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Manchester United are hardly in a crisis. Even after the loss against Southampton they sit pretty at 4th position, having survived the festive period and maintaining an 11-match unbeaten run. Surely there is no need to panic for Louis van Gaal’s army.However, fans have expressed their criticism on their play against the Saints as they failed to register a single shot on target for the first time since 2009 against Arsenal. It is not the loss that disturbs the fans but the manner of it. There is no shortage of quality but certainly there is a lack of quantity. Which is why the crisis seems ever so worrying. Playing at Old Trafford where they have lost only once since the start of the season, they should have made hay of Southampton’s defenders. They could not break a compact Soton defence and paid their price.Van Gaal in his post match interview said that United dominated the game but did not create much and that they scored a goal which was very disappointing. We can say that United dominated the possession, but chances were far from satisfactory for a team that possesses such attacking threat. Saints did not create much either and scored with the only shot on target in the match.Having said that it never was a see-saw battle between these two teams. It never looked like a top 4 clash – devoid of counter attacks, creativity and more importantly intensity. When we match Louis van Gaal and David Moyes, there is a hugeShared. Van Gaal is a proven manager, winning trophies at the highest level while David Moyes wasn’t.Moyes had the same number of points, 37 after 21 games last season yet there is no talk of sacking Van Gaal. The difference is Van Gaal talks a great game, instills belief and his trophy haul gives the fans hope of something special. He will keep his job for at least a couple of years no doubt but after 6 months with the club, here are some of the mistakes that the Dutch master has committed:
#1 The 3-5-2 Conundrum
After the draw against Burnley at Turf Moor, Van Gaal shunned the 3-5-2 formation which never looked like working with a team who have been accustomed to playing 4-4-2. After a run of 11 undefeated matches, Van Gaal has returned to his beloved formation and the problems have creeped in slowly.
Natural wingers taking on full backs is a lost art now. More often than not it’s full backs versus full backs. Manchester City play with full backs who maraud opponents defences and provide support to their attacking players. Even Chelsea and Southampton do it. In today’s world, players on the flanks regularly cut inside and provide more creativity to the team rather than delivering crosses and taking on defenders (take the case of David Silva).
The fullbacks spend more time on the opponent's half than their own as it seems as if they have taken over the jobs of wingers. Manchester United have seen some of the game's finest wingers in George Best, Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Nani etc. who have thrived and excelled in a 4-4-2 formation and with Angel Di Maria they still posses one world class winger at their disposal. 3-5-2 deploys natural wingers Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young as wing backs and they have to do a lot of work defending down the flanks which takes a lot out of them.
But the most important fault in this system is that it leaves too much space behind the wing backs exposing the central defenders. Yes, we can blame United’s injuries or lack of quality defenders but you can bring any world class defender from any club, and there is a high chance that they will still suffer with three central defenders.
The cohesion lacks and offside trap fails more often than it is supposed to. In the match against West Brom, Rafael while attacking a long ball left space behind him for Andre Wisdom to run into that space and pull back the ball for Stephan Sessegnon who provided a perfect first time finish. This is one instance, but we have seen many such cases this season for United.
The English Premier League is very pacey, quick and attractive. With 3 at the back, United are very susceptible to fast fullbacks especially against stronger teams. They have suffered against teams who like to pass it quick and slick and can unlock their defence with utmost ease.
Reverting back to 4 defenders at the back will help the central defenders and offer more stability to the team. Van Gaal is an experienced campaigner though and will understand the situation but if his arrogance persists, United will suffer no matter what.
#2 Disjointed United
Wayne Rooney is one of the game’s most lethal finishers and Angel Di Maria is one of the best creators in the world but it seems they have swapped places under Van Gaal and were playing in each other’s position against Southampton. Robin Van Persie looks like a man who has lost his way home on the field. He doesn’t know where to go. No one is reading his runs which made him so successful in his first campaign as a United player.
Moving on to the midfield line – both Paul Scholes & Ryan Giggs have retired. The passing abilities of Carrick has been subdued as Rooney is seeing the ball more in his territory and he having to guard his 3 man defence more than ever. Juan Mata, playing at the tip of the diamond which, by the way, is his favourite position, mostly ends up on the right flank supporting Valencia or Rafael.
Van Gaal needs to take care of their positioning. United have gotten away with all 3 points in some matches due to their firepower and of course due to their Spaniard keeper David De Gea and not because their play was effective. They have done it the scrappy way, sometimes the old way and sometimes a new way. But there has not been a particular pattern in their play.
Rooney has to move up alongside his strike partner Robin van Persie and Di Maria must join Juan Mata in the midfield, making up the creative force. To shield them will be Michael Carrick and Daley Blind. What Blind effectively does is pass the ball with conviction and one can rely on him not to make any mistakes. However, he doesn’t necessarily possesses the good long ball.
On the other hand, his partner Carrick will relish playing alongside him as Blind's presence has been allowing the English midfielder to move forward and join the attack. With this system, Van Gaal can also afford to make ‘like for like’ substitutions which will give his team more stability. In the last match, Marouane Fellaini entered the fray to replace Di Maria, who was playing as a striker, but their positions are completely different. Rooney was the only player left in front. When Rooney moved up alongside Di Maria after Van Persie’s substitution, he looked completely out of sorts having played in the midfield for more than an hour in the game.
Players like to know their role in the team and even if they get the one the don’t cherish they will do the job. But they need to know their specific roles. Too much shuffling leaves even the very best players in a confused state. If the manager keeps on altering their positions, their focus can get distorted and they may not play with a clear mind.
#3 The curious case of Radamel Falcao
On 1st September 2014, Manchester United agreed to sign Radamel Falcao on loan for £6 million subject to a medical examination with an option to sign permanently for £43.5 million (€55 million) at the end. Fans around the world were dumbfounded by the announcement as the Colombian striker was cited by many experts as one of the best strikers in today’s football world.
This world class striker has featured in only 11 out of 23 matches that United have played all season. Van Gaal was not convinced with the Colombian's fitness level at the start of the season which is why Falcao missed most of the fixtures.
He made a scoring return to the side against Aston Villaearning his side a draw and repeated the same against Stoke City at the Stadium of light. One headed goal and one opportunistic goal showed how lethal he can be for United. But he needs time as every other player in football does. Louis Van Gaal must have planned something for him when he bought him in the summer transfer window, but he seems to have forgotten those ideas.
Falcao had scored 103 times in 139 appearances for Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco before joining United but has scored only 3 times for United. Louis Van Gaal has favoured his countryman Robin Van Persie who has not been too bad, scoring 8 goals for United this season, but has not been convincing at all.
He was poor against Arsenal, touching the ball only 13 times which was followed by a number of drab performances home and away. He did win United the match away at Southampton but apart from that he has failed to inspire. The problem with Van Persie is that he doesn't have the same legs which he had during his Arsenal years. Without good service from the midfield, he is merely a spectator.
Falcao, on the other hand, looks like someone who is hungry to score goals and wanting to prove his worth not only to his manager but also to the fans who have sung his name all the way long. He has appreciated their contribution and has talked about repaying their faith. His hold-up play is second to none and can be a perfect partner to Rooney who also is looking good in front of the goal.
Falcao can score and provide which will help Rooney to drop back as well as move forward in search of goals. It is safe to say that it's time that Falcao comes into the first team in place of the Dutch. Van Gaal must make a quick decision on the Colombian’s role in the team before his loan period runs out. Adios.
