kagawa and Rooney.
@Crackers
Herrera can play there, but he's presumably our first name on the team sheet in that midfield 2. I just trying to gauge whether he was referring to Young and Nani, and not including Adnan in his thoughts at the time. I.e. does he not see room for Nani and Young...thought of course they've not played for us as 10s
Herrera can play there, but he's presumably our first name on the team sheet in that midfield 2. I just trying to gauge whether he was referring to Young and Nani, and not including Adnan in his thoughts at the time. I.e. does he not see room for Nani and Young...thought of course they've not played for us as 10s
It is Mata, Kagawa, Fellaini and Januzaj.
I assumed it's Herrera after he was played in the hole during the second half.
Yeah i noticed that too...but he is not the brightest lad so i won't analyse to much.
But Jones does need to step up this season, those worrying about LVG getting alone with Rooney should worry more about Smalling/Jones stepping up to the standard. They have been here long enough now, its time to show what they can perform every week.
http://www.footytube.com/video/van-gaal-they-have-the-mentality-i-just-give-the-structure-286130
"They have the mentality. I just give them the structure."
What a man. The players must be feeling 10 ft tall hearing that.
"They have the mentality. I just give them the structure."
What a man. The players must be feeling 10 ft tall hearing that.
That interview is basically saying the United squad is too heavily stocked up attacking-wise but too light defensively.
Am I the only one who noticed "When playing 4-3-3 I will have to leave 3 strikers on the bench"?? This must surely mean has has NO plans to play Rooney in the 10 role or in midfield??
Am I the only one who noticed "When playing 4-3-3 I will have to leave 3 strikers on the bench"?? This must surely mean has has NO plans to play Rooney in the 10 role or in midfield??
We're reading way too much into van Gaal's interviews.
Would make sense, given Rooney is pretty unremarkable in both of those roles. Mata at no.10 all day for me. Herrera and him where telepathic last night.
Its not a problem to me. Sorry again.
I really don't like 3 at the back as a primary formation but I understand Van Gaal looking at our squad, seeing the glut of central attackers, lack of central midfield talent apart from Herrera, lack of wide attackers with pace apart from the very, very young Januzaj, the unreliable Nani and the mediocre Young and deciding he's best off playing 3-4-1-2 this year.
Transfer-wise, it basically changes very little, which means it doesn't really handcuff us long-term. We know we NEED to buy a 4th center back, but we basically needed one anyways. We need a partner for Herrera, but we did anyways. This formation is less demanding on CM's, so if he's desperate to buy the injured Strootman that's another reason to do this.
I think he's desperate for us to get into the CL and figures this is the best way to increase the odds of us finishing top 4. I don't think it's ambitious in the short-term, but I trust his tactical acumen and his judgements of our players in training.
But long-term, I think we'll buy the CM we need and a wide attacker or Januzaj will develop quickly and we'll be playing this at least 2/3rds of the time by next year:
---------Rooney/RVP----------
Signing---------------Januzaj-
---------------Mata-----------
------Herrera------------------
--------------Signing---------
Shaw--------------------Rafael
2 of Evans/Smalling/Jones/Signing
------------De Gea------------
Transfer-wise, it basically changes very little, which means it doesn't really handcuff us long-term. We know we NEED to buy a 4th center back, but we basically needed one anyways. We need a partner for Herrera, but we did anyways. This formation is less demanding on CM's, so if he's desperate to buy the injured Strootman that's another reason to do this.
I think he's desperate for us to get into the CL and figures this is the best way to increase the odds of us finishing top 4. I don't think it's ambitious in the short-term, but I trust his tactical acumen and his judgements of our players in training.
But long-term, I think we'll buy the CM we need and a wide attacker or Januzaj will develop quickly and we'll be playing this at least 2/3rds of the time by next year:
---------Rooney/RVP----------
Signing---------------Januzaj-
---------------Mata-----------
------Herrera------------------
--------------Signing---------
Shaw--------------------Rafael
2 of Evans/Smalling/Jones/Signing
------------De Gea------------
Yep, that was arguably the most pleasing thing about the game. 7-0 is great an all but the performance was what really pleased everyone at Utd I reckon. No flat lines and gaping gaps between the back line and midfield, players moving intelligently off the ball to provide options for his team-mate and even when we were picking the ball up in lots of space, we still moved the ball quickly. No dithering or turning back and slowing things down.
Edit: And another thing which was great to see was the number of bodies we got into their box when attacking.
Early days of course but the signs so far are encouraging.
We were passing the ball, turning players, committing players into challenges and that's what created the space. The way Herrera can commit a player, changes pace, turns the man and passes the ball with such ease is such a class act. We haven't had a midfielder that commits opposing players into challenges for such a long time.
Yeah it was so refreshing to see a player like Herrara in our midfield. Someone dynamic with that ability to collect and turn the man suddenly, putting them on the back foot. With our attacking quality, it should make a big difference to us this season.
What do you think about the possibility of Herrara and Vidal playing together in that system? Basically Vidal replacing Fletcher. Can see why it might limit Herrara somewhat but with a 3rd man in defence, it could work. Someone like Jones who has also played DM and could step up.
I can see that working really well as both Vidal and Herrera have the stamina and defensive capabilities to push forward to close down space and stand off when the wing backs are exposed for the full 90 minutes. It doesn't have to be Vidal, a similar player can do the job as well. Everyone was talking about Kroos before we signed Herrera and sometimes as fans we don't consider the players that are actually really good just because there's a fancy name going around in the papers. Even someone like Goretzka would really improve us in the middle and strikes me as a player that would fix perfectly playing a box to box similar to the way Vidal plays it.
Agree with that. And re Vidal, it's definitely easy to get sucked in and caught up in the transfer window. Big names etc. It's why match days are a huge relief. Don't feel the need to bother with the twitter thread since there's a game to discuss.
Goretzka I know nothing about except he's brilliant in football manager. Interesting shout though. Could see van Gaal bringing in someone like that who no one has really thought about & fits his system to a tee.
Possible.
Can't wait for actual competitive matches
Big difference is that nowhere does Giggs mention that the blood drained from his face...
Instead of being scared stiff Giggs was excited to be chosen by Van Gaal. That says a lot.
1 match and he already knows what he needs to get the balance right. Moyes had 10 months and still didn't get it.
I have a question for anyone who has followed Van Gaal's career for longer than the past 5 years or so:
Is the 3-5-2 formation that he's currently using for United his favourite formation, or is it just one he thinks is good for utilizing the players at his disposal? Is it conceivable to think that next season, after 3 transfer windows as our manager, he will change to a formation that he enjoys managing more?
Also, what formations did his AZ and Bayern championship teams play?
Is the 3-5-2 formation that he's currently using for United his favourite formation, or is it just one he thinks is good for utilizing the players at his disposal? Is it conceivable to think that next season, after 3 transfer windows as our manager, he will change to a formation that he enjoys managing more?
Also, what formations did his AZ and Bayern championship teams play?
He used this formation at AZ, for the rest of his teams it was always 433 or some variation of that system.
He wants to attack, so he will always play 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 if he's got a free choice. That brings the optimal spreading of players over the pitch concerning passing distances, forming triangles and space. That's considered almost a mathematical given in the Dutch School which is of course Van Gaal's specialism. Space it's what it's about in attacking football, because it's scarce with 21 players on one half of the pitch.
Could have swore Van Gaal played with a 4-4-2 at AZ
Looks like you are right, my mistake.
People I was talking to said the same system was used in the WC and for AZ. I thought they meant tactics, but apparently they meant long balls contra-attacking system.
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