Discussion

Crunch Time

Posted on by rvanleersum

With now less than ten days until the winter window slams shut, United have been exceptionally quiet on the transfer front with very little surfacing in the legit realm of rumours. For the few of you that follow me, you’ll know of my long list of transfer do’s United need to make the system work – be it my targets or not. The fact is, United cannot afford to miss out on the Champions League next term. The financial benefits far outweigh the cost of doing business now and the implications are far reaching in their significance as they are in the short term.

That said, as van Gaal has now said, doing business is much easier said than done. Teams with the quality United seek are frequently reluctant to sell. It shouldn’t be surprising. They’ll either have title and/or qualification goals within reach and selling top roster talent won’t assist in such aspirations. Often those who can be convinced to do so are teams charging a premium with a means to replace the departing player in some manner. Given the latter part of the window is upon us, this is makes things all the more challenging.

The result is I, like many others with realistic means of analysis in the transfer world, don’t see United doing much business from here on out, if any at all. Problem is injuries at the back have now reached a climax. Ashley Young, one of our converted forward-to-fullbacks, has picked up a significant groin injury that will require surgery. It should go without saying, but Young will miss some time that could threaten to keep him off the pitch until the summer. While Borthwick-Jackson has been inconsistently good at fullback, I’ve questioned his pace. Guillermo Varela too. It’s a significant burden to place on youngsters week in and week out. Darmian has been woeful on the left, as seen at Liverpool where a switch to his natural right side turned him from a wandering amateur to shades of the brilliance he exuded back in August and September.

Van Gaal has come out to say that United’s hand has been forced and the need to acquire a fullback will be important. It surprises me that no one in the media, save me of course, have identified Gregory van der Wiel as a logical solution to the problem. PSG’s internationally capped fullback sees his contract expire at Parc des Princes this June and it would seem his long-term successor, Serge Aurier, has already taken over duties as PSG’s first choice right back where they both prefer to play. Though van der Wiel has yet to make indication otherwise, it seems to me a player still in his prime would seek a means to move on or what hasn’t he already renewed? United could offer him that option while benefiting from the additional depth of quality, experience, and mentoring to United’s up and comers. There’s also his familiarity with van Gaal during his time as the Netherland’s manager.

Previously, Edinson Cavani was an oft-linked player to United and other big spenders because of his alleged growing frustration with a lack of playing time in his preferred position behind Ibrahimovic. Years later and nothing of the sort has yet to familiarize and, as such, I’ve been quick to dismiss such nonsense. This year is different as ESPN, usually quite reliable when it comes to their frequently undisclosed ‘sources’, have revealed Cavani’s agent has reached out to a receptive United. In the day’s following, United quelled those rumours, as too those linking Felipe Anderson and apparent talks with Pep Guardiola, in a move to distance themselves from the idea. Seems a bit odd. Rarely have I seen them do such, especially given the sheer volume of rumours they’re continuously associated with. Does this mean there’s some substance to them? Why else would they care to do so unless there was a modicum of truth to them?

For now, it’ll remain speculatory; but don’t be surprised if any of those three names resurface between now and February or in the summer. We know United previously bid on Anderson. You’d be mad to not believe United see Guardiola as a long term successor to van Gaal, even if it’s become obvious his job security is exactly that: secure. And Cavani, even at 28, has quality any club would be happy to deploy up top – especially one struggling to find the back of the net.

So I’ll leave you with one tidbit. The news of Martial broke the day the deal occurred. Darmian and Schweinsteiger meer days prior save some unfounded rumours involving the German weeks prior. The point is they were all but dead until it broke and so is the case for damn near every buy in recent times. No one saw it coming outside the circle of those involved. And that could be the case here.

I’ll Take It

Posted on by rvanleersum

Whenever United play Liverpool, irrespective of their positions in the table, the game means the world. Like many United fans and our Merseyside counterparts too, I look forward to their derby more than any other fixtures during the season. Even the Manchester derby. Not even the Leeds rivalry of old can compare, though I’d be lying if I said I was around to witness that. The two most successful English football clubs in the history of the game with passionate fan bases the world over. What’s not to love?

Naturally, I like to see United at their best as anything but a win is insufficient. The odd few times United have lost in recent times, I can remember being in a foul mood after. It’s like my other sporting love, the Montreal Canadiens, losing to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Simply unacceptable. It’s amazing and, very possibly, concerning how much legit fans put into these games on an emotional level.

Without going into a detailed match report, imagine my disdain today as the first half wore on. United were awful and very little seemed to be functioning. The midfield was losing the battle in the middle of the park, the forwards weren’t getting service, and our back four were lucky to escape a goalless first half. Into the second half, the early stages revealed a truth no United fan wanted to witness: United could actually look worse.

Thankfully it didn’t last too long and United soon started to find their feet. And who other than the man in form would see United escape with a narrow three points? The skipper, Wayne Rooney, of course. So ugly as it may be, I’ll take them as I can. They were important points on the heels of a match where it should have been two more. Teams in the chase dropped points on their end, so win-win for United.

For those who follow me here or on Footie Writer, you’ll likely be familiar with my wants for United for many weeks now. Little has changed and again, as United struggle for goals and look, far too often, fragile in the back; reinforcements are needed. Van Gaal’s system struggles offensively because his selection isn’t well-suited to play to its strengths.

Defensively, United were okay and have been rendered mediocre by a spat of injuries. The result is for a second straight season, van Gaal is converting forwards and midfielders into full backs with mixed results. Following his failure to land a marque centre-half in the summer, van Gaal was quick to identify Blind who has found he going tough too often. The strength of their back four has been two-fold: De Gea bailing them out more than he should be and United’s midfield, when healthy, are the engine behind that possession that bores fan and pundits alike.

Speaking of the midfield, possession is fine and dandy when the advantage of such can be translated into the attacking third. Contrary to what van Gaal will say in media scrums, the chances aren’t enough nor are they of the quality variety nearly enough. The players with the forte to play this brand of football lack the pace to move the ball as quickly as they need to if disorganizing the opposition is the aim. As such, teams have found success in luring them forward by parking the bus with ten men back and playing United on the break with pace. Several clubs with no business beating United have with just as many holding United level. Trouble too is, as like today, our selection is limited in replacing the likes of Schweinsteiger or Schneiderlin, especially with Herrera playing at the ten, and we see a completely different story.

Finally, in the final third no less, van Gaal’s insistence in playing Rooney previously created problems. Now that he’s in form, it’s less troublesome. Martial has been pushed out wide where he’s looked good with the likes of Memphis inconsistent and Lingard, for all his potential, just not up standard. I find he’s really wasteful with the ball and seems to lose it as many times as he fails to find the target when attempting for goal. Mata has been the other regular presence out wide on the right, but for all his qualities he’s just not well suited to such a role.

The long story short, United may have clawed back a few points today; but their long term aspiration for, at the very least, Champions League football next term will be challenging to say the least. As such, if they wish to remain the pack, they need to overcome the difficulty of the January transfer window and add some players. At the very least (and assuming they maintain this system), I think United could do well to find a full back, a quality centre-half to partner with Smalling, an option to replace Fellaini, and (more than anything) a right winger with pace. No tall order, huh?

It doesn’t necessarily have to be as difficult as you’d assume. For example, someone who can compliment Darmian on the right where he’s really struggled to find form for some time is PSG’s Gregory van der Wiel. As I identified, the Dutch international, at 27, still offers plenty of quality and experience to push Darmian while givingr United depth stability. Having been unseated by his long-term successor, Serge Aurier, and with his contract expiring this summer, United could find the going easy should they offer PSG some money rather than PSG losing the Dutchman for nothing.

Another is Sporting’s Peruvian international, Andre Carrillo. His contract also expires this summer and was indefinitely suspended by the club after refusing a contract offer and who knows what else. In any event, short of a massive turn around, his days at Sporting are numbered and United, with the financial flex, wouldn’t find it too difficult to outbid prospective rivals such as Fiorentina. He’s a complete package. Pace with an ability to cross to stretch the play (something United really need) and dribbling skills with the ball on either foot for cutting runs inward to have goes for goal.

With Carrick and Schweinsteiger into their golden years of football, United would do well to find a box to box midfielder as a long term option. Recently, rumours surfaced of Adrien Rabiot seeking a means to escape Parc des Princes as he’s longing for more minutes he simply won’t get with Verratti on board. More troubling, Vaerratti is allegedly nearing a contract extension, further fueling the rumours. So there you have it, if the reports are to be trusted – something I rarely do. In any event, why not try? He possesses size and a technical ability to play the holding role better than the foul-machine that is Fellaini. Fellaini is a quality player, but he’s absolutely lost in this current system. He just doen’t fit anywhere in the starting XI. I’d like him as a utility player, but will he be happy in such a role?

Lastly, United need a world-class centre-half to compliment the impressive Chris Smalling. Rojo is a good depth option and Jones just can’t stay healthy for the life of him. Blind isn’t good enough and Borthwick-Jackson, who is usually found playing fullback, and McNair aren’t ready for the best of the big European clubs. So right now, as I sit here and type, exists a £38.26M release clause on Aymeric Laporte’s contract with Athletic Bilbao. Why spend £50M+ on Stones when you can acquire, in my humble opinion, a superior centre-half born literally a day apart from Stones? Better and cheaper. What’s not to like? Smalling and Laporte could be the Rio and Vidic of old.

What’s clear to me is it doesn’t look like van Gaal is going anywhere and, as long as he’s around, you best believe this 4-2-3-1 will persist. So United have some work to do and players are needed to make this system work. Sure, such ventures would be very expensive. I just wonder what it would cost them to lose out on Champions League next term.

Until next time…

 

Enough is Enough

Posted on by rvanleersum

It seems like a year ago the United mob was calling for Wayne Rooney’s head for all that was wrong. In a literal sense, the same could be said of the mob and its demands that Louis van Gaal be let go. For my part, I’ve been a bit more level headed; opting to see things into January and give him a chance to turn things around while utilizing the winter transfer window to shore up loose ends.

Nigh a season ago, the man could do no wrong. Unlike David Moyes, van Gaal impressed himself upon the team and really made it his. It translated into a better atmosphere, particularly within the dressing room, and its influences could be felt on the pitch. His aura commanded respect, an aura built on a history of success. But this was but a mere mask. It was easy to forget that the squad wasn’t much better than under his predecessor thanks to the make up of the standings come May 2015. One could argue he inherited a mess and I’d agree – mostly. Another could argue United were fortunate because this time being negligibly better statistically meant a Champions League spot. The same results a year prior would have seen them miss Champions League. Fact. And how important was that? The lucrative Adidas money suggested very.

But now, with another summer gone with little in the way of big signings and previous big signings sold for relative peanuts, support began to wain. The distractions of a World Cup gone, what could be said in terms of an excuse? The issues of the midfield seemingly sorted and Evra’s heir apparent captured. But what of depth at centre half? What of options up top to replace those departed? A new system and lacking much progress on the squad as a whole.

It started well enough. The midfield did its job (defensively) and van Gaal praised his efforts to bring balance to the club. United owned the possession. Mysteriously, goals became harder and harder to come by. This is something United fans are not used to. But as United continued to struggle, van Gaal managed to pull together just enough results and offer just enough rhetoric to keep the mob at bay – then too focused on the skipper. Thanks to a season as unpredictable as an earthquake, United even managed to apply van Gaal’s boring football philosophy to the top of the table, albeit very briefly.

Long before December did the inherent weakness of the squad rear its ugly head. Arsenal gave United a lesson and reminded the world of United’s defensive frailties that have been vulnerably easy to expose since Ferguson was still gaffer. With goals continuing to be hard to come by, injuries soon mounted to the point that even the midfield could no longer insulate the club’s back four; by that time, still statistically best in the league. Fans began to become restless and clamor for more echoed the grounds at Old Trafford with growing enthusiasm. It was a sentiment that was to climax as December wore on. It was then the crumbling tower began to collapse.

Goalless draws and losses piled up. It was tumultuous streak that saw van Gaal’s side close out the calendar year on pace for the worst season United has had in the Premier League era. It was a pace to match the worst since a very forgettable 90/91 campaign. Thanks to a disastrous December, van Gaal found himself rewriting records at United that no manager would cherish and his stock plummeted. It was a miserable time for the club. Long since, United were out of the Capital Cup to a Champo side, bowed out from the group stage in Champions League despite a favourable drawing, slumped to sixth in the league and, consequentially, a fair distance out of the qualifying positions for European competition next year. It was boring, ineffective football. The media was awash with rumours that van Gaal’s dismissal was imminent. Chelsea had sacked Mourinho. All was in place for van Gaal to receive the same fate with the Special One lurking in the shadows – complete with team adorned scarves with United spelled incorrectly.

But no. Apparently all was fixed after a superb, yet goalless, performance against Chelsea. United were again unlucky. It was followed into 2016 with a less than compelling win over a lowly Swans side. Those convenient distractions, eh? A mere week from demanding an apology and hinting he’d quit if things got ugly; now van Gaal was adamant he’d push on and that he had the full support of the board. Whatever the case, what would become apparent is that van Gaal would keep his job into the new year.

And so, I’ve had a change of heart. I’ve come to the conclusion that van Gaal doesn’t deserve the month to sort things out. Just as Moyes looked out of his depth and lost in the technical area, it has become apparent to me that van Gaal, in his own way, is lost. For me, van Gaal has failed because he’s stubbornly implemented his system – his philosophy of sorts and it’s failed. But rather than adapt, as too did Moyes fail in doing, the Dutch manager refuses to concede things aren’t working. The worst part? Sure as I am the sun will rise tomorrow in the East and set in the West, you can rest assured the stubborn Dutchman won’t change it.Week after week, he makes (ultimately) trivial changes with his limited selection while pushing on with the same tactics. It’s liken to watching an infant trying to push the square block through the circular hole.

The smoking gun for me was their home date with Sheffield United for the third round FA Cup. It was a game of dizzying frustration – a sight beyond reasonable comprehension. It took United some 97 minutes (if you include added time from the first half) to crack a League One side… Via a (deserved) penalty. I genuinely felt for Sheffield United fans. They deserved a replay at home. United didn’t deserve to win. But Rooney’s conversion sealed their fate on the shoulders of a boring, uninspiring win. It was embarrassing to witness. Yet again, it was glaringly obvious to me is that the squad, as mentioned, is ill-suited to make this system of van Gaal’s work.

Call me a fool and/or an armchair manager, but United struggled to crack Sheffield’s defense because they largely played ten men back in a compact formation. Okay, that was easy, but one of their biggest issues was getting bodies toward the goal when they did manage to attack down the flanks. As much as United lacks pace in the midfield, as well as up top (especially before Lingard and Memphis came on), there was simply too much ground to cover for the midfield. I can’t fathom why it would appear prudent to play two holding midfielders to support United’s back four while playing a ultra-defensive League One side that rarely tested United – even in their most vulnerable spots. Would it not have made more sense to invert the midfield to have one player play the holding role and two options available to support the attack?

I’d say yes, but van Gaal won’t deviate from the system. By his own admission, he’s open to suggestions and chronically difficult to convince he’s wrong. His ego won’t allow for it. It has its own defense mechanism where he’ll evaluate the bad and sees it another way that annoys me to no end. He has a penchant for seeing the silver lining in all those dismal performances. He trivializes the ultimate issues that drag down the team and hypes the positives, consistent with reality or not. It’s his aforementioned rhetoric; the kind that calls the display against Sheffield United ‘attacking football’ that ‘created chances’ and was ‘unlucky’. Utterly ridiculous. It’s one big reason his time should be up – his refusal to adapt even in the simplest of ways and better utilizing his options to their strengths.

That said, it gets worse. Tricky too.

Barely into the second week of the month and there’s no indications he’s on his way out anytime soon – though the FA Cup effort changed the media’s demeanor on the subject. Perhaps he does have the board’s support? Perhaps improvement will come? It’s no secret he’s always willing to improve where possible his means for selection. Perhaps more of his willingness to sell players who don’t conform is the recipe for success?

Given United’s large kitty, he could get the players needed to salvage what’s left and work toward next term. Ultimately, a title is a long shot and I’d be fine with that. And you must be too as, even if you want to see van Gaal get the sack now, you must know bringing in a guy like Mourinho would see a large turnover of players in much the same manner. Like I said, whoever it was to be come January, they’d have to spend to get this club into May a top four spot or things would be ugly. Real ugly. Right?

Well, if you believe what van Gaal had to say recently, then you’ll know he doesn’t foresee United spending this month. Now, before I lose my mind with this apparent shortsightedness, I feel compelled to point out that it’d be quite foolish for van Gaal to openly admit that United are willing and eager buyers. Why give the initiative to your bartering partner over the fee of a player? United have money. Lots of money. But they also have other interests at stake where blindly spending it all isn’t in Woodward’s repertoire. So, you see why he’d say such a thing.

The thing is, managers across Europe aren’t stupid people. They are all too familiar with United’s financial prowess and even more aware of United’s dilemma. So van Gaal can ‘van Gaal’ it all he wants, these clubs know they’ll have United by the balls should talks ever occur regarding the sale of a prized asset willing to come aboard the HMS Snore. So United may as well concede here and pay up. They should do it Real Madrid style: bullish in their approach with an arrogant flash of cash. Point is, van Gaal would have been better served not suggesting to the impressionable United mob of his indifferent outlook on making his unnameable system function. Especially when such a suggestion, be it disingenuous or not, is entirely consistent with everything that is wrong with his mismanagement of the club on and off the pitch thanks to his tepid successes over several transfer windows.

So why give him another in which to fail? Sure, they’ll pay a premium versus the summer – but I think the risk of losing out on Champions Leahue football will cost much more than fees and wages. The point is, they don’t have to finish the rebuild this winter. It’d only take a few players realistically. And there are realistic options out there. No, not Bale, Ronaldo, or Stones.

So United needs to be done with it, before this month is too far gone. Whatever the system may be, United have enough quality there to push back into the top four. A bit of spending can see them not only find such a not-so-trivial task easier to achieve; but do so with stated intent to the remainder of the league that United will once again be a force. They will put fear into the hearts of its opposition. Old Trafford will be a fortress. And United will stand shoulder to shoulder with the biggest and best in Europe. Because van Gaal refuses to adapt and is ultimately unproven in the transfer business, United won’t be those things under his leadership. United can’t afford to risk the long term successes of this season and beyond on his philosophy. It’s been a year and a half of little progress. Van Gaal’s self-made precedence is just that.

Shopping List

Posted on by rvanleersum

If you read my last novel-esque entry here at Footie Writer, I discussed the ever tenuous position van Gaal finds himself in. While not all can be blamed on him for United’s collective failure, as I detailed, much of it must fall on his shoulders. This is largely due to what has been a failed attempt to implement systems not suited to the players available for selection while wastefully letting go of others who could function – particularly in the attacking half. It also should be mentioned failures in capturing players played a part. What’s obvious to me is they need to buy this January and fill the voids that are limiting their potential. This is a fact, irrespective of whether or not van Gaal remains at the helm or a replacement liken to Mourinho or Giggs, on an interim basis once more, come in to stop the bleeding.

So what does United need? Well, if the current set up is to be maintained, then I believe United could do very well if two options to play up top on the right wing were brought in with a quality centre half to add some depth and inject some stability. Why two options up top? In the complete absence of a forward capable of playing the wing as the system necessitates, it seems only fitting that you have two options to adequately see the club through potential injury or busy schedules with Europa and the FA cup still on the calendar.

So who are they? I decided to have a look and came up with a shopping list of sorts:

Right Wing

Riyad Mahrez

Let’s start up top with rumours currently insisting that United are lining up a £29M bid for Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez. One half of their unfathomable rise to the top of the league, he has partnered with Vardy to score and assist on more goals than the entire United squad this season. At present, he’s bagged 14 goals and six helpers over 18 matches in all competitions. Originally bought for half a million Euros from Ligue 2 side AC Le Havre, the mouth-watering return on such an investment is just shy of 7900% of the alleged fee valuation. That’s not bad business. Here’s the problem: Leicester won’t sell him. Not this winter. Not while they have a real chance to land a European qualification and continue to remain in the conversation in the League. So if not him, who can United sign this winter?

Sadio Mane

While I’ll admit he doesn’t seem the likeliest of targets on my list, or most preferred, but what’s different now (versus last summer) are expectations on the south coast. We know United approached Koeman and offered a decent fee for the services of the young and pacey forward, only to be rebuffed as Koeman refused to allow any more of his players to leave. After making noise in the league last season and narrowly missing European qualification to the Europa group stage, it’s not surprising the Saints were optimistic of their chances this season. This season is not going to plan. Currently sitting in 12th, Southampton could now be more willing to entertain offers to reinvest such fees into the squad. For United, Mane would offer them the pace and ability to play on the wing, even if better suited on the left versus the right. In any event, we must discuss him because of the established previous interest.

Quincy Promes

Currently practicing his trade with Spartak Moscow in the Russian league, this young Dutch forward is a natural right winger who is equally adept on the ball with both feet. He also possesses excellent pace and a decent ability to cross the ball with a penchant for scoring. I look at him and immediately think he’s the future replacement for Arjen Robben on the national team, where he’s already had call ups. Presently with ten goals and six assists to his name across all competitions, he appears to tick all the boxes that United would covet. At just 23, he still has time to fill his increasing potential and an opportunity to play for United could be very appetizing, both for player and club. I must say, it almost seems too good to be true.

Arjen Robben

No, I’m not joking – seriously. I discussed this one at length here at FootieWriter explaining why. When healthy, he could be the perfect fit for United both in terms of on field performance and locker room presence. Pairing up the savvy veteran of the game with a youngster to mentor and mold him can only be good for the short and long term goals for the club. United have already done it, with Bayern Munich no less, in bringing Schweinsteiger to the club at a relatively discounted fee as he mutually enters the twilight of his career – at least at his prime. Robben has played in the League before, United exist of a very few who could afford his wages, and there’s the hypothetical van Gaal connection should he still be around. He’d definitely be one of the most, if not the most, expensive options listed here. But if healthy, you’ll get what you’ve paid for. And that’s just what United crave.

Felipe Anderson

While he hasn’t exactly been tearing it up in the Serie A this season, neither has his club, SS Lazio. Sitting near the middle of the table, they exist somewhat like Southampton as a club who might be convinced that taking an inflated fee for a player could be well served in reinvesting the funds into the team elsewhere. Or, if you’re Lazio’s owners, perhaps their continued efforts to steer the club away from the debt issues that existed as little as a year and a bit ago. In Anderson, United would get a forward who is equally comfortable with the ball on either foot and can play a central role as well as either wing. When has versatility ever been a bad thing? With lightning quick pace and an ability to really run with the ball, the oft-connected Anderson to United isn’t for not.

Nicolas Gaitan

Speaking of oft-connected to United, how about a player who’s been linked as ‘all but done’ for as many transfer windows as he’s possibly been alive? Yes, I must include Gaitan because, while not quite the fit others appear to be, he’s got quality that United could use with an ability to play on the right. While he hasn’t exactly been pace setter in terms of his scoring this season, more than anything his nine assists over 18 matches in all competitions can’t be ignored. I have said many times that United lack creativity this year in giving their forwards chances – both in terms of quantity and quality. Van Gaal might think that one or two a game are all one needs – I would disagree. The stats don’t lie. Gaitan can provide that creativity with his excellent passing and vision combined with finishing and pace that aren’t bad by their own right.

Anwar El Ghazi

El Ghazi presents himself as a project of sorts – someone with a yet to be realized potential possibly on the high end of the scale. Probably not United’s first choice on this list if, yours truly, will look at the likes of Jesse Lingard as not yet being good enough – at least on the right where he isn’t naturally suited to play. He’s more of an investment for the long term at just 20 years of age. As such, he likely wouldn’t command a huge fee and could find time to play as easily on the U21 side should options not regularly present themselves with the first team. So why bother? What you probably didn’t know if he has bagged eight goals in 13 appearances for Ajax in the Eredivisie. Impressive, but less so when he’s got none in all other competitions. But as I mentioned, he wouldn’t be the go to United seek and merely makes my list as the second option should United go that route.

Inaki Williams

Williams may not posses the technical abilities of some of the previously mentioned names, but what he lacks in his passing or finishing is made up for with an incredible pace. Perhaps the fastest player you may not have heard of in La Liga.. Or anywhere, he has collected seven goals and three assists in his 17 appearances for Athletic Bilbao this season. The other thing to bear in mind is that at just 20, he’s much like El Ghazi as a player with oodles of potential and time to realize such. His ability to speed down the wing or beat defenders to through balls is something United would love. The real challenge here will be his fee. Bilbao, as we have seen, are characteristically stubborn in their valuations and if they’re aware of (and I’m sure they are) such potential, they will likely present a fee that Woodward will find stomaching difficult.

Leroy Sane

The youngest player on our list of United options is German national and Schalke 04 product, Leroy Sane. Not too long ago, the media outlets reported United had representatives been scouting the youngster and the inevitable assumption a bid would ensue was (to date incorrectly) predicted. With five goals and five assists in all appearances for Schalke, Sane has seen his stock rise this season and has begun to catch the eyes of bigger clubs around Europe. Sane presents himself as a middle ground to that of El Ghazi and Williams – not quite as technical as the Dutchman nor quite as quick as the Spaniard. But this isn’t a bad thing because he, like the former, has the potential to be something special. Picking him up as a depth option and long term first team player pays both short and long term dividends.

Adnan Januzaj

After his break out in 2013/14 under the ill-fated David Moyes, Januzaj never really took the next step. He’d show flashes of brilliance and stretches of indifference. Despite it, he retained his label as a youth player with an upside to be world-class. However, the result was less play time under van Gaal and it culminated one season later with an unforeseen loan to Borrusia Dortmund. It was hoped there he’d get some minutes with a quality side. It hasn’t worked. He’s not played much and, ironically, it’s been on a quality club with far more quality than United have displayed thus far. So it begs the question: Why haven’t United recalled him? While I won’t pretend to know the specific details of the loan move, if  it were feasible to cut the loan short and recall him – would United not, at the very least, benefit from trying him on the right side? I have to assume yes. I’m not saying he’d recapture that form and realize his once apparently limitless potential. But it couldn’t be any worse than what we’ve seen, right?

Centre Back

John Stones

The subject of a very open and aggressive campaign to bring into the fold at Chelsea in the summer, it is believed that Everton and Roberto Martinez turned down offers north of £40M. The nature of such was off-putting to Martinez and he didn’t hide his displeasure of such, which is probably why the reported interest from United remained just that – interest. It is widely believed that Chelsea will make further approaches in January and the current state of things at United very well may see their interest turn into an inquiry, if not a bid. Make no mistake here. Nothing short of £50M will see Everton sell Stones this winter. To put this in perspective, the record fee for any defender is Chelsea’s sale of David Luis to PSG for £50M. It would be a world record fee for a defender. One who is 21 and far from realizing his full potential. And let’s face it – he’s a quality centre half, but is he yet a world class talent worth such a massive fee? Considering he only got his first England call up last May and has only four appearances in Hodgson’s starting XI over seven appearances, I’d be inclined to say not yet. And this is why I doubt United will stump up such a fee for a uncertain future… For now.

Ezequiel Garay

Garay is a tall and powerful defender who would provide United with an aerial presence, especially while defending corners and set pieces, and leadership to the back line. It’s the veteran experience it sorely needs as the consistently brilliant Chris Smalling needs someone to pair with with all other options hurt or consistently hurt. Currently, Zenit sit sixth in the Russian league and not that far back from the top, let alone the spots needed to qualify for European football next year. As such, it’d be hard to prize away easily the club’s best defender and nothing short of a sizable offer for the Argentine international would likely suffice. Contrary to the former in Stones, Garay (while not testing the record fee realm for defenders) would likely present Woodward with a conundrum in deciding does such a fee warrant the services of a 29 year old? Given the reality as of now, one would have to assume it must if United are to turn around their season.

Bruno Martins Indi

Martins Indi presents himself as a trifecta of sorts – primarily a centre half and able to play as a full back or in the holding midfield role. Such versatility is always an asset, one that United could do well to have these days. Young and somewhat unpolished, Martins Indi would still present himself as an upgrade in United’s presently thin defensive corps. The major issue would be prizing him away from Porto should United choose to try such. Currently undefeated and a sliver ahead of Sporting in the table, it’s highly unlikely they’d be willing to part with (arguably) their top centre half unless a suitable replacement could be found in due time. And given the winter window being what it is, that’s hardly a small feat by any stretch.

Kalidou Koulibaly

Napoli are enjoying a fine season, no part in thanks to Juve’s slow start. Just one point off the top of the table while enjoying the best defensive record and tied for best goal differential in the Serie A thus far; it’s little surprise to find a quality centre half at the helm. The French born Senegalese international, Koulibaly, possesses decent speed for a player his size and has more than enough grit to battle for the aerial balls. At 24 years of age, he’s got plenty left in the tank and would prove a wise investment to any club willing to pay for his services – a fee that won’t be insignificant by any stretch. The likelihood that Naoli would let him go, especially mid-season, is quite unlikely.

Joel Matip

This German born Cameroonian international is another tall and somewhat pacey centre half who, while less physical than the likes of Koulibaly, is better at getting involved in the play moving forward and has strong defensive instincts. For a club like United who are often exposed to set pieces and breaks by players with pace, it seems a perfect fit. Of all the options listed, Matip exists as the most realistic option. Schalke has a great deal of depth at the position and would likely be more easily persuaded if the right offer landed in their laps. And, at just 24, he would be a worthy long-term investment.

Aymeric Laporte

If not Rafael Varane, Laporte is arguably the best young French centre half and is on the brink of seeing a place in their starting XI. As you know, he’s been a name linked to United for some time. So why should this winter be any different? The guy is a beast and I’d go on record and say I think he’s better than Stones… A lot better. Born literally a day apart, I think he’s got much better instincts defensively and is physically much stronger. In a nut shell, if pundits will tell anyone that dropping £40-50M on Stones is a good decision, surely the same fee for Laporte should be an easy decision. Best part? Even though he extended his contract to 2019 this past June, I think Bilbao would be quite happy to invest such into its club otherwise. It’s not as if they’re winning anything this year in La Liga, so why not test their usual stubborn resolve?

Agree? Disagree? Anyone I’ve missed? Let me know what you think. Maybe I should send this to Santa for Louis? Or will it be Jose? Giggs? That’ll be quite interesting in itself. Could come down to how United fare at the Potters on Boxing Day. Think of it… Wouldn’t Mourinho managing his first game for United, at home to Chelsea, make for an epic worthy story line? It’s just too good.

Reeling

Posted on by rvanleersum

When it rains, it pours. United are, without question, facing the toughest test of their collective mettle as injuries mount up and failing tactics see the club struggling more than ever. Fans and ‘fans’ alike have turned their collective lynch mob on to van Gaal with Rooney no longer the blame for all. Blame what or who you wish, the club is officially in crisis. We can all agree on this .I see it as a crossroads for the powers that be at United.

This time of year was supposed to be a relatively soft schedule. It was supposed to see results push them up the table while their advantage of home fixtures would get them through their mediocre Champions League group. But those results haven’t come to fruition as their inability to score have hampered mysteriously strong defensive play.

The result has seen them slump to fourth, something that would appear fortunate given their goal scoring record as scoreless draws mount up. Now they enter the weekend facing a challenge from the promoted Cherries side, fresh off a dramatic win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and on the heels of a dramatic draw hosting Everton the week prior. One team has all to play for, the other is riddled with injuries and lacking identity in the attacking half. What should be three points exists as no small feat.

While Bournemouth carry momentum, United are just the opposite. After digging themselves a hole by not beating PSV at home, they finally showed some character and flare in their attack at Wolfsburg. Goals came, one was rightfully disallowed, and save some confusing changes – more were a distinct possibility. But a thinned back line succumbed to characteristic confusion while trying to defend speedy counters and conceded twice in mere moments after scoring. It was a shame. One could easily make the argument that a healthier United in the back would have had better success in containing the Wolfsburg attack. True this may be, the point I can’t escape is that United were healthy enough to collect the points needed to see them through week and weeks before. So no excuse.

Now they have been relegated to Europa, a reality Rio called embarrassing.

Normally I would discuss what United to look to do tomorrow (today) to collect the points; but it’s almost irrelevant now. At least, in comparison to what needs to be done to right the ship for the long haul.

For me, it’s time for van Gaal to make a decision… Or the board needs to make that decision for him. Van Gaal needs to decide if he will stay on and see this ‘philosophy’ through by making a major move or two this January to acquire the pieces he’s missing to make it work. If not, then he needs to step aside and let the successor come in and influence the changes needed as soon as possible.

What can’t remain is the status quo. It’s not working as is. Get the players you need to make it work and cut out the ones who won’t/can’t adapt. If that can’t be done, or won’t be done, then move aside. This club still has opportunities, very realistic opportunities. I personally am getting tired on the van Gaal way of things, but feel United can spend this winter to get the pieces they need to step in the right direction.

Given the horrendous spate of injuries to the back line, I feel United not only need that world class centre-half to partner Smalling, but perhaps a second option for depth. Blind isn’t good enough to be the day to day starter and Jones’ perpetual presence in the medical staff’s facility leaves United to rely on a not-yet-ready McNair. One could make the argument for a left-back, but I think Blind could function there when holding roles in the midfield are occupied by Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, and Carrick.

Up top, United need a quality winger to play on the right. I can’t begin to state how much I think this is the biggest glaring issue up top. Mata isn’t naturally the winger van Gaal needs in his system and the likes of Memphis, Young, and Lingard are all naturally better suited to play on the left.

January can’t get here soon enough. Until then, they’ll need to dig deep and claw out results.

Hungry Like the Wolf

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My appetite for cheesy headers is unbridled… A wolf like appetite so it would seem. And so too should be United as they travel to the wolf’s den of sorts to play for what could be their Champions League lives. And not for cheesy headers, but goals of course. The log jam atop group B means three teams have two spots to play for with the odd-man out relegated to the the Europa league.

The scenario is such that if United win, they’re safe through to the knockouts as top seed in the group. A draw or a loss can see them relegated to Europa, complicated further by the lion’s share of scenarios for tie-breakers work against them. It’s never ideal to have your fate potentially in the hands of others. This is especially true when you’re away to the group leaders while riddled with injuries front to back while the team chasing you is at home to the basement dwellers who, on a long trip, really have nothing to play for outside their domestic ambitions. It should go without saying, but to miss out on (at the very least) the knockout phases would be pretty damaging to van Gaal’s already fading popularity.

The realist I try to be, I feel the need to observe that even though it’s been widely labelled boring, van Gaal has averaged more points per game in the table thus far than the last year. And who hated van Gaal last year?  No one really. So it seems a bit melodramatic in the end. That said, Champions League is less forgiving than the Premier League and this trend of folly in the attack needs to sort itself out – at least for one night until January reinforcements can be had.

Not helping matters is his realist attitude toward their chances in Europe. Sometimes the truth isn’t needed, Louis. Worse yet is his insistence that they are attacking and chances are being generated (how about some quality ones?) while calling out his forwards. How? Well, in my opinion, his suggesting that rival nines would be scoring if they were up top on this team constitutes such. Please stop.

But that’s another matter. How about Wolfsburg? We beat them at home in probably our best outing thus far in the group stage. Can we do it again? I took in much of their weekend match to Borussia Dortmund to try and make an informed opinion.

VfL were utterly porous in the opening phases of the game as Dortmund struck the woodwork twice inside the opening five minutes. ‘Die Schwarzgelben’ would continue to play strongly as an intercepted errant pass saw Reus break through and put them up for a well deserved lead. The second half was a different matter with Wolfsburg playing the part of Jekyll and Hyde. They dominated for much of the second period and, after some miraculous BvB clearances, a penalty saw them level the match. The celebration was short lived with ex-Red, Kagawa, scoring at the death to give BvB the win.

What worked for Dortmund early was their pace on the flanks as they pushed the ball forward on either side and made crosses. This is something United haven’t done overly well with this season as they’ve lacked a pure winger capable of making quick runs and crossing on the right. What Dortmund did mutually well is get bodies to the box to meet these crosses. This has been another area of deficiency for United. Easier said than done when crippled by injuries. This is where van Gaal needs to think outside the box… You know, his stubbornly defended ‘philosophy’ to break this habit of goalless draws. United cannot, for even a second, be content with their scoreline. We need to see that flurry of attack toward the end of the stalemate with West Ham.

Memphis was excellent there. He needs to start with Mata running things from the middle (where else does he fit in anymore?) behind Martial and Lingard on the right. Lingard will need to be better, particularly with his decision making on the ball. It’s something that comes with experience. He’s getting his fair share this year – tonight will have to be a night to step up.

In the middle of the park, I fully expect to see Carrick line up with Schweinsteiger. They’ll lack that right sided presence that was Schneiderlin’s addition to the club this past summer, but this should be the least of United’s worries. Both will need to play solid games to perpetuate the trend of possession football which needs to be translated into quality chances up top. It’ll need to be spread about to keep Wolfsburg guessing and, when going up the middle, I think we need to see more through balls to land between the back line and Diego Benaglio. Martial has the pace to make those runs. Use it.

Defensively, United will need to be organized to deal with Wolfsburg. They’re a quality squad with pace and full backs ready to jump forward. United have been terribly fragile on the counter and this isn’t a night that they can rely on De Gea to bail them out. Wolfsburg have the quality to punish these mistakes.

Onward we go. Enjoy the game.

Walking Wounded

Posted on by rvanleersum

With mere hours to kick off, United enter their home date with the Hammers with injury concerns growing. Not yet at current Arsenal levels we saw a year ago, United will enter tomorrow’s match without the services of Rooney, Rojo, Jones, and Herrera. The good news is Lingard appears to be ready to join the team after a brief absence; whether or not he makes his way into van Gaal’s starting XI isn’t certain.

Depending on who you ask, Rooney’s injury is of concern. What initially seemed to be minor and precautionary away to Leicester has said to have “gotten worse”. At this point, it is all but assured he’ll not only miss tomorrow’s (today’s) match, but their pivotal away tie to Wolfsburg.

Adding to the issues in the back is Rojo’s injury during training. Having done this myself – which eventually required surgery, a shoulder separation could very well see him miss some time. What’s concerning is I immediately worried it was the same shoulder he separated last season against City… Unfortunately, I was correct. It could be the sign of something nagging and, if so, it will only get worse. I was in the same boat. If it were to progress toward that end, it could spell doom to his season and even threaten to keep him off the starting XI by the time of the 2016/17 season’s opening games.

Given Rooney’s form, he’ll be less missed than the latter when evaluating our options in the back. And that’s not me being a cynic on the Rooney “issue”. It’s just the truth for now. On the other hand, when you go into this season with a real need for a quality centre-half to add depth and a voice to the back line with a need for a full back to play on the right – it’s concerning when you get your fullback and decide an inexperienced Daley Blind will fill the role with an already injured Rojo. Now add Shaw’s injury, Jones and his inevitability to be injured,  with Rojo again… It reeks of crisis in the making. It very well could be that van Gaal lines up with a back four of Darmian, Smalling, McNair, and Blind… With no surprises should Young land at right back.

Simply stated, not good enough if the ultimate goal is to challenge for the League and make noise in Champions League. It’s nice to see their defensive record topping the league; but, the fact is that it’s looked entirely average against the better clubs thus far not suffering from injury issues. City can’t be counted. Arsenal demolished them. Liverpool were in poor form. And their Champions League campaign thus far leaves much to be desired. A loss next week could see them land in Europa.

I’ve said it numerous times and will say it again, United need help in the back and it needs to happen this winter if their position in the table is to be the basis for a run at the title.

This doesn’t imply that nothing is needed up top. They do. I really want to see United acquire a winger with pace who is adept on the right. It’s the missing piece up top. At present, I think United are too predictable in their attack and having options out wide on both sides would open the opposition more for making runs and giving space in the middle to drive forward. At present, they lack that player until Januzaj returns – should he be better suited there. Then I’m reminded his loan to BvB hasn’t been a fairy tale, whatever the motivation there, and he’d have to step it up to be that improvement they need there.

You might be thinking what about Lingard? If you are, and yes he’s played there, he’s naturally better on the left. And I’m not sold on him for right now. He’s made strides, but not the kinds which make him the player United are missing. He’s good enough to push Memphis for starts and friendly competition brings out the best in players when fighting for those minutes… But even that isn’t entirely working.

Then there’s Mata… At times brilliant, at others good enough. I really think he’s lost in van Gaal’s system. He doesn’t fit the bill of the winger van Gaal needs in his set up. He lacks pace to really attack out wide. Mata’s instinct is more about running at the net with poise, seeking opportunities for probing forward passes or short crosses. It plays into the hands of the opposition who prefer to sit back in a compact setup and look for chances to counter United with speed. In any event, I almost wonder if he’d be better suited to the ten spot. But then you have an equally lost Fellaini.

Despite all that, I see United pulling out three points from West Ham. They’re missing some key players in Payet and Sakho, so their attack will find the going tougher – even if against United’s piecemeal back line. Their form of late has dipped, having fallen to 8th on the table without a win in four league matches (0-2-2) and have allowed 21 goals thus far, which is tied with Leicester for most of the top half clubs.

United will undoubtedly control much of the ball and, with West Ham’s depleted attack, should be more willing to push forward to drive home the advantage of possession with attempts on goal. As long as they can play disciplined defensively – specifically maintaining organization when West Ham counters and not giving away free kicks around the goal (where Carroll, for example, can be clinical), there’s no reason to expect anything but a win.

Enjoy the match.

The Story Goes…

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The story most read likely will be the record breaking goal in today’s match at King Power Stadium. Having now scored in 11 consecutive matches in the Premier League, Jamie Vardy broke United great Ruud van Nistelrooy’s previous mark of ten games against the very club the latter set the mark in. This too against the club which has maintained the best defensive record in the league thus far – a surprising feat if you ask me. But if all that itself isn’t remarkable enough, perhaps even more so is the story of his path to the top flight.

But for me, it isn’t the story of today’s game. The story today is that it’s the same old story at United. As usual, United controlled the ball for much of the game and failed to capitalize on such with things not clicking in the final third. Another usual story is the lack of depth in United’s defensive corps. Despite still having the best defensive record in the league, they were exposed today with several players missing and it cost them a goal. If not for De Gea, it could have cost them the game. With inexperienced options and others playing out of position to cover for those not fit, they displayed a lack of organization on multiple occasions.

The first half was especially frustrating to watch. United weren’t composed and I lost count of the numerous giveaways, be it poor accuracy or forcing a play where safer options otherwise would have sufficed. Time and time again, the build up was laboured by this lack of cohesion and it greatly limited things to a few rare chances to go for goal. It took United until the end of the first half to even test Schmeichel, of which resulted in a Schweinsteiger header to level the match.

Now level, United could take a breather and sort things out with van Gaal. Whatever was said in the locker room seemed to work. Save a few exceptions, United were remarkably better with the ball in the second half and controlled the game almost entirely. This run of play forced Ranieri to sub off Okazaki, Vardy’s partner in crime up top to that point, in the 60th minute without much effect. Leicester dropped back and played quite compact to limit United any space in which to operate in the final third; looking to spring Vardy loose on the counter with quick clearances from goal and the like.

After Rooney was caught offside on a near chance from a corner, he took studs to his lower torso and appeared laboured in his movement afterward. Then the impossible when he was substituted off in favour of Memphis for van Gaal’s only change of the day. It was a move I predicted as I thought Rooney lacked a spark today. Perhaps things are starting to add up mentally? I still feel he’s better suited in a deeper role where Mata did well enough on the day, if not overly influential in the final third.

In any case, Memphis eventually found his legs as United started to find outlets to probe forward off the wing. He would find a great chance to fire home the go-ahead goal and failed to provide himself the touch needed to keep the ball on net. The despair from the coaching staff in their reaction to the missed opportunity wasn’t lost on anyone. And so the game would end as a 1-1 draw and another missed opportunity to collect three points.

Today continued to exemplify two major issues van Gaal has with the team. I continue to believe that their defensive options lack depth and additions will need to be made to not only provide more options, but to improve the quality at centre half.

McNair has a future, but was suspect in his advances forward and still has some polishing to do defensively. Those deficiencies were exposed on a few occasions today. United lack the comfort of their situation to make due if the goal remains the same come May.

Young is like Valencia in that he’s doing an admirable job playing well outside his comfort zone, but against the better clubs (defensively speaking anyway), he’s just not good enough if this team wants to realistically contend for trophies.

Matteo Darmian was particularly poor today and continued his slump in form of late. His passing wasn’t accurate and he was part responsible for the Vardy goal. I almost thought that perhaps he was trying too hard. I got the feeling he’s pushing himself to regain the form that endeared him to fans earlier in the season and it’s affecting his play in the wrong way. It’s too bad his late drive didn’t go in. Not only for the three points, but I think it would have been a huge confidence booster and maybe, just maybe, it would settle him down.

On the other side, United’s second issue is their inability to convert their dominance in possession into opportunities and goals. With the former will come the latter. I think teams have learned to drop back, play compact, and strike back on the counter. United seem lost at times in their attempts to break down the opposition – with passes going the wrong way, starting the build up from scratch, and ultimately resorting to the same couple tricks.

With several options on the left, United really need that potent player to play the right flank to give them the speed and quality they need to widen the pitch. With this, it’ll force opposing teams to concede space to United’s advantage. Who this player will be is anyone’s best guess. The rumour papers and sites will have no shortage of options in which to dream of. All I know is, if the option is there and the price is right, United are more than willing to splash the cash to make a major signing. Or two.

That said, things aren’t all bad. They’re still near the top and well within striking distance. As I previously mentioned, now with a month to go, they need to maintain such until reinforcements can be brought in. It may mean less minutes for some. It may mean none for others. But that’s football in the top flight and United have no shortage of youngsters who can find minutes with the U21’s or on loan, such as Wilson.

Until then, it’ll be a busy month of December.

That Was Close

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I’m not sure how else to describe it. Watford very easily could have pulled out all three points if they had collectively decided not to shoot directly at De Gea on several of their opportunities to go for goal. They definitely lack finishing and it’s quite telling when examining their goal scoring form – particularly at home. Liken to United’s rough stretch prior, which we all hope is now behind us, they didn’t seem to have this ‘luck’ van Gaal speaks of.

But having said that, they’re not exactly the pushovers you might think and United knew that coming into today. It was important for United to come in confident, but modest. You see, defensively, they’re not terrible by any stretch and it largely explains why they sit in the table where they do. It’s a respectable record for a freshly promoted club, especially when considering some of the clubs they’ve played well against and who they sit ahead of in the table. Cough… Chelsea.

A curious observation when you consider several of the blunders of the back four early in the match. They looked awkward – hardly a Champo side, let alone a Premier League one.

United started Memphis up top with Mata and Lingard on each flank and Herrera in a more central role in the middle. With Martial injured and Rooney ill, United looked to line up more as a 4-3-3 with their top three in a free-flowing formation as it would seem. It appeared to work as their young guns were seemingly tireless in their efforts. Be it in their applied pressure up high in forcing errant passes and giveaways or their fantastic pace, especially on the wings, it was fun to watch. It would not take long for Memphis to break through, connecting on a one-timed volley on a smart through ball from Herrera.

The build up play was strong and United would almost dispossess the Hornets at will. It felt inevitable that their form would see them through to a comfortable, goal laden victory.

Then things changed.

After a bit more of the same with United knocking on the door, Herrera took a knock and immediately required a substitute to come on in his stead in the 25th minute. With much of the U21 team on the bench, van Gaal elected to revisit his layout of last term by bringing in Marcos Rojo as a third centre half and realigned United into a 3-5-2. Blind and Young pushed up into wing back roles and Mata started playing more centrally just ahead of Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin.

The move made sense as Watford, outclassed in the midfield by this point, should have found it hard for their two forwards to challenge United’s three centre backs. Problem was, it didn’t exactly go that way. While it would be a full ten minutes into the second half before Watford even tested De Gea, United weren’t nearly as dominant in possession as the game progressed and were seeing fewer (if not quality) chances to increase their advantage. The result was Watford slowly clawed themselves into the match and, in what looked to be an easy victory, grew increasingly tenuous.

Not helping matters was seeing Phil Jones go down and, despite walking off unassisted, one can only imagine he’ll be out for several months given his luck with injuries. While I kid, I also am reminded of my belief that United need a quality centre half to come on in the winter window for these eventualities. McNair isn’t ready for the top competition out there and I remain unconvinced of Blind in that position.

Further to that point, Rojo may have reminded van Gaal of his apparent preference to play Blind ahead of him as a centre half late in the game. Ignoring several Watford attempts on net, some of which forcing smart saves from De Gea, Rojo would concede a spot kick with his efforts in the 86th minute. While it wasn’t the most convincing of penalties I’ve seen and Odion Ighalo was Oscar worthy in his efforts to sell the foul – a foul it was nonetheless. It was a poor decision to play his man so aggressively. You have to know your opponent will look for contact to try and draw the foul whilst inside the 18 at this point of the match a goal down. It’s common sense.

Troy Deeney would step up to the spot and make no mistake in ending United’s run of clean sheets in all competitions. In that moment, he was the hero of Watford.

It was an annoying feeling . Faced the the prospect of earning just a single point after such a favourable start to the match and, despite the difficulties with the new formation and tactics, United still had some genuinely good chances to score. They could have… No… Should have finished this game much earlier.  And so goes the story of the match.

Conceding lit a fire. Their response was perfect and United came out in a manner that mirrored their opening 20 minutes or so. They attacked the ball to win possession, pushed forward, and got bodies toward the goal to meet their crosses. After a Smalling effort was brilliantly saved by Gomes, United’s efforts would be rewarded as Deeney would go from hero to zero.

Schweinsteiger would find himself alone and a ball at his feet as he directed the ball from a tough angle toward the goal. Though it likely never would have gone in sans a sliding Deeney, the result was the ball would dribbling into the goal. United found themselves back up as injury time loomed and it would finish 2-1 for the visitors.

As was apparently present early in the game, United had the ‘luck’ in the end. When the going was good, things appeared to go their way almost in absolute terms. It even drew some boos from the Watford faithful. With the renewed pressure to score, the so-called luck returned.

For discussion’s sake, let’s look at the other side of it. Van Gaal previously spoke of being unlucky when United were mired in their goalless slump.

I never understood it.

For me, there was a misfiring element to those set ups and I spoke extensively of them while questioning van Gaal’s stubborn decision to stick with what didn’t work. Then things got better. Van Gaal moved away from his decisions in set up as he had prior; primarily utilizing Rooney as their nine while pushing Martial out wide. The team began to score, their defensive record remained intact while being more grounded as opposed to simply being ‘good enough’ to see off weaker competition, and we’re seeing more creativity and space to attack with.

In short, the breaks go your way because teams make their own luck. But of course, this is a figure of speech. I don’t think there’s luck in sport. Football is not a game of chance. It only seems so.

But enough about that…

Depending on how the injury bug has affected the club heading to Tuesday’s home date with PSV in the Champions League, it’ll be interesting to see how van Gaal lines up against the Dutch champions. United have an opportunity to clinch a spot in the round of 16 here, if not the group. A win combined with either a CSKA win or draw would guarantee United top spot while a win, irrespective of the Wolfsburg – CSKA result, would clinch at least second in the group. Caution beckons itself though. A Unite loss combined with a Wolfsburg win would see them drop to third in the group and force them to win away at Wolfsburg to avoid a trip to the Europa league.

However it occurs, United should be pleased with their unpleasant victory of sorts. If they can maintain the form that we saw for the first 25 minutes and the last five, United have no reason not to win this match.

You see, anything but a win would be unlucky.

 

 

 

 

Gossip 101

Posted on by rvanleersum

Since it’s now well into November, by now most clubs should have a pretty solid idea of where their strengths and weaknesses lie. This too rings true for their immediate competition. Managers will have begun to weigh up their options for January in terms of adding that piece or two and will have their scouts actively watching their prospective targets while probing their agents for mutual interest. All in a day’s work as they prep for the winter window.

Like United, the contenders will look to add depth in areas of concern or replace someone with a long term injury to maximize results in their drive toward the title. Some, such as your feeder clubs, look to cash in max value for a player in their system who has attracted the interest of the big spenders. Others, irrespective sometimes of the long-term consequences – for whatever reason, see the owner cash in on an offer they can’t refuse. It’s unfortunate, but for some fans, their club is nothing more than a money making mechanism. Winning and profit aren’t always one in the same.

So you’d expect to see a flurry of activity: Countless millions being spent, players on the move, and a media maelstrom of (often) highly inaccurate speculator gibberish. If it makes a modicum of sense, someone will be paid (why?!) to write it. And while all three are true – with the latter ironically being the most accurate of the lot, there’s one problem…

The problem is problems are a plenty.

Because of this, the January window isn’t nearly as busy as the summer one. What are those problems, you ask? Well, after you get past the not-so-trivial matter of completing a transfer, there’s more to it than you might expect. You see, this time of year, managers are highly reluctant to sell even when their clubs’ owners are about the money and not the product on the pitch. In the middle of their campaign, losing a quality player is a difficult proposition. All clubs, regardless of their spending power, prestige, or position in the table will set realistic goals; be it  promotion or, at the other end, avoiding relegation. That’s just smart business.

In the top flights, where you’re most viable to find the talent the big clubs seek to beef up their squad, this is most obvious. When you look at the TV and other sponsorship deals in place for the Premier League as an example, gaining promotion from the Championship or staying above the drop zone means big money. Doing so is greatly complicated when you’re letting go of the quality on your squad that influences the intended positive results.

So you see, when it comes to United and other big spenders looking for those pieces, the only players they’d likely consider buying are the kinds you’d least expect to see any manager allow to leave (willingly). The natural deduction is sales, if they happen, occur at (often) grossly inflated prices. It is the only real incentive when a team can collect over-the-top odds for their man. And even then, it only usually happens if selling club can flip that money into replacements or long term investments inside the same window, which means potentially conquering that same difficult process.

And if that wasn’t enough, there remains the obstacle that the bidding club will even meet the inflated valuation. So assume the circumstances could be found where a club was willing to sell something of United’s desired quality and requirements, deep pockets don’t necessarily translate into a mindset where money is no object. If anything of United’s recent transfer history should resonate, it’s that Ed Woodward is very prudent with United’s deep coffers indeed. It’s that same reason Herrera’s deal was delayed. And so is the reality of the utterly complex process made all the more by circumstance, something I’ve only scratched the surface on in general terms.

So is the January transfer window full of activity or is it quite dull?

On both matters, shades of yes. You’ll see no shortage of loan moves and such in the lower leagues; but the big money, big name moves that we all crave are fewer and farther between than you’ll get in the summer. But fewer and farther between doesn’t mean they don’t occur. Every now and then, you have the recipe for the makings of those block busters we all achieve with surprising ease on FIFA 16. Interestingly, I am of the opinion that the two biggest movers in the January window happen to be Chelsea and United. Be it in or out, they are no strangers to the January window if you look back at some of the bigger moves in its Premier League history.

So if we move past the complexity of the the above and examine the squad at present and that United are open to business, what does United need?

There will be no shortage of rumours linking any number of players all over the map. Big club means large following and extremely deep pockets plus some degree of logic means any player can be “linked”. If your business is based on selling ad space and revenue is generated by hits, it’s shooting fish in a barrel. Conjure up circumstance (my favourite is close friend/family of player leak his desire to move to X club), pick a big name, and list a big money club and you have your “story”. Then apply a purposely misleading header to act mutually as click bait and voila! You’re the king of footy rumour bullocks mountain.

But enough about that. What do you think? Where could United use some help? Who could that help be? Let me know what you think in the comments. And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter (@rvanleersum) where, as the window draws nearer, I’ll start to examine the developing rumours and decipher to the best of my ability if they’re unadulterated crap.