Introduction
The (second) new era of Manchester United started on the 12th
July when Holland beat Brazil in the third place playoff of the World Cup
finals. I, myself am not naive enough to believe that a couple of preseason
results make us ‘world-beaters’ once again but a start is a start. 7-0 against
a team made up of soccer players, two close wins against ageing Italian sides
and one 3-1 victory over a Real Madrid team without CR7 all sounds good on paper
but they are one thing; Friendlies. They mean nothing, perhaps except one
thing... Confidence is back. LVG has instilled much needed self-belief and free
flowing football back into the club, something which has been sorely missing
since the end of the 2013 season. Just take one look at the first goal from the
other night – irresistible.
The rebuilding process has well and truly began.
Formation
The confidence is clearly stemming from the new formation
that is in place. The many years spent on FIFA and Football Manager have taught
me that 5 at the back (or 3 if you’re feeling risky) is an ideal formation that
mixes a trait of solid defence with entertaining counter attacking play. From
what I have seen of United during preseason this is no different. The main man
himself has said that the team he inherited lacks ‘balance’ with at least 4
different conventional number 10’s vying for one spot. The formation allows not
only two up top, but one in behind with a licence to roam. For me this was the
greatest problem from last season, we had too many players who wanted to run
forward without any considerations about turning around. The 3-5-2 setup offers
protection not only in the wide areas but also in centre midfield. People say
never change a winning team, David Moyes tried this with ‘interesting’
consequences; ironically it might be his failure that forced the hand of LVG.
New Signings
To date there has only been two new arrivals at the club,
Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera. In the short term around 30 million pounds for an
18 year old is ludicrous (let alone for a defender). However, in the long term it is a great
investment. If Shaw can serve 10 years at the club, then technically 3 million
pounds per year for the new England left back is effective business. Surely any
fan would rather we spent that money on someone so young as opposed to buying a
27/28 year old for 15/20 million and only having them for a couple of seasons.
Ander Herrera on the other hand was always going to be expensive purchase. The
diabolical summer transfer window last year meant that we had to pay over the
odds for someone who should have cost half that amount. I’m sure the judge and
the jury will be out for a few months over this little Spaniard, especially
since Fabregas cost Chelsea around the same amount, but from what I’ve seen he
is impressive. Put it this way, if he can pass better than a certain tall,
afro’ed Belgian then our midfield will certainly have improved!
Any Possible Additions?
Personally I believe that a couple more new names are needed
before the end of the transfer window. Whether they be bargains or expensive
buys, United need more to guarantee a top 4 spot. Clearly a centre back is
essential as losing both components of arguably the best defensive partnership
in premier league history is always going to be tough. Furthermore that central
‘sweeper’ position at the heart of the back three requires a leader, something
we no longer have. Mats Hummels would of course be the ideal candidate. The
world cup winner oozes dominance but can we pry him away from Bayern, Madrid or
Barcelona if they came knocking? I doubt it. The left footed Thomas Vermaelen
would fit the bill for the left centre back role but as the sweeper possibly
not. Away from the defensive problems a new holding midfielder would be a
definite bonus. Although not as vital as another centre back, someone to
complement Herrera in the centre of midfield could prove important. Vidal I
hear you ask? I wouldn’t complain.
This Season
LVG is no magician but hitting the ground running, which you
would expect with our start to the season and lack of European action, could be
the ideal antidote to the horrors of last season. We can (comfortably) get back
into the top 4 if another centre back is brought in by the start of September.
If that doesn’t happen then the good start already witnessed could be
demolished in the months leading up to January. Jones, Smalling and Evans –
Play two of them with someone else and they will be fine. Play all three at the
back and the opposing strikers will be licking their lips. Elsewhere on the
pitch remember this is the United team that won the premier league less than 15
months ago. One new centre back and a top 4 berth is graspable, couple that
with another and possibly a centre midfielder then dreams of the summit may
become reality. Do none of them and those dreams could swiftly become
nightmares.
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| The First Of Many? Photo Taken From Sky Sports Football http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11669/9406868/international-champions-cup-final-manchester-united-beat-liverpool-3-1-in-miami |
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