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Louis van Gaal has admitted he may have changed Manchester United’s formation “too much” in his first 11 Premier League games at the club, but insisted he retains a “clear vision” for the team.

For Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Crystal Palace the Dutch coach continued with the 4-1-4-1 from the previous week’s defeat to Manchester City – his third formation of the season so far.

“It’s too much change to formation I think, I agree, but I’m looking for the balance and when you see the last four matches, we have had more balance because we haven’t conceded many goals. Nevertheless, we don’t score so much. With the other system, we scored a lot of goals.

“When I answer that I have a clear vision then you have to know I’m considered arrogant. But when you have seen what I have done in my career you have to know that I have a vision and that I’m very confident in it. I don’t think this is arrogant. It is self-confidence, although not only confidence in myself but in my players, in the club, in the structure and organisation.

“Of course, we need to raise our level. It’s a matter of time but it’s also a matter of getting over a lot of injuries.”

[Source: Independent]

Liverpool and Arsenal have done us so much favour. Gaal willl have no excuse not to finish top 4.

I saw this:

After Paul Scholes article claiming he believed Angel Di Maria was looking unhappy, Di Maria's wife Jorgelina Cardoso took to Instagram to deny that her husband was unhappy at Manchester United.

Cardoso, uploading pictures of her husband looking pretty content, wrote: "You are free to think whatever you want, but in fact, Angel is absolutely happy of being in Manchester United... Buenas noches!!!"

MaziOmenuko:
How Van Persie manages to avoid injury when everyone else is picking a knock beats me!

He should pick up an injury and free us from the burden of trying to fit him into the team at all cost abeg! Lad hasn't been anything but rigid this season!

You want RVP to go join Falcao on injury?

IYANGBALI:
in that case LVG should make his starting permanent,he seems to be our lucky charm

Apart from luck, he's also very sensible. Yesterday he shielded out a danger from the box in a situation Jones, Smalling and even Rafael could have dived into the tackle and commit a penalty or got beaten when the tackle isn't when timed. Smalling and Bleckette would have gone into such a tackle as to leave the ref no option of giving a red card.

chrisley024:
I saw those of Fellaini's aerial duels; he was just countering their aerial balls. He really saved the team.

Yes, but is this how we are going to continue? I thought we were more creative with Herrera. Our forward play was faster, or does that have to do with Rafael on the right side?

Statistics shows that Carrick, Fellaini and Rooney did marvelously well in the middle. They killed the threats before they got to our defence.

Fellaini won 7 aerial duels. Carrick won 4

This was an area we have been very poor in the past few years.

Valencia 9 tackles. Carrick 4 tackles.



* Gaal did well to have moved Carrick to defence and Blind to midfield as the game wore on, considering the distance Carrick covered for the major part of the game. That was a good one.

chrisley024:
Yeah, he should know we're no more in the era of rigid 4-4-2 where you move it to the wingers and wait for a cross. We don't even have such good wingers anymore.

Jeeez! I just hate it when he gets the ball, backs those upfront and throw it to the right wing. Too predictable and rigid.

At least his pass accuracy has gone up so much and the number of touches and passes too, I think that is what you people cherish more. Also his chances created. He had 3 accurate crosses out of 5 while Di Maria had 0 accurate cross out of 12, Januzaj 0/4. Rooney also had the highest number of interceptions.

On a more serious note, I prefer the adventurous play. I thought he id well against City in that regard, but decided to play safe yesterday until the 80th minute; he bursted the middle twice in the last 10 minutes but we were poor at finishing. Good Mata shot accurately because RVP and Rooney left their shot sense in the dressing room.

SailorXY:
@elampiro

if we were having issues in the last half hour, then it will not be bad to start th the game with the diamond & sacrifice a striker for the last 30mins.

I think this is the logical solution

By that time (In the last 20 minutes), the eight men playing behind the two strikers would have been tired for covering so much distance. The additional one man would have little effect in the midfield. It is more worrisome when RVP and Falcao offer little work rate to complement the men playing behind then. If we had Rooney and one of the two as the strikers, the effect wouldn't be felt so much in the middle of the park, or if only Falcao can offer to play deep while RVP continue his box play. This is why a mobile striker like Aguero is important in a team. With City playing nine men, Aguero doubled as a number 10 and a number 9.

If I were to suggest, a straight 4-3-3 should be the solution.

Louis van Gaal admits Radamel Falcao could spend time on the bench even when he returns to full fitness.

Van Gaal has changed the United formation from 3-4-1-2 to 4-4-2 to the present 4-1-4-1 as he bids to get the right balance in his team.

This means the Colombian, who is currently out injured with a calf problem might not start when fit.

“I have to decide which striker (to use). It's not his fault. It's not his fault with the other system I could play with two strikers, but then the balance wasn't good.

"We had difficulties in the last half-an-hour of games. That's why I have remodelled the structure. Since then we have less goals in our favour but also less goal conceded.

"We have also played against the better teams in the Premier League in that time on an equal level, more or less.

"I cannot say when Falcao will be back. It depends on the progress on his injury. It's his calf."

[Source: Skysports]

Van Gaal hails important victory

Louis van Gaal hailed the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday as a “very important three points” as the Reds go into the international break on the back of a victory that ends a three-game winless streak.

The Dutchman was once again forced into making compromises in defence due to injuries and suspension, but van Gaal was pleased with the way his side “killed the game” after finally breaking the deadlock on 67 minutes through substitute Juan Mata.

“In the first half we gave only one chance away and it was a miscommunication between McNair and Blind,” van Gaal told MUTV, referring to a missed chance for Crystal Palace’s former Reds forward Fraizer Campbell. “But in the second half we scored and that is the most important thing.

“After that, we tried to kill the game, we had to kill the game for the first time. So I am very happy. In spite of the fact we killed the game, we created a lot of chances. Rooney could have scored, Mata could have scored for the second time and van Persie also. We did it well because three points was very important. Now we have an international break after a victory, which is always better.”

The game-changing moment came with Juan Mata’s introduction from the bench as he replaced Adnan Januzaj. The fruitless forward forays of Januzaj and Angel Di Maria, who was also replaced in the second half, summed up the stubborn opposition Neil Warnock’s side put up.

“For [Di Maria] it was difficult because the space was very small. That was difficult for every player, but especially if you are a player who likes to dribble with the ball. You have to dribble through a lot of players so it was more of a passing game. We did that in the first half very well but didn’t score. Then in the second half we did score.

"They were defending and not attacking, but they have very quick strikers and you have to always pay attention to that. You have always one moment and that moment came in the first half and it could have been a goal for Palace with the lob over De Gea. OK, we were lucky that time, but I think we deserved to win."

And Mata was the man who provided the long-awaited breakthrough. “He didn’t change the formation or the style of play but he scored, and that’s always the most important thing. When you score, you win the game. Because of that we won. So I am happy with that.”
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2014/Nov/Louis-van-Gaal-reaction-to-Manchester-United-vs-Crystal-Palace.aspx?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=ManUtd

I saw this:


Manchester United have won all 3 games that Paddy McNair has started. (West Ham, Everton & Palace).

SailorXY:
Who are the big players being played out of position in the diamond?

Oh! I meant this 4-1-4-1.

Not the best play we can serve.

Thanks to Mata for an accurate strike that gave us the goal.

Shaw gave a superb performance. He has got some great speed going forward, and he covers his wing well.

Playing Di Maria as a traditional winger has so much restricted his abilities. Our right wing is not working either because of Januzaj inexperience and his love for holding possession for too long. He's beginning to isolate himself like Nani used to do. But some how, it looked like we were boring going forward without Janujaz and Di Maria.

We are far more creative with the Diamond, and this formation makes us play too big players out of the positions they can perform most. I can understand with Gaal the need to play safe and offer some cover for the defence. I guess that's why he opted for this formation.

We are going ino the break with a win. We should resume with a win and more creative play.

joeace2020:
..
Why are we screaming 'park bus' like theres money being dolled out to anyone who screams it . in Ferguson's era these teams actually come to park the bus at OT and we still run out very comfortable winners

Not so true. Where were you in 2008/2009 season when we laboured to beat small teams in OT with slim victories?

coogar:
nani is coming back in january....
he should never have left - januzaj should be sent to porto on loan from january till next summer.

Nani said he's okay there.

Why do we keep leaving one central defender with their arrow striker?

Is this formation even helping us?

We should light up this game abeg.

If only we had Nani in place of Januzaj, our game would be more matured.

Hope our midfield can play fast?

^^^

Exactly what I always said. At any time like that, a player has options and he has one or two seconds to decide which option to take.

“Louis van Gaal talks about progress. I expected United to have a better record by this stage of the season,” Scholes wrote in his column for The Independent.

“It is difficult to figure out what Van Gaal is thinking during games. His demeanour doesn’t change throughout. He looks a bit subdued.

“Certainly, he appears very different to the man you saw on the touchline at the World Cup.”

Defensive issues for van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed he has issues in defence ahead of Crystal Palace's visit on Saturday.

Although Marcos Rojo does not require surgery on the shoulder problem that forced him off in the Manchester derby last weekend, he obviously misses the clash against Neil Warnock's side with Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones also on the sidelines.

"Marcos dislocated his shoulder but did it in a positive way," explained the boss. "We don't need to operate on him. It's a relief but maybe, with this injury, it is very difficult to prevent it from happening again. That is the problem.

"He saw a specialist yesterday evening who said the conservative way to heal it is best. For him, it was positive. Always with these injuries, I cannot change that. The human body has been made by God - not by me. Conservatively, it can be less than six weeks. If we have to operate, 12 weeks."

The absentees ensure there will be more changes to the manager's XI with Michael Carrick, Paddy McNair, Tyler Blackett and Tom Thorpe among the contenders to play at the heart of the back four.

"When I want to select the same line-up, I cannot," added van Gaal. "It's the same every week. It is like it is and I don't want to complain or cry because I have great belief in the players, myself and my staff. Also the supporters who are supporting us despite the results.

"Smalling is suspended. Evans and Jones are still injured. So I have to solve a problem but I don't want to say who is playing yet." 

On-loan striker Radamel Falcao is another to miss the visit of the Eagles due to his calf injury, with the manager confirming he has not recovered in time.

MUFC website.

Logging out.

I am tired.

coded01:
Let's assume, you are right about the officiating, but 7 points for just 3 points? Wetin na?/

I am adding the first leg. CSKM equalized from a dubious penalty.

barackohandso:
Would it have changed anything? Just a point at home. Everton would have done a better job I tell you

Let them stay in the 2nd tier

* 2 points denied City at away.

* 1 or 3 points denied denied them at Etihad. They were playing very well in the last 12 minutes. But In also blame Deko for missing a clear chance to round the goalkeeper for free. Aguero tried, he was trying to win it alone even at 9 men.

coded01:

Oga, how could I watch it when my team was playing as well?

But I did see the highlights & to my assessment, Man City should forget about any qualification including Uefa Cup, they are disgraceful...

Imagine a team with just 2 points in 4 matches n una dey here dey defend them...

This is why I said you should believe me when I said they were battle fatigued. They played like 45 years old men. Looking tired and immobile. When Nasri came on and they attempted to play better, then the red card came. But they didn't give up..... then the referee started frustrating them.

With fair officiating, they would be 7 points now.

barackohandso:
If this excuse flies for the CSKA match, how about the others? They're the EPL champions for pete's sake. I used to make the debutants excuse for them but it's seriously not flying anymore

Robbed 3 points at away.

At least a point at home. Haba! To me it's three points sef. With 10 vs 10, City would have gotten their 2 goals.

The ref was just wicked. Wernbloom pulled Aguero for over 3 yards and when Aguero was about to enter the box, he pulled him down with power. The ref was right there. That should have been a second yellow and 10 vs 10 from there on.

A host of City players confront referee Tasos Sidiropoulos at full-time, with captain Kompany leading the protests. The performance of the official is sure to be a topic of post-match discussion, but City must surely ask questions of themselves as well. They now sit bottom of the group and must now beat Bayern if there is a winner in the matchday five meeting between CSKA and Roma.

90' + 4' FULL TIME! Another penalty appeal from the hosts is turned down, and that will be that. Two goals from Seydou Doumbia prove enough to give CSKA Moscow a stunning win at the Etihad Stadium against a City side down to nine men by the final whistle. A remarkable evening, but an extremely painful one for Manuel Pellegrini's team.
90' + 2' CSKA are moments away from a famous victory. What a night this has been for them!

90' Yellow Card Sergio Agüero

90' While City may dispute the Fernandinho dismissal and lament the referee's failure to dismiss Wernbloom, there can be no denying that Pellegrini's men have failed to deliver this evening. To rub salt into their wounds, Aguero is booked for simulation after going down under a challenge from Ignashevich. The home fans are furious.


80' And now Eremenko goes into the book for delaying another City free-kick. CSKA certainly appear to have had a let-off with the apparent case of mistaken identity a few moments ago. Wernbloom certainly looked to be the guilty party as Aguero went down.
http://www.goal.com/en/match/manchester-city-vs-cska-moskva/1923655/live-commentary



Anyone who saw the match should know the unpardonable wickedness of the referee.

barackohandso:
Yea I watched the game

City don't have any excuses anymore jor. They've been in Europe for 4 straight years now and they have a very wealthy squad yet they're still failing. Save it

On Wednesday evening, the Blues' showing was certainly not befitting of a team that has ambitions to be winning the competition. Fingers will be pointed at some poor officiating, but that can't excuse the shambolic display that saw the hosts lose to the supposed weakest team in the group and barely test the opposition goalkeeper.
http://www.espnfc.us/club/manchester-city/382/blog/post/2131329/player-ratings-nobody-stars-on-a-bad-night-for-manchester-city


* Don't forget the dubious penalty that saw CSK equalized in the first leg.

coded01:
Obviously, you are elampiro!

Other league are ****** but yet they have won more UCL trophies than " so-called best league" --- you no see coogar jejely no wan talk but dey look u...

Aguero didn't say a word after getting booked but you come here to defend him only if you could do the same last week when una chop am...

Now I know you didnt see the match.

Aguero was booked the first time which was rightly a dive. The second was a penalty.

coded01:
Smh...

What energy is Man Utd conserving that makes them sitting on the 10th position?

Abi no be Man Utd? 13 points in 10 games!

Elampiro leave story jor!!!

We wouldnt be 10th if Ashley Young had not been robbed of obvious penalties. We dropped points in 4 matches due to poor officiating. That's about 7-8 points lost. We should be on 21 points now.

barackohandso:
Oh my days. This is funny I swear
Some people just love being clowns

Did you watch the game?

Those guys were very tired. And they were robbed too.