Man Utd's front three are excellent (Mata, Rooney, van Persie), though I'm not sure how they fit into a system naturally together. Their keeper is very good too, but the rest of the team that's started today are pretty average. Smalling, Jones, Blackett, Young, Valencia, Cleverly and Fletcher. Wouldn't look out of place in a solidly mid-table side. Which they are now, I guess! Doesn't compare with the sides that they're supposed to be competing with, like City or Chelsea, does it?
Nothing makes a manager look like a one-trick pony more sticking to one tactical plan in every job they take, regardless of how many square pegs they hammer into round holes to make it happen. Also, by saying the players need to learn his tactics, does that mean he still thinks Ashley Young is a wing back? If so, when those three months are up, will he then come to realise what pretty much everyone else already knows - but be unable to address the situation until January?
No not really PNP. Whilst I hope Sunderland win today I also hope not by too many because we play them soon.
Van Gaal wouldn't usually play this 3-5-2 formation but after managing Netherlands, its a system he believes in but in previous jobs he would pick the formation to suit the players. If anyone sat down with Van Gaal he would make us look silly with his knowledge on tactics so I wouldn't be so quick to jump on him as while to us the system looks flawed, he has proven track record of making his systems a success and I would rather have a manager that starts off slowly and becomes a success, then someone who wins early but fades away.
The BBC were talking up Jack Rodwell before the match and he scores. I have to say that he is a player who has totally passed me by as I know nothing about him. What shall we say 3-2 Sunderland?
Ashley Young booked for diving. About bloody time. Man Utd really are in trouble if they're not even getting those decisions any more, though. Van Gaal hasn't had the best of starts and the team don't look like they've got a clue what they're supposed to be doing.
Utd played the same way under SAF for 20 years - it's hard to change to a system which doesn't seem to suit the personnel. Tried and tested blueprint - 2 centre halves (one quick, one tough), two mobile full backs, 2 quick wingers, 2 central midfielders (one a playmaker, one a ball winner), 2 forwards (one up top, one dropping off).
The Sunderland players have got all day to play the ball around when they receive it in anywhere but the last third. No pressure on them and very little quality from the opposition when they do get on the ball.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28915510 Angel Di Maria: Man Utd must pay British record fee for Argentine
Gilly Ballache believe that the fee is £63.9m, which is oddly specific. Probably makes more sense in Euros. That's a hell of a lot of money for one player. Doesn't help their rather frail looking defence or central midfield, either.
Once again, Factitious sell a player to one of our direct rivals, yet expect our key player to head their way...
Meanwhile Pellegrini insists City beat Liverpool to the Premier League title last season because of character, not money. (Source: The Independent)
Off a throw-in which never was. And Bojan didn't do much. None of their team did for one being a goal down and a man advantage; they were fairly lacklustre and could be battling bottom 3 if they don't sort it (and quick).
It must be a joke Tots because firstly United are playing 3 at the back (so no real need for a left back) and secondly I dont think Ekotto would want to take a step down from the title favourites to one scrambling around for mid table security.
