In a game that frequently gets associated with shape and
form, I find it ironic that Louis Van Gaal’s problems at my beloved Manchester
United may boil down to fundamental mismatches. Unlike the less illustrious and
somewhat ill-fortunate David Moyes, it has been rightfully pointed out that Van
Gaal brings with him a resume that can only be described as success-full.
Coupled with his march to the semis of the World Cup with a lesser talented
Dutch national team, compared to their previous compatriots, I can only surmise
that Manchester United are due better days ahead.
Van Gaal’s tactics are based on players having the fitness
levels and more importantly, embracing a philosophy that places the team above
the individual. This approach favours intelligent (thoughtful not instinctual) passing
and retention of the ball. It depends on players understanding their roles in
relation to each moving part of the team that ensures that the plays in motion
are never short of numbers, whether in defence or attack. Admittedly this is easy
enough to understand, but harder perhaps to realise.
In this Manchester United squad, or even most top English
clubs for that matter, this approach may need more time to piece together,
probably more time than is usually available before the soccer critics turn
pens into sharp piercing weapons to wound and sometimes kill. I venture to say,
it is made even harder with this current crop of players at Carrington and
United’s insatiable thirst for success.
Grey Matter-s
Ever since the Euro ban of English clubs and their subsequent
return, continental clubs have often used the “long ball approach” as a
derisory tag on England’s best teams. While English clubs have had some success
and temporary dominance of the continental contests in the past, the gulf in
class is evident when it comes to the national team. Most English players are
by and large, fast and strong but simply not smart footballers. I do not know
enough to comment about the structure of football training in the UK, but
looking at the way the Germans, Italians and the Dutch play the game over the
past 2 decades, it is no wonder why British national teams have found success
elusive.
Unlike the Class of 92, a glorious exception, our current
United players like Smalling, Evans, Jones, Valencia, even Fellaini offer
little in terms of footballing smarts. While it may work when teaching pets new
tricks, we are talking about footballing tactics here and it is little wonder
that the main culprits are also to be blamed for United’s porous defensive
displays. Block headed players cannot be made to understand well rounded plays
and until LVG can pound those flat edges into something he can work with, I
fear our hopes of finishing top four are, sticking with the headline imagery,
stuck.
Grey Matters Too
Van Gaal has been credited with the development of young
players like Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta and Bayern stalwarts like Thomas
Müller and Bastian Schweinsteiger in the past, demonstrating the same with greenhorns
like Memphis Depay and Jordy Clasie. This United team however has players like
Jonny Evans (27), Chris Smalling (25) and Antonio Valencia (29) who may well be
old dogs being taught new tricks. Even Phil Jones at 23 years should be at a higher
level of development than currently at display. In the case of Young and
Valencia, playing them out of position has been “hit (albeit Young needs more
consistency) and miss” rather than vindication for the Dutch master.
Last night’s game demonstrated the weakness of using
Valencia as a right back rather than his natural position on the wing further
upfront. While he had a small hand in the equaliser, I would suggest that the
Ecuadorian was responsible for both and not just the second goal. In the first
instance, his weak intervention by showing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain his back
opened wide the already useless backline and allowed for the final pass that
led to Monreal’s goal.
I am tempted to suggest that Angel Di Maria may fall in the
same category, but he is too intelligent, although not last night I may add,
and skilful player to write-off quite so easily as his opening games suggest.
Unless these players experience a near miraculous illumination,
the solution lies in promoting the teenagers within the squad or opening the
coffers for another off-season splash. Without the lure of Champions League
football, United will be a less attractive proposition and that would mean
paying above market prices to ease the conscience somewhat.
Our Colours Are Red, Not Grey
If Van Gaal didn’t know it when he signed, he should realise
by now that Manchester United not just about winning. The colours of the team
reflect the vibrant and romantic past of the club. This is perhaps one of the
reasons the Special One was deemed not special enough. In order to restructure
United’s shape of play, Van Gaal has had to stymie the styles of incredible
talents like Ander Herrera, Radamel Falcao and to an extent, even Di Maria. The
collective spirit is squeezing the creative freedom that these players thrive
on and this is manifest in the pedestrian pace of football on display.
I would argue that this was a calculated risk and the reason
I say this is the lack of gloating despite the mid-season unbeaten run. Van
Gaal realises that top four is a temporary reprieve and failure to secure Champions
League qualification will see the colour of red on the dissatisfied fuming faces
of United fans.
With 10 games to go, half of those games are against
contenders for top 4 with must-win games beginning with Spurs and followed
quickly by Liverpool in quick succession. Given this scenario, why note revert
to what United players know best? The fact of the matter is that those pegs are
square and Van Gaal needs to find another game plan to make this work. Even if
this mean strengthening the spine with some brawn if not brains, removing the
need for unproductive possession and freeing the wingers to tear up the edges
of the pitch. Even if it means dealing with Juan Mata’s lack of pace given his
knack of creating and scoring goals. And even if it means eating some humble
pie and admitting that the Van Gaal Philosophy needs time and most certainly
new, suitable personnel.
Now doesn’t that sound like a square hole if there is such a
thing?
My preferred United first team against Spurs (4-2-3-1): De
Gea, Shaw, Blind, Smalling, Jones, Carrick, Herrera, Young, Mata, Januzaj,
Rooney - with Smalling detailed to shackle Kane, Shaw
and Jones to deal with their speedy wingers and Blind with support from Carrick
to provide leadership at the back. I’d give Young and Januzaj license to run
with Falcao as the option if the former fails to fire.
