When Alex Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford twenty eight years ago, Liverpool were the dominant force in English and European football, and Anfield was a fortress no team liked to attack. Sir Alex said he had only one mission: to unseat Liverpool as the dominant force in English football. Three years later, he won his first FA cup and by the end of the first five years, Sir Alex had begun to show that he meant business.
Whoever doubted his initial appointment and promise couldn’t do so any longer after a few years, and 27 years and 38 titles later, he had established Manchester United as one of the super powers of English football. Last season, Alex Ferguson released the hold he had over English football for three decades to David Moyes and within a few months, Liverpool and Manchester United looked like reliving the post Ferguson drama once again; this time Liverpool’s appointment of Brendan Rogers bringing back the glory days back, a fantastic football philosophy, and breathtaking football. Moyes and Manchester United however failed to qualify for the champions League or Europe for the first time in decades.
Last season, the pendulum shifted towards Anfield again; narrowly missing out on a first League title in over two decades, so after twelve months, Manchester United decided to change their manager. A new manager they argued, brings new fortunes, and with Louis Van Gaal, who can argue against that notion?
Each time a new manager arrives at a club, all the players understand it’s “begin again, back to the drawing board”
It’s the second time the players are starting again at Carrington, home of Manchester United, in the past twelve months. In between the new manager getting to know his players, and deciding what formation and tactics to suit the team, everybody gets a chance to show what they can, and what they cannot do. And everybody has had a chance.
The young players, the fringe players, the regular starters and the least likely ones, everyone has had a chance or two. The ones who have impressed have kept their places in the team, irrespective of age, profile or reputation. LVG is set on his mission; to return Manchester United to the pinnacle of British and European football. 6 wins in a row, 3-0 against Liverpool, who can argue with the results?
I have watched Louis Van Gaal transform this Manchester United team in a few months, instil a winning mentality to the team (LVG has always been a winner) and deploy his style and tactics at Carrington.
LVG has shown everybody who is in charge, what he prefers and what he demands.
He prefers a working ethic and tactical discipline. He demands 100% commitment and a never say die attitude, and he wants every player that wears the jersey to understand that wearing the red shirt is a COMMITMENT TO A CAUSE- THE TEAM.
And who is in charge? There is only one LVG – Lord Van Gaal.
Performance is what he prefers to reputation, and Man Utd’s recent run can be attributed to LVG. Whoever said a manager does not make a difference? Ask Porto after Mourinho, ask Barcelona after Pep, ask Inter after Mourinho, and ask Real Madrid with Ancelotti. Did I forget Man Utd after Moyes?
I have watched Man Utd last season and this season, and the difference is so clear. What players love is a system that is clear on HOW TO play and WHAT TO DO when the team has the ball, and HOW TO PLAY and WHAT TO DO when the team don’t have the ball.
Last season Man Utd ran hopelessly around the pitch and didn’t look like a team with a plan of action, but this season I have watched them neutralise Chelsea with a different tactic (man marking the chelsea artists) and aggressive football. I watched them pummel Arsenal to submission at the Etihad stadium with a low block and a devastating counter attacking system.
The team is compact and efficient, with the 5 man midfield trying to keep possession and protect the weak back line. LVG’s tactics have worked so far. He used the same formation only ever at the just concluded World Cup. Why? He had a terrible defence, and at Manchester the same problem seem to be alleviated for now with the 3-5-2 and/or 3-6-1 formation which is working wonders.
The players have bought into it (with LVG you don’t have a choice anyway) and suddenly Fellaini is no longer under the pressure he was last year, Mata is beginning to play like the Mata that Chelsea bought (not the one sold) and Van Persie has finally accepted that his reputation only counts for the last game. Rooney’s immunity means he is free, yes, to play, score and lead, while Valencia and Young have finally understood that playing in a 3-5-2 system does not make you play any different than you would in a 4-4-2 system, but that it just needs tactical discipline and constant awareness (I have played that system)
How would he fit in RVP, Rooney and Falcao? LVG answered by throwing in Wilson as well! His approach is, whoever plays and gets me results will keep playing, irrespective of profile or past reputation.
So there is fire power upfront, there is a strong and fit midfield, then you have David DeGea, a fantastic goalkeeper!! My God, this guy is just playing with so much confidence. They say a good goalkeeper keeps clean sheets, and great goalkeeper wins you 3 or 4 games in a season. David DeGea has probably won 5 or 6 already this season.
Last season Liverpool ran riot against Manchester United. Yesterday against Liverpool DeGea was the difference. Simply outstanding, he produced 6 world class saves, 3 each from Sterling and Balotelli. Each game, he brings confidence to the team and his displays have instilled a belief that runs through the veins of the whole team; bring anyone on, we would win!
So how far can this team go? They have no midweek football, knocked out of the Capital One cup, so they only have to concentrate on champions league qualification and FA cup maybe. They have fewer games to play and have very fresh legs. They have many injured players to come back as well, and they have the 12th man at Old Trafford, the fans! Premier League beware, this team would take some stopping. Some say they’re lucky, but when you work very hard in life, you always tend to get lucky. Luck, they say, is Labouring Under Correct Knowledge, and Manchester United are doing just that.
Liverpool actually showed up yesterday for the first time in many games did season.
I said last week that their champions league exit might eventually relieve the pressure they’ve been under since the beginning of the season, and they actually played well but for David DeGea who stood tall against them.
I think Brendan Rogers can take a lot of positives from this game and build on it
He has to stop chopping and changing players after one bad or average performance. I stand corrected, but it seems like what he is doing is trying to save his job already. By changing each defender, goalkeeper, striker or midfielder after each game, he seems to be saying to the fans and the board; ‘Hey look! It was Lambert’s fault that we lost, it was Balotellis fault that we couldn’t score, it was Mignolet’s fault that we conceded……
Players like the rule of ‘the jersey is mine until a bad run of form gives it to you’ or vice versa. In the Liverpool corner however, Rogers seems to be collecting the jerseys from the players after each game, to redistribute to other players and I sincerely hope he doesn’t end up losing the dressing room.
The body language in the Liverpool team is not good at all, and I hope the frequent changes have not divided the team, pitching players against each other.
There is fear and panic everywhere on the pitch, players are losing confidence each game and even Loveren has joined the error prone club that was formed at the Liverpool back line a few years ago.
And finally, Mario missed chances, so what? At least he is getting the chances!
The signs are ominous for Liverpool and Brendan has to act swiftly to prevent the slide under Dalglish and restore the confidence back to the players.
He has to stick with a team for a few games and give the players a run. There is nothing worse in any club than for players not to know whether they’re playing or not. That I’m afraid, is the biggest obstacle in front of the Kop at the moment.
Yes we are where we were last season; One team up and the other down and Manchester reds and Liverpool reds have swapped seats once again. The reds of Manchester are travelling towards the podium on prize giving day, while the reds from Liverpool are at this moment in time, heading towards the exit, and the credit for this season goes to Lord Van Gaal.
LIVERPOOL AND MAN UTD: BACK WHERE WE WERE!
When Alex Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford twenty eight years ago, Liverpool were the dominant force in English and European football, and Anfield was a fortress no team liked to attack. Sir Alex said he had only one mission: to unseat Liverpool as the dominant force in English football. Three years later, he won his first FA cup and by the end of the first five years, Sir Alex had begun to show that he meant business.
Whoever doubted his initial appointment and promise couldn’t do so any longer after a few years, and 27 years and 38 titles later, he had established Manchester United as one of the super powers of English football. Last season, Alex Ferguson released the hold he had over English football for three decades to David Moyes and within a few months, Liverpool and Manchester United looked like reliving the post Ferguson drama once again; this time Liverpool’s appointment of Brendan Rogers bringing back the glory days back, a fantastic football philosophy, and breathtaking football. Moyes and Manchester United however failed to qualify for the champions League or Europe for the first time in decades.
Last season, the pendulum shifted towards Anfield again; narrowly missing out on a first League title in over two decades, so after twelve months, Manchester United decided to change their manager. A new manager they argued, brings new fortunes, and with Louis Van Gaal, who can argue against that notion?
Each time a new manager arrives at a club, all the players understand it’s “begin again, back to the drawing board”
It’s the second time the players are starting again at Carrington, home of Manchester United, in the past twelve months. In between the new manager getting to know his players, and deciding what formation and tactics to suit the team, everybody gets a chance to show what they can, and what they cannot do. And everybody has had a chance.
The young players, the fringe players, the regular starters and the least likely ones, everyone has had a chance or two. The ones who have impressed have kept their places in the team, irrespective of age, profile or reputation. LVG is set on his mission; to return Manchester United to the pinnacle of British and European football. 6 wins in a row, 3-0 against Liverpool, who can argue with the results?
I have watched Louis Van Gaal transform this Manchester United team in a few months, instil a winning mentality to the team (LVG has always been a winner) and deploy his style and tactics at Carrington.
LVG has shown everybody who is in charge, what he prefers and what he demands.
He prefers a working ethic and tactical discipline. He demands 100% commitment and a never say die attitude, and he wants every player that wears the jersey to understand that wearing the red shirt is a COMMITMENT TO A CAUSE- THE TEAM.
And who is in charge? There is only one LVG – Lord Van Gaal.
Performance is what he prefers to reputation, and Man Utd’s recent run can be attributed to LVG. Whoever said a manager does not make a difference? Ask Porto after Mourinho, ask Barcelona after Pep, ask Inter after Mourinho, and ask Real Madrid with Ancelotti. Did I forget Man Utd after Moyes?
I have watched Man Utd last season and this season, and the difference is so clear. What players love is a system that is clear on HOW TO play and WHAT TO DO when the team has the ball, and HOW TO PLAY and WHAT TO DO when the team don’t have the ball.
Last season Man Utd ran hopelessly around the pitch and didn’t look like a team with a plan of action, but this season I have watched them neutralise Chelsea with a different tactic (man marking the chelsea artists) and aggressive football. I watched them pummel Arsenal to submission at the Etihad stadium with a low block and a devastating counter attacking system.
The team is compact and efficient, with the 5 man midfield trying to keep possession and protect the weak back line. LVG’s tactics have worked so far. He used the same formation only ever at the just concluded World Cup. Why? He had a terrible defence, and at Manchester the same problem seem to be alleviated for now with the 3-5-2 and/or 3-6-1 formation which is working wonders.
The players have bought into it (with LVG you don’t have a choice anyway) and suddenly Fellaini is no longer under the pressure he was last year, Mata is beginning to play like the Mata that Chelsea bought (not the one sold) and Van Persie has finally accepted that his reputation only counts for the last game. Rooney’s immunity means he is free, yes, to play, score and lead, while Valencia and Young have finally understood that playing in a 3-5-2 system does not make you play any different than you would in a 4-4-2 system, but that it just needs tactical discipline and constant awareness (I have played that system)
How would he fit in RVP, Rooney and Falcao? LVG answered by throwing in Wilson as well! His approach is, whoever plays and gets me results will keep playing, irrespective of profile or past reputation.
So there is fire power upfront, there is a strong and fit midfield, then you have David DeGea, a fantastic goalkeeper!! My God, this guy is just playing with so much confidence. They say a good goalkeeper keeps clean sheets, and great goalkeeper wins you 3 or 4 games in a season. David DeGea has probably won 5 or 6 already this season.
Last season Liverpool ran riot against Manchester United. Yesterday against Liverpool DeGea was the difference. Simply outstanding, he produced 6 world class saves, 3 each from Sterling and Balotelli. Each game, he brings confidence to the team and his displays have instilled a belief that runs through the veins of the whole team; bring anyone on, we would win!
So how far can this team go? They have no midweek football, knocked out of the Capital One cup, so they only have to concentrate on champions league qualification and FA cup maybe. They have fewer games to play and have very fresh legs. They have many injured players to come back as well, and they have the 12th man at Old Trafford, the fans! Premier League beware, this team would take some stopping. Some say they’re lucky, but when you work very hard in life, you always tend to get lucky. Luck, they say, is Labouring Under Correct Knowledge, and Manchester United are doing just that.
Liverpool actually showed up yesterday for the first time in many games did season.
I said last week that their champions league exit might eventually relieve the pressure they’ve been under since the beginning of the season, and they actually played well but for David DeGea who stood tall against them.
I think Brendan Rogers can take a lot of positives from this game and build on it
He has to stop chopping and changing players after one bad or average performance. I stand corrected, but it seems like what he is doing is trying to save his job already. By changing each defender, goalkeeper, striker or midfielder after each game, he seems to be saying to the fans and the board; ‘Hey look! It was Lambert’s fault that we lost, it was Balotellis fault that we couldn’t score, it was Mignolet’s fault that we conceded……
Players like the rule of ‘the jersey is mine until a bad run of form gives it to you’ or vice versa. In the Liverpool corner however, Rogers seems to be collecting the jerseys from the players after each game, to redistribute to other players and I sincerely hope he doesn’t end up losing the dressing room.
The body language in the Liverpool team is not good at all, and I hope the frequent changes have not divided the team, pitching players against each other.
There is fear and panic everywhere on the pitch, players are losing confidence each game and even Loveren has joined the error prone club that was formed at the Liverpool back line a few years ago.
And finally, Mario missed chances, so what? At least he is getting the chances!
The signs are ominous for Liverpool and Brendan has to act swiftly to prevent the slide under Dalglish and restore the confidence back to the players.
He has to stick with a team for a few games and give the players a run. There is nothing worse in any club than for players not to know whether they’re playing or not. That I’m afraid, is the biggest obstacle in front of the Kop at the moment.
Yes we are where we were last season; One team up and the other down and Manchester reds and Liverpool reds have swapped seats once again. The reds of Manchester are travelling towards the podium on prize giving day, while the reds from Liverpool are at this moment in time, heading towards the exit, and the credit for this season goes to Lord Van Gaal.
LIVERPOOL AND MAN UTD: BACK WHERE WE WERE!
When Alex Ferguson arrived at Old Trafford twenty eight years ago, Liverpool were the dominant force in English and European football, and Anfield was a fortress no team liked to attack. Sir Alex said he had only one mission: to unseat Liverpool as the dominant force in English football. Three years later, he won his first FA cup and by the end of the first five years, Sir Alex had begun to show that he meant business.
Whoever doubted his initial appointment and promise couldn’t do so any longer after a few years, and 27 years and 38 titles later, he had established Manchester United as one of the super powers of English football. Last season, Alex Ferguson released the hold he had over English football for three decades to David Moyes and within a few months, Liverpool and Manchester United looked like reliving the post Ferguson drama once again; this time Liverpool’s appointment of Brendan Rogers bringing back the glory days back, a fantastic football philosophy, and breathtaking football. Moyes and Manchester United however failed to qualify for the champions League or Europe for the first time in decades.
Last season, the pendulum shifted towards Anfield again; narrowly missing out on a first League title in over two decades, so after twelve months, Manchester United decided to change their manager. A new manager they argued, brings new fortunes, and with Louis Van Gaal, who can argue against that notion?
Each time a new manager arrives at a club, all the players understand it’s “begin again, back to the drawing board”
It’s the second time the players are starting again at Carrington, home of Manchester United, in the past twelve months. In between the new manager getting to know his players, and deciding what formation and tactics to suit the team, everybody gets a chance to show what they can, and what they cannot do. And everybody has had a chance.
The young players, the fringe players, the regular starters and the least likely ones, everyone has had a chance or two. The ones who have impressed have kept their places in the team, irrespective of age, profile or reputation. LVG is set on his mission; to return Manchester United to the pinnacle of British and European football. 6 wins in a row, 3-0 against Liverpool, who can argue with the results?
I have watched Louis Van Gaal transform this Manchester United team in a few months, instil a winning mentality to the team (LVG has always been a winner) and deploy his style and tactics at Carrington.
LVG has shown everybody who is in charge, what he prefers and what he demands.
He prefers a working ethic and tactical discipline. He demands 100% commitment and a never say die attitude, and he wants every player that wears the jersey to understand that wearing the red shirt is a COMMITMENT TO A CAUSE- THE TEAM.
And who is in charge? There is only one LVG – Lord Van Gaal.
Performance is what he prefers to reputation, and Man Utd’s recent run can be attributed to LVG. Whoever said a manager does not make a difference? Ask Porto after Mourinho, ask Barcelona after Pep, ask Inter after Mourinho, and ask Real Madrid with Ancelotti. Did I forget Man Utd after Moyes?
I have watched Man Utd last season and this season, and the difference is so clear. What players love is a system that is clear on HOW TO play and WHAT TO DO when the team has the ball, and HOW TO PLAY and WHAT TO DO when the team don’t have the ball.
Last season Man Utd ran hopelessly around the pitch and didn’t look like a team with a plan of action, but this season I have watched them neutralise Chelsea with a different tactic (man marking the chelsea artists) and aggressive football. I watched them pummel Arsenal to submission at the Etihad stadium with a low block and a devastating counter attacking system.
The team is compact and efficient, with the 5 man midfield trying to keep possession and protect the weak back line. LVG’s tactics have worked so far. He used the same formation only ever at the just concluded World Cup. Why? He had a terrible defence, and at Manchester the same problem seem to be alleviated for now with the 3-5-2 and/or 3-6-1 formation which is working wonders.
The players have bought into it (with LVG you don’t have a choice anyway) and suddenly Fellaini is no longer under the pressure he was last year, Mata is beginning to play like the Mata that Chelsea bought (not the one sold) and Van Persie has finally accepted that his reputation only counts for the last game. Rooney’s immunity means he is free, yes, to play, score and lead, while Valencia and Young have finally understood that playing in a 3-5-2 system does not make you play any different than you would in a 4-4-2 system, but that it just needs tactical discipline and constant awareness (I have played that system)
How would he fit in RVP, Rooney and Falcao? LVG answered by throwing in Wilson as well! His approach is, whoever plays and gets me results will keep playing, irrespective of profile or past reputation.
So there is fire power upfront, there is a strong and fit midfield, then you have David DeGea, a fantastic goalkeeper!! My God, this guy is just playing with so much confidence. They say a good goalkeeper keeps clean sheets, and great goalkeeper wins you 3 or 4 games in a season. David DeGea has probably won 5 or 6 already this season.
Last season Liverpool ran riot against Manchester United. Yesterday against Liverpool DeGea was the difference. Simply outstanding, he produced 6 world class saves, 3 each from Sterling and Balotelli. Each game, he brings confidence to the team and his displays have instilled a belief that runs through the veins of the whole team; bring anyone on, we would win!
So how far can this team go? They have no midweek football, knocked out of the Capital One cup, so they only have to concentrate on champions league qualification and FA cup maybe. They have fewer games to play and have very fresh legs. They have many injured players to come back as well, and they have the 12th man at Old Trafford, the fans! Premier League beware, this team would take some stopping. Some say they’re lucky, but when you work very hard in life, you always tend to get lucky. Luck, they say, is Labouring Under Correct Knowledge, and Manchester United are doing just that.
Liverpool actually showed up yesterday for the first time in many games did season.
I said last week that their champions league exit might eventually relieve the pressure they’ve been under since the beginning of the season, and they actually played well but for David DeGea who stood tall against them.
I think Brendan Rogers can take a lot of positives from this game and build on it
He has to stop chopping and changing players after one bad or average performance. I stand corrected, but it seems like what he is doing is trying to save his job already. By changing each defender, goalkeeper, striker or midfielder after each game, he seems to be saying to the fans and the board; ‘Hey look! It was Lambert’s fault that we lost, it was Balotellis fault that we couldn’t score, it was Mignolet’s fault that we conceded……
Players like the rule of ‘the jersey is mine until a bad run of form gives it to you’ or vice versa. In the Liverpool corner however, Rogers seems to be collecting the jerseys from the players after each game, to redistribute to other players and I sincerely hope he doesn’t end up losing the dressing room.
The body language in the Liverpool team is not good at all, and I hope the frequent changes have not divided the team, pitching players against each other.
There is fear and panic everywhere on the pitch, players are losing confidence each game and even Loveren has joined the error prone club that was formed at the Liverpool back line a few years ago.
And finally, Mario missed chances, so what? At least he is getting the chances!
The signs are ominous for Liverpool and Brendan has to act swiftly to prevent the slide under Dalglish and restore the confidence back to the players.
He has to stick with a team for a few games and give the players a run. There is nothing worse in any club than for players not to know whether they’re playing or not. That I’m afraid, is the biggest obstacle in front of the Kop at the moment.
Yes we are where we were last season; One team up and the other down and Manchester reds and Liverpool reds have swapped seats once again. The reds of Manchester are travelling towards the podium on prize giving day, while the reds from Liverpool are at this moment in time, heading towards the exit, and the credit for this season goes to Lord Van Gaal.