Louis van Gaal | Manchester United manager

[OneUnited24]

The Subs and tactical changes by Van Gaal today in game were poor again today.

See people say this but was it? Valencias sub was a bit odd (who would have thought at the start of the season we would want to have him on the pitch!) but i understood why, Fellaini was going to offer just more strength in the middle of the park and his height was important in combating against Evertons aerial threat. We also have to give him a game if we want to sell him!

Falcao for me looked tired and needed to come off. And it gave Wilson a chance which ive wanted to see all season. In summary we won so i dont think he got it too wrong!

 

[Get In Scholesy]

I would have left Valencia on.

Valencia was reeling, looked like he was carrying a knock or was absolutely knackered. Felliani was on to shield the back for hence why Blind moved to the right side of the diamond. Also probably for his height on crosses.

 

[Cro]

Should have subbed Mata then. Fellaini was being passed like a stationary object by Everton. The same happened against Swansea. Fellaini falls behind the play too easily in midfield, cant see how he fits the diamond where energy and movement are mandatory.

I totally agree with you and he didn't do well when he came on, but you could understand LvG for bringing him on for these kind of situations.

 

[legball]

I like how many people like to question the subs, but the man explains the reason why he does what. He said Valencia was having a touch of cramp and that's why he took him off. Fellaini wasn't a bad change with few minutes left, our players just ran out of steam and that's what gave Everton the boost, then factor in that Falcao is still building up his fitness then it's not a strange sub at all and at home, we have every right to play with 2 strikers. I think there's still a lot of work to be done and am sure he knows this, you can see in his post match interview, he knows what he's talking about, he analyses the game - it's not just some standard lines like "we were unluckly", "could have done better" etc we had from Moyes last season. It will not be a smooth ride this season, but we're in the right hands.

 

[bleedred]

Has he been spotted in any other games?. Or is someone else scouting for him on our opponents??

 

[Earthquake]

I think he hasn't yet got a proper look at Fellaini either, as he said pre-season, everyone gets a chance.

 

[Jerch]

He exlained his changes in the post-match talk which is on BPL site. Falcao was tired and didn't pressed Baines enough and he was subbed for Wilson who was doing that. Valencia was also tired and he brought Fellaini on.

He said Valencia was very good so he was not subbed because of that or because Fellaini is better in the air. He also said that he want to take back control of the game with subs but it didn't worked out so this could be a little stick to Fellaini. I think Fellaini is done at our club and wouldn't be surprised if he will not be on the pitch again for us.

I think Van Gaal is doing a very good job with us. In the first half there was only one team on the pitch, the only chance Everton had was a Lukaku shot which was not a real chance and a penalty which was wrongly give, if we can maintain first half performance through the full game we are up there with the best. It could be all decided before second half, we were that good in the first half.

 

[Freak]

I love how he's not afraid to throw young players (the juice) in tense situations. We ended the match with McNair, Blackett, and Wilson all on the pitch when we were defending a narrow lead.

 

[SalfordRed1960]

I love how he's not afraid to throw young players (the juice) in tense situations. We ended the match with McNair, Blackett, and Wilson all on the pitch when we were defending a narrow lead.

Says a lot about Adnan then. He obviously is not seeing enough from him in training to consider him, in the same way as he was happy to play McNair, Wilson and Blackett. The times Adnan has got on the pitch, like Mata on Sunday, he did not take his chance well. He needs to learn from the likes of Di Maria & Co about how to use the ball effectively and when to run with the ball. I am sure he will get another chance, but he needs to step up.

 

[LeftyBlaster]

Any links to a post match press? Or was there not one?

 

[Adnan]

Any links to a post match press? Or was there not one?

 

[LeftyBlaster]

Cheers mate!

 

[Cheesy]

I love how he's not afraid to throw young players (the juice) in tense situations. We ended the match with McNair, Blackett, and Wilson all on the pitch when we were defending a narrow lead.

Especially when he was receiving a lot of criticism after the sale of Welbeck due to the supposed loss of the clubs identity. I've been pleased with the way we've balanced making genuine top quality, big money signings with giving some youth players a chance in important situations. He'll do what he needs to do in order to win and if that means big signings then he'll happily do that, yet he obviously does value youth players as well.

 

[Kag]

Says a lot about Adnan then. He obviously is not seeing enough from him in training to consider him, in the same way as he was happy to play McNair, Wilson and Blackett. The times Adnan has got on the pitch, like Mata on Sunday, he did not take his chance well. He needs to learn from the likes of Di Maria & Co about how to use the ball effectively and when to run with the ball. I am sure he will get another chance, but he needs to step up.

He's played him more than Wilson, and McNair and Blackett were on the field due to injuries. The substitutions were game specific and it doesn't say anything about Adnan at all, really. Stop looking for something that isn't there. Let's bare in mind he is tearing up the reserves, too.

 

[SalfordRed1960]

He's played him more than Wilson, and McNair and Blackett were on the field due to injuries. The substitutions were game specific and it doesn't say anything about Adnan at all, really. Stop looking for something that isn't there. Let's bare in mind he is tearing up the reserves, too.

I think you will recall that Adnan was perceived by LVG as a striker, his words, not mine. So bringing on Wilson and not Adnan maybe does say something. Maybe, it is not me looking for something that is not there, and more to do with people having unrealistic expectations of Adnan. LVG is not afraid to put youngsters into a side if they can do the job required. He obviously thought Valencia and Mata would be more effective than Adnan when there were injuries and suspensions. The fact it looks like RVP is not in form also says things. I rate Adnan, but there have been opportunities for LVG to play him, the fact he hasn't, maybe says more than you are suggesting.

 

[Chaky_Best]

I think that what LVG is doing with Adnan, is a bit like what Fergie ‘tried’ to do with Pogba. Something like ‘you’re a kid, I’m the boss, work, stay down earth and you’ll be a star man’. Maybe that Adnan status has changed because of last year, but this year, he’s not working that well or maybe he has some behavior issue as well.


But I trust LVG because we all know that next year, or later this year, he’ll play 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 with two wingers, and then Adnan will have plenty to say.


So I really think that it’s just management


But I’ve a question.


Who thought, like me that his substitutions were wrong yesterday?


I mean, at the end of the match, he should have changed tactically in 4-2-3-1 in order to give us more protection with Fletcher and Blind in midfield, replacing Valencia on Baines, and Di Maria striking Hibbert. And then launching Fellaini’s hair in Mata’s place, or even Adnan’s pace… Usually LVG is very clever in his choices, but he should have done better in term of subs.


I don’t know why but he saw, like us, the likes of Di Maria, Valencia, Blind tired at the end and didn’t wanted to help them.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

There were periods in that game where I think I started to see this "philosophy" in action, arguably the first time this season (admittedly I've only watched the televised games). Lots of really patient build-up play and De Gea keeping the ball on the deck whenever possible. We actually controlled the tempo of the game and starved Everton of opportunities. Quite impressive actually. Of course, we lost our shit completely in the closing stages which has been a standard feature this season but I'm more optimistic now than I have been in a while. Does look as though we're looking at the start of something quite substantial.

 

[RetroStu]

There were periods in that game where I think I started to see this "philosophy" in action, arguably the first time this season (admittedly I've only watched the televised games). Lots of really patient build-up play and De Gea keeping the ball on the deck whenever possible. We actually controlled the tempo of the game and starved Everton of opportunities. Quite impressive actually. Of course, we lost our shit completely in the closing stages which has been a standard feature this season but I'm more optimistic now than I have been in a while. Does look as though we're looking at the start of something quite substantial.

We just need to work on our attitude when we concede goals, we can't keep shitting ourselves at the end of games. Having said that, with the way we have defended this season, its not surprising to see them panic when we concede i suppose.
Its still upto LVG to sort that attitude out though.

 

[MDFC Manager]

We need to start scoring in the last 30 minutes of games. We've apparently only scored uptil the 62nd minute this season in the he league.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

It's weird actually. Wasn't the main problem last season an inability to score early on in games?

 

[Cheesy]

We need to start scoring in the last 30 minutes of games. We've apparently only scored uptil the 62nd minute this season in the he league.

Our dips towards the ends of games have been a bit worrying. Holding on against West Ham was arguably understandable considering we were down to 10 men, although it was a bit concerning to see how deep we were playing at times against Everton on Sunday. We were definitely the better team for the most part, although they really started to put a lot of pressure on us towards the end.

Then there's obviously the capitulation against Leicester.

 

[Kag]

I think you will recall that Adnan was perceived by LVG as a striker, his words, not mine. So bringing on Wilson and not Adnan maybe does say something. Maybe, it is not me looking for something that is not there, and more to do with people having unrealistic expectations of Adnan. LVG is not afraid to put youngsters into a side if they can do the job required. He obviously thought Valencia and Mata would be more effective than Adnan when there were injuries and suspensions. The fact it looks like RVP is not in form also says things. I rate Adnan, but there have been opportunities for LVG to play him, the fact he hasn't, maybe says more than you are suggesting.

No, the Wilson substitution was most likely game specific. It seems that Baines was a probem so he thought he'd bring on the fastest option we had to pin him back, press him and give him something to worry about. Valencia is more effective on the right side of a diamond. I don't think Adnan was ever an option there as what we wanted from Valencia just isn't his game. And Mata is one of the best players in the squad, it's no surprise he started ahead of him.

Van Persie looks shite but we all know Van Gaal isn't dropping him any time soon. Again, that's not a great deal to do with Januzaj. I think you're reading too much into our subs, one of which was out of our control.

 

[bucky]

It's weird actually. Wasn't the main problem last season an inability to score in games?

Seems more appropriate.

 

[Van Piorsing]

Louis van Gaal, first football manager who made it to 4th place without a defense.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

No, the Wilson substitution was most likely game specific. It seems that Baines was a probem so he thought he'd bring on the fastest option we had to pin him back, press him and give him something to worry about. Valencia is more effective on the right side of a diamond. I don't think Adnan was ever an option there as what we wanted from Valencia just isn't his game. And Mata is one of the best players in the squad, it's no surprise he started ahead of him.

Van Persie looks shite but we all know Van Gaal isn't dropping him any time soon. Again, that's not a great deal to do with Januzaj. I think you're reading too much into our subs, one of which was out of our control.

Clutching at straws there tbf.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

It's weird actually. Wasn't the main problem last season an inability to score early on in games?

The past two seasons we've had this problem, we had to comeback in a hell of a lot of games in Ferguson's final season.

I think we're almost setup a bit like Liverpool were last season, score plenty of early goals as to almost nullify the shaky defence.

 

[LR7]

I thought the substitutions he chose added to us losing control in the latter stages. As Di Maria tired, Blind essentially became a one man midfield because Fellaini is positionally inept. Fletch doesn't have the legs anymore to be starting games but he would have added more in the closing stages than Fellaini did, simply by having a brain. I'm not moaning though. There is so much to be optimistic about. We are playing some brilliant football at times which is a joy to watch and I'm confident LvG will get it right because the progress is clear to see. We've come a long way in a short time already and that is despite all of the injuries.

 

[Kag]

Clutching at straws there tbf.

And acting as if Januzaj isn't cutting it even though he has played more minutes than James Wilson, as well scoring four goals in his last two games is the basis of a good argument? Fellaini and Blackett were the obvious substitutes for both Valencia and Shaw. The decision to put Wilson on the right to pin back Baines may well have been the manager's intentions, and they're logical ones at that. There is nothing to see here other than the simple fact he isn't yet better than the alternative starters in this formation.

 

[Mali_Zeus]

Every game I see improvements. Against QPR our players clicked and we scored 4 goals. There was panic in the defense though and we were lucky QPR was crap.
Against Leicester we were brilliant in attack but completely collapsed in defense.
Against West Ham we were better and more composed in defense although they did push us back.
Vs Everton we were very good in the 1st half, a bit worse in the 2nd, invited the pressure on us but defended very good and we had brilliant DDG at goal.
What I meant to say is after Leicester I see improvements in our whole game, especially defensively since our attack clicked since our new additions came. Still a lot of work to do, especially closing games and being more ruthless but we're better every game imo, bit by bit.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

And acting as if Januzaj isn't cutting it even though he has played more minutes than James Wilson, as well scoring four goals in his last two games is the basis of a good argument? Fellaini and Blackett were the obvious substitutes for both Valencia and Shaw. The decision to put Wilson on the right to pin back Baines may well have been the manager's intentions, and they're logical ones at that. There is nothing to see here other than the simple fact he isn't yet better than the alternative starters in this formation.

Agree with the last sentence. Although that's got nothing to do with our substitutions at the weekend.

The bit about "pinning back Baines" just seemed like an excuse to hide the fact that Van Gaal doesn't seem to rate Januzaj at the moment. For whatever reason.

We've all seen that he's well capable of pinning back fullbacks when he's on his game.

 

[Kag]

Agree with the last sentence. Although that's got nothing to do with our substitutions at the weekend.

The bit about "pinning back Baines" just seemed like an excuse to hide the fact that Van Gaal doesn't seem to rate Januzaj at the moment. For whatever reason.

We've all seen that he's well capable of pinning back fullbacks when he's on his game.

I agree that he can, but I'm just not going to to read too much into anything so far. Van Gaal isn't an idiot, he'll be well aware of Adnan's ability. I think he'll be alright anyway, if ever we revert to a 433 he'd be good enough to play regularly. A couple of injuries to our strikers and who knows?

 

[SalfordRed1960]

No, the Wilson substitution was most likely game specific. It seems that Baines was a probem so he thought he'd bring on the fastest option we had to pin him back, press him and give him something to worry about. Valencia is more effective on the right side of a diamond. I don't think Adnan was ever an option there as what we wanted from Valencia just isn't his game. And Mata is one of the best players in the squad, it's no surprise he started ahead of him.

Van Persie looks shite but we all know Van Gaal isn't dropping him any time soon. Again, that's not a great deal to do with Januzaj. I think you're reading too much into our subs, one of which was out of our control.

My point wasn't about the subs. The point was about LVG has deemed not to use Adnan, when many on here are screaming out for him to be given a chance. If LVG hasn't used him from the start, there has to be a reason. Maybe, he is just not confident in him yet in carrying out his instructions. It is not as though he has not seen him pre-season and with 3 months training of the squad at United.

 

[Kag]

My point wasn't about the subs. The point was about LVG has deemed not to use Adnan, when many on here are screaming out for him to be given a chance. If LVG hasn't used him from the start, there has to be a reason. Maybe, he is just not confident in him yet in carrying out his instructions. It is not as though he has not seen him pre-season and with 3 months training of the squad at United.

Fair enough. I think the reason is simply that both Rooney and Mata are better in his position within our current formation, surely. And I don't think that does the guy a disservice, given they are two of the best players we have.

 

[LeftyBlaster]

We need to start scoring in the last 30 minutes of games. We've apparently only scored uptil the 62nd minute this season in the he league.

He did recognise this in the post match interview though. I'm sure the ability to see out games and assert our dominance over 90 minutes will come with experience and confidence.

 

[Kaos]

I have no doubt we'll be killing games off more easily in the near future as our team settles, and the likes of Falcao and RVP start properly banging them in. I'm sure we'll eventually stick to a familiar looking back 4 too (injuries permitting).

 

[rover]

our problem in the last 30 minutes time is, again, due to our still thin and volatile midfield.

in ideal when our creative players take the lead by scoring the lead goal, we shall keep the ball in motion so let the opposition to keep running just like headless chickens. then we look for the space exposed, penetrate and enlarge the goals margin.

but our midfield is unable able to hold up the game on our own feet, not for 90 minutes yet. so we struggle once the opposition turning into physical when the game runs towards end.

 

[Empire]

Frank Ribery

"I haven't had fun on the pitch once under van Gaal. I had had more than enough of it."

Looks like he didn't have fun off it either.

 

[Adnan]

SAF: “Louis has made a lot of changes & thinking about that, maybe he’s doing the right thing, to clear the decks and build his own team.”

SAF: "He’s got the experience and coaching ability to do that. The way he's approached it I think is brilliant."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...-build-his-own-team-at-Manchester-United.html

 

[Raoul]

our problem in the last 30 minutes time is, again, due to our still thin and volatile midfield.

in ideal when our creative players take the lead by scoring the lead goal, we shall keep the ball in motion so let the opposition to keep running just like headless chickens. then we look for the space exposed, penetrate and enlarge the goals margin.

but our midfield is unable able to hold up the game on our own feet, not for 90 minutes yet. so we struggle once the opposition turning into physical when the game runs towards end.

Its more down to the fact that we have a group of players who are still learning one anothers ways and are losing focus after the hour mark. Its an iterative work in progress that will improve as the season wears on and players return from injury and the new players get fully settled.

 

[vidal7]

our problem in the last 30 minutes time is, again, due to our still thin and volatile midfield.

in ideal when our creative players take the lead by scoring the lead goal, we shall keep the ball in motion so let the opposition to keep running just like headless chickens. then we look for the space exposed, penetrate and enlarge the goals margin.

but our midfield is unable able to hold up the game on our own feet, not for 90 minutes yet. so we struggle once the opposition turning into physical when the game runs towards end.

Its more down to the fact that we have a group of players who are still learning one anothers ways and are losing focus after the hour mark. Its an iterative work in progress that will improve as the season wears on and players return from injury and the new players get fully settled.

ANother problem i think tgat is being ignored is the fall in quality of players that are on the bench. We also have lost players to red cards against west ham and leciester so we have played 2 games without the full quota of players. These factors also are important. Leicstor is a freak game and wont happen again. The rooney card was him trying to foul the player and take a yellow and just fecking it up.

Once our injured players are back and we have full substitutes bench, i think then we will see a marked improvement. OTher teams also go for it late jn the game trying to contain us in first hour and then grab an equaliser/winner. When they have a go, our depleted benched players most of whom are coming back from injury are the ones playing. That also helps opposition alot.

Once we have a settled team, players knowing each other well and also our bench consists of carrick/januzaj/smalling/evans/januzaj/mata/lindegard, the fall in quality from starting eleven will be much lower,we will kill games off better.