Man Utd XVI: Quest of the Title - Return to winning way.
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Report: United 1 Swansea 2
The 2014/15 season began in disappointing fashion for Louis van Gaal and Manchester United as Swansea City secured a shock 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
The visitors took the lead on 28 minutes through Ki Sung-yeung, before his effort was cancelled out by Wayne Rooney's second-half leveller. Rooney hit a post soon after but it was the Swans who found a second rather than United and it proved to be the winner as Gylfi Sigurdsson fired past David De Gea on 72 minutes.
Van Gaal had a raft of injuries to deal with in his first competitive match in charge with up to nine first-team squad members in the treatment room. Defence was the most depleted area with youngster Tyler Blackett, making his United debut, slotting in to the back three alongside Phil Jones and Chris Smalling. Jesse Lingard, also making his Reds bow, came in as the right wing-back with Ashley Young on the other side. Another debutant was Ander Herrera, in the centre with Darren Fletcher. Juan Mata, Rooney and Chicharito set up ahead of them.
There was a fast-paced opening to the game, but a real lack of clear-cut openings; a 20-yard curling, dipping effort from Sigurdsson on 12 minutes, which was well claimed by De Gea, was the only attempt of any note early on.
Moments later, the Reds lost Lingard to injury, on 24 minutes he was replaced by Adnan Januzaj, while Jones brought the first save from Lukasz Fabianski in the Swansea goal with a cross-cum-shot which almost sneaked in at the near post. Rather than get a corner, the Reds were awarded a free-kick for a foul on Jones as he struck the ball and, from the set-piece, Mata drew another decent save from the keeper. Rooney headed straight at Fabianski soon after.
Just as United appeared to be building some real attacking momentum, the visitors took a shock lead in the 28th minute. After Nathan Dyer had flicked the ball on to Sigurdsson from the right wing, the Swansea star drove towards the centre before setting up Ki to strike a low drive past De Gea’s outstretched arm.
This wasn’t exactly in the script for van Gaal who opted to change his favoured 3-5-2 formation to 4-4-2 for the start of the second half and also brought on Nani in place of Chicharito. Within eight minutes of the restart, the Reds were level. Januzaj, a constant early threat at the start of the second period, won a corner which Mata swung in from the right. The ball deflected off Jones and into the path of Rooney who found the net with a spectacular overhead kick from three yards out.
Rooney was almost in again three minutes later after a superb turn in the area when receiving a pass from Nani, but Ashley Williams managed to stretch out a leg to clear the danger for Swansea. The United skipper was at the heart of everything and his excellent 25-yard free-kick on 56 minutes smacked the outside of the left-hand post.
Totally against the run of play, Swansea went back in front. A quick free-kick in midfield led to substitute Jefferson Montero sprinting down the left. His cross fell to Wayne Routledge who, despite slipping, managed to knock the ball back into the unmarked Sigurdsson’s path and his shot was too strong for De Gea to keep out despite the Spaniard’s best attempts.
There was to be no way back for the Reds, despite a late handball shout in the box against Angel Rangel towards the end, who will be determined to put this result behind them as quickly as possible.
1st game 1st lost
All i have to say the lost came at the right time ...
The 2014/15 season began in disappointing fashion for Louis van Gaal and Manchester United as Swansea City secured a shock 2-1 win at Old Trafford.
The visitors took the lead on 28 minutes through Ki Sung-yeung, before his effort was cancelled out by Wayne Rooney's second-half leveller. Rooney hit a post soon after but it was the Swans who found a second rather than United and it proved to be the winner as Gylfi Sigurdsson fired past David De Gea on 72 minutes.
Van Gaal had a raft of injuries to deal with in his first competitive match in charge with up to nine first-team squad members in the treatment room. Defence was the most depleted area with youngster Tyler Blackett, making his United debut, slotting in to the back three alongside Phil Jones and Chris Smalling. Jesse Lingard, also making his Reds bow, came in as the right wing-back with Ashley Young on the other side. Another debutant was Ander Herrera, in the centre with Darren Fletcher. Juan Mata, Rooney and Chicharito set up ahead of them.
There was a fast-paced opening to the game, but a real lack of clear-cut openings; a 20-yard curling, dipping effort from Sigurdsson on 12 minutes, which was well claimed by De Gea, was the only attempt of any note early on.
Moments later, the Reds lost Lingard to injury, on 24 minutes he was replaced by Adnan Januzaj, while Jones brought the first save from Lukasz Fabianski in the Swansea goal with a cross-cum-shot which almost sneaked in at the near post. Rather than get a corner, the Reds were awarded a free-kick for a foul on Jones as he struck the ball and, from the set-piece, Mata drew another decent save from the keeper. Rooney headed straight at Fabianski soon after.
Just as United appeared to be building some real attacking momentum, the visitors took a shock lead in the 28th minute. After Nathan Dyer had flicked the ball on to Sigurdsson from the right wing, the Swansea star drove towards the centre before setting up Ki to strike a low drive past De Gea’s outstretched arm.
This wasn’t exactly in the script for van Gaal who opted to change his favoured 3-5-2 formation to 4-4-2 for the start of the second half and also brought on Nani in place of Chicharito. Within eight minutes of the restart, the Reds were level. Januzaj, a constant early threat at the start of the second period, won a corner which Mata swung in from the right. The ball deflected off Jones and into the path of Rooney who found the net with a spectacular overhead kick from three yards out.
Rooney was almost in again three minutes later after a superb turn in the area when receiving a pass from Nani, but Ashley Williams managed to stretch out a leg to clear the danger for Swansea. The United skipper was at the heart of everything and his excellent 25-yard free-kick on 56 minutes smacked the outside of the left-hand post.
Totally against the run of play, Swansea went back in front. A quick free-kick in midfield led to substitute Jefferson Montero sprinting down the left. His cross fell to Wayne Routledge who, despite slipping, managed to knock the ball back into the unmarked Sigurdsson’s path and his shot was too strong for De Gea to keep out despite the Spaniard’s best attempts.
There was to be no way back for the Reds, despite a late handball shout in the box against Angel Rangel towards the end, who will be determined to put this result behind them as quickly as possible.
1st game 1st lost
All i have to say the lost came at the right time ...
At 1-1, I thought United will go on and win it..
I feel after Herrera was replaced by Fellaini, we lost the tempo and stopped attacking by the flank.. Januzaj was particularly quiet after Herrera was replaced..
Read the post match conference by Van Gaal.. He said we had chances to win.. Sounds abit like Moyes.. Hahaha..
I feel after Herrera was replaced by Fellaini, we lost the tempo and stopped attacking by the flank.. Januzaj was particularly quiet after Herrera was replaced..
Read the post match conference by Van Gaal.. He said we had chances to win.. Sounds abit like Moyes.. Hahaha..
should have brought on James Wilson instead of fellani, and left Herrera there. What was he thinking? Fellani is not a game changer. If you're gonna lose, might as well take a bet and go down in flames.
playing 3 at the back with light weight defenders and expect not to lose?
welcome to epl LVG...hopefully you last >10months.
1 down, 37 to go.
playing 3 at the back with light weight defenders and expect not to lose?
welcome to epl LVG...hopefully you last >10months.
1 down, 37 to go.
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Rooney had no clues his defenders were out of positions. He is always too far upfield. Captaining him is a mistake. A captain needs to command his team when they are playing too loose and not in formation. Rooney is too egoistic to do any of that.
Why did LVG need to test out all players before buying? Didn't he watch tapes of the same team last season?
We all know some of them need to go and immediate replacements of better quality needs to be injected, but he does not? He wasted a few weeks experimenting instead of writing a letter to Woodward threatening to quit if he didn't get the players he wanted way before the season starts.
Either LVG is clueless or indecisive like Moyes or Moyes was not bad afterall.
Be prepared to go down in flames if he dont get his act together soon.
Seems like one can't replace Fergie afterall.
Why did LVG need to test out all players before buying? Didn't he watch tapes of the same team last season?
We all know some of them need to go and immediate replacements of better quality needs to be injected, but he does not? He wasted a few weeks experimenting instead of writing a letter to Woodward threatening to quit if he didn't get the players he wanted way before the season starts.
Either LVG is clueless or indecisive like Moyes or Moyes was not bad afterall.
Be prepared to go down in flames if he dont get his act together soon.
Seems like one can't replace Fergie afterall.
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What went wrong for LVG? Very puzzling after 7 and dozens internal pre-preparation games, mental and confidence booster sessions all went down the drain.... Disappointing! Where is the hunger, where is the general captain, Rooney who only knows how to try to equalize and not command directions for his players all round. A captain requires more than that. Time and time again, the blame falls on the defenders, this accountability should fall squarely on LVG. It clearly shows the insufficient drilling and false impression that all is well after 7 out of 7 wins with non-recognised Cup. I have said earlier during his preparation, the actual results starts from the first game. Some more at home ground, a loss again, its not acceptable and unbelievable. The strategy is to at least get a draw and a point. "Only but 1 game, we shall be Champion in May..." was spoken without forcefullness in LVG voice. Remember when we go away games, the road will even be more tougher to score. No excuse No excuse IMO, without RVP. The whole team should shoulder this loss and buck up from there... Captain Rooney, Vice Captain Fletcher are but titles without really imposing their responsibilites.......Enough said, we shall look forward to next game, a must win to boost morale, both players and supporters!!
Most of all, it is better not to count the chicks before they hatch.
Manchester United is not what it used to be, also good to show a little humility and not expect too much.
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Not fair to put rooney in charge of everything including maintaining the team's position. Each must be able to keep himself in the formation.
Juventus with Del Piero as a captain was a good example. They have mids and defence who do well with their captain upfront. Another example is probably Batistuta and Fiorentina / Argentine.
Other than that, GKs are also required to command their defence.
Juventus with Del Piero as a captain was a good example. They have mids and defence who do well with their captain upfront. Another example is probably Batistuta and Fiorentina / Argentine.
Other than that, GKs are also required to command their defence.
If reports on the various media is to be believed, problem is not LVG not signing players.. It is Ed Woodward who is not working on it.. It seems LVG told him who he wants but Woodward is the one still sitting on it..
LVG also told the media that the players were told they can go.. But so far it seems no buyers.. Could be because of asking price and the salary they are earning at United that's why no interested parties..
United also can't keep signing without selling due to financial fair play..
Hopefully some of the deadwood can be sold quickly.. Then new players can come..
LVG also told the media that the players were told they can go.. But so far it seems no buyers.. Could be because of asking price and the salary they are earning at United that's why no interested parties..
United also can't keep signing without selling due to financial fair play..
Hopefully some of the deadwood can be sold quickly.. Then new players can come..
Yup.. It is not the captain's job to be organising the defence.. Even Cantona was a good captain.. I thought Rooney did a pretty good job.. Lead by example and was fighting for the ball..
The defence generally did a good job.. Individually they did well.. But the defence lacked an experienced organiser.. We need an experienced defender who can organise the defence.. But who can we buy? Hummels sounds good but i doubt captain of Dortmund will leave.. :dunno:
Yeah in this situation i really miss jaap stam, gary neville, dennis irwin, ferdinand, vidic, or larent blanc..
And schmeichel
And schmeichel
Let's not be too hard on ourself people, it is just the beginning of the season.
A bird shitted directly into the mouth of Ashley Young. Is this a sign to come for Ashley Young? :bsmilie:
A bird shitted directly into the mouth of Ashley Young. Is this a sign to come for Ashley Young? :bsmilie:
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Let's not be too hard on ourself people, it is just the beginning of the season.
A bird shitted directly into the mouth of Ashley Young. Is this a sign to come for Ashley Young? :bsmilie:
jiak sai! omg.
I feel sorry for him, Man U player or not! ewwww
United reach agreement with Sporting for Rojo
Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon to sign defender Marcos Rojo, subject to a medical and agreeing personal terms.
A further announcement will be made when the process is complete.
Welcome Rojo
In addition Nani back on loan for a year to Sporting.
Manchester United is delighted to announce it has reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon to sign defender Marcos Rojo, subject to a medical and agreeing personal terms.
A further announcement will be made when the process is complete.
Welcome Rojo
In addition Nani back on loan for a year to Sporting.
the same team won 2012-2013....the same team that beat Arsenal 8-2 in 2011-2012.
Now they are rushing to sign new players? So why sack Moyes then? Clearly the same team is no more performing...and not the manager/s. It's not the formation issue. It never was. Fergie was using 433 442 and winning trophies left right center. The truth is, the current players are STILL NOT motivated. No rush for tackles, constant sideway passing, backward passing and long balls. No one brings the ball through the centre. 3 feet passing by the midfielders. No urgency no drive.
just one game lost and the whole backroom is panicking.
Rojo? really? Smack of desperation.
What if Sunderland wins 3-0 even with Dimaria? Buy more?
Man u is fast becoming a joke.
Good move Fergie
Now they are rushing to sign new players? So why sack Moyes then? Clearly the same team is no more performing...and not the manager/s. It's not the formation issue. It never was. Fergie was using 433 442 and winning trophies left right center. The truth is, the current players are STILL NOT motivated. No rush for tackles, constant sideway passing, backward passing and long balls. No one brings the ball through the centre. 3 feet passing by the midfielders. No urgency no drive.
just one game lost and the whole backroom is panicking.
Rojo? really? Smack of desperation.
What if Sunderland wins 3-0 even with Dimaria? Buy more?
Man u is fast becoming a joke.
Good move Fergie
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