It has been the key talking point all season for Manchester United. The hashtag #LVGout has been a common cry from fans all over the world following the “boring,” “unentertaining,” and “slow” football being displayed and a lack of goals by Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United side.
Prior to Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, patience has not been a virtue that fans of the past two decades have been forced to endure at Old Trafford – since 1993, the longest that a United side has gone without a league title was merely 3 years.
United faithful have been spoiled in recent history and although fans will argue that “attacking football” is what they desire most as opposed to just trophies, there truly is a process that must take place before attacking, entertaining football returns to England’s most successful club.
Manchester United required a more imposing and decorated name to take over from Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 as it was evident that David Moyes did not have a suitable plan when taking the massive step up from Everton.
The squad was aging and/or not strong enough to continue competing with the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal. However, David Moyes was reluctant to tear down the squad with the same vehemence that Van Gaal has shown since his arrival.
Despite pursuing the signatures of ‘big’ names such as Cesc Fabregas, Thiago Alcantara, Edinson Cavani, only Marouane Fellaini was brought into the squad in the summer transfer period before the signing of Juan Mata in January.
United failed to cement a spot in the top four all season which was the minimum requirement but to Moyes’ credit, they almost reached the semi finals of the Champions League.
http://gty.im/483623375
When van Gaal was brought in, he claimed to have inherited “a broken Manchester United squad” – a common belief of the club’s fans during Moyes’ spell – and he began to rebuild the squad by replacing and improving key positions of the squad.
Following the departures of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra, the defense required focus. Several players were linked but only Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw were brought in before Daley Blind was signed on deadline day – a player much suited to van Gaal’s preference, as the former Ajax player of the year could play in multiple positions including center back and left back.
Ander Herrera was also signed to bolster the midfield before Tom Cleverley, Darren Fletcher, and Anderson were eventually sold – as part of clearing the “deadwood” in the squad.
http://gty.im/467241120
Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao (loan) were brought in to provide star power and attacking presence to bolster their threat in the final third, although they were not successful in their brief spells at Old Trafford.
United experienced a poor start to the 2014-2015 season, van Gaal’s first season in charge. This was expected by the Dutch manager as the squad was “unbalanced” due to several departures and arrivals at Old Trafford, and a reason why he counseled patience as he always had an experience of disappointing starts to seasons before his sides’ form picked up.
In November, United’s form improved drastically as they went on a ten-game undefeated streak which included seven wins. From February to April, another impressive run of form took place including convincing wins over Tottenham and rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.
A top four spot was on the horizon and despite a three match losing streak, van Gaal finished his first season in fourth position – which was realistically on par with the majority of expectations. From November 22 that season until its completion, Manchester United never fell out of the top four.
http://gty.im/467237076
Due to injuries (mostly) and several other issues such as squad balance and form, none of the new signings were able to make over 20 appearances in the 2014-15 season in the Premier League.
Their absences also added to the squad’s inconsistency, and further evidence was provided by the fact that van Gaal had played 32 different players; the most in the league including eight youth players.
In that season, van Gaal had used five or six different systems as he was looking for the balance. Alternations between 3-5-2, 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 were the most common that season and hence was a reason that he believed that success would be far from immediate under his reign.
This season, the majority of games has seen van Gaal employ a 4-2-3-1 formation to protect the defense more effectively.
However, criticisms of the veteran manager were far more serious – criticisms that have carried on until this date. His style or philosophy of soccer has been called into question after almost every match played by United, particularly in the ongoing campaign.
Along with this, certain player selections are questioned but to be fair, most of these selections have been forced by key injuries forcing such bold decisions to be made including the use of Ashley Young as a full back and Fellaini as a holding midfielder.
For the 2015-16 season, van Gaal took another step into clearing out fringe players to complete his rebuilding of the squad. After the controversial departures of Di Maria and Robin van Persie along with many more players offloaded, the squad depth was called into question as 25 players were registered at the end of the summer transfer window – a list which included six players under the age of 21.
Only nine players had made over 30 appearances for the club, showing once again that it would take time for the squad to gel and turn in good performances, thereby forcing more patience by the fans.
He had stated that “Manchester United will not buy to buy. I am not a manager who wants to buy players [all the time], I want to develop players” This statement makes clear why the squad is rather thin in terms of senior players. As long as players can carry out his philosophy, he claims that “Age is not important”.
http://gty.im/500469172
This season, Jesse Lingard, Paddy McNair, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Andreas Pereira, Adnan Januzaj, James Wilson, Nick Powell and Guillermo Varela have all gotten a taste of first team action and most have been called upon in big games.
Januzaj was sent on loan due to off-field deficiencies while Wilson was loaned out to get more senior first team opportunities as he was in need of it. Meanwhile, Will Keane has been recalled from his loan and could feature when fit again after several injury issues.
This coincides with van Gaal’s objective to ultimately rebuild a squad that will be ready when the next manager takes over. He became known for laying out the foundations at Barcelona and Bayern Munich and like his current reign at United, it did not lead to immediate success.
He is, however, credited for the development of Xavi in the late 1990s and Andres Iniesta in the early 2000s at Barcelona as he promoted them into the first team. On top of that, Thomas Muller and David Alaba at Bayern both evolved under the Dutchman’s philosophy as Alaba was converted into a left back while Bastian Schweinsteiger was moved into a holding midfield role which he excelled in for club and country. It even led the next managers Jupp Heynckes and Pep Guardiola to continue employing both players in those positions in the years after.
http://gty.im/106098694
What van Gaal is currently doing in terms of playing such a young squad and often employing players in previously unfamiliar roles allows them to develop into established players. This will allow the next manager to take over a ready-made squad where success could well and truly be immediate as opposed to what Moyes and van Gaal were forced to work with when they were hired. Hence why it is a three-year process.
Rebuilding does not take place overnight in the world of football. When Manchester United signed Anthony Martial, van Gaal blatantly stated that he had bought him for the next manager of Manchester United. Whether this was directed at Ryan Giggs or not, it represents what is being done with the entire squad in hindsight.
Meanwhile, older, more experienced players are being groomed into becoming leaders of the football club – an asset missed when the likes of Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra left. Schweinsteiger was one signing made for this purpose while Wayne Rooney leads the attack with younger players being signed around him.
Fans have asserted that they understand that results are not always pleasing due to the effects of rebuilding but are still furious due to the playing style. They want the vintage, fast, attacking football that Ferguson’s sides were known for several years back. Without a consistent back four due to the consequences of injuries, this is not always possible.
http://gty.im/504166982
Although he wants to keep possession to protect the defense, it is not as if van Gaal does not want his attackers to player quicker and more effectively in the final third. Following a narrow win in the FA Cup against Sheffield United, he stated that “You have to play quicker.” He has stated:
This proves that the team is not playing the type of soccer van Gaal desires near enough and that is evident week in, week out.
A major reason for the side’s constant struggles in the final third is down to the lack of world-class talent in attack which directly complements his statement above. The structure of his teams are almost identical to that of Pep Guardiola’s.
Spacing and positioning is crucial and has allowed their teams to keep enormous amounts of possession in most games. Both managers want their wingers to be positioned very wide to stretch the opposition. However, it requires pace, creativity, flair and great talent to operate in those areas – something that has been lacking at United.
Van Gaal was used to having Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben in those positions in his last spell at Bayern while Guardiola has had Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry or Alexis Sanchez, Pedro and David Villa.
Another key reason why Guardiola’s attack rarely fails to produce is due to the large freedom permitted when the ball reaches the final third after the methodical build-up play from defense which is always evident for Manchester United currently.
An issue with the possession-based system used by United is the opposition that faces it. The modern Premier League team wants quick transitions after winning the ball and although United still press to win the ball back, the transition into attack is rather slow to ensure the build-up from defense.
Furthermore, due to the increased money being spent by all teams in the league, the Premier League is more competitive than ever, which causes even more difficulty for a side that is rebuilding and constantly struck with injuries. This season, the criticism gets worse and worse for van Gaal even after victories due to the lackluster performances.
The Red Devils currently sit in fifth position and 5 points behind a top four position in the league, with the major disappointment their elimination from the Champions’ League and if performances fail to improve, a spot in next season’s Champions’ League could be unlikely.
Manchester United once again do not look likely to win a major trophy this season. However, given that they finish in the top four for a second season in a row, you can guarantee that they will be front-runners for the title in van Gaal’s third season in charge.
The manager himself had predicted that not until the last season of his contract, could they truly win the league title and even if they do not, the next manager following will have a complete squad to take charge of and can implement the exciting, attacking football that the fans desire.
I was recommendded this weeb sitte by myy cousin. I amm noot sujre whether this poswt iss written by him as nno onne
elsxe know sujch detailked abouht mmy problem. Youu are incredible!
Thanks!