So, many of us were predicting a resurgence at Manchester United this season. The arrival of Louis Van Gaal heralded a new era. One where we can forget about David Moyes and his excuses and maybe, just maybe, leave behind the ghost of Sir Alex Ferguson. The Dutchman was to breathe new life into this ailing old stallion and make the fans, and the football community in general, proud to see the Red Devils back amongst the greats once again.
Well, what a load of bollocks that's turned out to be. A singular, lonely point from the first two Premier League games leaves Utd urgently needing spare parts to plug the gaping holes in their squad. The rust is coming through and the paint that coated it last season in the form of Juan Mata cannot prevent it from bubbling up.
Another coat is on the way, however, in the form of Angel di Maria from Real Madrid. This is a stupid, pointless and expensive exercise. The problem is not towards the front of the team, it's a combination of a dreadful backline and shocking tactics. Why would you buy di Maria when you already have Mata, Rooney, Young, van Persie, Januzaj and Kagawa?
United should spend their money sensibly, having wasted an awful lot on the inconsistent Fellaini last summer. They should spend the reported £70m on some decent centre halves. Or, at the very least, Jerome Boateng, a man who can play anywhere across the backline in Van Gaal's ridiculous 3-5-2 formation. I'll come back to that. Alternatively, Elaquim Mangala would have been an excellent purchase, but City got there first. Maybe Vermaelen from Arsenal, but again that one has slipped through their fingers. They have to spend serious money, but not on some La Liga reject, on a defence that's at the top of their game and know how to handle the big occasions. Don't be stupid Woodward (MU chief exec), get a decent defence.
Van Gaal is also to blame for their sorry start to the season. In a league where the priority is to score goals, he plays some of the most negative tactics I have ever seen. There's no width in midfield, despite five players there, because they're all getting pinned back in their own half by the opposition wingers. There's a lack of creativity in the centre of the park, which is worrying when you consider the possible wealth of talent they could accrue were they to spend money. Teams also expose the weaknesses at the back by playing two up front with a marauding number 8 behind them that draws the defence forward before the through ball tears them to pieces.
Dreadful team, dreadful manager, dreadful tactics. I rescind my prediction and install Chelsea as potential champions, I still don't think Arsenal can win it, sadly.
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