With the defeat to Spurs earlier today, it seems increasingly likely that we will miss out on the top 4 (totally deserved) and will react by flexing our muscles in the transfer market to try and rectify the situation.
Now, whilst flittering large sums of money on shiny new toys can be rather exciting, I'm a firm believer in money doesn't always solve everything. It helps, but it has to be used wisely, and simply trying to buy to resolve is just one of many factors that can influence a teams success on the field. One key ingredient we have missed, and understandably so is 'continuity'.
We have a totally new squad post Fergie, a plethora of in's and out's and whilst I think we have done some good business in both areas, we need to be a lot more savvy this coming summer.
A maximum of four players should be signed, and by four players, they should be four players who in ability and mentality are superior to what we already have. It goes without saying that we have too many 'ok' players and not enough star quality.
Van Gaal has done well in bringing through some of the kids and trusting them, but the problem is that Van Gaal's style of football is not helping the team progress, it seems as if its suffocating everyone and way too overcomplicated. We need someone who will continue to have a clear pathway for young talented players to make the first team if they're ready and we need someone who can combine this with a much more expressive and modern way of playing.
Van Gaal really needs to step aside at the seasons end as he has majorly failed and we have regressed from the past campaign.
I really like the bloke, he is likeable, honest and hard working, but unfortunately it has not worked out for him here. An area in which I initially thought we'd excel in under his tutelage was style of play and tactics and I feel very underwhelmed by what he has produced bar a few games at the tail end of last season and the odd game this year. That is simply not good enough.
I hope the next man has the patience to help a talented Memphis flourish and realise his obvious potential. I hope the next man can forge a defence that resembles something solid, with Darmian looking a competent defender, producing his impressive Torino and early season Man Utd form. I hope the next man gets the midfield balance right, with Herrera used more and Schneiderlin used correctly too with no sign of Fellaini in it. We must have a pacey and unpredictable attack that allows fluidity of movement. Martial needs to have the side built around him, and the likes of Rashford, Borthwick Jackson and Fosu Mensah need a good number of minutes to aid their development but they needn't be relied upon in the same way that we have relied upon them at times this year.
I don't want to see any more than 4 top quality arrivals this summer and I don't want to see a large scale cull neither. Fellaini, Jones & Mata are replaceable and can be improved upon.
A sensible and well thought out summer is a must and if we fail to get it right, we may have to accept it might be a long time before we ever return to competing for titles on a regular basis.
Another Squad Overhaul.
posted on 11/4/16
Herrera is average thus far Coutinho,Eriksen,Willian,Kante,Alli,Toure,Ozil,Paet,
Barkley all better..that's one CM from all of the other top
sides
posted on 11/4/16
Herrera has been a huge disappointment for me too. He has become a cult figure, similar to Kagawa. Kag was moved on as he didn't produce and the sake could happen to Herrera. If Herrera does play, it has to be in an attacking midfield / number 10 role. He gives the ball away too cheaply and top often to be part of a midfield 2
posted on 11/4/16
Our win percentage significantly rises when Herrera plays.
posted on 11/4/16
A lot of statistics tell a lot of lies. You, more than anyone, should be aware of that. He's not bad but if you watch him play and how careless he is, you will know that he can't be part of a CM partnership
posted on 11/4/16
He makes us tick. Our problem is Fellaini and Schneiderlin are static players and Carrick as well past his prime. Schweinsteiger was doing well before he got injured, damn Germany. We could have done with him against Spurs.
posted on 11/4/16
Schneiderlin isn't static. He's playing in a one dimensional role. Our entire team have that problem.
The football we've played and number of goals we've scored this season is frankly disgraceful. There is no way you can paint it in any other way. The buck stops with the manager and after Wednesday even our incompetent, indecisive powers that be will lose patience with him. Thank god
posted on 11/4/16
Herrera has been a huge disappointment for me too. He has become a cult figure, similar to Kagawa. Kag was moved on as he didn't produce and the sake could happen to Herrera. If Herrera does play, it has to be in an attacking midfield / number 10 role. He gives the ball away too cheaply and top often to be part of a midfield 2
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herrera plays best in a midfield 3. Yet lvg insists on playing 4231 where our #10 has be ineffectual. Today we had lindgard and then mata as #10 but had zero effect on the game.
Back to OP, we need rw (mahrez), a cb and a striker.
If a top top cmm/b2b becomes available we need him too (gundogan)
posted on 11/4/16
I think LVG way of setting up as in 2-6-2 formation is why we are where we are. The smaller teams have nabbed us 3 points and made us drop 2 points because of how high we play. If we played deeper like Spurs do as in defenders sit deeper then we wouldn't have lost so many unnecessary points.
Even LVG said we struggle against teams that park the bus. We did even well against Spurs away for 69 minutes the shot count was similar for both teams who had I believe 1 shot on target. Their isn't to much wrong other then quality in key areas. It could be we are just unlucky this season. We dominated games far more then Spurs did today and drawn and lost. Leicester City are perfect example of having to do very little to win matches. We need to do so much just to score a damn goal while Leicester City make it look so effortless as they know how to score and our players don't.
I think we take most passes per goal and Leicester City take least passes per goal and that is the story of our season.
posted on 11/4/16
I just realised which team LVG reminds me of, AVB Spurs 12/13 season really high line dominate stats but drop points regularly for no reason.
posted on 11/4/16
And AVBs Spurs were also sh-t.