Louis van Gaal | Manchester United manager

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ricky-romeo said:
i want to see wilson getting a start this weekend. could be the game for him to open his goal account for this season. while he looks impressive from his limited time on the pitch so far, he never really had a great chance infront of goal.

maybe a cameo appearance from falcao as well. doubt it though :(
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Falcao is likely to be in the 18 so if we go two goals up I can definitely see him coming on.
 
Empire said:
Does anybody think his long term vision is 4-1-2-1-2?

I think Luke Shaw and Rafael can be the full backs in this formation so then it's a matter of him signing back ups who can also do it.

It's either that or 4-3-3, preferably with Angel di Maria as a LCM, Herrera RCM and Carrck or Blind holding but I can't see him moving Angel di Maria into the middle with Rooney preferred there.
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I don't think he's looking for a certain formation for us to play with. This explains why he started us off with a 3-4-1-2 but then went into a 4-4-2 diamond before using a defensive 4-3-3 (midfield point back and wingers deeper).

What I do notice is that his style of footballing is starting to be better-implemented even if the situations we've gone through have affected our attacking performances. We've also become much more flexible in our attacking shape, often switching between a back 3 to a back 4 with midfielders/strikers drifting out wide.

His "formation" will depend on the personnel that he has, but the style of play and flexibility will be a constant regardless of the personnel on the pitch.
 
Just saw his press conference, I think he's great. I really too. I'm really enjoying his presence here. For now, I'd count myself as a big van Gaal fan.
 
He just feels like a Manchester United manager.....Which is why I'm having a hard time picking holes in his tenure so far.

It's just so refreshing compared to last year.
 
Would be great to see some signs of us developing our attacking game this weekend. Now that we're through our "test" as VG called it (Chelsea, city and Arsenal) I'd like to see us pick a more exciting line up, maybe leave Fellaini out, and try create more chances. We haven't been managing many shots on goal recently.
 
Empire said:
Does anybody think his long term vision is 4-1-2-1-2?

I think Luke Shaw and Rafael can be the full backs in this formation so then it's a matter of him signing back ups who can also do it.

It's either that or 4-3-3, preferably with Angel di Maria as a LCM, Herrera RCM and Carrck or Blind holding but I can't see him moving Angel di Maria into the middle with Rooney preferred there.
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Nah I think it'll definitely be a classic 4-3-3, with 2 wingers/inside forwards on the wings flanking a striker (Di Maria, Rooney and one other), and then a midfield three with Strootman, Herrera and Blind or something along those lines. Don't think he's a huge fan of the diamond considering it leaves plenty of gaps defensively because of the lack of wingers covering at the back.
 
It's great that, due to one reason or another, we can now play 2-3 very different formations. Should hold us in good stead going forward.

I do hope that a 433 becomes our primary system though.


KiD MoYeS said:
Just saw his press conference, I think he's great. I really too. I'm really enjoying his presence here. For now, I'd count myself as a big van Gaal fan.
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.Rossi said:
He just feels like a Manchester United manager.....Which is why I'm having a hard time picking holes in his tenure so far.

It's just so refreshing compared to last year.
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Its great isn't it. He's relaxed and seems to know exactly what he's doing, and that confidence is rubbing off on everyone at the club and the supporters (most of us anyway).
 
bosnian_red said:
Nah I think it'll definitely be a classic 4-3-3, with 2 wingers/inside forwards on the wings flanking a striker (Di Maria, Rooney and one other), and then a midfield three with Strootman, Herrera and Blind or something along those lines. Don't think he's a huge fan of the diamond considering it leaves plenty of gaps defensively because of the lack of wingers covering at the back.
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4-3-3 requires 2 new top class wingers, doesn't accommodate Rooney in his best position, doesn't accomodate 2 strikers (do we sell RVP and not buy Falcao?) doesnt allow for Di Maria in his best position, and requiees a new type of midfielder which then asks the question of what to do with Herrera, Mata, Fellaini and doesn't fit Januzaj in because let's be honest, he's no winger.

If we were building a squad from scratch fair enough he might go 4-3-3 but the last formation the current squad accomodates is 4-3-3. It would require so many players out of position or new players to be successful.
 
----------- De Gea -----------
Valencia - Smalling - Rojo - Young
-----------Carrick------------
--Fellaini----------Mata
-------------RVP
-----di Maria ------ Rooney
 
He needs to get his head out of his ass, Rvp wouldn't start for Fulham..
Wilson should get the nod over him any day of the week..
 
Yeah it's starting to come together now. Get any one of Herrera, Mata, Falcao or even Wilson in the line-up regularly in place of RVP and we're set.
 
arthurka said:
Why? He isnt shit, Rvp is..
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Well Louis van Gaal disagrees, he thinks RVP is low on confidence and also he is of the opinion it is not worth risking making the knock wilson picked up in training worse or bringing Falcao back not in accordance with the advice of his medical team just to please you.

Personally I think not playing Wilson or starting Falcao is wise as was taking off Angel di Maria.

Some of our fans are embarrassing, somebody else likened RVP to Torres, he should be replaced in the first team when we have fit players in those positions if he doesn't step it up but he will as he is still a top player who is in a bad run of form, Louis van Gaal says he needs a wonder goal for his confidence and he might get it today, I agree, he looks like he really wants it out there, he has got an assist already, I want him to regain his top form but I seem to be in the minority with the amount of people who want to sell him.

Surely fans should respect the players of the club especially one who was instrumental to us winning our 20th title in our great manager's final season?
 
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With Moyes you never felt we were developing or he had any real plan for us, just to try and immitate Sir Alex's style, even though Van Gaal has had a similar start in terms of results to Moyes you can see the difference, his philosphy, the play style we're moving towards, he says the right things etc. Love him.
 
Ixion said:
With Moyes you never felt we were developing or he had any real plan for us, just to try and immitate Sir Alex's style, even though Van Gaal has had a similar start in terms of results to Moyes you can see the difference, his philosphy, the play style we're moving towards, he says the right things etc. Love him.
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Spot on. The difference is night and day.
 
Ixion said:
With Moyes you never felt we were developing or he had any real plan for us, just to try and immitate Sir Alex's style, even though Van Gaal has had a similar start in terms of results to Moyes you can see the difference, his philosphy, the play style we're moving towards, he says the right things etc. Love him.
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Exactly.

Under LvG you've seen some good (sometimes great) football in small passages. I'm talking about 20, 30 or 40 minutes but never anything so sustained. Today we were like that for the entire game, as each game passes the team seem to be more tuned with what LvG wants and that can only lead us back to the top. Only two issues today - 1) the number of injuries we seem to be getting after each game and 2) how we didnt create as many chances as we should have.
 
Think we're at the end of the beginning of the LvG era. A 90 minute performance with movement and everyone solid on the ball. Also, getting Fellani, Young and Valencia to look like real players again is great to see. LvG has dealt with some tough issues this year, and it looks like the team is poised to go on a much-needed run of form.
 
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Empire said:
Well Louis van Gaal disagrees, he thinks RVP is low on confidence and also he is of the opinion it is not worth risking making the knock wilson picked up in training worse or bringing Falcao back not in accordance with the advice of his medical team just to please you.

Personally I think not playing Wilson or starting Falcao is wise as was taking off Angel di Maria.

Some of our fans are embarrassing, somebody else likened RVP to Torres, he should be replaced in the first team when we have fit players in those positions if he doesn't step it up but he will as he is still a top player who is in a bad run of form, Louis van Gaal says he needs a wonder goal for his confidence and he might get it today, I agree, he looks like he really wants it out there, he has got an assist already, I want him to regain his top form but I seem to be in the minority with the amount of people who want to sell him.

Surely fans should respect the players of the club especially one who was instrumental to us winning our 20th title in our great manager's final season?
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Nothing against Rvp and I think he's in a need of a break.. But he isnt firing on all so others should get the nod..
 
Has the presence of a united manager, talks like a united manager (I mean sometimes it was impossible to understand Fergie to) and is upfront like a united manager. I've never doubted him for one second and even though we'll probably have some ups and downs, today I could see his "philosophy" beginning to take shape.

I absolutely loved how, when asked if last weeks win against arsenal would be the platform for improvement, he replied in words to the effect of 'no, because we played like shite....'
 
He never seems fazed by injuries. He makes an adjustment and the team gets on with it. Flexible coach, flexible players.
 
Why? His overall play was shit.. Even if he smacked that shot.. Falcao was more involved in those 15min..
 
surf said:
He never seems fazed by injuries. He makes an adjustment and the team gets on with it. Flexible coach, flexible players.
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Yup, that's part of his plan isn't it. Multiple players can play all play multiple systems. Its a good direction to take to improve us for the future.
 
arthurka said:
Why? His overall play was shit.. Even if he smacked that shot.. Falcao was more involved in those 15min..
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Firstly no he wasn't, RVP was actually very involved although he made a few errors to begin with, also Falcao missed his chance. An important part of a strikers game is scoring goals, RVP can be nowhere near his best and score goals like the one he did today so imagine when he is on form and at his best.

To state he would not start for Fulham is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.
 
Empire said:
Firstly no he wasn't, RVP was actually very involved although he made a few errors to begin with, also Falcao missed his chance. An important part of a strikers game is scoring goals, RVP can be nowhere near his best and score goals like the one he did today so imagine when he is on form and at his best.

To state he would not start for Fulham is one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.
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Ok i guess he has been fantastic lately... Even a striker at Fulham could manage to touch the ball 12 times vs Arsenal...
 
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From LVG's tactics book it seems his intention was always to play a diamond today.
 
#07 said:
From LVG's tactics book it seems his intention was always to play a diamond today.
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We always were, weren't we? Before Di Maria got injured I thought we looked like

---Rooney--Di Maria---
----------RVP-----------
----Mata----Fellaini----
--------Carrick----------

and then Di Maria went off, RVP moved up top, Mata moved into the #10 position and Herrera slotted into midfield.
 
arthurka said:
Ok i guess he has been fantastic lately... Even a striker at Fulham could manage to touch the ball 12 times vs Arsenal...
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:lol:

I am not sure why you are a football fan, please go and support Liverpool, your reaction is RAWK like.

God forbid Carrick has a bad game or goes through some bad form, you will be calling for him to retire.

Bottom line is that RVP has shut you up, he has shown that he is not completely finished and there is still the possibility he can regain the goal scoring form he has shown over the last two seasons.
 
DJ Jeff said:
Confirms my suspicion that we only played 2 defenders today and Carrick was playing some sort of libero role.
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Well the wide players in a diamond perform like wing backs, the defensive midfielder sits so if need be he can always drop back to make an extra centre back temporarily until the wide players regain position.

I think with Shaw and Rafael they too will be attacking down the flank and then look to recover and get back to defend, the DM must be intelligent to know when to sit back, when to drop deeper, when to sit in front of the centre backs (i.e when the full backs regain position) and also when to join the attack.
 
#07 said:
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From LVG's tactics book it seems his intention was always to play a diamond today.
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Is it me, or does that also say Van Persie at the tip of the diamond, with Rooney and Di Maria a nominal front two?
 
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