United under LvG: verdict so far!

[LawCharltonBest]

Despite being lower in the league than I'd have expected a few months ago. I feel an optimism. It feels like this is the makings of the next great United side. But still too many vulnerable leaks at the moment.

Whats your opinion, and what good, and what is lacking?

 

[Andy_Cole]

Right direction, good attacking football, disappointing results as a whole, some questionable formations (5-3-2) but at least he has changed it, spent a lot so should be doing a lot better than we are. I would rate him 6/10 for now. Last year I think I rated Moyes as 4/10 at this time.

 

[LeChuck]

I like him a lot. Got a lot of respect of LvG.

He has a big game attitude. Gives clear direction and leadership, something severely lacking last season.

Absolutely LOVE his interviews.

 

[goin4glory]

The performances have gotten much better and we look to be headed in the right direction. Before the QPR game we had no Shaw/Falcao/Blind available and Di Maria only played 60mins vs Burnley. It's good that the team finally has a real sense of direction and purpose although there's still plenty to improve on.

 

[Escobar]

We're getting better, that's clear to see. We all thought it would have been sooner but ok. I fully trust him and long term, he will be a good appointment.

 

[Man Utd Mrs]

I feel confident under his management - something I didn't under Moyes, sadly.
I feel that it's work in progress and we are definitely building a great team with fantastic team spirit.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Perhaps taking longer to rectify last season than I would've hoped, we're still finding it tough... But we're definitely moving in the right direction, I trust van Gaal. We've improved slightly with every game.

 

[Rednotdead]

Too soon to tell. 3 wins from 9 league games and a small goal difference. If we hadn't scored that last gasp goal yesterday would this thread even have been started? Maybe Xmas is the time to judge.

 

[Getsme]

I trust him, that’s not something I couldn’t say about Moyes. That’s the big difference.

 

[Man Utd Mrs]

Too soon to tell. 3 wins from 9 league games and a small goal difference. If we hadn't scored that last gasp goal yesterday would this thread even have been started? Maybe Xmas is the time to judge.

Well, it'll probably be asked then as well.
I think LBC just wants to know how you feel at this point in time.

 

[golden_blunder]

Pros: added top class players in DiMaria, Herrera, Blind, Falcao and the promising young fullback Shaw. Players showing a bit more confidence. Form of DeGea.
Cons: squad still unbalanced. Injuries not relenting. Form of Evans, Mata. Carrick's injury.
TBC: Jury still out on Rojo for me, looking a bit Mickey Silvestre-ish, when we need another Stam.

Analysis
Michael Carrick, surely earmarked as a key player injured straight off. This coupled with injuries to all of the central defenders, and Luke Shaw arriving from Southampton seemingly overweight and unfit, has meant that our new team has never been able to be built on a solid back 4. Early optimisim, and unbridaled excitement due to the signings of DiMaria and Falcao in particular, was brought back down to earth with unexpected results (see Leicester City) against sides that United would be expected to pick up most, if not all points against. LVG said "give me 3 months", he was right. Or was he? Some think it may take a season, and I tend to think along those lines. A lot will depend on our incomings over the next couple of transfer windows. At least 2 defenders need to be added to the first team, a central midfielder who can get around and get tackles in would be nice (think along the lines of similar to Matic) and up-front surely Mata will not survive more than a season? Players are being pigeon holed at present and its not always working.

Personally I cant wait for Carrick to come back. I'd have:

----Blind---Carrick----
-------Herrera-------

DiMaria--Falcao--AN other

For the AN Other role, I'd be very tempted to give Nani a chance, if he can prove himself that he will put the effort it. I'd also be tempted to give Rooney the number 9 role if Falcao doesnt prove his full fitness soon.

LVG? Better than Moyes, but then who wouldn't be? Seems to be on the right track, even if results arent always going his way. Needs to have a serious look at the reasons why we keep picking up injuries. If he can get Carrick back and a settled back 4, i feel we have a really good side which can challenge with Chelsea and City, not fight it out with Liverpool for Channel 5 football nights

 

[100]

Results have been shit but I have full confidence in LvG and fully expect him to get it right. It might take a bit longer than people would have liked but I'm happy with the direction we appear to be moving in.

 

[wiz4231]

We're getting better, that's clear to see. We all thought it would have been sooner but ok. I fully trust him and long term, he will be a good appointment.

Agree. If LVG has started preseason with the formation were playing now we'd be far better now. I don't think it a bad thing that we did, its all apart of building up team philosophy and I don't doubt LVG for a second. We still have players to bring into the first team and its looking better every game.
I hope now LVG sticks with the back 5 of De Gea, Rafael, Smalling, Rojo, Shaw and works on the Midfield and Attack. Rooney and Di Maria should be in there, the other 4 positions are up for grabs.
In Jan bringing in a CM, Winger or 2 and signing Valdes will do wonders for us, as well as getting rid of a few.

 

[Ixion]

I have a lot of faith in Van Gaal and the side he is building. We are making progress, hopefully we can stay within touch of the Top 4 during this adjustment phase, by the second half of the season I think we'll be flying.

 

[Roboc7]

Very up and down so far, I think his late start and the injuries have handicapped us quite a lot and with the tough fixture list coming up it is probably going to be a very difficult first half of the season. I am optimistic about us being better over the second half of the season though and he has started the rebuilding process but there is a long way to go in terms of buying/selling players as well as finding the best combinations from what we already have. I am not entirely convinced we will make the top 4 though and we may have to give him the benefit of the doubt this season providing we improve as the season progresses.

 

[Cina]

I think the biggest problem was that fecking glorious pre-season we had. It created lots of illusions and made everyone super positive only for around 2 matches later for us all to realize our squad was still a big, messy pile of shite that was going to take an extremely long time to repair.

The most I can say right now is that he seems to keep improving and figuring out things as he goes along, and the team is definitely getting better, which is good enough for me, because all we ever did last season was get worse and worse and our manager looked more and more clueless as he went along.

 

[MDFC Manager]

Overall, results have been poor, no way around that reality. However, there is clear and evident progress and we're certainly headed in the direction that we need to be headed in.

I'm a bit surprised that the recovery is taking this long but it only goes to show how far we had regressed.

 

[Sheikhy]

I like his philosophy.

 

[MoskvaRed]

On the pitch, progress has been slow but noticeable, despite a horrendous injury list. Off the pitch, he sounds like a United manager. And, most importantly of all, I actually look forward to our games and enjoy our football. So, all in all, promising. At least we can dream this year rather than hide behind the couch as a horror show unfolds.

 

[MDFC Manager]

I think the biggest problem was that fecking glorious pre-season we had. It created lots of illusions and made everyone super positive only for around 2 matches later for us all to realize our squad was still a big, messy pile of shite that was going to take an extremely long time to repair.

The most I can say right now is that he seems to keep improving and figuring out things as he goes along, and the team is definitely getting better, which is good enough for me, because all we ever did last season was get worse and worse and our manager looked more and more clueless as he went along.

Good point about the pre season mirage.

 

[Will Absolute]

Thought David Moyes was a wrong'un almost from the start, but I'm happy with LvG. We're building a new team virtually from ground zero, so can't expect miracles from day one, particularly after the less than ideal circumstances in the summer transfer window. But Van Gaal has the presence and the pedigree, and I have some confidence we'll get there in the end.

As far as targets go, I'd be satisfied with CL football next season. Some might say that's setting the bar a bit low for the manager, but I do think he has to clear it. Next season, with the resources at LvG's disposal, I'd expect a title challenge.

 

[Distracted Steward]

I am pleased but not wowed yet. He has taken the team forward, but he still has major issues to address. If this injury wave clears up and he gets the defense in order, he has the team within a shout of challenging for the league.

 

[Walrus]

Its been a rocky start, rockier than I had anticipated, but (and this is the key difference from the Moyes era, for me) there are signs of improvement and of light at the end of the tunnel. There seems to be a plan, players getting confidence etc.

When we win, or even draw - it doesn't seem to just be a case of luck, whereas for a LOT of games last season it felt like you could just roll a dice to decide whether we win, lose or draw, because the players looked clueless and didn't seem to be any sort of plan, just blind luck.

LVG comes across as confident and arrogant, which is exactly what is needed. I think most United fans are happy to give him time as a result of this and what I said above. Moyes will no doubt complain that he wasn't given enough time, but again its all about seeing improvements and seeing a plan. I have little doubt that last year, if Moyes had gone out and bought a couple of world class CMs, and we had seen improvements in the playing style, then the fans (and club) would have shown him more patience.

As others have said, it is about trust.

 

[caisenma]

I feel we're getting a better sense of balance all the time, and yesterday's match against Chelsea was some proof of that. Defensively we need a lot of work, but that might be down to Woody to get new defenders that aren't crocked all the time.

 

[Sandikan]

It's a weird sort of feeling at the moment. One where we feel we're in good hands, and know we have some quality players, and it all feels a lot better than under Moyesie.

Yet results wise, we're probably similar to last year, despite having played less big teams.

At least this year, Tottenham/Everton/Liverpool and Arsenal have started equally averagely. But we really need to push on, or we'll find even top 4 sneaks away again

 

[Stookie]

Yeah, quite like it, we're getting there. I like that he hasn't forgot about the youngsters.

 

[Danny Boi]

We're heading in the right direction.We made some very good purchases although we needed to strengthen our CBs more.I'm not sure if Rojo is good enough but at least he can stay fit unlike the other three.

Overall performances have been improving week by week.Our points tally isn't good enough but we should have won against West Brom,Burnley and Leicester.

That has been the difference between and a poor start and and excellent one.Unlike last season we are not that far away and I'm sure we'll keep improving.

 

[MDFC Manager]

Pros: added top class players in DiMaria, Herrera, Blind, Falcao and the promising young fullback Shaw. Players showing a bit more confidence. Form of DeGea.
Cons: squad still unbalanced. Injuries not relenting. Form of Evans, Mata. Carrick's injury.
TBC: Jury still out on Rojo for me, looking a bit Mickey Silvestre-ish, when we need another Stam.

Analysis
Michael Carrick, surely earmarked as a key player injured straight off. This coupled with injuries to all of the central defenders, and Luke Shaw arriving from Southampton seemingly overweight and unfit, has meant that our new team has never been able to be built on a solid back 4. Early optimisim, and unbridaled excitement due to the signings of DiMaria and Falcao in particular, was brought back down to earth with unexpected results (see Leicester City) against sides that United would be expected to pick up most, if not all points against. LVG said "give me 3 months", he was right. Or was he? Some think it may take a season, and I tend to think along those lines. A lot will depend on our incomings over the next couple of transfer windows. At least 2 defenders need to be added to the first team, a central midfielder who can get around and get tackles in would be nice (think along the lines of similar to Matic) and up-front surely Mata will not survive more than a season? Players are being pigeon holed at present and its not always working.

Personally I cant wait for Carrick to come back. I'd have:

----Blind---Carrick----
-------Herrera-------

DiMaria--Falcao--AN other

For the AN Other role, I'd be very tempted to give Nani a chance, if he can prove himself that he will put the effort it. I'd also be tempted to give Rooney the number 9 role if Falcao doesnt prove his full fitness soon.

LVG? Better than Moyes, but then who wouldn't be? Seems to be on the right track, even if results arent always going his way. Needs to have a serious look at the reasons why we keep picking up injuries. If he can get Carrick back and a settled back 4, i feel we have a really good side which can challenge with Chelsea and City, not fight it out with Liverpool for Channel 5 football nights

Great point about Carrick, and I can't wait for him to be back either. He's like the ideal LvG player.

 

[misterredmist]

I believe that van Gaal has the credentials and chutzpa to pull this off, but I think it is like trying to turn a cruising oil tanker around,
it is going to take a lot of time for the squad/team to be molded in line with his vision. Of course Evans and Carrick have not helped
us, but overall, I am relieved we got LvG and willing to sit it out for the long haul...... There are signs of promise going forward,
it's the sieve like defence that will really take some time resolving

 

[Rednotdead]

Great point about Carrick, and I can't wait for him to be back either. He's like the ideal LvG player.

Problem is, Carrick is 33. If LVG is building a team for the future Carrick won't be there. I see nothing more than a bit-part role for him.

 

[Drifter]

Done nothing special tbh.

 

[Devil may care]

Team spirit is up and I'm enjoying our football again, that's enough me in October. We had a huge overhaul in the summer in both the coaching style and the personnel now in the team, many of whom are getting used to a new league and living in a new country. With patience LvG will get us in the top 4 this season IMO and get us back on top from there.

 

[Cheesy]

Results wise we've been very poor, but there are some positive signs that we're heading in the right direction and since none of our likely top 4 competitors are playing overly well, 3rd place is still a strong possibility. The football has been an improvement and we looked good in attack quite often, but still weak defensively.

 

[Momochiru]

I didn't like him very much in the past - he seemed too arrogant. However after he joined us he really grew on me - I can say I like him a lot now and I fully trust him.

Before the start of the season I predicted that there will be a bedding-in period until the end of November. He would need to adjust to new league, new club, new language, the physicality, etc., the new players would need to gel, the whole team would need to get used to a new 'philosophy' - in short too many changes had happened in the last few months and it would be unrealistic to expect immediate results. I think there are two things that are important in that bedding-in period until the end of November:

1. to show constant improvement in all areas, which I think we have shown.

2. to stay within touching distance from our rivals, which we have managed to do so far as well.

I expect us to start steamrolling teams in December - our lack of fixture congestion is working in our favor too.

 

[Raw]

I like what he's done so far, though I think he underestimated the Premier League a little (what with the 3 months comment). Only wish he was available a lot earlier so we could have had more time to evaluate who we needed to bring in. Maybe then we wouldn't have dropped those easy points at the start of the season.

 

[limerickcitykid]

Commentators said yesterday that this is our worst start in like 24 years. Fortunately, the other teams must be having their worst starts in a long time too as everyone is dropping points. I see improvement which is the best thing but I can't say I'm not disappointed at throwing away so many points in relatively easy matches.

 

[Browniee]

Love LVG. We have missed Rooney the last couple of games.
We are heading the right direction, apart from defensive errors we'd be right up there. Buy a world class CB and we'll be ok

 

[mu4c_20le]

Promising. We badly needed a strong personality with tactical nous to lead the club and I think he is the right man. Good job keeping an eye on the youth academy line as well.

 

[crossy1686]

We're moving in the right direction, we're playing some good football and he does great interviews. I don't see what there isn't to like!

 

[An Irish Red]

With Moyes we kept getting consistently worse as time progressed. We keep getting better under Van Gaal, big difference.

The results haven't been good so far but this isn't a normal managerial appointment here. This isn't someone coming in and signing a couple of players and keeping things ticking over.

This is a manager with an entirely new way of doing things completely revamping a squad and changing their mentality. All while dealing with confidence issues and injuries.

It'll take time but It'll be worth it in the end.