Just been chatting with a friend in work who is a season ticket holder with you, he went to the derby and is a bit down this morning. He's happy with a point but sick of the performances and the insistance of Rooney playing even though he is not performing at any kind of level. The one thing he said is that he can't wait for LVG to leave so that he can see Man Utd play again. I was surprised but he explained and mentioned Liverpool. It is along the lines of that Klopp may or may not be a success and he truly hopes he is not but he can see that he suits the club and that his style of play is what we want almost regardless of success because we as fans want to see Liverpool on the pitch and that is what he wants at Utd, to see his team attacking and being a Man Utd team. It came across as an identity issue, something I had grown frustrated with under Rodgers not to compare LVG with Rodgers there is no comparison. However Rodgers had taken the Liverpool out of us, is LVG doing the same with you lot? He also feels that Giggs is the right man to step up when LVG leaves and is looking forward to that point. Thoughts?
The trouble is that you wont get an honest debate. Firstly you're a scouser asking the question. Secondly criticism of this bloke is considered as being disloyal to the club by some, finally there's an element of jingoism about LVG, which means no matter what you write you wont get a reasonable response. Other than that, everything should be fine.
The genuine reply from me is very much like your mates, and many other United fans I know. Maybe not all cant wait for him to leave, but I'm certainly one of them. I'm not sure it's an identity issue tbh, I think that would be unfair on any new manager who's taking over a club after Fergie BUT it most definitely IS about "attacking and being a Man United team". We have a slow and cumbersome approach to our football. When I'm at the ground and you see the whole pitch, you can spot the runners who are being missed, the clear passes that are on (and that as a United fan you are so used to) which are being ignored for check backs and sideways passes. The pointless 5 passes which bring about the same territorial advantage that 1 pass would have had 30 seconds earlier. What's most criminal about him, above everything, is that I genuinely believe we have a very good, talented squad, that are playing within themselves. And that a better manager would be getting more out of these players, many of who are capable of great things but are being wasted. This really could be a great United side given the chance. I can see certain improvements in our build up play, and there's no denying our defence is better. But as I said above, the players are good enough so that is the MINIMUM we should expect anyway. And to say we are improving as an excuse to defend LVG is setting your standards low. He's managing Manchester United, not Newcastle United - look at the players he has at his disposal so naturally you'd expect that. Then there's the small matter of player selection and which positions. We saw it last season and once again we're seeing it this season. I wont go into it again but he had a massive brainfart with Rooney last season and seems to be doing an equally stupid brainfart with him again this season. He was only forced to discover Herrera and Mata through injuries last season as well. I will credit him for giving all our youth a fair chance, he seems to be bringing them through. And the resurggence of Ashley Young as well he deserves credit for. Other than that I dont believe he's building anything as everyone knows he's leaving in 18 months and I fully expect the next man who comes in to take things in a new direction and in their own style. Why would they regurgitate LVG anyway? At best they will take what he's done and very quickly move it forward 10 fold.
With the question about style and attacking play my mate was so eager for Depay to play left and Martial up top so that Rooney is benched. It does make sense to get Depay on the pitch and get him involved.
Yep he should have moved Martial up top. Depay deserved to be dropped but bringing him on yesterday was the right thing to do. Or even Blind. Young is also back in training so more options
United used to play fast attacking football. Now we don't. I mentioned this before and apparently only 4 4 2 is allowed when attacking football is mentioned and that was banned after 1999 and is no longer allowed. Suffice to say, our current style of play is utterly, depressingly, ****e. I would love to see us up the tempo, speed things up. LVG is steadying the ship, nothing more. A squad rebuilder.
Decent attempt at the stealth wum here Gonzo lad. But I think it's a tad too obvious. Personally I can't wait for Totem pole head to **** right off, the sight of his massive flat grid is starting to get right on my tits.
... didn't know LVG was still in charge ... thought he'd been recalled due to misleading emissions stats?