Glory Glory Man United!
That is what we’ve always sought and continue to seek! It is fuelled by an ambition to be ‘Numero Uno’, not just in the UK but also the world. To a certain extent, one can say the ambition has been achieved over the last 25 years or so. With millions of fans all around the world, born and bred on success and footballers playing with a mentality and style that is so uniquely – united!
How it began for me:
Around 20 years ago, I happened to watch a team over consecutive weeks, play some spellbinding football, cut open defences with splitting passes and attack from the flanks. I saw them find a way to win, sometimes through sheer effort and at other times through footballing sorcery. They were led by a magician named Eric Cantona. The team was Manchester United. I was hooked.
A brief history of the last 25 years:
During that glorious period under Fergie, for all the success at the domestic level there were some disappointments in Europe. Except for 92, 99 and a dream spell in the latter part of his reign; we failed to really mix with the big boys. We also began to be outmuscled in our pursuit of talent first by the “Russian Rouble” and then by the “Emirati Dirham”. With economic interests becoming more and more important, we even started acting like a feeder club to the bigger sharks instead of pursuing world class talent ourselves. The retirement of Fergie was an epochal moment. A tough act to follow as Moyes and even Van Gaal found out.
LVG as Manager:
Putting aside all the blame game and finger pointing of the post Fergie and pre LVG era, here is my assessment of the season under the Dutch master.
I don’t know if you’ll concur with this statement but I feel LVG has “fumbled his way” to the current winning formula at united. Any manager worth his salt should not require an entire season to figure out his players and effective playing style. Even the likes of Pulis and Rodgers take less time to sort things out! There has been so much chopping and changing. Trying to fit players into his template rather than create a template based on his players. No wonder once Carrick got injured, the recent run of good results began to go astray.
Injuries are part and parcel of the game. When you are at one of the biggest clubs in the world and challenging for trophies, you need to have quality backup players for each position. LVG knew that very well before taking the job, but has repeatedly used injuries to cover for the bad start to the season and cup disappointments. Not sure if the same card can be played over and over again in his second season.
Another problem has been the slow, almost mechanical build-up play. Opposition teams are more than happy to put men behind the ball and thwart the attack. I wonder if this “style of play” is by design - more to do with keeping possession and less to do with player ability or lethargy. United players, at times, appear scared to play the “telling ball”. They are more worried about losing the ball and inviting the manager’s wrath. We don’t want football being played sideways and back. The stats will look great but it will win us nothing.
I don’t like managers who chirp throughout the 90 minutes like Martinez does. Footballers are not the brightest people around but they can think a bit for themselves. However, every once in a while a manager must let his players know what he thinks about the play. Even Fergie would occasionally come down to the touch line and rant. That is what he gets paid for – man management, motivation and tactics at the right time. LVG just sits there, drinks water and makes notes**.
If you remember, as Barca coach, LVG literally had the entire Dutch team playing for him there. He wasn’t particularly successful. I have the same worry with United. He already has RVP and Blind and at various times has been linked with Vlaar, Strootman, & Depay*. Being a former PE teacher, he is very strict and sometimes finds it easier to train players who have been brought up playing the “total football” way as compared to those brought up playing in England. No wonder he is always looking at the Oranjes.
Liverpool won a lot of trophies in the 70’s and 80’s. I’m not old enough to have seen them play, but what I have heard is that they were very pragmatic in their approach. The current champions under Jose are no different. While it is great to have metrics like possession, corners, free kicks in your favour, the most important thing is to get the football in the opponent’s goal. Champion teams “find a way to fix this problem”. Once you start doing that, it is not difficult to fill the coffers, attract the best talent and build the best stadiums. LVG with his experience knows this all too well.
Irrespective of whether we finish in Champions league spot or not, it has been a season of disappointments. We competed throughout the season but were never in the running, we won a few matches but never dominated and none of our signings set the premier league on fire. Some of the hurried purchases have not clicked, while others have not “jelled” well. A manager of LVG’s reputation and record splashed 150 million and we still feel short-changed. He has to get rid of the chaff and ensure the “pudding” is ready next season.
* Manchester United has agreed to sign Memphis Depay from PSV.
** LVG was finally pitch side in the match vs Crystal Palace with the team at 1-1. Manchester United finally won 1-2.
To be continued in Part II….. Glory Glory Man United - Part II
If you liked this article, why not follow me on Twitter by clicking the button below? Its easy and super quick.
Follow @fplheart
No comments:
Post a Comment