New Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal expressed his
disappointment after his side lost their first Premier League match of
the season.
Different formation, same old problems. This was as harrowing a defeat for Louis van Gaal as any that David Moyes suffered.
A year ago on opening day, Moyes' United crushed Swansea 4-1 away but on Saturday, at Old Trafford, they they were rattled by an opponent of far greater coherence and, when it mattered, quality.
Injuries and a lack of recruitment may have sapped Van Gaal's ability to hit the ground running, but his team played in a state of confusion.
Whether they had three at the back, four or even five, they were always vulnerable. Both Swansea goals came from the visitors' ability to play the ball back across goal to be struck past David de Gea, who was especially unconvincing for Gylfi Sigurdsson's strike for the Swans' second. Ki Sung-Yeung's earlier goal had given the Spaniard little chance.
Even after Wayne Rooney scored an equaliser with a close-range overhead kick, United never got into the ascendancy. As well as clear defensive problems, they severely lacked creativity; Rooney's goal came via a set piece.
The new captain ploughed a singular furrow after Javier Hernandez was
removed at half-time. The Mexican's aimless performance had been so
poor as to endanger his price tag for those Spanish clubs said to be
interested in his signature. Nani's introduction was a surprise, since
the Portuguese is also believed to be up for sale to any takers.
Something had to change. United had played as if the summer had never happened and their first-half performance had been so poor that even Moyes might have struggled to seek positives.
Here was proof that friendly games played at half pace are no replacement for the harsh reality of the Premier League. In their increasing desperation for an equaliser, United were just as ponderous as they had been under the previous regime's rigid 4-4-2.
Whichever formation is chosen, there is no hiding that United now severely lack pace. Rooney certainly does not provide it, nor can Juan Mata. It is no wonder that Van Gaal wants a player like Angel di Maria; his squad lacks a player whose running can take opponents out of the game.
Too often when United broke were Swansea able to reset themselves into formation. Eventually, the Swans were able to retake the lead. Van Gaal, resorting to Marouane Fellaini as a target man, could not find an answer.
Different formation, same old problems. This was as harrowing a defeat for Louis van Gaal as any that David Moyes suffered.
A year ago on opening day, Moyes' United crushed Swansea 4-1 away but on Saturday, at Old Trafford, they they were rattled by an opponent of far greater coherence and, when it mattered, quality.
Injuries and a lack of recruitment may have sapped Van Gaal's ability to hit the ground running, but his team played in a state of confusion.
Whether they had three at the back, four or even five, they were always vulnerable. Both Swansea goals came from the visitors' ability to play the ball back across goal to be struck past David de Gea, who was especially unconvincing for Gylfi Sigurdsson's strike for the Swans' second. Ki Sung-Yeung's earlier goal had given the Spaniard little chance.
Even after Wayne Rooney scored an equaliser with a close-range overhead kick, United never got into the ascendancy. As well as clear defensive problems, they severely lacked creativity; Rooney's goal came via a set piece.
Something had to change. United had played as if the summer had never happened and their first-half performance had been so poor that even Moyes might have struggled to seek positives.
Here was proof that friendly games played at half pace are no replacement for the harsh reality of the Premier League. In their increasing desperation for an equaliser, United were just as ponderous as they had been under the previous regime's rigid 4-4-2.
Whichever formation is chosen, there is no hiding that United now severely lack pace. Rooney certainly does not provide it, nor can Juan Mata. It is no wonder that Van Gaal wants a player like Angel di Maria; his squad lacks a player whose running can take opponents out of the game.
Too often when United broke were Swansea able to reset themselves into formation. Eventually, the Swans were able to retake the lead. Van Gaal, resorting to Marouane Fellaini as a target man, could not find an answer.
0 comments:
Post a Comment