I'll be honest I am a bit disappointed. At least one of a couple of positions in defence or DM could have been addressed. I have a few reasons why... We need those positions strengthening. I still feel most of our defence carries the psychological baggage of last season and it rears its ugly head every time they're tested. Also think a marquee defensive signing (if possible) would have caused 80% of prem teams to reconsider their tactics against us. It would provide stability for some of our other players at the back. LVG may feel confident enough to go 4 at the back again.
We need a right back. Desperately. I can see why we haven't gone for a centre half. We now have six fit ones. He should be able to make do till summer. We're also fine in all other areas.
Bit gutted we didnt go in for Cuadrado. I think he'll be a fantastic addition to Chelsea. Reason we are told to wait till summer is bcos better players are available. Well Cuadrado was one of those. It may not be a priority but then looking at our attacking play recently maybe he is. And regardless of anything else he is better than anyone we have on that right side. #gutted
Can Cuadrado play as a wing back in a 5-3-2 (let's not pretend it's a 3-5-2)? If not then he's of no use to us. Of course if we went 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 then he could potentially be a very useful addition. A focussed and motivated Nani would also be a bonus but as he can't defend he'll never play for United again.
That all depends on what LVG actually believes in. Does he really want 3 CB's (or 5 at back) OR... is he only playing that bcos he doesnt have faith in our defence which is why he drops Carrick in there. Once he buys someone like Hummels he can go back to 4 at the back?
I think he's arrogant enough to persevere with the 5-3-2 despite the fact that it doesn't work and could leave the squad even more imbalanced for the next manager.
What happened to Rafael? He really looked like he was improving and that he would be a top player then all of a sudden he's terrible.
I think van Gaal has spotted what most of us have known all along and that is he's just not that good a defender. I think he'd be better suited to a four at the back rather than this nonsense he's ****ing about with right now, as would Shaw, but for whatever reason he won't go for four at the back and Rafael doesn't fit otherwise. He's not that bad a right back, we just need a better one. Simple as that really.
