Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread - Read Mod Warning in OP 7/1/15

Rob Thomas · 11-01-2015 11:21PM

Realistically we are flattered to be in the top 4 at the moment. Over the past month, the confidence from the unbeaten run should have meant that the performances improved as confidence returned but this has not been the case.

LVG has stalled a little and needs to figure this out quickly. Given the standard of teams around us and Everton, Liverpool and Spurs' soft centres, top 4 should have been a formality at this stage but we have allowed other teams to come back to us. However, it's still ours to take if we want it.

The players don't seem to be able to go with the ebb of a game at all and that's disappointing given the talent assembled. The team is crying out for pace and speed of movement and we're playing with the handbrake on at the minute.

I still think the quality is not high enough. Mata has played ok over the last while but quality players don't give up the chances he had today. Lampard for example would have buried all three and worse players than Mata would have scored at least one. The defenders are not good enough, across the entire line and we have 6-7 first team regulars who are short of the top level. But I think this is accepted and a clear out in the summer is inevitable.

It's still not a disaster and so much better than last year but, for me, at the halfway stage LVG and the players would just merit a pass and nothing more.

Encouragingly, it looks like the team spirit is excellent so you would hope when the team gets sorted out we will be ok.

IMO comfortable top 4 and a genuine crack at the FA cup, which we have shamelessly neglected over the last 8 years, would still be a good season and I'd take it happily.

I'm not overly worried. LVG has pedigree and the club are going to back him in the market so we will, I expect, start next season as genuine title contenders.

Strumms · 11-01-2015 11:23PM

keeponhurling wrote: »

Good point.
Now that the injuries have reduced, it might not be a bad idea to get Januzaj and Wilson out on loan.
Blackett or McNair might even benefit from it.

Maybe they could go on loan, with a recall option in the event of an injury crisis

It is a good point. A shame we haven't got Chicarito still available to select. The more I think about it maybe that deal to Madrid wasn't the wisest of moves, considering Wilson's lack of impression when given a chance. Chicarito staying and Wilson loaned may have made better sense.

bucketybuck · 11-01-2015 11:26PM

PhlegmyMoses wrote: »

You may as well make your point. Do you think Van Gaal is ****? Koeman is better? Koeman in for LVG? LVG out in general?

Koeman is not really important, I am simply very unimpressed with Van Gaal. I appreciate some of the good things he has done, but performances have been pretty fucking bad all season and at some point he should accept the same criticism that Moyes had to.

The unbeaten run was always covering up the reality of our performances, we have been very poor and the players look no nearer to showing good form than they did last year. Many of his tactics and substitutions have been rubbish, indeed they have been baffling at times. His insistence on playing 3 at the back and multiple players out of position is starting to seem narcissistic more than anything else.

Do I want LVG sacked? No. Do I want Koeman hired? No. Do I want LVG to pull his finger out and start delivering the results his reputation and the money spent warrant? Damn right I do.

PhlegmyMoses · 11-01-2015 11:34PM

I pretty much agree with everything you've said there.

A team with Rooney, RVP, Mata, Di Maria, Falcao, Herrera, Blind etc should never look utterly devoid of creativity. That is what we are being served up at the minute.

When Di Maria was standing over a free kick and Tyler was saying that Forster needed to be careful that the ball may creep in far post, I almost didn't want that to happen. I want us to start creating and finishing purposeful moves, rather than relying on a scruffy goal to patch over another awful performance.

11-01-2015 11:35PM

Strumms wrote: »

It is a good point. A shame we haven't got Chicarito still available to select. The more I think about it maybe that deal to Madrid wasn't the wisest of moves, considering Wilson's lack of impression when given a chance. Chicarito staying and Wilson loaned may have made better sense.

Nani has been missed more than Chico. If your game is going to be based around crossing at least have someone who can do it.

Your Airbag · 11-01-2015 11:38PM

Squawka FootballVerified account ‏@Squawka Angel Di Maria's game by numbers:

0% shot accuracy

0% take-ons completed

0% crosses completed

0 key passes

60% pass accuracy.

Pretty poor. Its clear the system is hampering the players but even still ADM was shocking today.

https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/554331580190457856?s=09

Shane St. · 11-01-2015 11:39PM

Lot of ppl on various forums very annoyed with LVG. I'm disappointed with everyone fit he persists with the 3-5-2.

Whatsisname · 11-01-2015 11:40PM

Playing Di Maria up front and Rooney CM was one of the most mind boggling decisions I've ever seen today

11-01-2015 11:42PM

Your Airbag wrote: »

Pretty poor. Its clear the system is hampering the players but even still ADM was shocking today.

https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/554331580190457856?s=09

It was his first PL game back, he wasn't up to speed. He should have been given a more defined role.

Strumms · 11-01-2015 11:45PM

Liam O wrote: »

Nani has been missed more than Chico. If your game is going to be based around crossing at least have someone who can do it.

Hmmm. An on form Nani yes...in the right system. The Nani we saw wearing red for the last 18 months and beyond form wise... Don't think so. I'm not sure he would make this United side given the phi#$£$y. Not a wingback. Having said that.. I was always a great fan of his and a shame he didn't go on to better things in a United shirt.

Strumms · 11-01-2015 11:49PM

Liam O wrote: »

It was his first PL game back, he wasn't up to speed. He should have been given a more defined role.

His defind role was out of position. He looked lost. It doesn't take a lot of genius to know that he is at his best when running at a defense and being creative. He was playing totally up top alongside RVP. Very questionable decision from LVG. Even more so to not swap him around say with Rooney when that wasn't working. LVG deserves flack for that performance tbh. Not saying we couldn't have played better but down to the manager. Team selection, tactics etc.. Unsat.

Call Me Jimmy · 11-01-2015 11:54PM

Sometimes watching the premier league and especially this match today seems like managers trying to be too tactical, treating the game too soberly. I understand everybody has to win but it reeks of not letting players show their creativity. It was possibly worse last year with moyes, it just seems like the players are weighed down by instruction. No fluidity or freedom.

Rayne Wooney · 12-01-2015 12:47AM

After the same amount of games Van Gaal's team has scored less than Moyes' with 150 million more spent.

It's worrying

Edit: and Mata wasn't even at the club either during Moyes first 21 games

newballsplease · 12-01-2015 01:22AM

Anyone with half a brain can see this 3-5-2 formation isnt working. Why do managers become so stubborn that they refuse to alter their 'system' or gameplan?
Southampton knew exactly how utd were going to set up and play today. LVG should have changed it at half time if not earlier. Rooney in midfield and DiMaria up front with RVP???? Seriously baffles me.
Moyes would(did) be getting abused left right and center for this carry on.

There is no doubt in my mind, im convinced if utd set up as a 4-3-3 diamond today they would have won.
Have Falcao and Rooney up top with Mata behind.
Carrick holding midfield with herrara and dimaria either side.
Utd at home and not one chance on target.... When did that happen last???

MisterAnarchy · 12-01-2015 01:52AM

newballsplease wrote: »

Utd at home and not one chance on target.... When did that happen last???

May 2009 it would seem.

Southampton scored with the only shot on target in the whole game .:(

In some of the previous games this season Utd had 2 or 3 shots on target the whole game but no one complained because somehow they managed to win those games due to good finishing,luck and David de Gea making super saves.

After 21 league games Van Gaal has the same amount of points as his predecessor .

Trond · 12-01-2015 02:02AM

newballsplease wrote: »

Anyone with half a brain can see this 3-5-2 formation isnt working. Why do managers become so stubborn that they refuse to alter their 'system' or gameplan?
Southampton knew exactly how utd were going to set up and play today. LVG should have changed it at half time if not earlier. Rooney in midfield and DiMaria up front with RVP???? Seriously baffles me.
Moyes would(did) be getting abused left right and center for this carry on.

There is no doubt in my mind, im convinced if utd set up as a 4-3-3 diamond today they would have won.
Have Falcao and Rooney up top with Mata behind.
Carrick holding midfield with herrara and dimaria either side.
Utd at home and not one chance on target.... When did that happen last???

think they said 2009 after the game

GSPfan · 12-01-2015 02:22AM

Can we all agree its a 532 and not a 352.

Mantis Toboggan · 12-01-2015 04:20AM

I'm actually happy that some people here are starting to see past the bull**** which have been our performances this season and stopped jizzing in their pance everytime thesee a LVG photo/interview. The do not criticise LVG ever brigade have certainly gone quiet now.

homerjay2005 · 12-01-2015 05:54AM

Anybody know when was the last time we failed to register a shot on target in a home league match?

I don't recall it anyway, yesterday is as poor as I've seen us for a long time. Dare I say but team set up, the falcao crap, tactics and subs were worse than anything Moyes did all season last year ( in terms of match day )

Blatter · 12-01-2015 05:58AM

homerjay2005 wrote: »

Anybody know when was the last time we failed to register a shot on target in a home league match?

I don't recall it anyway, yesterday is as poor as I've seen us for a long time. Dare I say but team set up, the falcao crap, tactics and subs were worse than anything Moyes did all season last year ( in terms of match day )

When we clinched the title in a 0-0 v Arsenal in 2009.

In the away match v Southampton, we recorded our lowest ever amount of overall shots in one match since Opta started compiling those stats, 2006 or something.

Pro. F · 12-01-2015 08:28AM

MisterAnarchy wrote: »

May 2009 it would seem.

Southampton scored with the only shot on target in the whole game .:(

In some of the previous games this season Utd had 2 or 3 shots on target the whole game but no one complained because somehow they managed to win those games due to good finishing,luck and David de Gea making super saves.

After 21 league games Van Gaal has the same amount of points as his predecessor .

Wrong. Lots of people complained.

FutureGuy · 12-01-2015 08:32AM

The decisions made yesterday regarding team selection (Wilson on bench and no Falcao at at all, Di Maria as a striker) showed a very single minded mentality - we beat them with pace through the centre.

It didn't work and it was clear quite early that the players were uncomfortable. Players were running into each other's space quite a bit.

But there was no plan B except put Fellaini on and hoof the sh!te out of it. It was embarrassing. As I said, If this had been Moyes, we'd be calling for his head.

I guuss all managers can make mistakes...SAF was prone to it on occasion too, but with the sheer amount of money pumped into that team, there should be no excuses.

3-5-2 is supposed to give us an advantage by giving us an extra attacking option by asking full backs to be wingers, but when one wingback is barely back from another injury and the other is Tony Valencia, it completely negates any apparent advantages of the system.

A 4-4-2 with Di Maria and Rooney in more traditional roles and think we would have taken 3 points. It'd have been less demanding on Shaw, we wouldn't have relied as much on Valencia and we could cover Bertrand and Clyne better.

It's so annoying that, with City dropping points again that we are failing to capitalise.

RobertKK · 12-01-2015 09:47AM

United on the same number of points as this time last year.

homerjay2005 · 12-01-2015 10:04AM

RobertKK wrote: »

United on the same number of points as this time last year.

While many of us wanted moyes gone before Christmas, it was from this point on things really fell apart for Moyes. January tipped a lot of people over the edge, February and March then it was game over. Had he went all out for January signings, he may have got top 4.

LVG needs to get it right tho and quickly. For a man of his experience to ignore or fail to see our football qualityis awful to watch, is unbelieveable.

If LVG doesn't get it right quickly and the current regime continues with multiple players in positions they are not comfortable with, we won't get top 4.

Mitch Connor · 12-01-2015 10:11AM

What annoyed me yesterday is there is no clear overall plan from LVG, even with a full squad to pick from.

Di Maria continues to be used all over the pitch.
Was Blind signed as 3rd center back? Really?
Rooney and Mata are his CM choices? Why sign Herrera?
Falcao completely dropped, poor imo.

Same players picked yesterday, in a different formation - and we'd have done better, imo.

De Gea
Valencia-Smalling-Jones-Shaw

Blind

Carrick--Di Maria

Mata

Rooney-RVP

Shaw in his more natural position.
Blind in his best position.
Carrick arguably in his best position.
Di Maria in, arguably, his best position.
Mata in his best position.
Rooney in his best position.

Yesterday showed, unless it was down to match fitness, that we have spent a fortune on Blind, Di Maria, Herrera and Falcao with no clear plan on who to play them, which is a massive waste of time, money and skill.

I think we are putting together a very good squad under LVG but for the first time i am worrying about his intentions on how to use them.

RobertKK · 12-01-2015 10:12AM

Well so far today, the rumour merchants have been out in force, three defenders mentioned - Laporte, Hummels and Varane and then Schneiderlin.

From very poor sources to somewhat better ones, but I am sure no one knows for sure.

We need a midfielder who links up the defense and attack and maybe United should go all out to get Schneiderlin in, he is proven in the PL and on a trajectory going in the right direction.

advertsfox · 12-01-2015 10:13AM

A little note on the game yesterday, Blind getting his game with Carrick was great - delighted to have him back and both players on the pitch.

Our fixtures coming up - the next 8 games should ideally bring us no less that 21 points.

Mitch Connor · 12-01-2015 10:14AM

RobertKK wrote: »

Well so far today, the rumour merchants have been out in force, three defenders mentioned - Laporte, Hummels and Varane and then Schneiderlin.

From very poor sources to somewhat better ones, but I am sure no one knows for sure.

We need a midfielder who links up the defense and attack and maybe United should go all out to get Schneiderlin in, he is proven in the PL and on a trajectory going in the right direction.

I reckon a centre back and Coleman will be our January signings. CB could come later with the 3 targets being tough to get, won't be quick signings and could end up getting a fall back option in the last week.

Delboy5 · 12-01-2015 10:18AM

Seems to be a lot of chatter about Coleman to Man Utd..........

bangkok · 12-01-2015 10:21AM

some joke of a bench yesterday not to have falcao on it.

Evans, Blackett and McNair all on the bench ahead of falcao.. why would any team need 3 defenders on the bench with the team they had out yesterday, when both carrick and blind can also play in defence. Beginning to think van gaal is a bit of a spoofer

Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread - Read Mod Warning in OP 7/1/15

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