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Manchester United head in right direction with Van Gaal’s roadmap Manchester United head in right direction with Van Gaal’s roadmap
(about 11 hours later)
Louis van Gaal was just a few days out with the prediction. Judge his team and his philosophy after three months he stated when becoming the Manchester United manager. Louis van Gaal was only a few days out regarding his plea for time. Judge his team and his philosophy after three months, he said, when becoming the Manchester United manager.
It was 10 days after this self-imposed deadline that Chelsea departed Old Trafford in little doubt that United are heading skywards and Van Gaal means business. Robin van Persie’s equaliser in the fourth minute of added time took the roof off the Theatre of Dreams – and with it the forward’s shirt – and sent a message the faithful have waited 18 months to hear: beware of United again in the Premier League. It was 10 days after this self-imposed deadline that Chelsea left Old Trafford in no doubt that United are heading skywards and Van Gaal means business. Robin van Persie’s equaliser in the fourth minute of added time took the roof off the Theatre of Dreams – and with it the forward’s shirt – and sent a message the faithful have waited 18 months to hear: beware United again in the Premier League.
United stand 10 points behind Chelsea, who lead Southampton by four and Manchester City by six, so there should be no overreaction to the 1-1 draw . Certainly none was forthcoming from Van Gaal: “You have to play your best match against the best teams but we didn’t do that. We still could have won. We missed an opportunity. That is a pity, but I am very pleased we are fighting until the end as a team.” They are 10 points behind Chelsea, who lead Southampton by four and Manchester City by six. So there should be no overreaction to the 1-1 draw. Certainly none was offered by Van Gaal: “We still could have won. We missed an opportunity. That is a pity but I am very pleased we are fighting until the end as a team.”
These are the words of a perfectionist who always demands extra. As his team walked through the mixed zone nearly all of them refused to be interviewed, with many avoiding eye contact. Van Persie’s late goal made it seem as if Chelsea had been beaten. So the downbeat demeanour suggests Van Gaal had delivered a sobering message for his players to carry into preparations for Sunday’s 168th Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium. These are the words of a perfectionist who demands extra. As his team walked through the mixed zone after the match nearly all refused to be interviewed, with many avoiding eye contact. Van Persie’s late goal made it seem as if Chelsea had been beaten. So the downbeat demeanour suggested Van Gaal had delivered a sobering message for his players to carry into their preparations for Sunday’s 168th Manchester derby, at the Etihad Stadium.
Wayne Rooney will be back for that. In the three games he has missed because of suspension United have gone win-draw-draw. This is hardly brilliant but they are unbeaten in four games as the captain re-enters the fray. Even the news that Wayne Rooney is struggling with a foot injury and might not play against City is not the end of the world. In the three games he has missed because of suspension United have gone win-draw-draw. This is hardly eye-catching but they are unbeaten in four outings.
The positives keep coming for Van Gaal. Against Chelsea, Marouane Fellaini excelled in his first start under Van Gaal and now appears an invaluable option. Adnan Januzaj, named in the XI for a second consecutive outing, proved last season was no fluke with every contribution forward-thinking and classy. After injury, Chris Smalling slotted back into defence, Luke Shaw is beginning to appear comfortable at left-back and David de Gea continued his scintillating form. However, Luke Shaw signalled what an important player the striker is, should he return for the derby, by saying: “It’s a massive boost for us. It’s something I think he’s looking forward to. You know Wayne – he hates sitting on the sidelines watching and he’s said that a few times. I’m really looking forward to having him back.” There were other positives for Van Gaal. Against Chelsea Marouane Fellaini excelled in his first start under the new manager and could prove invaluable. Adnan Januzaj, named in the XI for a second consecutive outing, showed last season was no fluke with every contribution forward-thinking and classy. After injury Chris Smalling slotted back into defence, Shaw is beginning to appear comfortable at left-back and David de Gea continued his scintillating form.
All of this without Radamel Falcao – Van Gaal said the kick received in training should not keep the striker out long – and the full use of the recovering Michael Carrick and Ander Hererra who were unused substitutes against Chelsea. All of this is without Radamel Falcao – Van Gaal said the kick received in training should not keep the striker out for long – and the full use of the recovering Michael Carrick and Ander Hererra, who were unused substitutes against Chelsea.
The “shin splints” problem suffered by Phil Jones is a concern but after the uneven form and the long injury list of early season, the sense is United can move forward in the vital period between now and Christmas to become firmly established in the top four. The shin splints problem suffered by Phil Jones is a concern but after the uneven form and long injury list of early season United look to be moving forward in the vital period up to Christmas as they attempt to establish themselves in the top four.
City’s dismal 2-1 defeat at West Ham United is one more reason for United cheer before the derby. Southampton and West Ham’s presence in the Champions League places is another: both, plus sixth-placed Swansea City, seem likely to fall away. Arsenal and Liverpool, two serious contenders for European Cup qualification, are only two points and one point better off respectively. City’s dismal 2-1 defeat at West Ham is one more reason for United cheer before the derby. Southampton’s and West Ham’s presence in the Champions League positions is another: both, plus sixth-placed Swansea City, seem likely to fall away. Arsenal and Liverpool, supposedly more serious contenders for Champions League qualification, are only two points and one point better off, respectively.
Amid the manager’s moan at Van Persie’s shirt-off celebration and José Mourinho’s criticism of the referee, Phil Dowd, was this nugget from Van Gaal: “I don’t think yesterday was a good game [Real Madrid v Barcelona]. Amid the manager’s moan at Van Persie’s shirt-off celebration and José Mourinho’s criticism of the referee, Phil Dowd, was this nugget from the United manager: “I don’t think yesterday was a good game [Real Madrid v Barcelona].
“We were at the Lowry hotel and we had a TV screen in our dining room and I invited the players to watch the second half.Sevetneen out of 18 [match-day] players were there and I have never experienced that before so I was very pleased. “We were at the Lowry hotel and we had a TV screen in our dining room and I invited the players to watch the second half. Seventeen out of 18 [match-day] players were there and I have never experienced that before so I was very pleased.
“I said to the players you have seen what they have done because, for example, Barcelona with Luis Enrique is always pressing from behind and even the home side Real were playing from behind. They drop in and are very compact. But after Real scored the second goal the match was over because Barcelona don’t keep compact like they did in the first half. It was deadly.“I said to the players you have seen what they have done because, for example, Barcelona with Luis Enrique is always pressing from behind and even the home side Real were playing from behind. They drop in and are very compact. But after Real scored the second goal the match was over because Barcelona don’t keep compact like they did in the first half. It was deadly.
“Because of that my team, despite the 10 minutes when they lose their heads [against Chelsea], we were always in our shape.” “Because of that my team, despite the 10 minutes when they lost their heads [against Chelsea], we were always in our shape.”
Van Gaal offered a picture of a united United and of a coach who is constantly teaching and improving the side. After City, Crystal Palace (home) and Arsenal (away) are the opponents. On 14 December, Liverpool are in town. Van Gaal offered a picture of a united United and of a coach who is constantly teaching and improving the side. After City they face Crystal Palace (home) and Arsenal (away). On 14 December Liverpool are in town. By the end of that match a vital phase will be over and, where United stand in the season’s shakedown will be clearer. As Smalling said: “We deserved that [against Chelsea] and it will give us a bit of confidence going into a big period for us.”
By the end of that match a vital phase will be over and where United stand in the season’s shakedown will be clearer. As Smalling said: “We deserved that [against Chelsea] and it will give us a bit of confidence going into a big period for us. Their only chances came from our mistakes, so we need to cut out those sloppy balls. On the whole our team structure is getting better with each game. Shaw believes the Van Gaal ethos has taken root. “Yeah, of course,” he said. “We work on it a lot in training so everyone knows what job they have to do. It’s not just this formation, there are a few other formations that we have been working on so we have a couple of formations that we could play but the 4-3-3 looks good at the moment.”
“We kept fighting and we deserved that point, but how we played against the league leaders showed that we can go to any team and cause problems.”
Thoughts echoed by Van Persie. “We all know this club wants to go for the highest – first place. So [we] showed everyone we can compete with the best in England – I think soon with the best in Europe too. It’s just a process and we are now in the middle of that process. It’s getting better every day, we are improving all the time.”