Louis van Gaal put it in apt terms when he said it felt like a defeat
after the exciting 3-3 draw with Newcastle United at St. James Park on
Tuesday night.
Van Gaal's side were two goals up inside the opening 30 minutes, but
the Magpies were rewarded with a goal before half time for taking more
risk, and they were on level terms through a penalty to level scores
at 2-2 in the second half.
Wayne Rooney thought he had done enough to win the match for
Manchester United when he side footed home from 22 yards to make it
3-2, but a Paul Dummet shot which took a deflection of Chris Smalling
tied the match at 3-3.
A visibly disappointment Van Gaal said after the match that they
should have scored six. He was right as the chances where there.
Felliani headed straight at the keeper when he should have done
better, while Lingard blazed over when it was easier to score. But
Steven McClaren's side could still lay claim to the chances they
created as David de Gea was called on on more than one occasion,
although most of the big chances on Tuesday night fell to Manchester
United.
The six goal thriller raises some questions as regard the approach of
Van Gaal. The question is could it be the reason why he loathes an
open game is because of his lack of confidence that his defence can
hold out for 90 minutes. Because going by evidence and statistics,
when Manchester United have opened up to attack, they have been all
over the place defensively.
The 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg in the Champions League was an instance
where an open game meant the German side scored three goals.
On the few occasions that Van Gaal has set his side out to play an
open and attacking game, his side has failed to pick the maximum three
points in the league, Tuesday's match was an instance, while the
others includes the 0-0 draw against Chelsea as well as the
aforementioned defeat to Wolfsburg in the Champions League.
With this, Louis van Gaal might decide to continue the conversative
approach that has led to calls that his team lacks any excitement.
One reason why Manchester United might continue to adopt a reserved
approach in most matches is the composition of its central midfield.
Bastian and Michael Carrick are not the fastest players available, and
as such they cannot keep up with a high tempo game or give full proof
protection to the back four. The way they were ran ragged in the 3-0
defeat to Arsenal in October is an example of how Bastian and Carrick
struggle to cope with the fast pace movement of opponents. It is no
surprise therefore, that they both play quite deep with each taking
turns to push high up to support the attack. However, their ability to
pick up pass from deep gives them an advantage.
Morgan Schneiderlin has not really settled into any defensive midfield
role since he arrived at Old Trafford. At Southampton, he was used to
playing the box-to-box role, while Victor Wanyama played the deeper
role.
What is obvious is that when Manchester United plays an open game they
inevitably concede big chances to the opposition which in itself is
inevitable because, playing attacking football is taking risks, which
means your opponent is more likely to catch you on a counter attack
when you push men forward. Whether it is a risk would like to take
continually remains to be seen.
With Van Gaal on a tactical crossroad, it remains to be seen how he
approaches the rest of the season. Does he bow to the pressure of
fans, and continue to play the kind of open football that was offer on
Tuesday, or will he stick to his guns and continue his conservative
approach?
after the exciting 3-3 draw with Newcastle United at St. James Park on
Tuesday night.
Van Gaal's side were two goals up inside the opening 30 minutes, but
the Magpies were rewarded with a goal before half time for taking more
risk, and they were on level terms through a penalty to level scores
at 2-2 in the second half.
Wayne Rooney thought he had done enough to win the match for
Manchester United when he side footed home from 22 yards to make it
3-2, but a Paul Dummet shot which took a deflection of Chris Smalling
tied the match at 3-3.
A visibly disappointment Van Gaal said after the match that they
should have scored six. He was right as the chances where there.
Felliani headed straight at the keeper when he should have done
better, while Lingard blazed over when it was easier to score. But
Steven McClaren's side could still lay claim to the chances they
created as David de Gea was called on on more than one occasion,
although most of the big chances on Tuesday night fell to Manchester
United.
The six goal thriller raises some questions as regard the approach of
Van Gaal. The question is could it be the reason why he loathes an
open game is because of his lack of confidence that his defence can
hold out for 90 minutes. Because going by evidence and statistics,
when Manchester United have opened up to attack, they have been all
over the place defensively.
The 3-2 defeat to Wolfsburg in the Champions League was an instance
where an open game meant the German side scored three goals.
On the few occasions that Van Gaal has set his side out to play an
open and attacking game, his side has failed to pick the maximum three
points in the league, Tuesday's match was an instance, while the
others includes the 0-0 draw against Chelsea as well as the
aforementioned defeat to Wolfsburg in the Champions League.
With this, Louis van Gaal might decide to continue the conversative
approach that has led to calls that his team lacks any excitement.
One reason why Manchester United might continue to adopt a reserved
approach in most matches is the composition of its central midfield.
Bastian and Michael Carrick are not the fastest players available, and
as such they cannot keep up with a high tempo game or give full proof
protection to the back four. The way they were ran ragged in the 3-0
defeat to Arsenal in October is an example of how Bastian and Carrick
struggle to cope with the fast pace movement of opponents. It is no
surprise therefore, that they both play quite deep with each taking
turns to push high up to support the attack. However, their ability to
pick up pass from deep gives them an advantage.
Morgan Schneiderlin has not really settled into any defensive midfield
role since he arrived at Old Trafford. At Southampton, he was used to
playing the box-to-box role, while Victor Wanyama played the deeper
role.
What is obvious is that when Manchester United plays an open game they
inevitably concede big chances to the opposition which in itself is
inevitable because, playing attacking football is taking risks, which
means your opponent is more likely to catch you on a counter attack
when you push men forward. Whether it is a risk would like to take
continually remains to be seen.
With Van Gaal on a tactical crossroad, it remains to be seen how he
approaches the rest of the season. Does he bow to the pressure of
fans, and continue to play the kind of open football that was offer on
Tuesday, or will he stick to his guns and continue his conservative
approach?
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