Manchester United’s six-game winning streak – in the Premier League at least – is remarkable for many reasons. Not least because this is now a United side high on belief, quick in the pass and effortlessly creative – three qualities that Louis van Gaal’s side has infrequently demonstrated this season. And yet, save for defeat against Arsenal in the FA Cup, United’s winning streak has ushered in a bold new era at United. Sunday’s victory over Manchester City emphasised United’s metamorphosis; next weekend’s trip to Chelsea could well confirm the club’s rebirth.
City’s defeat is a case in point. It is not just that Van Gaal’s side dominated – City’s two Sergio Agüero goals flattered the visitors – but that United secured three points with such effortless grace. With more clinical finishing the home side could have bettered the six goals City infamously scored at Old Trafford in October 2011. Van Gaal’s side not only wanted victory more, but backed up desire with outstanding execution.
The Blues dished out humiliating defeat to United too often in recent seasons. Not least four Premier League victories in a row before Sunday and an aggregated scoreline in that period of 10 goals to two. That’s to say little of the aforementioned six scored against 10-man United four years ago.
This period of domination has followed City’s vast expenditure in the transfer market – one that has also fuelled two Premier League titles over the past three seasons. By contrast United’s decline was slow and then very quick – first starved of funds under the Glazer family’s ownership and then decimated by David Moyes ineptitude. Game after what seemed to be too many games City’s midfield bullied a meek United offering.
There was none of that on Sunday though, with United out-passing, thinking and working City. This was both a tactical masterclass by Van Gaal and an expression of a work-ethic that always has supporters on their feet.
In fact, just as City seemed to put aside recent poor form to start brightly, United once again demonstrated the strength of mental fortitude that Moyes so acutely destroyed and Van Gaal has rebuilt. After nine minutes the Blues were on top, but it says much that City never had it so good again. Save for Agüero’s late goal, Van Gaal’s side remained dominant to the last.
Little wonder Van Gaal was delighted with victory – an emphatic result and a performance that thoroughly vindicates the Dutchman’s methods. Special praise too for the strength of character to come back from Agüero’s early strike.
“We have showed that often,” said Van Gaal on United’s recovery. “I have more than once given compliments to my players about that because, in all the matches, we are going until the end with a great spirit and we have shown that against City.
“We didn’t start so well, Manchester City had the better start, but then we came back into the game because of the assist of David De Gea, more or less, for the first goal for Ashley Young. Then we gained confidence and we performed our game-plan much more. In the second half, we played very well with a lot of pace in our game. I was very pleased with the second half.”
Technically the home side was far superior too. While Juan Mata and Ander Herrera controlled the game with a nuanced range of passing from the right, it was Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini that earned praise for taking full advantage of City’s weaknesses down United’s left. Michael Carrick was again outstanding as United’s deep-lying creative instigator.
Young’s pace and direct running seemingly compliment the out-ball offered by Fellaini. The Belgian won nine headers on Sunday, with United deploying the long-ball 15 per cent of the time – a ratio that is high in comparison to other Champions League chasing sides. Yet, in contrast to the aimless long-balls that too often creeped into United’s game during the winter, this time the Reds exploited City’s lack of height at full-back and failure to adequately cover the channels.
“Ashley was Man of the Match and I think that was right,” confirmed Van Gaal in the aftermath. “If I had to choose, I would have chosen him. Also Fellaini is very important in our game-plan and I’m very pleased that he plays for Manchester United and no-one else.”
The victory leaves United four points ahead of City with just six games to play and 11 beyond Liverpool. Champions League football next season is almost guaranteed, although United will benefit much from finishing ahead of City, Arsenal or both to avoid an early-season play-off next August. Second or third would also earn United a healthier share of England’s media pool from European games – an incentive for the bean counters as much as the ego.
Momentum also counts for much. United has it, of course, although games against Chelsea, Everton, Crystal Palace and Arsenal offer no guarantee of points. After all, three of those games come away from the safety of Old Trafford, where United has gained 43 of 65 points this season.
The first of that sequence is against Chelsea next weekend. Indeed, United’s trip to Stanford Bridge is perhaps the truest barometer of progression. The Reds’ improvement in the past two months under Van Gaal has been dramatic, but the Londoners are seven points clear for a reason and superbly effective at home. José Mourniho’s side is yet to lose at Stamford Bridge in the league this season and boasts both the best home record and best home defensive record.
Van Gaal’s team is also unlikely to enjoy the bulk of possession next Saturday – a stat recorded at more than 55 per cent against City – nor control midfield so easily. After all, Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic advance a formidable pairing, especially at home. United will, however, benefit from Diego Costa’s absence, while understudy Loïc Remy is also doubtful with injury.
In the big picture Saturday’s game may count for little. Few believe Chelsea will lose the title now, nor that Liverpool will make up the 12 points required on United over the next six games. Yet, there is that momentum thing again. Victory at Stamford Bridge might just be a season-defining statement ahead of what is likely to be another busy transfer window.
Then there is the small matter of supporters’ pride. Reds have enjoyed just two victories at Stamford Bridge in the past decade. With one demon slain last Sunday, United’s bête noire of the Premier League era lies in wait. Van Gaal will have little doubt that United’s fans are owed a result in the capital.
“I am very pleased for the fans of course, because they have supported us when the results were not so good and now they are very good,” concluded Van Gaal on Sunday. “I’m very happy for the fans that they can walk through the streets without being embarrassed! They can go on the streets, hat up, and they can say now ‘we are, this year, the better team’.”
United’s performance next weekend may well add to that feeling.
The difference between LvG and Moyes is that LvG found a weakness and exploited it. Moyes tried to negate opposition strength.
Will be interesting to see which, or if any, of Van Persie, Di Maria and Falcao starts against Chelsea.
Recently, things have been fine without them, so don’t start tinkering, Louis (unless perhaps it’s to replace Rooney up front).
Apologies, I accidentally posted the comment before I had finished it.
Will be interesting to see which, or if any, of Van Persie, Di Maria and Falcao starts against Chelsea.
Recently, things have been fine without them, so don’t start tinkering, Louis (unless perhaps it’s to replace Rooney up front).
I cannot see Van Persie or Falcao playing anything but the loan striker role so Rooney’s position should be the only one up for grabs for either of them. Surely Van Gaal will not repeat his mistake of dropping Captain Rooney back to midfield to accommodate another big name striker.
Ashley Young will probably be at risk of being replaced by Di Maria, though Young, Blind and Fellaini have formed an effective triangular partnership on United’s attacking left hand side.
Whatever players are selected let’s hope the team remains in this cracking form.
Surely, LvG chanced upon this formation and player lineup by accident rather than by design. Maybe, a number of factors came together – RVP’s injury (or else, LvG would have stuck to playing him up front with Rooney by his side or in midfield), Di Maria’s red card against Arsenal (if not for that, Mata would not have started against Tottenham, which in turn led to his start against Liverpool).
But given the caliber and experience of LvG, I am surprised it took him this long to mold the team in the manner he wants them to play. He has shown he is not afraid to drop big names, but he never dropped RvP when he was woefully out of form, until his injury ruled him out. And, playing Rooney in midfield was a ridiculous decision, and looking back, it might just be the reason why we are not fighting for the title this season.
Can LvG do what Fergie do – beat Mourinho’s team at Stamford Bridge? We have beaten almost every other top team in the league this season and if we manage to beat the eventual champions Chelsea as well next week, it will be an incredible turnaround. Considering how poor we were against the top 6 teams last season, this season’s results have been even more incredible. We need to finish the season strongly, and take our momentum into next season. And, if we spend well and further strengthen the squad, we should mount a serious challenge for the title next season.
@Lucas_MUTD
** Can LvG do what Fergie didn’t do?
I really don’t see any need to change the team at all except if injury rules out someone. Carrick will be a big loss if he’s not available. In that instance one can see Blind moving into the central holding role with perhaps Shaw coming in at left back. If Shaw isn’t fit then Rojo will have to play there. Considering Shaw’s stop start season, LvG might prefer the latter option anyway. It would be a mistake to revert Young to wing back given his recent form
It will be a very difficult game but the force is with United right now and there is no need for us to be anything other than positive