I am not one for knee-jerk reactions. A loss after an eleven-game winning streak hardly constitutes a crisis, but at Manchester United everything is a bit over the top. Fans' reactions included.
The 0-1 loss to Southampton would have hurt Louis van Gaal. Just the way Koeman was smarting after the defeat at home earlier in the season. While the Saints did well to nullify United's formidable attack, LVG did himself no favours by sticking to the drab 3-5-2 formation. Before the game he chirped that for the first time during his stay at United he has a fully fit squad- barring the rejuvenated Ashley Young. Yet, he stuck to three defenders at the back.
Louis used the formation to great success at the world cup, but even in Brazil, it was plan B. A tactical changed forced on the Dutch man due to injuries to some key players like Strootman. Here too, after the initial failures with the set up, LVG said that it was injuries that were forcing his selection.
It was, therefore, surprising that he chose to play three centre backs when he had all the midfielders and strikers at his disposal.
Van Gaal seems unsure about how to use his attackers in the best way. The Leicester City game exposed United's 'soft' underbelly; bunch all that creative talent in midfield and opponents in the Premier League will simply push you around. Since then Louis has gone with a bit of muscle in midfield. Be it Fellaini or Rooney.
But Carrick is no stranger to the PL. He can handle bit of physical play and a three-man midfield of him, Blind and Di Maria would have worked better. A traditional back four shielded by Blind and Carrick would not have been easily penetrated. It would have allowed Angel Di Maria space to make his snaky runs to open up the Southampton defence and Rooney and Mata could have created space for Robin Van Persie.
Wayne Rooney is not the most creative passer and with Carrick marked out, United were stifled.
Falcao's omission remains a mystery. Even if he was rested, he could have been kept on the bench and given a twenty minute play. In any case, Wilson never got on the pitch either.
The goal United conceded was naïve. The three defenders rushing to the ball, leaving Pelle- Southampton's main striker- unmarked inside the box. The deflection wasn't cleared either.
Van Gaal will now have to give a serious rethink to his 'philosophy'. A system has to be a sum of its parts. United so far seem disjointed. Its like a lego car. Full of boxes of different colours. It runs, but only when pushed. And it falls apart too easily.
Comments
0 comment