The Revolution at Manchester United has got off to a stuttering start, but is there hope on the horizon?
The revolution at Manchester United suffered a demeaning setback on Tuesday night as a League One outfit, Milton Keynes Dons humiliated the Red Devils 4-0 in the second round of the
Capital One Cup. Even in the unhappy days of David Moyes, things were never quite this bad, the confidence of fans and players is at an all-time low.
The lack of direction and perceived apathy on the pitch is bringing back memories of some of the worst moments of last season.
Louis van Gaal, the club’s would-be ‘saviour’, has asked for patience, “fans have to believe in our philosophy, we are building a team which we cannot make in one month or even one year, it’s very disappointing but I hope they maintain their confidence in our club”, he opined, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Admittedly, van Gaal made changes to the team that played against Sunderland two days previously, but will have been disappointed by the performances of the likes of Jonny Evans, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welback. After the match, the manager said, again via the Daily Mail, “I have no regrets on the team selection. Don’t forget we have a young team and many injuries and we have to play for the second time within 48 hours.
“I couldn’t play with the squad I used on Sunday, so, I had to look at the second team and the youth team.”
Nonetheless, the team completely failed to repay the manager’s confidence in them, especially the experienced players who were supposed to guide the youngsters. While everyone was shocked by the final result, van Gaal seemed the only one who wasn’t fazed by the outcome,” I am not shocked, because I know what can happen”, he said.
Given the trough the club is in right now, is there reason for optimism?
Everything points to the fact that the current situation could get uglier before anything beautiful can be seen despite the signing of Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid for a club and British record. Van Gaal’s decision to continue to play a 3-4-1-3 system despite the fact that it doesn’t appear to suit the players, who are struggling to grasp the rudiments of the system, especially the back three, is threatening to derail the beginning of the campaign.
The system seemed to be working in pre-season as the club won six out of six games played, including wins against current European champions Real Madrid and fierce rivals Liverpool, among others.
However, is it time for the manager to change the system?
This writer certainly thinks so.
While everyone seems to think that the back three lacks leadership, understanding, quality and experience remains the problem. The midfield remains a bigger issue, and the misfortune of having so many injuries obviously isn’t helping. It’s really not the best of times at Manchester United as everything seems to be working against progress, but there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
Before the embarrassing defeat to MK Dons, United confirmed that Di Maria’s arrival was imminent. The club will, however, need more than the world class talent of Di Maria, whose prowess lies in beating a man, pace, creativity, box-to-box runs and the ability to play in central midfield. He can also feature in a midfield three or attacking three, offering van Gaal quality options, tactically, as the manager can line up his team in a 4-3-1-2 or a midfield diamond, rather than a 3-4-1-2, especially since he has said he wants to play two up top, but not necessarily in the ‘problematic’ 3-4-1-2 system.
The manager has confirmed his desire to be flexible with the team’s approach following the arrival of the Argentine international, “I can change the system with Di Maria as he can play on the wing and play in midfield”, he said.
Manchester United will be much improved if van Gaal can use Di Maria effectively to ‘complete’ the system, or indeed, help the side transition to an approach that better suits the players he has available. The club may, of course, continue to be active in the transfer market, and it would be surprising if there weren’t one or two more additions before the window closes on September 1.
Unfortunately, things didn't get off to a particularly encouraging start against Burnley.
The Premier League newcomers had been beaten in their two Premier League matches ahead of Saturday's clash, but they actually had both more shots and more shots on target than United.
It was an inglorious way for Di Maria to start his United career.
The revolution may have stuttered, but, if the MK Dons defeat can be the nadir, then the arrival of Di Maria and the imminent transfer of Daley Blind could be the light on the horizon.
Intriguingly, as well, there will certainly be more departures. The manager has confirmed that some of the dead wood will be moved out of the club in the coming days.
Wilfred Zaha has already been shown the door, returning back to Crystal Palace on loan. The likes of Hernandez and Welbeck (who made a brief cameo against Burnley) may well be entering their final hours as United players.
Capital One Cup. Even in the unhappy days of David Moyes, things were never quite this bad, the confidence of fans and players is at an all-time low.
The lack of direction and perceived apathy on the pitch is bringing back memories of some of the worst moments of last season.
Louis van Gaal, the club’s would-be ‘saviour’, has asked for patience, “fans have to believe in our philosophy, we are building a team which we cannot make in one month or even one year, it’s very disappointing but I hope they maintain their confidence in our club”, he opined, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Admittedly, van Gaal made changes to the team that played against Sunderland two days previously, but will have been disappointed by the performances of the likes of Jonny Evans, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welback. After the match, the manager said, again via the Daily Mail, “I have no regrets on the team selection. Don’t forget we have a young team and many injuries and we have to play for the second time within 48 hours.
“I couldn’t play with the squad I used on Sunday, so, I had to look at the second team and the youth team.”
Nonetheless, the team completely failed to repay the manager’s confidence in them, especially the experienced players who were supposed to guide the youngsters. While everyone was shocked by the final result, van Gaal seemed the only one who wasn’t fazed by the outcome,” I am not shocked, because I know what can happen”, he said.
Given the trough the club is in right now, is there reason for optimism?
Everything points to the fact that the current situation could get uglier before anything beautiful can be seen despite the signing of Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid for a club and British record. Van Gaal’s decision to continue to play a 3-4-1-3 system despite the fact that it doesn’t appear to suit the players, who are struggling to grasp the rudiments of the system, especially the back three, is threatening to derail the beginning of the campaign.
The system seemed to be working in pre-season as the club won six out of six games played, including wins against current European champions Real Madrid and fierce rivals Liverpool, among others.
However, is it time for the manager to change the system?
This writer certainly thinks so.
While everyone seems to think that the back three lacks leadership, understanding, quality and experience remains the problem. The midfield remains a bigger issue, and the misfortune of having so many injuries obviously isn’t helping. It’s really not the best of times at Manchester United as everything seems to be working against progress, but there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
Before the embarrassing defeat to MK Dons, United confirmed that Di Maria’s arrival was imminent. The club will, however, need more than the world class talent of Di Maria, whose prowess lies in beating a man, pace, creativity, box-to-box runs and the ability to play in central midfield. He can also feature in a midfield three or attacking three, offering van Gaal quality options, tactically, as the manager can line up his team in a 4-3-1-2 or a midfield diamond, rather than a 3-4-1-2, especially since he has said he wants to play two up top, but not necessarily in the ‘problematic’ 3-4-1-2 system.
The manager has confirmed his desire to be flexible with the team’s approach following the arrival of the Argentine international, “I can change the system with Di Maria as he can play on the wing and play in midfield”, he said.
Manchester United will be much improved if van Gaal can use Di Maria effectively to ‘complete’ the system, or indeed, help the side transition to an approach that better suits the players he has available. The club may, of course, continue to be active in the transfer market, and it would be surprising if there weren’t one or two more additions before the window closes on September 1.
Unfortunately, things didn't get off to a particularly encouraging start against Burnley.
The Premier League newcomers had been beaten in their two Premier League matches ahead of Saturday's clash, but they actually had both more shots and more shots on target than United.
It was an inglorious way for Di Maria to start his United career.
The revolution may have stuttered, but, if the MK Dons defeat can be the nadir, then the arrival of Di Maria and the imminent transfer of Daley Blind could be the light on the horizon.
Intriguingly, as well, there will certainly be more departures. The manager has confirmed that some of the dead wood will be moved out of the club in the coming days.
Wilfred Zaha has already been shown the door, returning back to Crystal Palace on loan. The likes of Hernandez and Welbeck (who made a brief cameo against Burnley) may well be entering their final hours as United players.
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