When Manchester United appointed Louis Van Gaal as their first non British managerit was not only because of the Dutchmanai??i??s illustrious pedigree but also to get back a sense of style as far as their overall game was concerned.
All of the big teams in their successful eras have had a sense of identity which is derived from an underlying characteristic. This characteristic is linked to the way a team trains, lines up and then plays. And over time this characteristic becomes so natural to the club that not only the current generation but also the future generations start identifying with it.
Take the case of Barcelona for example ai??i?? They finished trophy less for 2 consecutive years in 2006-07 and 2007-08 and for a club that had recently won the Champions League and back to back La Ligaai??i??s, it was unacceptable. But as soon as Pep Guardiola entered the fray and introduced the world to tiki-taka it seems that Barcelona has been producing a conveyor belt of talent not only for club but also for country.
Manchester United find themselves in a position similar to what Barcelona experienced during the latter days of Frank Rijkardai??i??s tenure. The club went through a harrowing experience in 2013-14 finishing outside of the European places and playing in a way not befitting such a massive organization.
It was not just about the results but also about the fact that the club had lost its identity which Sir Alex Ferguson had painstakingly built over the previous 25 years. The legacy built on principles of attacking play, a touch of arrogance and a never say die spirit. There was truly a Manchester United way and for the better part of 2 decades there was no better sight in world football than the Red Devils chasing a game.
But all of this quickly unravelled during David Moyesai??i??s season in charge and in parts last year one felt that the team was playing on memory rather than trying to create their own sense of history. Despite this chastening experience Manchester United brought a surfeit of world class players this summer and a manager with a unique identity.
Louis Van Gaal is not only a winner but is a manager who believes in strong foundation. At Ajax in the mid nineties he built a team young in experience but fearless at heart. In Catalonia despite never winning over the masses he did hand out debuts to Xavi and Andres Iniesta. At Bayern Munich too he built the side which is such a powerful force today. He brought in Arjen Robben, changed the position of Bastian Schweinsteiger and gave Thomas Muller his first taste of senior football.
At Manchester United too he must do something similar not only in terms of giving youth a chance but by developing a sense of identity back in the club. He has already started on the former by giving Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair their first run out as Manchester United players. He must now ensure that the promise shown by fellow youngsters Adnan Januzaj and James Wilson is developed so that these two home grown talents might become the Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes of the future.
As far as the latter is concerned he must use the collective potential of Wayne Rooney, Angel Di Maria and either one of Radamel Falcao or Robin Van Persie upfront. But it is in midfield where the Red Devils will have to sort out issues if they are to become the dominant force in English football once again.
For starters he has to develop a system which helps in utilising both Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera. Both of them are intelligent footballers who are good with the ball at their feet. In modern football it is becoming absolutely necessary to have atleast two if not three ball playing players in the middle of the park. Real Madrid have Luka Modric & Toni Kroos, Barcelona have Ivan Rakitic, Xavi and Andres Iniesta whereas Bayern have Xabi Alonso, Philipp Lahm, Schweinsteiger, et al.
While playing two cultured midfielders has not been the norm in English football it is absolutely imperative that Manchester United start playing that way. There is no use in pining for the return of a Roy Keane type footballer as players like him are not made but born and despite searching for the last ten years the Red Devils have not found anyone fit to tie the laces of their former captain.
The inclusion of Herrera & Carrick will also ensure that the next batch of youngsters breaking through the ranks realize that they would have to be technically sound to make the first team ai??i?? a characteristic not often given due importance in England.
To avoid getting run over in midfield against more powerful teams a system will have to be developed where in both Rooney and Di Maria help out along with the full backs covering the wide areas. This 4-3-3 when in possession & 4-5-1 formation when without the ball will ensure that the Red Devils play to the strength of their squad and if successful this will give rise to a much needed new philosophy at the club.
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