Manchester United - Then and Now
Article by Robert Osborne
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The Manchester United we are seeing this season is different, and it's not by chance. Let's start by comparing the two managers in question (glossing over Moyes for a second).
Sir Alex demanded high pressure, quick tempo and total commitment to attack at all times (except Barca 08 at home). Van Gaal is far more methodical in his requirements. It is no coincidence that two clubs he left his mark on are renowned for a high possession game in Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Before the short tempered start- this United is not comparable. Yet.
I think back to Sir Alex's final season and how many times players lost the ball in the final third or played an impossible pass that resulted in needless goal kicks. At that time I looked on at Barcelona and silently wished we held the ball more and controlled the games, not being afraid of passing the ball backwards. I was one of the first around to almost criticise that Barca team for being defensive. After all if you have the ball your opponent can't score. This United team remind me of that. The calm in possession is not due to a lack of urgency as a lot of so called pundits suggest, it is a level of control and clinical analysis that is synonymous with Van Gaal. The new United is being built on players who can interchange easily and transition through the phases without bypassing players. It is also why superb footballers like Falcao might not be apart of the club next season- because he feeds off space that centre backs are simply not giving. Right now strikers at United are required to hold up e ball and play round the corner, as well as drag centre backs in to places they do want to go. The wingers are required to be flexible and tuck when the opportunity presents itself for full backs to overlap, and drag defenders wide when things are narrow. The players are adapting and Van Gaal's comments that all signings should be judged next season currently hold weight- all are coming from teams that play very differently to what Van Gaal wants and that takes time. Yes professionals should be able to adapt, but we're also looking at a manager in a new league, at a club that has been built on a particular brand also trying to adapt.
I'd also like to point out these pundits who keep slating United- they only add to the furore surrounding LVG. The constant attacks on the style of play are partially motivated by the 'philosophy' talk, however few are recognising a new style is coming to the club- including ex players who are indoctrinated in a particular style. Ultimately the ex players care about the club, and other pundits (who tip United to lose/draw every week- Mourinho I'm with you on the Sky Sports 'agenda') who are revelling in United not rolling over everything in their sight.
On a final note- United will finish in the top 4.
© e-Football 2015 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football
Subscribe to the e-Football Podcast on iTunes (Click Here)
The Manchester United we are seeing this season is different, and it's not by chance. Let's start by comparing the two managers in question (glossing over Moyes for a second).
Sir Alex demanded high pressure, quick tempo and total commitment to attack at all times (except Barca 08 at home). Van Gaal is far more methodical in his requirements. It is no coincidence that two clubs he left his mark on are renowned for a high possession game in Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Before the short tempered start- this United is not comparable. Yet.
I think back to Sir Alex's final season and how many times players lost the ball in the final third or played an impossible pass that resulted in needless goal kicks. At that time I looked on at Barcelona and silently wished we held the ball more and controlled the games, not being afraid of passing the ball backwards. I was one of the first around to almost criticise that Barca team for being defensive. After all if you have the ball your opponent can't score. This United team remind me of that. The calm in possession is not due to a lack of urgency as a lot of so called pundits suggest, it is a level of control and clinical analysis that is synonymous with Van Gaal. The new United is being built on players who can interchange easily and transition through the phases without bypassing players. It is also why superb footballers like Falcao might not be apart of the club next season- because he feeds off space that centre backs are simply not giving. Right now strikers at United are required to hold up e ball and play round the corner, as well as drag centre backs in to places they do want to go. The wingers are required to be flexible and tuck when the opportunity presents itself for full backs to overlap, and drag defenders wide when things are narrow. The players are adapting and Van Gaal's comments that all signings should be judged next season currently hold weight- all are coming from teams that play very differently to what Van Gaal wants and that takes time. Yes professionals should be able to adapt, but we're also looking at a manager in a new league, at a club that has been built on a particular brand also trying to adapt.
I'd also like to point out these pundits who keep slating United- they only add to the furore surrounding LVG. The constant attacks on the style of play are partially motivated by the 'philosophy' talk, however few are recognising a new style is coming to the club- including ex players who are indoctrinated in a particular style. Ultimately the ex players care about the club, and other pundits (who tip United to lose/draw every week- Mourinho I'm with you on the Sky Sports 'agenda') who are revelling in United not rolling over everything in their sight.
On a final note- United will finish in the top 4.
© e-Football 2015 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of e-Football
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