[Samrat Mazumdar]

Can we sell RVP in January, pretty please?

 

[Red Dreams]

Yeah, but he was completely average everywhere! Running around a lot doesn't change that.

except he was not just running around....

 

[Rednotdead]

To me Van Gaal has the look of a man stumbling around in the dark, desperately trying to find something that will work. I see no cohesive plan emerging.

 

[Edy2]

T

Is there such a thing as a disappointing 3 points?

You just seen evidence that yes there is.

 

[The Man Himself]

They played nothing like he would like, it wasn't attractive football. It was a bad performance and then to top it off it was at home, and Louis wants to please the fans. He's gonna be angry with them, he didn't even celebrate the goal.

I have never seen him crazily celebrate goals anyway. The match was not settled at that 1-0. Nobody thinks it was a great performance but he also knows that injuries are causing him to change team every week and players are not robots to play new role, new system, new formation each week and still play attractive. It is hyperbole to say he will 'rip them to shreds.' He will tell them where they can get better which is obvious.

 

[hbgreg]

Is there such a thing as a disappointing 3 points?

The manager didn't even celebrate our winning goal it was that bad.

 

[Striker10]

Decent result. We needed to get the 3 points. Days like today are a reminder there's still much to be done. Weren't really tested defensively and yet still managed to give them a relatively easy chance. Second half we upped the tempo slightly, and looked a bit better for it. The balance isn't quite there yet

 

[kpbaby]

januzaj and valencia just a bad combination of dumb and dumber.. release of the ball is just too damn slow with januzaj. doesn't deserve a start above mata imo...

 

[Asger]

Actually he was quite good, made good passes, broke up a lot of attacks for Palace

He lost the ball to often. He was lucky it was only Crystal Palace.

 

[Kakeru]

Is there such a thing as a disappointing 3 points?

If there is one, it's the fact that it looked like we forgot how to get the rubber on goal (that's the name of the game) for all the possession that we had. It's one thing to control the ball, but testing the goalkeeper and knock at the door several times is never a bad idea in itself.

 

[Gannicus]

Shaw or Mata MOTM for me. Roo is nowhere close, mates.

 

[Paul the Wolf]

Nervous and slow performance, apart from one instance never in any danger
Januzaj was poor and main reason first half was so slow; RVP fairly invisible , Di Maria seems short of confidence
Mata made a difference.
International break now, let's get some players back from injury after the break especially Falcao

 

[ghost7744]

in all fairness crystal palace were there for the taking ...but a crucial 3 points....i think LVG is still trying to get the right formation...di maria looks much better with herrera and mata around him...hopefully we pick it up against arsenal

 

[redevil2]

Ole who got sacked by Cardiff and Giggs whos managed for four games, ok then.

I think people like your goodself have overrated manager like LvG. Of course LvG is a top manager and he had won a few things. Fact of matter is, he is expected to win us back to the top (at least top 4) next season, not being given three years (he did not say three years to WIN the league). With United, anything outside top 4 is not acceptable. Young managers like Ole and Giggsy who have known United inside and out can do a job if given three years methinks

 

[redrash]

LVG must now see that Januzai is not a starter yet and would be better coming on late in games for more of an impact, for me he wasted alot of possession today

 

[Dafydd]

Shaw or Mata MOTM for me. Roo is nowhere close, mates.

Yes give Mata the MOTM for scoring against the bottom teams he can only score against.

 

[SqueakyWeasel]

Awww. my crystal ball was off with the 2nd goal and the final score but still....don't be so fecking negative

Don't apologise it was this that made the whole drab affair watchable IMHO!

 

[He Comes From Serbia]

Gospel.



David de Gea
7

Luke Shaw
8

Paddy McNair
7

Angel Di Maria
6

Adnan Januzaj
5

Michael Carrick
7

Daley Blind
6

Antonio Valencia
7

Marouane Fellaini
7

Wayne Rooney
7

Robin Van Persie
5
ubstitutes

Juan Mata
7

Darren Fletcher
7

James Wilson
6

 

[Sied]

To me Van Gaal has the look of a man stumbling around in the dark, desperately trying to find something that will work. I see no cohesive plan emerging.

That's because it's called a 'philosophy'.

 

[Mindhunter]

As has been the norm here, no credit will be given to Crystal Palace for maintaining their shape and closing down space in their half and for being very solid at the back.

 

[Rampant-red]

A win is a win We players very poorly with only a handful of players stepping up to the grade. First half was far too easy for palace , second half we stepped up and the changes made a big difference. We honestly need to close off games like this. RVP was poor but still was dangerous. In the end it's three points, three very important points with a very laboured performance. We still need a big CB to bring confidence at the back, a testing game and we now sit in 6th. Onwards and forward.

 

[redevil2]

Why? Do you think they can do it quicker with little to no experience? Rather hand over to Giggs when we at the top - not the bottom.

What I am saying is, when LvG at a press conference mentioning "three years" (and not even about winning it), it's frustrating. He is managing United not a bottom team. Ole was managing a bottom team and coming into the league in middle of a season. Do you not have "some" confidence in Ole if he is to be given all the money, all the time to manage us? I do.

 

[SqueakyWeasel]

Well, we've deserved to win but with Arsenal, Southampton and Liverpool to come in the next three games, there is much to worry about.

We'll play this same cagey formation, I'd put my bottom dollar on it.

We can't be playing Southampton, they only play mid-table teams … oh

 

[hbgreg]

I have never seen him crazily celebrate goals anyway. The match was not settled at that 1-0. Nobody thinks it was a great performance but he also knows that injuries are causing him to change team every week and players are not robots to play new role, new system, new formation each week and still play attractive. It is hyperbole to say he will 'rip them to shreds.' He will tell them where they can get better which is obvious.

I've never seen Louis just sit and drink his water when we scored. It was as boring for him as it was for us and he'll think the team played bad, they didn't play anything like he wants them too play, he will not consider injuries as an excuse, just like he won't with missed or given penalties. Louis is not a manager who wants to just win, he wants to play attractive football while winning. Rip them to shreds was hyperbole, but he does dig into players in front of the rest of the team and after a game like this he'll have a lot of problems to point out.

 

[glazed]

well that was dull

 

[OutOfTowner]

It was a win today which is what we wanted but it was an ugly and unimpressive win, considering the amount of possession we had and indeed were afforded by an unadventurous Palace side. Still, a win was what we wanted especially with such a makeshift defence and a team looking to bounce back after three winless matches. I do worry though that for all the talk of things coming together in the end, it'll need to come sooner rather than later as we can't afford to be chasing the pack midway through the season. But three points were gained today and we're two points behind fourth place and still in the running. I'll also point out that even during the successful years when we blew teams apart, we still had days like today where we had to struggle for a winner.

 

[Marcelinho87]

This was difficult because palace were happy to park the bus. Arsenal game will be open a lot more so more clear cut chances to be had.

 

[Rednotdead]

That's because it's called a 'philosophy'.

I think the philosophy is quite simply that we play shit until we don't play shit.

 

[Evo5man]

We cant play dangerous attacking football without the three amigos in one team di maria, herrera,mata get these belgiums off the field di maria has more use than providing crosses into fellani hoping for the best

 

[zenith]

Thought LVG did well today as far as tactics were concerned. With our first choice TB and CB's missing , we needed the makeshift defense to keep its shape and not be stretched , ADM and Januzaj provided the much needed protection to the full backs that allowed the CB's to keep their positions. The diamond would have left the flanks exposed which was not the best idea at all under the circumstances.


Also, in a 2 man midfield I don't think Herrera would be the best option as he is far too gung ho. there will be a time for amazing attacking play but right now the priority is to get defenders back and win at all costs.

 

[royboy16]

To me Van Gaal has the look of a man stumbling around in the dark, desperately trying to find something that will work. I see no cohesive plan emerging.

I think he's working with what he has in order to protect that patched up defensive back 4.

 

[Jay Pascal]

A lot of posters were screaming for Januzi to start. At least we have seen how he has been struggling at this level. Mata for me is miles aheard of Januzi. At least he got his chance and has been unable to take it.

 

[detinUnaM]

LVG went with the formation, personnel and gameplan he felt would protect his makeshift defense. We kept the ball, Palace did not trouble us except for one chance and they defended well by throwing bodies trying to block shots. On another day Mata would have had one more goal.This was not pretty but very efficient while not troubling our defense. Would we rather play high tempo football and then give up 2 goals to their pacy forwards.

Januzaj was disappointing and without rafael we just lost one flank with no creativity on that side. This is not the formation and those are not the correct players in that formation to score a ton of goals. But till we get the defense sorted I am happy if we grind out results as long as we are getting 3 points. It was dull and not entertaining for us as fans but I think LVG would be very happy with the possession we had and the way we kind of closed out the game. He would like more chances to be created but he should be happy and should have expected this.

 

[Getsme]

I think people like your goodself have overrated manager like LvG. Of course LvG is a top manager and he had won a few things. Fact of matter is, he is expected to win us back to the top (at least top 4) next season, not being given three years (he did not say three years to WIN the league). With United, anything outside top 4 is not acceptable. Young managers like Ole and Giggsy who have known United inside and out can do a job if given three years methinks

Not at all, I’ve been as critical of LVG as many on here, however I’m not naive enough to think that he can change our fortunes overnight (not saying you are BTW). I like many understand that he has to be given time but he also has to get results while doing it, so far he hasn’t achieved that but I can see signs that things are on the up, that’s something I didn’t see last year, not once.

It doesn’t matter if Giggs and Ole know the Club inside out, if they haven’t proven themselves as managers at other Clubs then they shouldn’t even be considered, let alone given one of the biggest jobs in football. It’s like saying a player who has been at united since the age of six should be given a chance to play without proving that he has the qualities to be a success.

 

[MTR]

First good Januzaj's game since spring?

 

[HabeasC]

How is it possible that so many United fans still struggle to spell Januzaj correctly?

 

[AgentP]

Does anyone know why Carrick and Blind switched positions after we scored the goal?

 

[redevil2]

Not at all, I’ve been as critical of LVG as many on here, however I’m not naive enough to think that he can change our fortunes overnight (not saying you are BTW). I like many understand that he has to be given time but he also has to get results while doing it, so far he hasn’t achieved that but I can see signs that things are on the up, that’s something I didn’t see last year, not once.

It doesn’t matter if Giggs and Ole know the Club inside out, if they haven’t proven themselves as managers at other Clubs then they shouldn’t even be considered, let alone given one of the biggest jobs in football. It’s like saying a player who has been at united since the age of six should be given a chance to play without proving that he has the qualities to be a success.

I want to be very clear on this: I did not mean it that way. For example, I wouldn't say people like Keano, Brucey, Scholesy, Becks, Gary etc can do the job. Not at all. Knowing the club inside and out is only ONE of many qualities that can do a job at United.

Giggsy: He is not only a great player, he has been working under Fergie for the longest time and looks like he has the quality to commend respect from ANY player in the world, period!

Ole: Let's not forget that he had good experience under Fergie (It's quite well know he's constantly taking notes of how Fergie managed) and proven an asset in the youth team. And indeed he has proven himself in Norway as a manager. Different league yes, but he has the experience and seems like he can make it big with a big club like us. He wouldn't be in awe coming to OT and he knows it is a big job.

I am not criticising LvG but I believe he was not aware of the magnitude he's getting into when he said yes to us. At the beginning he said he's not aiming at top 4 because it is not a challenge, but winning is the challenge he's after. Now a month before Christmas he is changing tune and the result did not lie!

The task is not about changing overnight, but one season to get back to top 4 so we can play in Europe again is not a big ask. He cannot say, "it has nothing to do with me when there are injuries". Fergie always had experience of long list of injured players. He made crucial decisions to deal with that!!!

Anyway, I still think our team can get to top 4 next season, and LvG should not have said three years. Three years is a long time in football and people forget that the longer we are out of top flight, the longer it will take to go back. We could easily end up like Liverpool and get used to it. And that's a terrible terrible thought!!!!

 

[The Man Himself]

I've never seen Louis just sit and drink his water when we scored. It was as boring for him as it was for us and he'll think the team played bad, they didn't play anything like he wants them too play, he will not consider injuries as an excuse, just like he won't with missed or given penalties. Louis is not a manager who wants to just win, he wants to play attractive football while winning. Rip them to shreds was hyperbole, but he does dig into players in front of the rest of the team and after a game like this he'll have a lot of problems to point out.

"After the goal, we killed the game for the first time. We did it well & deserved to win. We created chances, we won and we are now two points behind fourth place, so it's in our hands. I am happy."

ripping players to shreds and digging into the players...

 

[Striker10]

LVG has not had a settled back line all season. Those moaning need to think about what that means because if you don't know, then you just got get it. Sure we can look back at games where we should have done better. However, we've shown a bit more spirt in the big games and though we've not had the results we're not in bad shape.

We have a lot of work to do with the squad still but we need to fix this injury nonsense. No other club in the premiership..Chelsea or City have any right to moan. United's situation this season and probably other seasons is absolutely dire. Once we fix the back line, then the players will find it easier to express themselves without worrying so much.