Gonzalo Higuaín

[Macern]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ws-gonzalo-higuain-buzz-karim-benzema-rumours

Higuaín is likely to leave since Napoli didn't make the Champions League. If we put enough money on the table (shouldn't have to be too much), he should be very obtainable.

Why should we go for him? There are several reasons;

**He'd fit Van Gaal's striker role perfectly. As some may know, LVG prefers his strikers to play as poachers staying far up the pitch in between the opponents centre backs. His strikers are not very involved in the build-up phase, but they tend to score a lot of goals. This role suits Higuaín perfectly. Chicharito is also this type of player, and I hope we'll keep him next season.

**He has proved himself in two leagues, for a top national team and for a top club. Signing him wouldn't be a big risk, and he is likely to bang in a lot of goals with the right players surrounding him.

**Like I mentioned, he's definitely obtainable.

 

[Suedesi]

Don't want

 

[Sauxees Moi Hui]

I thought Higuain was retiring, just like he promised to do if Dnipro beat Napoli in the Europa League semi-finals?

 

[Swaters16]

Not a fan and would cost a bucket-load, but for the right price we could do worse. He's a good striker but really, he would hardly score more goals than Rooney up front.

 

[Insanity]

Not for the mooted price of over £40m; he is not worth that amount.

If VG liked these "poacher kind of strikers" then he wouldn't have send Hernandez on loan.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

No.

 

[SiRed]

Good player who i think would do really well for us. Not sure where the negativity comes from. Its not like theres an abundance of quality strikers about that we could sign.

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

Not really my preferred target. Those who compare him to Hernandez - Higuain has a little more in his locker to be fair. His build up play trounces Chicharito's.

 

[Feed Me]

Another striker who's shit at penalties.

 

[pacifictheme]

I'd much rather Benzema.

Or Rooney.

 

[Brwned]

**He'd fit Van Gaal's striker role perfectly. As some may know, LVG prefers his strikers to play as poachers staying far up the pitch in between the opponents centre backs. His strikers are not very involved in the build-up phase, but they tend to score a lot of goals. This role suits Higuaín perfectly. Chicharito is also this type of player, and I hope we'll keep him next season.

I think the opposite is true. He didn't really like Huntelaar, Mario Gomez or Hernández and in general his strikers don't score many goals because they do a lot of the donkey work to allow the rest of the midfield and attack to play their natural games. The way I see it, his ideal striker is someone like Tostão in the '70 World Cup. A cerebral, technical player whose movement, ball retention and vision provide a focal point for the attack, ideally with a bit of physicality to occupy both centre backs. Van Persie a couple of years ago was that man. Ibrahimovic could play that role well but I think he's one of the few.

 

[Henrik Larsson]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...ws-gonzalo-higuain-buzz-karim-benzema-rumours


**He'd fit Van Gaal's striker role perfectly. As some may know, LVG prefers his strikers to play as poachers staying far up the pitch in between the opponents centre backs. His strikers are not very involved in the build-up phase, but they tend to score a lot of goals. This role suits Higuaín perfectly. Chicharito is also this type of player, and I hope we'll keep him next season.

This is interesting, I would say it's quite the opposite to be honest. Van Gaal likes 'complete' forwards who can basically do anything. And of course in an ideal world he would very much like his strikers to be involved in the build up play.

Kluivert's first season at Barcelona, 15 goals + 16(!!!) assists is probably the best example of this. In his prime he was a fantastic athlete, strong and quite fast. Brilliant header of the ball, excellent technique, great allround goalscorer, and very much involved in the build up of attacks too.

Van Persie and Rooney are good modern day examples, luckily we already have them in our squad. But of course he would like Aguero too. Higuain's got great pace and he's a good goalscorer. But I think he's not a striker Van Gaal would consider 'ideal'. And I personally can't imagine Van Gaal preferring him over a fit Rooney or a fit RVP, since they basically are good goalscorers too and better allround footballers than Higuain.

He does like playing with a real striker, who has to remain up front. So not with a false #9 like Spain did with Fabregas at Euro 2012. In that business-presentation about preparing for Brazil WC he gave last year (youtube vid was posted a lot on here), I think he said something in the likes of him preferring a 'real striker' at the #9 position over the way Messi was used in a free role at Bareclona at that time, dropping deep, walking everywhere he wanted. Interestingly Suarez is Barca's #9 now.

I think the opposite is true. He didn't really like Huntelaar, Mario Gomez or Hernández and in general his strikers don't score many .

Beat me to it. He chose RVP over Huntelaar as the #9 for his 4-3-3 during the qualifiers with Holland, this was a rather obvious choice at that time. But at Bayern he preferred Olic over record signing Mario Gomez, because Gomez was too 'static'. Second season Gomez played more, I believe his comments were something like 'Gomez is a good striker, the problem is just that I have to change my system a little bit for him'.

 

[izec]

He bottles it all the time, dont want him. Decent striker, should cost 20m, not 40. But like i said, not United quality.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I think the opposite is true. He didn't really like Huntelaar, Mario Gomez or Hernández and in general his strikers don't score many goals because they do a lot of the donkey work to allow the rest of the midfield and attack to play their natural games. The way I see it, his ideal striker is someone like Tostão in the '70 World Cup. A cerebral, technical player whose movement, ball retention and vision provide a focal point for the attack, ideally with a bit of physicality to occupy both centre backs. Van Persie a couple of years ago was that man. Ibrahimovic could play that role well but I think he's one of the few.

In that case, isn't Rooney basically the wrong striker for his system?

 

[Dante]

He shouldn't have sold Welbeck then.

 

[Brwned]

In that case, isn't Rooney basically the wrong striker for his system?

To an extent, I'd say so. Rooney's not as cerebral as van Persie or Ibrahimovic but he's better in that sense than the likes of Costa, Aguero, Suarez, Cavani etc. IMO. Inferior in a whole lot of other ways but he is good at bringing others into play, seeing the whole picture and playing the role asked of him. His technical game prevents him from playing that role to perfection though. He's not quite as dominant physically as he used to be either which is part of the reason we needed Fellaini in there in an attacking role. Rooney can do it to a decent level but having someone like Lewandowski would transform our team I reckon.

He shouldn't have sold Welbeck then.

Welbeck is not a cerebral, technical player with vision and one of his cote strengths - his pace - isn't fully utilised the way van Gaal sets up. He's inferior to Rooney and van Persie on those qualities alone and his lack of goal threat will always count against him.

 

[Mainoldo]

Great striker and would compete with our dire penalty taking record. Anyone see the game on the weekend lol. Still proved how much of a great striker he is though. Him and Benzema are touch tight to me. Think we should be also looking at icardi though.

 

[Ish]

Not a huge fan of his. Not in the top bracket of forwards though, very good. And no one in that top bracket is available, bar Benzema possibly (if Madrid go in for Aguero).

But yeah, I'd much rather not sign him and have Rooney as #1, unless a Benzema or someone of that calibre becomes available.

 

[sun_tzu]

Still only 27 and I think he would be well suited to the premier league as well

In the last 7 years he has scored 164 in 309 games which outside of Messi and Ronaldo is pretty impressive (remember he played a lot of his earlier games on the wing)

In the last 7 years in the league he has scored 132 in 193 which is a stunning return (it equates to 26 goals in a full season (38 appearances)) - to put that in perspective the last time we had somebody score more than 26 league goals in a season other than ronaldo was dennis law in 64/65. - yes he might not play every game - yes he might score a few less in the premier league but we are talking about a striker who consistently delivers a lot of goals season after season at a high level

In 43 games for Argentina he has 23 goals and 11 assists which again is pretty impressive (for reference Aguero has 23 goals in 60 games)

Personally I would love us to go for him - especially if RVP leaves and even if he does not then frankly Id rather buy Higauin now (especially at the rumoured £40m) rather than hope a better striker becomes available in a year.

I think if he went to Arsenal he (along with a holding central midfielder) would make them genuine title challengers.

 

[Ringo 07]

Would prefer Benzema but he will probably end up at City if indeed Real can find a way of signing Aguero this summer like AS (who are usually pretty relaible) are reporting.

Lacazette would probably offer a lot more pace than Higuain so he might be a better option too

 

[Devil may care]

I don't want to move Rooney into any kind of midfield role if possible and certainly not for Higuain, we'd need to get Benzema or Lacazette from the semi available strikers to make that sacrifice worthwhile.

 

[matherto]

We'd need to play someone else in big matches because there's no way Higuain will ever score.

 

[Sassy Colin]

I think the opposite is true. He didn't really like Huntelaar, Mario Gomez or Hernández and in general his strikers don't score many goals because they do a lot of the donkey work to allow the rest of the midfield and attack to play their natural games. The way I see it, his ideal striker is someone like Tostão in the '70 World Cup. A cerebral, technical player whose movement, ball retention and vision provide a focal point for the attack, ideally with a bit of physicality to occupy both centre backs. Van Persie a couple of years ago was that man. Ibrahimovic could play that role well but I think he's one of the few.

Is he available then?

 

[Nighteyes]

Rather keep Hernandez...

 

[sun_tzu]

Is he available then?

I think the opposite is true. He didn't really like Huntelaar, Mario Gomez or Hernández and in general his strikers don't score many goals because they do a lot of the donkey work to allow the rest of the midfield and attack to play their natural games. The way I see it, his ideal striker is someone like Tostão in the '70 World Cup. A cerebral, technical player whose movement, ball retention and vision provide a focal point for the attack, ideally with a bit of physicality to occupy both centre backs. Van Persie a couple of years ago was that man. Ibrahimovic could play that role well but I think he's one of the few.

In fairness Tostao was 23 in 1970 and won the best player in South America that year - ahead of Pele, Jarzinho, alberto, clocaldo, rivellino, gerson, etc
And he did that with a semi buggered up eye which ultimately got worse and forced him to retire at 26!
If we can find anybody half that good we will be sorted - sadly there are not too many players of that caliber in a lifetime - and certainly not available this summer (unless for some random reason Messi decides he has had enough of winning stuff at Barca)
I think your right that LVG would love a player like that and as you say ball retention is obviously something he likes (though at 5 foot 7 Tostao certainly didnt provide the physical presence).
Kluivert always struck me as a striker who had obviousley grown up under LVG as his hold up play was excellent and he was technically a very good player (though he probably never achieved as much as his talent suggested he could.

 

[Raees]

Higuain in peak fitness/form is the ideal striker in LVG's system in my opinion as he has a mixture of technique, pace, power and aggression. Benzema is similar and Morata is another one.. I don't like Benzema but I must admit that maybe the fact he has to sacrifice much of his game at Madrid might have led me to that conclusion.

As for the Gunners, Higuain would be ideal but if they could get someone of that ilk who has even more pace.. they would be dangerous next year.

 

[Macern]

I think the opposite is true. He didn't really like Huntelaar, Mario Gomez or Hernández and in general his strikers don't score many goals because they do a lot of the donkey work to allow the rest of the midfield and attack to play their natural games. The way I see it, his ideal striker is someone like Tostão in the '70 World Cup. A cerebral, technical player whose movement, ball retention and vision provide a focal point for the attack, ideally with a bit of physicality to occupy both centre backs. Van Persie a couple of years ago was that man. Ibrahimovic could play that role well but I think he's one of the few.

This is interesting, I would say it's quite the opposite to be honest. Van Gaal likes 'complete' forwards who can basically do anything. And of course in an ideal world he would very much like his strikers to be involved in the build up play.

Kluivert's first season at Barcelona, 15 goals + 16(!!!) assists is probably the best example of this. In his prime he was a fantastic athlete, strong and quite fast. Brilliant header of the ball, excellent technique, great allround goalscorer, and very much involved in the build up of attacks too.

Van Persie and Rooney are good modern day examples, luckily we already have them in our squad. But of course he would like Aguero too. Higuain's got great pace and he's a good goalscorer. But I think he's not a striker Van Gaal would consider 'ideal'. And I personally can't imagine Van Gaal preferring him over a fit Rooney or a fit RVP, since they basically are good goalscorers too and better allround footballers than Higuain.

He does like playing with a real striker, who has to remain up front. So not with a false #9 like Spain did with Fabregas at Euro 2012. In that business-presentation about preparing for Brazil WC he gave last year (youtube vid was posted a lot on here), I think he said something in the likes of him preferring a 'real striker' at the #9 position over the way Messi was used in a free role at Bareclona at that time, dropping deep, walking everywhere he wanted. Interestingly Suarez is Barca's #9 now.



Beat me to it. He chose RVP over Huntelaar as the #9 for his 4-3-3 during the qualifiers with Holland, this was a rather obvious choice at that time. But at Bayern he preferred Olic over record signing Mario Gomez, because Gomez was too 'static'. Second season Gomez played more, I believe his comments were something like 'Gomez is a good striker, the problem is just that I have to change my system a little bit for him'.

You're both wrong.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...ester-united-rooney-neville-interview-9328660

Gary Neville: Are you being asked to play differently as a centre forward under Louis van Gaal?

Wayne Rooney: Yeah I think it's a more disciplined role. The manager, actually, when he spoke to me about how he wants me to play up front he went back to when he was manager of Bayern Munich and the striker there was averaging 10 touches a game. I was like 'bloody hell, I want more than that'.

I can't remember who the striker was [possibly Ivica Olic] but then he said he was scoring two goals a game, so I was like 'that's no pressure then, two goals in 10 touches'. So I obviously understood the role he wants me to do, and I was trying to stay high, trying to stretch the pitch and more leave the space for the midfield players, which I think was being shown we were killing teams in midfield, in particular with Fellaini and Ashley Young. I was trying to stay out of it and look for runs behind and take up and control the two centre-halfs, rather than them control me.

This is the role Van Gaal wants his strikers to perform. He wants them poachers, and Higuaín would be perfect.

This is also why Benzema and Rooney wouldn't/doesn't work out. They are not LVG's type of strikers.

 

[iBoss]

His stats season by season;

30 goals, 12 assists
29 goals, 13 assists
28 goals, 10 assists
32 goals, 9 assists
19 goals, 7 assists

Granted they include internationals, but it's still very good.

 

[Henrik Larsson]

You're both wrong.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...ester-united-rooney-neville-interview-9328660



This is the role Van Gaal wants his strikers to perform. He wants them poachers, and Higuaín would be perfect.

This is also why Benzema and Rooney wouldn't/doesn't work out. They are not LVG's type of strikers.

Not really. I'd say he is extremely obsessed with his teams keeping the shape he wants, hence my comments about him not liking a false #9 dropping deep and moving anywhere on the pitch, getting random touches. At the World Cup he made comments about how he wanted RVP not to waste too much energy on tracking back and getting touches, he felt that his strikers should focus on 'leading the line'. I think this is where Rooney's comments come from.

History of strikers playing for Van Gaal:

At Ajax he had Kluivert coming through the ranks. He used Ronald de Boer as a striker (very multifunctional player: midfielder, winger, striker), also Nwanko Kanu comes to mind, none of them pure poachers.

At Barcelona it was Kluivert again. I assume you know Kluivert and he really was the opposite of a classic poacher, like I said the 15 goals 16 assist in his first season pretty much show what he was about.

At AZ Alkmaar he had a whole strikeforce, with players like Pelle and Ari. But when they won the league, El Hamdaoui was his top scorer in the compact 4-4-2 they played. He was a very technical and creative player who was labeled a #9.5, or a #10/#9 hybrid, definitely not a poacher at all.

At Bayern, Olic was very dynamic and I would't define him as a classic poacher, and he felt he had to change his system a year later to include Mario Gomez.

Then at Holland, he only played 4-3-3 during two years of qualifiers. He preferred Van Persie over typical poacher Huntelaar, while Huntelaar had a better goals/minute ratio than RVP for Holland, but also is a much more limited allround player than RVP.

I'd say all those strikers have a very different skillset and playing style compared to Higuain. At various times this season I think he made comments about how his strikers should be able to more than just score goals, and about how much he likes multifunctional players. I can't see how he would prefer Higuain over Benzema.

 

[Macern]

Not really. I'd say he is really obsessed with his teams keeping shape, hence my comments about him not liking a false #9 dropping deep and moving anywhere on the pitch, getting random touches. At the World Cup he made comments about how he wanted RVP not to waste too much energy on tracking back and getting touches, he felt that his strikers should focus on 'leading the line'. I think this is where Rooney's comments come from.

History of strikers playing for Van Gaal.

At Ajax he had Kluivert, also Nwanko Kanu comes to mind. At Barcelona it was Kluivert again. I assume you know Kluivert and he really was the opposite of a classic poacher, like I said the 15 goals 16 assist in his first season pretty much show what he was about.

At AZ Alkmaar he had a whole strikeforce, with players like Pelle and Ari. But when they won the league, El Hamdaoui was his top scorer in the compact 4-4-2 they played. He was a very technical and creative player who was labeled a #9.5, or a #10/#9 hybrid, definitely not a poacher at all.

At Bayern, Olic was very dynamic and I would't define him as a classic poacher, and he felt he had to change his system a year later to include Mario Gomez.

Then at Holland, he only played 4-3-3 during two years of qualifiers. He preferred Van Persie over typical poacher Huntelaar, who had a better goals/minute ratio than RVP for Holland, but also is a much more limited allround player than RVP.

I'd say all those strikers have a very different skillset and playing style compared to Higuain.

I'm too young to have watched Kluivert unfortunately. What happened at Alkmaar and Holland is irrelevant in my opinion, because he had to make the best out of what he had, which obviously included not playing the exact formation and tactics that he preferred.

The truth is that at the moment, he wants his strikers to play as a poacher, hence Rooneys comments. I can't say why this wasn't the case in some of his previous clubs with his previous strikers, maybe he has changed or maybe he feels that a #9 poacher suits us best, but it doesn't matter. He wants the strikers to play as poachers, we could clearly see that with Rooney this season in how he played up front. I remember Gary Neville analyzing after a game how he wasn't much involved but he always kept the opponent centre backs busy and stretching the team. He got a lot of praise for that by Neville, and a lot of stick on the caf. I think this role doesn't suit Rooney. And since Van Gaal has decided how his strikers should play for us, I hope Rooney will play in the Fellaini position as an attacking midfielder next season, while we buy a proper #9 striker to play in front of him.

 

[NL Max]

@Pentame
I like your posts, you know alot about van Gaal. I do think you're wrong about his profile of a striker though. Yes it's true a striker must stay near the centrebacks and generally will not be much involved, but van Gaal doesn't really like pure poachers. Every player must be a good footballer first and foremost, including keeper and striker. Hernandez will be sold as he doesn't have the physicality or hold up play. Lewandowski would be the perfect van Gaal striker nowadays.

Van Persie in his prime is another example, smart movement, good touch and can bring teammates into play all while leading the line and scoring goals. I can see Rooney adapting to this role enough to please van Gaal and be of influence, although you could be right that he'll be our 10 next season. I'm not so sure of that yet.

If van Persie leaves (which I'm not sure of yet) I think Higuain could be a good alternative. I haven't seen that much of him mind, but he links up well with Di Maria and from the matches I did see of him I could see him as a van Gaal striker.

 

[Brwned]

You're both wrong.

How so? Tostao in 1970 did (and said) the same thing.

I think it's a more disciplined role. ... I can't remember who the striker was [possibly Ivica Olic] but then he said he was scoring two goals a game, so I was like 'that's no pressure then, two goals in 10 touches'. So I obviously understood the role he wants me to do, and I was trying to stay high, trying to stretch the pitch and more leave the space for the midfield players, which I think was being shown we were killing teams in midfield, in particular with Fellaini and Ashley Young. I was trying to stay out of it and look for runs behind and take up and control the two centre-halfs, rather than them control me.

"Before a training game in Mexico [his manager, Mario Zagallo] came up to me and asked, “Do you think you could play up front without dropping back? I know it’s not your normal style, but what do you reckon?” And so I went out and did it. And I knew that with Pelé and Jairzinho bursting forward, very quick, goalscorers, very strong physically, aggressive, I knew that with technique, dribbles and passes, my style would work.

“My pleasure was to play with the ball, but in the final against Italy I was playing without the ball. We agreed that I would play far in front and not go back to receive the ball, obliging the spare defender to stay with me, creating space for Rivelino and Gérson."

And he was fantastic in that World Cup.

Q. He was the only player you left up the field. Do you accept the label of 4-5-1 for that team?

I do. Because we played as a block, compact, as you say leaving only Tostão up field.

The stories are very similar. Tostão described himself as a pawn in the team, the player who would oblige the spare defender to stay with him and create space for the midfielder...and it wasn't something that came natural him. That's more or less what Rooney said too.

If you're going to simply tell someone they're wrong, you should at least try to understand the point they're making first...

This is the role Van Gaal wants his strikers to perform. He wants them poachers, and Higuaín would be perfect.

This is also why Benzema and Rooney wouldn't/doesn't work out. They are not LVG's type of strikers.

The following players were top scorers under van Gaal: Bergkamp, Litmanen, Kluivert, Rivaldo, van Nistelrooy, Arveladze, Koevermans, El Hamdaoui, Robben, Gomez, van Persie. Which of those would you describe as poachers?

Or another way of looking at it is if he loved poachers so much, don't you think it seems strange that one of his first moves at both Bayern and United was to get rid of Mario Gomez and Hernández? The only reason Gomez didn't leave is because the Bayern board said no, and from the sounds of it Hernández isn't coming back...

“Chicharito’s future? I’ve already sent him away once. When you score a goal, as he has just done for Real Madrid, are you suddenly different? I don’t think so. I told him the same as I told Danny Welbeck, that he was again a substitute and I didn’t feel that was any good to him.”

Or why did he say this?

"You know how strikers are. They have to score goals. They feel like that. It is not that I am asking that. I have said they have to be an attacking point and help our team in the third and fourth phase. For me, it is not important who scores. The team has to score."

 

[Macern]

The following players were top scorers under van Gaal: Bergkamp, Litmanen, Kluivert, Rivaldo, van Nistelrooy, Arveladze, Koevermans, El Hamdaoui, Robben, Gomez, van Persie. Which of those would you describe as poachers?

Or another way of looking at it is if he loved poachers so much, don't you think it seems strange that one of his first moves at both Bayern and United was to get rid of Mario Gomez and Hernández? The only reason Gomez didn't leave is because the Bayern board said no, and from the sounds of it Hernández isn't coming back...?

A LVG "poacher" obviously needs to have skills on the ball in addition to the typical poacher skills. The past is the past, and regardless of that, Van Gaal seems to want his strikers to stay very far up the pitch looking to make runs into space, playing mostly a typical poacher role. From what I've seen, the central midfielders go wide at times when a defender (or a deep-lying player) is in possession, opening up space towards the striker so the striker can recieve the ball and pass it onwards, so the striker obviously needs the technical skills, it's not a pure poacher role but it it mostly.

Before the season we had Rooney, Van Persie and Falcao, three seemingly world class strikers, so regardless of how well-suited Hernandez was to his tactics, he needed to sell him or loan him out. Hopefully LVG values Chicharito's skills and will keep him in the squad for next season.

 

[Mainoldo]

A LVG "poacher" obviously needs to have skills on the ball in addition to the typical poacher skills. The past is the past, and regardless of that, Van Gaal seems to want his strikers to stay very far up the pitch looking to make runs into space, playing mostly a typical poacher role. From what I've seen, the central midfielders go wide at times when a defender (or a deep-lying player) is in possession, opening up space towards the striker so the striker can recieve the ball and pass it onwards, so the striker obviously needs the technical skills, it's not a pure poacher role but it it mostly.

Before the season we had Rooney, Van Persie and Falcao, three seemingly world class strikers, so regardless of how well-suited Hernandez was to his tactics, he needed to sell him or loan him out. Hopefully LVG values Chicharito's skills and will keep him in the squad for next season.

Chicharito and United are through. I hope he enjoyed his time at Madrid.

He's 27 go play some first team football for god sake and stop fighting in the wrong weight class.

 

[Snow]

@Pentame
I like your posts, you know alot about van Gaal. I do think you're wrong about his profile of a striker though. Yes it's true a striker must stay near the centrebacks and generally will not be much involved, but van Gaal doesn't really like pure poachers. Every player must be a good footballer first and foremost, including keeper and striker. Hernandez will be sold as he doesn't have the physicality or hold up play. Lewandowski would be the perfect van Gaal striker nowadays.

Van Persie in his prime is another example, smart movement, good touch and can bring teammates into play all while leading the line and scoring goals. I can see Rooney adapting to this role enough to please van Gaal and be of influence, although you could be right that he'll be our 10 next season. I'm not so sure of that yet.

If van Persie leaves (which I'm not sure of yet) I think Higuain could be a good alternative. I haven't seen that much of him mind, but he links up well with Di Maria and from the matches I did see of him I could see him as a van Gaal striker.

Sounds like Ronaldo would be the perfect player for him.

 

[NL Max]

A LVG "poacher" obviously needs to have skills on the ball in addition to the typical poacher skills. The past is the past, and regardless of that, Van Gaal seems to want his strikers to stay very far up the pitch looking to make runs into space, playing mostly a typical poacher role. From what I've seen, the central midfielders go wide at times when a defender (or a deep-lying player) is in possession, opening up space towards the striker so the striker can recieve the ball and pass it onwards, so the striker obviously needs the technical skills, it's not a pure poacher role but it it mostly.

Before the season we had Rooney, Van Persie and Falcao, three seemingly world class strikers, so regardless of how well-suited Hernandez was to his tactics, he needed to sell him or loan him out. Hopefully LVG values Chicharito's skills and will keep him in the squad for next season.

This is actually a big must for his strikers. Hernandez is a great poacher and I like him, but I don't think van Gaal rates him enough on that front. Maybe I can explain it a bit, as you actually are spot on with most things and seem to understand van Gaal. It might sound jibberish because I'm not quite sure how to translate it but bear with me

While the strikers generally aren't involved that much (you're pretty much spot on), when they are involved they must do things right. LvG has 4 phases in his attack with the 3rd and 4th fase being the 'fastest', the buildup from the back starts out slow but ends in very quick movement/passes in the openings created to get in scoring position. It's difficult to even get to that phase as we've seen this season, because the whole team has to be on the same wavelength and perform the gameplan. It's a high-risk high-reward style of football, when one player takes too long on the ball the created space is gone. When the team finally gets close to the opponents box' the last thing you want is for the striker to slow the game down, even when they just pass it on. While the striker is counted as a creative player, they still do not get freedom like Di Maria on the wing for example. He instructs them like Rooney said, they have to be thinking alot and not go with their instincts. Klose, a fantastic poacher, just couldn't do this. Falcao wasn't too great either with his back to goal.

I believe that van Gaal won't send a player on loan that has the potential to be good enough for him. He said he gave Hernandez a chance to play like he instructed him but didn't rate it, this I can understand because he doesn't fit the profile and doesn't have physical traits. Having top strikers is very important for a club like Manchester United, I don't think he'll want to save money by relying on Hernandez who isn't his cup of tea. If he wants to replace RvP aswell he will do so by buying a suited striker. I'm not quite sure if Higuain fits the striker profile, I really haven't seen enough but he looked promising.

 

[Drifter]

He's staying put.

 

[Ish]

Sjoe! Thank god.