The season so far... Man Utd 2014/15
Hey Guys, so since we are at the 'half-time' spot of the 2014/2015 season, I thought why not start a series called 'The season so far..' where I take a look at the 'top' teams of the Premier League and basically share my thoughts and opinions of how these teams will basically get on from now onto the end of the season. Unfortunately I can't look at all the teams, due to the fact that it would indeed take a very long time for to do that. Besides, I think the most interesting thing to look at the Premier League right now is the top 4, and which teams will take up those 4 slots. Just so you guys know up front, the statements and opinions that I put forward won't necessarily be correct, what I will say will be my own thoughts backed up by factual evidence such as Team signings, potential signings, Coaches, Formations, Team line-ups Etc.
The Campaign so far...
So the first team that I'll be looking at will be Man Utd since it is the team that I support. Despite only taking 10 points from 10 games at the start of the season, I think when you look at the overall effect they have had this season so far, it's certainly getting there. I did admit at the start of the season that I did have my doubts over Louis Van Gaal and whether he can adapt to the Premier League and a club that is so recognisable around the world. In my opinion, I think he has finally gotten to grips with what English football is like. The losses at the start of the season to MK Dons and Leicester City are good examples of this lack of understanding of the culture and the playing style. Obviously as time went on from those 2 disappointing results, little by little, everything is piecing together nicely. The first and obvious thing that Van Gaal should be credited for is his enthusiasm and character. Unlike Moyes who let's be honest, was a headless chicken under the spotlight when it came to managing Man Utd; you knew that whenever he was doing an interview or a press conference, there wasn't any confidence and ambition in what he was saying and how he said to be frank. With Van Gaal however, there is this strength and belief that does surround him every time he speaks about a certain game coming up and the club itself.
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| Crazy to think United have this player... |
From that came the signings at the end of August which I never had the chance to comment on, but I will now. Van Gaal's presence has certainly been transposed within the signings he did make, and my word, did we do well last summer. If someone had told me that near the dying days of the summer transfer window, we would sign Di Maria and Falcao, I honestly would of been laughing at your face. Of course don't get me wrong, the other additions such as Herrera, Blind, Rojo and Shaw have all been consistent and great this season so far, but you know when you hear the likes of Falcao and Di Maria who are now playing for United, it's crazy to think that we do finally have not just game changers, but players who for sure can tear defences apart on their own. Those two signings specifically have brought back the Man Utd way of playing football; playing with speed on the wings with Di Maria, and have a world class finisher in Falcao. Probably the disappointing thing you could mention that United didn't do was find a Rock at the back. It's for sure that the early games we have played this season, we have missed a Vidic; someone who's a brick at the back who doesn't let anyone through. By saying as well, it just shows the lack of quality we do have at the back. I do think that we should keep Jones and Smalling due to the fact that I believe they can put in really solid performances at times especially Jones, and the additions of Mcnair and Blackett is a pleasure to see since they have been at the club at youth level and risen from the ranks. I really hated it when Welbeck was sold and idiotic bigots like Piers Morgan were on about how Man Utd have no identity What a load on nonsense that is. Developing youngsters has always been a major at Man Utd. a positive to take out of this as well is how well the youngsters have been playing like Mcnair and Blackett who at times have been playing better than our 'experienced' defenders like Evans who i'm sorry, does need to get axed; he simply isn't good enough any more. it's not just Mcnair and Blackett, you also have James Wilson, Januzaj, Lingard, Janko and Pereira who are for sure, are going to be important players in the next couple of years. I am personally a bit annoyed with how Januzaj in particular isn't playing as much as he did last season. Of course we have signings of pure talent, but that doesn't mean we can't use Januzaj's trickery. It's shame because I think it's the new formation of 3-5-2 that is letting him down; there is simply nowhere on the pitch using this formation where Januzaj's ability can be implemented.
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| De Gea = the wall |
As for players who have impressed and won games for Man Utd so far, there are a few and probably the obvious player who has put United where they are so far is of course David De Gea. I wouldn't smerk at anyone if someone suggested that by the end of this season, De Gea will be the United player of the season and be part of the team of the season. His performance against Liverpool not only won United that game, but it shows how De Gea has improved in recent years. We all know his shot stopping is second to non, but his composure and patients whether he is in the air catching a ball, or is facing a player one-on-one this year, has been up to scratch and what you would expect from one of the best goalkeepers in the world. As for other players that have impressed me and improved, I think Fellaini is slowly but surely redeeming himself with his performances that really echo his form when he was playing for Everton. I thought it was unjust the criticism that Fellaini received last year when Moyes got sacked and United dipped dramatically in form; he was the player to go to so to speak in terms of United's dreadful performances. This season however is a different story; his performance against Chelsea at Old Trafford is a stand-out example; he bullied Chelsea's midfield at times whilst being a rock in defence and being a nuisance in the air whenever United are attacking. For me, he should be a player that should play in the big games; against the midfield's that control possession and have bullies in midfield; Fellaini is that sought out player that can barge into the midfield and disrupt a teams flow. Ashley Young is another player that I put in my list of impressing me. I'm not going to lie, Young was one of the players that I thought and most people thought. that he would be one of the players to leave due to the fact that he had a woeful previous season similar to Fellaini. However his contribution to the Left-Wing-Back position whenever Shaw has been injured has been great. It really does suit Young as he has the stamina and flair to not only attack on the wing and produce pin-point crosses like he usually does, but he is a player that put's in a shift and will travel back to help out this dodgy defence. United's best moments are without a doubt the games that they were unbeaten.. and that was when they didn't have everyone back in their squad. Reflecting now, it's quite amazing to see a team who even though last season finished in a place that they would never expect and had a massive amount of injuries that frankly was a joke, have a 10 game unbeaten streak which granted them a place in the Top 4.. so far. It will be unacceptable if United don't finish in the Top 4 this season now; they have recently got nearly every-single player they have back and are in a time where usually they finish games off quite strongly.. but can this United side replicated the United teams of old? Yes, I think they can. I think we will undoubtedly see twist and turns come the end of the season, but I think United will prevail and even put up a good fight against the big teams in Man City and Chelsea.
Potential Players In:
There's no questioning the rumours and whispers of the players that could potentially come in to United's squad this season or next summer. What ever signings they do make though, it will be beneficial towards United's reinvigoration for challenging for the title next season. Just to note, these players that I will mention will be of my own opinion for what Man Utd need, if I have missed any players that you think I should of added, please comment down below and share your thoughts :)
Radamel Falcao - Even though we have him now and were over the moon and Transfer Deadline day when he signed for United, it can't be ignored recently about not only his form for the team, but his future for Man Utd. For me he should stay; Yes his performances haven't been amazing and world class like his days of old for Porto and Atletico Madrid, but don't forget he is just recuperating from a serious injury and with that, United fans and Van Gaal need to be patient with him. I believe he'll have a good scoring run towards the end of the season which will prompt the eventually signing that he'll make for United. I think as well, he is a player that enjoys playing football here; United do have a range of players that have different tongues and has got back into shape relatively well at United's training ground which goes to show that if Falcao did leave, would he be able to recover properly at a different club? I don't think he'll be mega expensive like every media outlet is suggesting, the price I think will drop a fair bit.. but I guess for United..money isn't an issue.
Alexandre Lacazette - Even though I think Falcao will stay, I not a fortune teller and could very be wrong with what I have just said about Falcao. If indeed I am wrong and Falcao goes to another club, it's ideal then to mention striker's that could partner either Wilson, Van Persie or Rooney. One of the 2 strikers names that I am mentioning in this section of United's 'Potential Players in' section is a striker that plays for Lyon called Lacazette. You may be wondering.. 'Who the heck is Lacazette?'.. well he's a striker of course... a striker that this season is rivalling the best strikers around Europe. This season is probably his best so far scoring 20 goals in 20 league games for Lyon. Also he is relatively young, so if it comes down to us not signing Falcao, then I think we would want an in-form striker who is relatively young and could be, in the future, one of the best strikers around...
Paulo Dybala - The last of the two strikers that i'm going to mention, Dybala is another ambitious possibility. I say ambitious because of how old he is and that he hasn't played much football in his career so far. I recommended him due to the fact of the potential; a lot of people compare him to Aguero and I can see why. Judging from the YouTube vids I have seen of him, his movement with the ball and chasing down defenders is very reminiscent of Aguero. I think however out of Dybala and Lacazette, I would go with Lacazette due to the fact he has more playing experience up-front and I think he would suit the physicality of the Premier League.
Mats Hummels - Probably one of the biggest mentions and suggestions of leaving to United, Hummels would be perfect and suitable to Uniteds defence who are shaky. For me at least, he is someone that reminds me of Vidic; he's not very fast but is smart in where to be defensively when the opposition is attacking, he is certainly strong when he commits to a challenge and he can no only head a ball away or into the net.. HE CAN TAKE PENALTIES!!.. apparently. Even though some news papers have 'quoted' him saying he's staying, I don't buy the fact that he said that and even if he did say that, I don't truly believe him. Remember when Ronaldo said he would stay at Man Utd forever, and then eventually left to Real Madrid? no modern footballer these days wants to stay at a football club forever. For me is the perfect choice to add in a wobbly Man Utd defence. Plus, he's playing for a side now that are near the relegation zone.. i'm sure he would want to play in the Champions League..
Raphael Varane - If by chance Hummels wasn't available to sign, my alternative to sign would be the French beast that is Varane. Similar age to Phil Jones, Varane in world football has proven himself to be one of the best young prospects in defence. his battling against Ramos and Pepe for Centre-back role at Real Madrid just shows how serious this player is. For me, I can picture him partnering the likes of Jones or Rojo in a back 4 or 3; I think he has good pace at the back to play in a back 3.
Nathaniel Clyne - Like what Man Utd did with the Left-back position last summer and bought Luke Shaw from Southampton, United need to do the same thing again with the Right-back position and get Clyne from the same club. It's annoying how when Rafael get's injured (which is ALL THE TIME) we have to play Valencia at right back. Don't get me wrong, Valencia is a player that can play Right-back good at times, it's just not conventional to play Valencia at Right-back when Rafael is injured. For me personally, I think we should let one of the youngsters to play a game at Right-back such as Saidy Janko who has potential in both Power and Strength. However, if we going to continue this trend of putting Valencia at Righ-back, then frankly it's time for a change and who else better than Clyne at the moment who is having a whirlwind of a season. t's a perfect choice considering that he will be England consistent Right back now.. I can guarantee that, and the fact that he has the experience of playing in the Premier League.. perfect choice for Righ-back in my opinion..
Kevin Strootman - Similar to Hummels, Strootman is another player who is been heavily linked to Man Utd.. and I can see why. There's no questioning that Michael Carrick won't be at Man Utd forever, for sure there has to be a player who can fit those boots of Carrick, that for me is Strootman. Although we do have the likes of Blind, Fellaini and Herrera who can fill that void that Carrick has been do well in recent years, I think the addition of Strootman would certainly help cement the defensive properties of the midfield. The fact that he is dutch and is highly regarded by Van Gaal are positive signs that Strootman will be a Man Utd player in the summer.
Potential Players Out:
It can't be helped to mention the potential players that won't be playing for Man Utd the rest of the season or next season. For sure though, there are examples who in the Utd squad already and who are out on loan who I think don't have the ideals to be in Van Gaal's side.
Anders Lindegaard/ Ben Amos - For sure, the recent signing of Victor Valdes may have spiced up the competition for David De Gea in terms of the number 1 spot in the first team, but without a doubt, it has also guaranteed either Lindegaard or Amos to leave at the end of the season. For one reason, both goalkeepers won't like it if they kept on playing for the reserves beyond this season due to the fact they aren't getting any younger and both of them are not getting first team football. It's an obvious one to predict really.. either one of them could go and perhaps both of them could leave... which do you think?!
Anderson - He maybe well respected and loved at United, but we cannot deny that he hasn't really done anything for United in a long time. picked on for his weight, Anderson is a definite in my opinion for someone who will leave Man Utd not because he isn't any good, it's just that he can;t really compete with the midfielder's we have at the moment.
Nani - Like Anderson, I don't see how Nani can comback into the United side. Sure, so far he has had a great season for his old club Sporting Lisbon scoring 7 in 17 games overall this season. However I don't see him contending against the likes of Januzaj, Di Maria, Young and Valencia who are all players who fit in Van Gaal's plans already. For me as well, I don't think he holds a candle to Wilfired Zaha. Zaha I am confident will come back from his loan from Crystal Palace having more Premier League experience and confidence to contend at United, which will leave Nani no choice but to remain at Sporting Lisbon which for him at least, isn't too bad. Judging from his form this season, he seems to be happy playing for Sporting Lisbon which will undoubtedly leave Nani to play for Sporting rather than United.
Darren Fletcher -One of the oldest players at the club, Fletcher already is a player that can't really contend against the midfield we already have. It's amazing how he has comeback into football despite having that illness he had a few seasons ago which I give massive respect points to him, but it's already hard as it is for Fletcher to get into the first team with so many midfielders and young prospects coming through. Unfortunately, Fletcher will go.
Tom Cleverley - One of the players out on loan at the moment, hopes for playing for United next season are looking very slim for the degrading Cleverley. In some regard I do feel sorry for him due to the amount of abuse he got when Moyes was in charge and the disgusting stories about the petitions for him not to play for England at the World Cup. But it can't be ignored how much of a player he isn't now. So much for him becoming the next Scholes at United.. he'll undoubtedly stay at Aston Villa.
Javier Hernandez - One out 3 strikers who I think will leave, Hernandez will for sure leave United to stay at a club that'll play him regularly. With the amount of options United have going foward, it does mean that Hernandez will have to find a club that will let him play all the time. I don't think he was too happy staying on the bench at United anyway so a move away will be perfect even though he will be a player that to some, wil be missed..
Angelo Henriquez - Hasen't really proven his worth when he arrived at United anyway, Henriquez will be a player that falls down the pipe and leave. I just don't see contending against the likes of Rooney, Falcao, Van Persie and James Wilson.
Will Keane - Similar to Henriquez, Keane will for sure fall down the pipe and move away similar to how his brother Michael did on transfer deadline day. At age 22, he will want to move to a club that will allow him to play consistently in a first team.
My team/ Formation set-up
So for the last part of this blog post which i'll be doing for the other teams i'm going to talk about, I will express my thoughts on each teams formation set-up and whether or not it works or needs changing. Funnily enough, out of some of the talking points from Man Utd this season, formations and team selections have been a rather constant conversational topic that just keeps creeping up. I mean it's not surprising really due to the fact United did in fact get a new manager in Van Gaal who sets up a team rather differently then everyone else. When I made my blog on Man Utd a couple of months ago about how they'll do this season and the formation, I do remember saying that Van Gaal's method of 3-5-2 will in fact be risky but effective at times. I said it's a formation that against certain opponents will work due to the fact it will allow a lot of attacking play from the players in the formation, but it is a formation that leaves the United defence open which is a worry due to the fact that all of the players in defence have looked nervous this season playing 3 at the back. For me looking at the system now, it just doesn't work in the premier league at least. It may work against other European teams due to the fact they don't especially play fast-paced football, but in the premier league when every-single team can play long balls and put up a high-pressure play, the 3-5-2 system just falters down the pecking order in terms of the formations to play nowadays. I think I speak for the majority of the Man Utd fans when I say this... but we play better football when we have 4 at the back. For most of the players that we have at the back, it's just natural Nietzsche for all of them to play at the back 4 due to the fact it's comfortable to play in unlike the back 3, and really when analysing the times when we do play 4 at the back and go back into that diamond formation.. when we have possession in the opponents half, our structure looks similar to a back 3. Take the QPR game at Old Trafford a couple of months ago when we played 4 at the back, when we were attacking, the full backs pushed upwards to provide extra support and Blind the smart player he is, dropped back a little bit the 2 centre backs where they had 3 at the back essentially. For me, the 4-4-2 Diamond or the 4-1-2-1-2 is the way to play the rest of the season now. I get the fact that the 3-5-2 allows alot of the attacking players to play together at the same time, but overall it just doesn't work; in a team selection, there needs to be a balance of attackers and defenders. When we play the 3-5-2, we mainly play attackers all over the area which isn't helping our defence. Plus, the Diamond allows Van Gaal to pick certain players for certain games as well. For example, for the majority of the time, Van Gaal for sure would pick Herrera over Fellaini since Herrera overall buzzes around the midfield and gets things going. If we did play against the likes of City or Chelsea who do have dominant midfields however, I think choosing the Diamond would be more flexible for Van Gaal in choosing the perfect player for a specific game so for example against Chelsea or City, he would play Fellaini to disrupt their flow, but for the other games he would pick Herrera for his quickness with the ball.
Potential team line-ups:
My Man Utd team using the 3-5-2:
De Gea
Smalling Jones Rojo
Herrera Blind
Valencia Di Maria
Rooney
Falcao Van Persie
Subs: Valdes, Shaw, Carrick, Mata, Wilson, Evans, Januzaj
My Man Utd Team using the 4-4-2 Diamond/ 4-1-2-1-2
De Gea
Jones Rojo
Rafael Shaw
Blind
Herrera Di Maria
Mata
Rooney Falcao
Subs: Valdes, Carrick, Smalling, Wilson, Fellaini, Van Persie, Januzaj
Thankyou for all you for those who have read everything and have made it this far, big appreciation to you guys who have done that. If you have any opinion on my team selection, the potential signings or generally how you think Man Utd are doing this season, don't be afraid to comment down below, if you liked reading this sought of football Blog, then don't worry, I still have a couple more Blog posts that will be similar to this one that will centre on the big teams at the top of the Premier League. Thank you for reading guys. I'll see you soon :)
Alex Rabbitte.
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