Manchester United supporters must have walked home with a skip in their step, maybe two, they had just witnessed their side romp to a four n...
Manchester United supporters must have walked home with a skip in their step, maybe two, they had just witnessed their side romp to a four nil win over premier league returnees Queens Park Rangers, a result many of their supporters expected given the new signings billed to be on display.
Indeed it was a resounding victory and a performance to go with. Louis Van Gaal has been objectively honest since he took charge at the club often stating that his wish was to give the players he met a chance to showcase their abilities, that he did and it was time to flip the coin sidewards.
More often than not top managers who find huge success as a result of a particular philosophy are usually hell bent on specifics and certain personnel to work with especially in their new environments; Lvg is certainly one of them.
Does this really explain the winless trio of this season? Some would point to the personnel at his disposal in the last one month as not being suited to his stringent methods and insistence on a certain approach to play
Of recent matchdays has seen the emergence of a modern trend on social media especially for the much younger generation of viewers. Talks of panic buying and knee jerk acquisitions by Ed Woodward flooded the internet on Sunday all in an attempt to taunt the summer critics of manchester united given the classy display of their (in quote) panic acquisitions. Bants!!
The arrival of Radamel Falcao sprung suggestions of numbered days for last seasons' record signing Juan Mata.
Trust the media to jump on such bandwagon. Immediately talks of a winter move to Juventus flooded the internet. The thing is, is it really a dilemma for the manager to have such ammunition at his disposal?
The 'dilemma' of where Van Gaal is to put all these new signings and what he might do with Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj is a false one (a writer concurred). Nobody seems to ask those questions of City or Chelsea who have two internationals in every position.
It takes a squad to win the league, not only a team, and Van Gaal is well adept at rotating his options. The Dutchman used all 23 men in his squad at the World Cup, more than any other coach. He only used the same line-up twice in succession - for the opening two matches.
Juan Mata did not look out of place in Van gaal’s new-look lineup - zipping across the midfield and attack in seamless fashion. Scoring the fourth goal of on day which takes his tally to two in four games this season, that doesn't look bad for an attacking midfield player.
If truly there was a dilemma it would be a welcome one for Lvg. One thing is certain the red devils supporters must be feeling good in the knowledge that a world class player like Mata is putting in extra shifts to stay in the lineup.
Of all four debutants Angel Di Maria grabbed the headlines at Old Trafford but the man who answered many question asked of the red devils’ midfield over the last five years or so was Daley Blind. The dutchman kept the ball moving at all times and looked unfazed by the 75,000 thousand supporters who came to see him play (excluding QPR’s).
One of the questions answered on the afternoon was the purpose for which the manager brought him (Blind) in.
Coach of Ajax Blind's former manager said; 'He [Blind] started as a full-back but I think now he prefers to be a controlling midfielder'.
His take evidently accurate on the day as Blind way the link between defence and attack. His composure and quick transition of the ball gave the likes of Juan Mata, Di maria and even Rafael the freedom and confidence to concentrate on attacking duties.
It will be a knee jerk opinion to assume that Manchester united have turned the corner and even the manager realises that as he duly observed in his post-match conference. There will be tougher games, more disciplined teams, and personnel to match manchester united's attacking frontline.
At this point it will be a test too soon to face the likes of Chelsea, City and even Liverpool as the team is still ravaged by major injuries and still needs to gel. Bar the aforementioned there will be sterner oppositions, the likes of Everton will prove so.
When those days come Manchester united will need to keep the spirit high and deliver on the quality at their disposal. For now the mood around Old Traford is one filled with handshakes and gratitude.
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