Louis van Gaal | Manchester United manager

Status
Not open for further replies.
Well at least his comments do talk of the problem that's very evident to all of us, slow motion passing, or too hurried and losing the ball.. So I hope these are things we're working on in training..
What I mean is, at least there's none of the 'we played well actually...' or 'we got to the byline 500 times' stuff..

For sure, things are not going to be good to watch for the next couple of months, I'm bracing myself for a truckload of shite .. hopefully by around christmas, and with players back from injury, the training will begin to tell.. and we can go on a run of a few wins, hopefully... I still think we'll end up just around 5th or 6th, though. Remains to be seen if he gets sacked for that.
 
red_7 said:
It is way too early to write off the 3-5-2 but I wish we return to a back 4 once di Maria plays

DDG
Rafa-Evans-Rojo-Shaw
Carrick-Herrera
diMaria-Mata-Januzaj
Rooney

let's hope we can also get a defensive mid or Vidal in
Click to expand...

Sure do hope we get a defensive mid. As for the formation, I think we're in slow-motion-zombie-and-panic-when-pressed mode in whatever formation we play.. hope a couple of months of training sees us get better there.. I think he'd have a plan to sort it out.
 
iAm20Legend said:
Well at least his comments do talk of the problem that's very evident to all of us, slow motion passing, or too hurried and losing the ball.. So I hope these are things we're working on in training..
What I mean is, at least there's none of the 'we played well actually...' or 'we got to the byline 500 times' stuff..

For sure, things are not going to be good to watch for the next couple of months, I'm bracing myself for a truckload of shite .. hopefully by around christmas, and with players back from injury, the training will begin to tell.. and we can go on a run of a few wins, hopefully... I still think we'll end up just around 5th or 6th, though. Remains to be seen if he gets sacked for that.
Click to expand...

Come to think about it, plenty of people here use the 'players are low on confidence thus they play like shit' card. Now I'm beggining to understand why Moyes was spouting this bullshit after every match, to give them confidence and not bring them down even more.

Of course, it's not about confidence but about quality right now for me. We're shitting it at home and away.
 
Blodssvik said:
Evra, Rio and Vidic could not be trusted to provide defensive stability anymore. Could make a case for Vidic if he stayed free of injuries. But he certainly wasn't a rock last season.
Click to expand...
People underestimate how much Rio and Vidic are still capable off, infact we only started to notice their frailties as they started to decline. Before that they were rocks that were able to cope without any help from midfield.

My point is Jones/Smalling/Evans arent anywhere near the level Vidic and Rio are (and im speaking of now not a few years back where they were untouchable) and thats why our lack of a midfield is really showing them up because they arent as well as coping as Rio and Vidic.
 
iAm20Legend said:
Well at least his comments do talk of the problem that's very evident to all of us, slow motion passing, or too hurried and losing the ball.. So I hope these are things we're working on in training..
What I mean is, at least there's none of the 'we played well actually...' or 'we got to the byline 500 times' stuff..

For sure, things are not going to be good to watch for the next couple of months, I'm bracing myself for a truckload of shite .. hopefully by around christmas, and with players back from injury, the training will begin to tell.. and we can go on a run of a few wins, hopefully... I still think we'll end up just around 5th or 6th, though. Remains to be seen if he gets sacked for that.
Click to expand...
I am quite happy to wait. I just hope other people can show patience and I don't think I will be watching tv or listening to the radio in the meantime. They are really laying it on thick at the moment and won't be happy until LVG is sacked and Neil Warnock is named as manager.
 
3-5-2 is actually prevented us from completely drubbed yesterday.

A midfield 2 of Fletcher and Cleverly?

No thanks.

The guy said he starts slow, he's got loads out injured, it will be ok.

The difference between the two performances this season and any performance under Moyes last season, is you can clearly see what he is trying to do, it is why is so relaxed both on the touch lines and in interviews.
He knows he has some shit to work with, and he knows how to sort it out.
 
Ducklegs said:
3-5-2 is actually prevented us from completely drubbed yesterday.

A midfield 2 of Fletcher and Cleverly?

No thanks.
Click to expand...
We cannot go back to 442 until as you say we have two top class centre midfielders and two top class wide men. I think if we can get people back in defence that might actually sort itself out. Herrera needs someone beside him and we need another decent wideman. Will be glad when Shaw and Rafael are available.
 
Sarni said:
I find it sort of funny that people who were willing to give Moyes another year and calling it premature to sack him earlier are pretty much the same people who are now ready to judge van Gaal after two games. It'll take a while to fix the damage, this team is mentally done and needs a while to sort themselves out, van Gaal himself has said it will take 3 months to get the team playing his way. If we're into March/April and showing the same sort of football then we will probably have to accept that van Gaal cannot fix us either, he was incapable of doing that at Barcelona second time round and struggled at AZ early on too.
Click to expand...

I think you have got it in a nutshell with those two words , there was a lot of damage done last season ,teams coming to old Trafford and winning after losing since time began, poor performances in abundance . Its a massive confidence game football and it will take time to get that back ,I am sure that is what disappointed Van Gaal so much after the decent performances pre-season and he even said words to the effect of "smashed our confidence" , The confidence will improve because the arrival of new players will change the outlook of the players and will improve performances, unfortunately the bloody injury list does not help.

The team went backwards last season in more ways than one and the new manager has a hell of a job on his hands , give it time its going to get better .
 
Ducklegs said:
3-5-2 is actually prevented us from completely drubbed yesterday.

A midfield 2 of Fletcher and Cleverly?

No thanks.

The guy said he starts slow, he's got loads out injured, it will be ok.

The difference between the two performances this season and any performance under Moyes last season, is you can clearly see what he is trying to do, it is why is so relaxed both on the touch lines and in interviews.
He knows he has some shit to work with, and he knows how to sort it out.
Click to expand...
That was the main issue with yesterday. Their passing isn't up to scratch and Young and Valencia refused to try and beat the full back.
 
Our midfield is the big problem whatever formation we play. Especially with Carrick and Herrera out.

They aren't even the level of functional midfielders that SAF made it work with right now.
 
FromTheBench said:
Our midfield is the big problem whatever formation we play. Especially with Carrick and Herrera out.

They aren't even the level of functional midfielders that SAF made it work with right now.
Click to expand...

Interesting if any of the U21s play on Tuesday in CM. I mean I was surprised he took none of them on tour tbh, surely one of them must be capable of doing something on the level of what Fletcher and Cleverly are doing.
 
Sarni said:
I find it sort of funny that people who were willing to give Moyes another year and calling it premature to sack him earlier are pretty much the same people who are now ready to judge van Gaal after two games. It'll take a while to fix the damage, this team is mentally done and needs a while to sort themselves out, van Gaal himself has said it will take 3 months to get the team playing his way. If we're into March/April and showing the same sort of football then we will probably have to accept that van Gaal cannot fix us either, he was incapable of doing that at Barcelona second time round and struggled at AZ early on too.
Click to expand...

Who are these people? Why not quote some posts of people writing off Van Gaal after two games? Had a quick scan of this thread and can't find a single post doing what you're implying.

I've seen a fair few posts implying that our problems last year ran deeper than our choice of manager. Which is something I kind of agree with myself. Of course, that's not to say that Van Gaal can't turn things around, given time.

What I really find "kind of funny" is people who were putting the boot into our previous manager after just a few games in charge (against really tough opposition) getting incredibly defensive about even the vaguest hint of criticism aimed at the manager this season. Especially when I see posts like your above, saying "If we're into March/April and showing the same sort of football then we will probably have to accept that van Gaal cannot fix us". Were you still asking people to give Moyes a little more time by March/April just gone? I suspect not. In fact, I suspect you'd written him off by Christmas, if not considerably earlier.
 
I had a bit of an awakening after yesterday's performance. I reminded myself that these were the same players that generally felt wasn't good enough even when we were winning things. The teams been broken for years and individual exceptional performances against a backdrop of teams being in transition covered up our inadequacy.

DM appointment simply was the wrong appointment and a season of delay in football will cost you time and money to resolve and put right.

We are a good dog to kick, and clubs, fans, FA, previous players, the media have been waiting for their moment for years. Our own fans (including myself at times) are worried in the decline of the team but we have the right man to now but it right.

I watched the pre match programme on sky yesterday. LVG put the foundations in place for the Barca and BM team we see are dominating today and some of us on here question whether he can put it right. His CV is up there with the best and equal to SAF. Some could argue better as he prove himself in 3 different leagues. GN on sky questions so much about us a moment but wasn't he partially accountable for that embarrassing English World Cup campaign. There's no quick fix Gary.

Patience is in order, don't join the list of those waiting to kick us, let's be excited about the future. It's gonna take time and LVG must have been blown away by the lack of quality in the squad.

I don't care about the arguments to whether we needed certain signings. You don't always get the players you need when you need them. When they do you sign them as the best teams have access to the best players. Mata could play in any top for team in the world. So could Rooney, RVP, David and Herrera. Herrera development international has been hindered by that incredible Spain midfield. DM was arguable the best player in a Real and Argentina shirt last season. Look at those squads and we question the fee?

We are disjointed at the mo but Like most pieces to the jigsaw, it's not always clear till all the pieces are in place.
 
Last edited:
The players look shot of confidence. Last year has knocked the stuffing out of us and now van Gaal has come in with a completely new philosophy. We've had to go back to the start. Learn to walk before you can run etc. Like Rocky III when Apollo Creed takes him back to basics. Just takes time baby.

(Or you know, some other analogy that fits better)
 
I for one can see where we are heading..
I´m ok with the signing of Rojo and think Di Maria is a fantastic player who will light up Old Trafford!
LVG is doing what he does best he takes a close look at his squad and he gives players chances before making his mind up.

But things are looking less than rosey for some of our players.. There is no doubt in my mind that players will be moved out before long.
Kagawa,Cleverley,Young,Fellaini and more. But he can´t move them all at the same time and this is what he has to work with until that happens. And on the bright side we have already seen what his plans are with youth here.

Injuries have also hit us hard and a lineup yesterday including Carrick,Herrera,Shaw,Evans,Rojo,Rafael vs Young,Keane,Valencia,Clev,Blackett would have been well you catch my drift.

As for our defence well they did well yesterday both Blackett and Jones were solid and Keane made sure that Smalling wasn´t missed at all. So conceding a goal from standards well we did that all last season as well with Rio,Vidic and Evra. Valencia got caught ball watching and we got punished! So with the addition of Rojo and Evans into the frame we might get stronger in that department. Rojo,Jones and Evans with Blackett,Smalling and Keane as back up..

There is no doubt in my mind that we are looking at CM as LVG has identified that as a problem zone as he singled them out yesterday: "We missed too many passes – it was either too slow or too hasty, and then you lose the ball and the tempo is gone from the game. That, in my opinion, was the reason [for not winning]." But also stated the injuries we have, it would be hard for any team to cope with that and he is right about that! But we must be looking deeply into signings in that area with Blind and De Jong as strong candidates but Vidal a far fetched dream.

This will take time but the difference is that I am confident about Van Gaal´s project, that can not be said about Moyes and my feeling there is we lost a whole year in the planning process with Moyes and got a player who is one of the problems LVG has to fix. But as his CV shows sticking with his plan will bring us to the top of European football again and in a great shape for who ever come here after him..
 
Pogue Mahone said:
Who are these people? Why not quote some posts of people writing off Van Gaal after two games? Had a quick scan of this thread and can't find a single post doing what you're implying.

I've seen a fair few posts implying that our problems last year ran deeper than our choice of manager. Which is something I kind of agree with myself. Of course, that's not to say that Van Gaal can't turn things around, given time.

What I really find "kind of funny" is people who were putting the boot into our previous manager after just a few games in charge (against really tough opposition) getting incredibly defensive about even the vaguest hint of criticism aimed at the manager this season. Especially when I see posts like your above, saying "If we're into March/April and showing the same sort of football then we will probably have to accept that van Gaal cannot fix us". Were you still asking people to give Moyes a little more time by March/April just gone? I suspect not. In fact, I suspect you'd written him off by Christmas, if not considerably earlier.
Click to expand...

I began losing my hope regarding Moyes around December when we lost two consecutive games to teams who haven't won at Old Trafford in ages, I don't think I wanted him sacked then though - it was only after ridiculous beginning of the year when I completely gave up.

Van Gaal obviously gets the benefit of doubt from me because of his past record. Moyes had no record to speak of, actually his previous record was in line with what he showed at United. There was absolutely nothing to suggest he was remotely capable of turning it around.

I still refuse to believe that this team is as bad as it's showing. Midfield aside it's a very good team that should be capable of disposing of teams like Swansea and Sunderland with relative ease. There's absolutely no fluidity right now though, there's no belief and it'll take time to fix it. I guess a season of consitently losing to inferior teams does that to you, it can damage self-confidence. Squad wise this side is top 4 material, we need to get rid of some players quickly though because there are clearly members of this team who are holding us back.
 
It's seeking faux equivalence between this manager and the last to say that they should both be judged on the same grounds. One of them has all the credentials to be the manager of a top club, while the other has all his work still ahead of him to prove that he can be one. One of them inherited a squad of champions(however misleading that may sound), the other acquires a dispirited and fearful team.

If the argument was that Moyes needs more time, it has to follow(given those two facts) that Van Gaal needs even more patience still.
 
arthurka said:
I for one can see where we are heading..
I´m ok with the signing of Rojo and think Di Maria is a fantastic player who will light up Old Trafford!
LVG is doing what he does best he takes a close look at his squad and he gives players chances before making his mind up.

But things are looking less than rosey for some of our players.. There is no doubt in my mind that players will be moved out before long.
Kagawa,Cleverley,Young,Fellaini and more. But he can´t move them all at the same time and this is what he has to work with until that happens. And on the bright side we have already seen what his plans are with youth here.

Injuries have also hit us hard and a lineup yesterday including Carrick,Herrera,Shaw,Evans,Rojo,Rafael vs Young,Keane,Valencia,Clev,Blackett would have been well you catch my drift.

As for our defence well they did well yesterday both Blackett and Jones were solid and Keane made sure that Smalling wasn´t missed at all. So conceding a goal from standards well we did that all last season as well with Rio,Vidic and Evra. Valencia got caught ball watching and we got punished! So with the addition of Rojo and Evans into the frame we might get stronger in that department. Rojo,Jones and Evans with Blackett,Smalling and Keane as back up..

There is no doubt in my mind that we are looking at CM as LVG has identified that as a problem zone as he singled them out yesterday: "We missed too many passes – it was either too slow or too hasty, and then you lose the ball and the tempo is gone from the game. That, in my opinion, was the reason [for not winning]." But also stated the injuries we have, it would be hard for any team to cope with that and he is right about that! But we must be looking deeply into signings in that area with Blind and De Jong as strong candidates but Vidal a far fetched dream.

This will take time but the difference is that I am confident about Van Gaal´s project, that can not be said about Moyes and my feeling there is we lost a whole year in the planning process with Moyes and got a player who is one of the problems LVG has to fix. But as his CV shows sticking with his plan will bring us to the top of European football again and in a great shape for who ever come here after him..
Click to expand...

Agree with this. And regarding the Di Maria transfer, it is as crucial as any other if/when he brings us that much needed pace, penetration and flair. We don't frighten teams anymore but hopefully we will do soon.
 
Sarni said:
I began losing my hope regarding Moyes around December when we lost two consecutive games to teams who haven't won at Old Trafford in ages, I don't think I wanted him sacked then though - it was only after ridiculous beginning of the year when I completely gave up.

Van Gaal obviously gets the benefit of doubt from me because of his past record. Moyes had no record to speak of, actually his previous record was in line with what he showed at United. There was absolutely nothing to suggest he was remotely capable of turning it around.

I still refuse to believe that this team is as bad as it's showing. Midfield aside it's a very good team that should be capable of disposing of teams like Swansea and Sunderland with relative ease. There's absolutely no fluidity right now though, there's no belief and it'll take time to fix it. I guess a season of consitently losing to inferior teams does that to you, it can damage self-confidence. Squad wise this side is top 4 material, we need to get rid of some players quickly though because there are clearly members of this team who are holding us back.
Click to expand...

You could be describing all of our performances in the opening weeks of last season. Did you put that down to "a season of consistently losing to inferior teams" back then?
 
Are people really going down the LvG vs Moyes route here?

The reason people are likely going to show patience with LvG is because he has a proven track record of greatness, Moyes didn't. One has shown he can build great sides after poor starts, the other never did. Why is this even a debate right now? Bizarre.
 
Its going to be impossible to judge them on the same grounds anyway after the amount of talent that's been brought in now. Difference is we've actually looked to fix the team, in part, this summer where as Moyes didn't move us towards fixing things at all. Anyone with any pragmatism knew the squad had issues, no new players this season so far = same issues.

LvG was never going to come in and solve things without making significant changes
 
Pogue Mahone said:
Who are these people? Why not quote some posts of people writing off Van Gaal after two games? Had a quick scan of this thread and can't find a single post doing what you're implying.

I've seen a fair few posts implying that our problems last year ran deeper than our choice of manager. Which is something I kind of agree with myself. Of course, that's not to say that Van Gaal can't turn things around, given time.

What I really find "kind of funny" is people who were putting the boot into our previous manager after just a few games in charge (against really tough opposition) getting incredibly defensive about even the vaguest hint of criticism aimed at the manager this season. Especially when I see posts like your above, saying "If we're into March/April and showing the same sort of football then we will probably have to accept that van Gaal cannot fix us". Were you still asking people to give Moyes a little more time by March/April just gone? I suspect not. In fact, I suspect you'd written him off by Christmas, if not considerably earlier.
Click to expand...

I've only seem minor mutterings about VG on here at least (I'd never seek it out on twitter...). There were posts about him not showing enough emotion as United were losing last week.

I think it's funny though that those who swore blind last year that Moyes was our only problem, the players were fine, are a bit quieter about the squad problems than others. Everyone who said we needed about 5 new players in the starting XI in the summer was told they were being ridiculous. The logic that Moyes tactics alone were the reason for last seasons failures meant that just introducing VG alone would be enough to ensure a massive turnaround.

Whether the board gave Moyes another half season, or went with a new manager, a huge player renewal was needed. But seems like VG is better at digging money out of the board, and crafty too, if the Vidal mentions yesterday are what they seem....
 
Pogue Mahone said:
You could be describing all of our performances in the opening weeks of last season. Did you put that down to "a season of consistently losing to inferior teams" back then?
Click to expand...

Actually we played well against Swansea and Chelsea last season. We played reasonably well against Liverpool too, better than in previous seasons. It all drained against City though.
 
charleysurf said:
I've only seem minor mutterings about VG on here at least (I'd never seek it out on twitter...). There were posts about him not showing enough emotion as United were losing last week.

I think it's funny though that those who swore blind last year that Moyes was our only problem, the players were fine, are a bit quieter about the squad problems than others. Everyone who said we needed about 5 new players in the starting XI in the summer was told they were being ridiculous. The logic that Moyes tactics alone were the reason for last seasons failures meant that just introducing VG alone would be enough to ensure a massive turnaround.

Whether the board gave Moyes another half season, or went with a new manager, a huge player renewal was needed. But seems like VG is better at digging money out of the board, and crafty too, if the Vidal mentions yesterday are what they seem....
Click to expand...
Not his tactics alone, but mainly. As Smores points out though, the 'squad was bad' becomes an unfalsifiable argument with all the recent spending. If the manager turns it around, it will be because of the new additions, and if he doesn't, it neither adds nor subtracts to it.

The only empirical test we are ever going to see for the contention that it was a good squad, is last season and the one before that.

To me it's telling that we've managed to finish both those seasons in the top four when it comes to the away table. Last season we've finished fourth; just a point less than Liverpool and Arsenal and the same number of points as the eventual champions. While this is still no doubt a decline, it was nowhere near as egregious as our home form(9th in the table).

For conspicuous reasons, much easier to explain if you think the manager was the main problem, rather than the players. Obviously painting either as the sole problem would be a false dichotomy.
 
Last edited:
Sarni said:
Actually we played well against Swansea and Chelsea last season. We played reasonably well against Liverpool too, better than in previous seasons. It all drained against City though.
Click to expand...

We were hardly playing well in those games. Everyone said that it was a good result against Swansea to start things off, but it was nothing more, with Robin van Persie, I think, scoring 2 goals because of his brilliance. The draw against Chelsea war dull.
 
I'm a little worried with the level of performance we're seeing at the moment. But that said, I'm certain Van Gaal is the man to steady the ship through these turbulent times.

Couple of players back from injury, one or two more signings, then get the whole team singing from the same hymn sheet. Just needs time.
 
Van Gaal put his finger on the issue when he spoke about the sides confidence.

Everything he noted, about how much slower the passing was than in the States, about how scared the players were. It's all true.

However, as the manager he needs to lift those players. His job is not just to diagnose the issues it's to remedy them.

We started well, and his confidence and assertiveness carried us forward on emotion. However, since Swansea the players look to have collapsed. The fear in the team is visible. I just hope he can turn it round.
 
@#07

I mentioned this in the match day thread and was swiftly told to feck off! :lol: gotta love the match day thread.

But i think the players are so fragile that LVG or Giggs needs to be in the technical box almost constantly giving them instruction, as bad as that sounds.

If the problems are so obvious to LVG then he needs to find a solution pronto before United are too far adrift from Chelsea/City.

But before anyone jumps all over my post i am not criticising LVG and i accept there is a limit to what he can actually do! but when the squad lacks leaders on the pitch i wanted to see a bit more action from the coaching staff during the game.
 
#07 said:
Van Gaal put his finger on the issue when he spoke about the sides confidence.

Everything he noted, about how much slower the passing was than in the States, about how scared the players were. It's all true.

However, as the manager he needs to lift those players. His job is not just to diagnose the issues it's to remedy them.

We started well, and his confidence and assertiveness carried us forward on emotion. However, since Swansea the players look to have collapsed. The fear in the team is visible. I just hope he can turn it round.
Click to expand...

I agree with everything you said and I also know the way Van Gaal has handled this situation in the past - Discard the old and in with the new.

I think it's quite telling that a complete unknown like Blackett can waltz into the team and be such a solid presence in his position. It indicates to me that he is unafraid of risks and is a thinking footballer.

We have a lot of damaged goods in the team when you think about.

Young - inconsistent and let's the pressure get the better of him over and over again.
Valencia - Once primed to be a star winger with old-school technique. He's been founded out since. (Though his last performance was great.)
Clev - Smashed for confidence and belief frmo fans and media.
Fletcher - You wonder how much that horrible disease took out of him.
Hernandez - Seems to have lost his mojo of terrorising teams with his intelligent runs. It has affected him internationally as well.
Welbeck - Never fully realised his potential as a striker. His biggest flaw being his inability to become lethal in front of goal.
Smalling - Once a prospect, now he looks like he needs to be led by someone. Under Vida he always looked more assured.
Rafa - injured much more than he should be sadly.
Evans - injuries have prevented him from realising his talent. Though he may yet come through under Van Gaal. He's a leader.
Anderson - A huge disappointment. Injuries have destroyed his potential. Plus, he's far too inconsistent.

The rest of have left the club - Nani, Buttner

When you see that there's 10 people who are lacking in one way or the other, it's terrifying because that's half your squad! Van Gaal will need to play them a lot less and bring in some fresh faces (which he has). Plus promoting through the academy ensures that we vitalise the squad with some much need vigour and fearlessness. We do not have time to keep trying to improve the bad eggs. Now is the time to incubate them and ease them back into the process once the confidence of the team is back. We cannot allow their insecurities to slow us down.

Unfortunately, with the HORRIBLE luck we've had with injuries. It's inevitable they'll play. Hopefully, we can get a lot of the injured fit and we might yet carry out this plan.
 
We need to show a bit of patience this season. The start's been poor but we will improve. Our three signings of this summer (so far) are not available and we've had numerous injuries throughout the squad.

Van Gaal hasn't finished bringing in players yet and I expect it's going to take the first half of the season for the players to bed in and adapt to the philosophy we're implementing.

A point at the Stadium of Light is not that bad a result, especially considering all our injuries.
 
Moonwalker said:
Not his tactics alone, but mainly. As Smores points out though, the 'squad was bad' becomes an unfalsifiable argument with all the recent spending. If the manager turns it around, it will be because of the new additions, and if he doesn't, it neither adds nor subtracts to it.

The only empirical test we are ever going to see for the contention that it was a good squad, is last season and the one before that.

To me it's telling that we've managed to finish both those seasons in the top four when it comes to the away table. Last season we've finished fourth; just a point less than Liverpool and Arsenal and the same number of points as the eventual champions. While this is still no doubt a decline, it was nowhere near as egregious as our home form(9th in the table).

For conspicuous reasons, much easier to explain if you think the manager was the main problem, rather than the players. Obviously painting either as the sole problem would be a false dichotomy.
Click to expand...

That is exactly the stuff that was said last season: we have title-winning players, so our only problem is Moyes. Change the manager and all will be well.
But how many games the previous season were we poor in, but RVP in the form of his life would save our arses?
Again and again we could be poor, but RVPs goals would get wins. And our rivals were certainly weaker.

We had loads of posts on here 'forgiving' players (except the usual scapegoats of course) for being poor last season as they had a bad manager.
Moyes was the one and only problem.

But guess what, new manager and those players are still poor.

Moyes' biggest failing was wasting a summer window to get the massive player turnover we needed underway. I'm liking that Van Gaal seems to be putting more pressure on the board to get the new players in.
 
charleysurf said:
That is exactly the stuff that was said last season: we have title-winning players, so our only problem is Moyes. Change the manager and all will be well.
But how many games the previous season were we poor in, but RVP in the form of his life would save our arses?
Again and again we could be poor, but RVPs goals would get wins. And our rivals were certainly weaker.

We had loads of posts on here 'forgiving' players (except the usual scapegoats of course) for being poor last season as they had a bad manager.
Moyes was the one and only problem.

But guess what, new manager and those players are still poor.

Moyes' biggest failing was wasting a summer window to get the massive player turnover we needed underway. I'm liking that Van Gaal seems to be putting more pressure on the board to get the new players in.
Click to expand...
You've just ignored everything you've quoted, only to post the same old boilerplate for the umpteenth time.

Sage advice in your tagline.
 
charleysurf said:
Moyes' biggest failing was wasting a summer window to get the massive player turnover we needed underway. I'm liking that Van Gaal seems to be putting more pressure on the board to get the new players in.
Click to expand...

I made the point this time last year that Moyes needed to play hardball with the owners if his reign wasn't to be nasty, brutish and short. I suppose it was naive as he was unlikely to play brinkmanship in his one and only shot at the big time. Thankfully we have a manager who is old enough and with enough accomplishments on his CV not to worry if he upsets the CEO or the Board at United, plus the owners have since had the shock of finishing 7th with (I imagine) attendant sponsorship concerns.
 
The Red Thinker said:
I agree with everything you said and I also know the way Van Gaal has handled this situation in the past - Discard the old and in with the new.

I think it's quite telling that a complete unknown like Blackett can waltz into the team and be such a solid presence in his position. It indicates to me that he is unafraid of risks and is a thinking footballer.

We have a lot of damaged goods in the team when you think about.

Young - inconsistent and let's the pressure get the better of him over and over again.
Valencia - Once primed to be a star winger with old-school technique. He's been founded out since. (Though his last performance was great.)
Clev - Smashed for confidence and belief frmo fans and media.
Fletcher - You wonder how much that horrible disease took out of him.
Hernandez - Seems to have lost his mojo of terrorising teams with his intelligent runs. It has affected him internationally as well.
Welbeck - Never fully realised his potential as a striker. His biggest flaw being his inability to become lethal in front of goal.
Smalling - Once a prospect, now he looks like he needs to be led by someone. Under Vida he always looked more assured.
Rafa - injured much more than he should be sadly.
Evans - injuries have prevented him from realising his talent. Though he may yet come through under Van Gaal. He's a leader.
Anderson - A huge disappointment. Injuries have destroyed his potential. Plus, he's far too inconsistent.

The rest of have left the club - Nani, Buttner

When you see that there's 10 people who are lacking in one way or the other, it's terrifying because that's half your squad! Van Gaal will need to play them a lot less and bring in some fresh faces (which he has). Plus promoting through the academy ensures that we vitalise the squad with some much need vigour and fearlessness. We do not have time to keep trying to improve the bad eggs. Now is the time to incubate them and ease them back into the process once the confidence of the team is back. We cannot allow their insecurities to slow us down.

Unfortunately, with the HORRIBLE luck we've had with injuries. It's inevitable they'll play. Hopefully, we can get a lot of the injured fit and we might yet carry out this plan.
Click to expand...
Really good post.
 
Moonwalker said:
You've just ignored everything you've quoted, only to post the same old boilerplate for the umpteenth time.

Sage advice in your tagline.
Click to expand...
Strange response given I bolded the line I referred to. Good skill to bold it and write about it without reading it, but whatever..
 
Last edited:
I underestimated the scale of the problem last season but it was also a problem Moyes played a fairly big part in creating, and which started under Sir Alex.

The reason why I'll be very patient with LVG as manager is because he is actually changing things. He will change us from a wingers and crosses team to a fluid , cohesive short passing team that is in line with the times. And you'll see the change on the pitch, even if the results take a bit longer to become what's we want.

Moyes on the other hand was a clueless man. He didn't have a clue as to what to do. His philosophy was an utter joke. He wasn't changing anything and even got us to put crosses in for a full game.

I'm confident that this bunch of players can play like a genuine team and can play some exciting attacking football and well see that in time under LVG. It might end up being another transitional season but we genuinely will transition and not regress IMO.
 
I'm getting more and more convinced that LVG is the right man for the job. We might have to ship out and/or phase out a considerable number of players over the next couple of seasons. I think he can do a great job in that regard. I'm not worried about him. What worries me is whether he'll be given the time and the resources he needs.

What he said last week about his talks with the Glazers is encouraging - on the face of it. I just hope they truly realize that the job required may not be compatible with qualifying for the CL this season either. If they do and are prepared to invest in the squad (heavily or not so heavily, that depends, this isn't simply about money - but they need to back him in the market IF he thinks further big buys are necessary), I think we'll turn this around and come back stronger than we've been for years.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.