Manchester looked reenergised in the 442 diamond formation which was used against Queens Park Rangers Sunday with Angel Di Maria, Marcos Rojo, and Daley Blind making their home and league debut respectively. Rio Ferdinand also made his return to Old Trafford since he was released in the Summer Transfer Window.
As I have mentioned in my Fix United Episode 1. Darren Fletcher was the problem for Manchester United in the defensive midfield role, the introduction of Daley Blind have really turned United’s fortune around. Daley Blind is able to linkup with Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera now, able to string those passes together between midfield and attack. Juan Mata is now able to use the runs of Di Maria to his advantage and able to create chances for the Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie up top.
The quality of Angel Di Maria have made a crucial impact by providing 3 assists and a goal off a free kick. He quality on that pitch was above and beyond any other player in that United squad. Captain Wayne Rooney have also made his mark by netting a goal that would put him in 3rd place past Thierry Henry for the most goals scored in Premier League history. Juan Mata netted another goal with a tap in off a low drilled ball from Angel Di Maria. And finally, Ander Herrera blasted one past the goal keeper, linked up with Wayne Rooney to put United up 4-0.
The introduction of Radamel Falcao also saw him would a couple of decent runs on his debut, which he could have scored. Unlucky that the goal keeper got a hand to his attempt on goal. As Van Gaal said in his post match interview, there are players have still yet to reach full fitness and play a full 90 minutes in a match.
Marcos Rojo’s first outing as a Manchester United player also deserves a mention. He often goes forward to facilitate United’s attack, an aspect lacking in the 3412 formation, where the three centre backs would just dribble the ball at the back of the defense and rarely move the ball up the pitch.
The only player that have not made his United league debut is Luke Shaw who is still recovering from a hamstring injury that he suffered in training during the pre-season. In his place was Tyler Blackett who had done a fantastic job having start all 4 of the league games for Manchester United. He shall be a solid backup once Luke Shaw returns from his injury.
There are positive signs for Manchester Unitd as they capture their first league win of the season under Louis Van Gaal, It would be two more weeks until the Red Devils will face some serious oppositions. Next week, Manchester United would be playing Leicester away before coming back to Old Trafford facing West Ham at home on a Saturday. These two games would act as a foundation builder to get more familiar with each other’s style of play and to also decide which striker should be the regular starter this season for Manchester United.
Don’t forget to stay tuned to Episode 2 of Fix #MUFC, where I breakdown United’s play against Queens Park Rangers and give me my preview on the match against Leicester on the 22nd of September.
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