This is what frustrates me about LVG when we put in a performance like tonight. When we play players in their correct position and allow freedom of movement with pace and purpose, that's the kind of showing and result you can expect. Why can't we play like that all the time?
Bar the last 10 mins when we contrived to give away a soft set piece goal, we looked dominant in midfield, with Carrick dictating from deep, Fellaini working hard further forward, and Herrera finding pockets of space and using the ball smartly. The attacking trio of Martial, Lingard and Rashford played with intelligence and their movement was causing the West Ham defence no end of problems. Fosu-Mensah was a beast, Smalling and Blind looked solid and largely untroubled, I'd only say Rojo put in a below average performance (again).
If Van Gaal had any sense, he'd stick to the set up he had tonight. I don't usually advocate Fellaini in a starting line up but he can be useful further forward where he isn't clumsily fouling players in dangerous areas. He didn't really slow down play and at times drove forward with it. Without Mata in a wasted wide right position, where we have no outlet, we looked much better with a fluid front three who could move into the channels and add pace.
I'd love Van Gaal to get us playing like that all the time, I like the bloke and his determination. He's entertaining and I certainly don't buy the fact he's lost the players, he's lost a lot of fans but it seems pretty evident to me that the dressing room remains onboard. If we win the FA Cup, play good football like tonight with passion and flair, top 4 or no top 4, then I wouldn't be too too upset if Van Gaal did see out his contract. Inevitably, we take 1 step forward and 2 steps back, so the chances of repeat performances are slim.
I doubt we will play like tonight for the remainder of the season, and I still think Jose is the man we should go for in the summer, but ultimately, whoever is manager come the summer, Rashford and Fosu-Mensah need to continue getting minutes as they appear to have the potential to be very special players. They play with such maturity and intelligence that it would not surprise me in the slightest if Jose kept them in the first team picture if he came to OT.
More of the same please Louis as tonight was much improved and much easier on the eye!
Tactical simplicity.
posted on 13/4/16
That's the thing Kiburn, he undoes the really positive things he does by implicating odd tactics, strange subs and that's been his undoing generally.
He deserves immense credit for the class he's maintained when the media were on his back, Moyes had a much easier ride, and I admire his strength and determination. Rashford and Fosu Mensah are real gems and he even admitted he bought Martial for the next manager. Martial has been our best outfield player this season.
If Van Gaal focused on the youth like what he has been doing of late, played attacking football like tonight, and only supplemented the youth with top quality, I doubt you'd find many fans who would be against him being our manager for his entire contract.
It's a shame he's made some strange decisions, although I do think some of the experienced pros have let him down with some of their performances this season.
posted on 13/4/16
Agree with pretty much everything here. However, you could argue we still had players out of position. Blind, Martial on the left, Fosu-Mensah at right back for a while, Fellaini in midfield, even Lingard, I believe, wants to play central. But it worked tonight. We looked good going forward and should really have been 3-0 up.
posted on 13/4/16
comment by Clockwork Red (U4892)
posted 55 seconds ago
Agree with pretty much everything here. However, you could argue we still had players out of position. Blind, Martial on the left, Fosu-Mensah at right back for a while, Fellaini in midfield, even Lingard, I believe, wants to play central. But it worked tonight. We looked good going forward and should really have been 3-0 up.
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Clockwork
Fosu Mensah looks wise enough to play anywhere, but from what I've seen and read, his future lies in midfield. I've been impressed with him at right back, but I agree with you that long term that isn't his best position.
Blind has played centre half all season and long term I'd like him to take our 'Carrick' role and play in midfield. Unfortunately, Jones is crocked, Rojo is no better there and McNair isn't good enough so he will have to carry on at centre back where he's performed better than I'd expected before the season started.
Fellaini looked like he was playing further forward to me, rather than a clumsy destroyer playing deep, which I would argue is his best position. It appeared as if Carrick was playing as a centre back orchestrating play, allowing the full backs to push up high and the midfield to play closer to the strikers too.
Lingard is much better in the wide areas for me, where he can utilise his pace and movement. I don't think he has the passing range or vision to play as a #10.
Martial has a strong case for being equally good on the left as he is as a striker. I think him and Rashford look quality linking and interchanging, and I'd throw Lingard into that mix too.
posted on 13/4/16
I remember saying the same sort of thing after we'd beaten Arsenal.
I've little faith we can replicate this sort of performance on a consistent basis under Van Gaal and regardless of what happens during the remainder of the season, I still think he should lose his job, which is a bit sad considering how many young players we've seen feature under him and how well they've done. I realise with some, luck has played a significant part.
We have 4-5 academy trained players who could conceivably play for the club for years in different capacities and I want to see us continue to give them chances beyond this season, no matter who may be in charge but I'm not that convinced it will happen.
posted on 13/4/16
Fosu Mensah looks wise enough to play anywhere, but from what I've seen and read, his future lies in midfield.
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I think the 2nd half when he found himself inside, it gave everybody a glimpse of what he's capable of when playing in midfield and allowed to push forward.
posted on 13/4/16
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 1 minute ago
Fosu Mensah looks wise enough to play anywhere, but from what I've seen and read, his future lies in midfield.
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I think the 2nd half when he found himself inside, it gave everybody a glimpse of what he's capable of when playing in midfield and allowed to push forward.
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I thought this. He made a couple of interceptions in the centre circle and burst forward... It really was like watching a seasoned midfielder.
posted on 13/4/16
TRS
Who better than to get a sound opinion on our young stars?!
I'd wager a lot of money you've seen Fosu-Mensah a lot more than myself, do you think his best position is midfield?
Results like today and Arsenal are so pleasing as our young players were integral in getting those victories and it's a great feeling to see them flourish and their potential for all to see. Much more rewarding and exciting than a shiny new expensive toy purchased from someone else.
Do you think another year under Van Gaal could help these kids maintain and progress their form? If you want him to lose his job, do you not fear that someone could come in and disregard the likes of CBJ, Lingard, Rashford etc?
If Jose is to take over, I can see him keeping faith with them all as they have all played with maturity and intelligence and all of them are consummate professionals and ambitious.
A result like tonight makes me rethink and warm to the idea of another year of Van Gaal who could really help our young guns blossom.
posted on 13/4/16
Sorry for the delayed reply.
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I'd wager a lot of money you've seen Fosu-Mensah a lot more than myself, do you think his best position is midfield?
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Yes, absolutely as mentioned above. He has so much to his game I just feel he'll be so much better utilised in a position where he can make the most of all of his talents.
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Do you think another year under Van Gaal could help these kids maintain and progress their form? If you want him to lose his job, do you not fear that someone could come in and disregard the likes of CBJ, Lingard, Rashford etc?
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It's a very tough question for me to answer.
On the one hand I'm absolutely delighted by how many players Van Gaal has given chances to and how well most of them have done but on the other hand, performances and results generally have been nowhere near good enough for two seasons now and there are no guarantees things will improve next season under him and I'm just not sure it's enough for him to keep his job for another year.
As much as I love seeing youth involved, I realise however that a balance needs to be found somewhere along the line.
posted on 13/4/16
TRS
His handling of the youth is a big tick next to his name and it's not as if he's using them because its the Utd way to give youth a chance regardless of whether they're good enough or not because the current crop he's used this season have all proven they can be quality players.
McNair got dropped like a bad habit and Januzaj and Pereira haven't featured much at all, which suggests to me that he values hard work as well as ability.
You're right in saying there needs to be a balance though absolutely. I think Jose could strike that much better as I think he would absolutely use Rashford, Fosu-Mensah and Lingard. If he has watched plenty of us this season, he should be impressed by their contributions and potential for improvement.
Its a shame that Van Gaal cannot encourage a bit more freedom and excitement in his style of play and make us more entertaining. That combined with the youth policy would absolutely make me satisfied with a final year of Van Gaal but I'm yet to be convinced of his ability to produce consistency.
He looks to have made too many errors to be able to keep his job unless we have a strong finish to the season, winning the FA, securing top 4 and playing cavalier football.
posted on 13/4/16
I've just realised I used the word absolutely far too many times in that last reply