With the January transfer window just a month and few days away, speculations and rumours are already flying around with regards to the movement of players.
Manchester United will be one of the team in focus during the period. Manager Louis Van Gaal has come out to say his team needs speed and strength on the wings, and that he's always looking at ways to improve his team.
United have been under the microscope for a large part of this season. Fans, media and ex-players have critizized Van Gaal and his methods. Players such as Wayne Rooney have also come under intense questioning.
It's been a season of both positives and negatives for united. Defensively positive, possession wise, positive, but in front of goal, shy.
Redlyunited is taking a look at taking a look at the United's team and its performance so far this season to determine if Van Gaal needs to add up to the squad.
DEFENCE:
This has been United's strongest department this season. The team can boast of the best defensive performance in the league. The United defence have conceded just 3 goals in their last 11 games in all competitions, and have not conceded a goal in over 500 minutes of football.
Every player selected in any match have given their best. Smalling undoubtedly is the leader of the department in the team. The Englishman has put in several commanding performances this season. His central defensive neighbours in Blind and Jones have also been solid all round.
The wing back is where United have lost some balance. With long term injury to the duo of Luke Shaw and Anthonio Valencia, United may look short of options. But with Rojo and new signing Darmain. United looks covered. Ashley Young can also come in handy for any of the wing back position, while Jones and Blind can also be deployed there if need be.
Every player selected in any match have given their best. Smalling undoubtedly is the leader of the department in the team. The Englishman has put in several commanding performances this season. His central defensive neighbours in Blind and Jones have also been solid all round.
The wing back is where United have lost some balance. With long term injury to the duo of Luke Shaw and Anthonio Valencia, United may look short of options. But with Rojo and new signing Darmain. United looks covered. Ashley Young can also come in handy for any of the wing back position, while Jones and Blind can also be deployed there if need be.
VERDICT
United don't need January signing here. Players from the academy can always help if badly needed.
Don't expect to see any defensive signing.
United don't need January signing here. Players from the academy can always help if badly needed.
Don't expect to see any defensive signing.
MIDFIELD:
The United midfield has been greased this season by the intelligence of schweinsteiger, high work rate of Schneiderlin and the craftiness of Carrick. Up till now, United can boast of one of the most effective midfield in the Premiership.
Except for the Arsenal defeat, United's midfield combination has always been up to the task irrespective of the opposition.
While two of the aforementioned players are in their thirties, effective rotation on Van Gaal's path has brought out the best in them. Players such as Herrera and Fellaini can also be drafted into the holding midfield position. Michael Carrick over the weekend sustain an injury on international duty. While the severity of the injury is still unknown, losing him will be a big blow to United. But with Herrera, Fellaini, and even Blind in the team, United looks covered in his anticipated absence.
VERDICT:
Expecting no midfield signings, except United suffer another major long term injury.
Expecting no midfield signings, except United suffer another major long term injury.
ATTACK:
This is where United have been lacking vitality and swag.
Wingers: Traditionally United's strength in attack has been it's powerful, fast and efficient wingers. This was one of the main strength of the Sir Alex Ferguson's United. United were fast, and were willing to take attacking risks.
But Van seems to have changed that, preferring a more conservative approach, of keeping the ball, and this have slowed down United a lot. United have been lacking force and intent from the wings this season.
Memphis Depay was thought to be the solution to that problem, but the Dutchman has failed to live up to the billing. Mata is not an outright winger, and hence lacks that killer instincts on the flank, Ashley Young has been rotated that he doesn't seem to know his best position in the team again. Lingard seems to be the only redemption for United on the wings, but the United burden seems to heavy for the 22 year old.
Striker:
When Van Gaal sold Van Persie and Javier Hernandez, he was sending a clear message that Rooney will be his main striker for the season. And at the onset, no one could question decision. But when the season started, it became obvious that would turn out to be a mistake. Rooney has failed to turn up, with two goals in twelve league matches, his place in the national team is under threat. Against the wish of the fans, Van Gaal has stuck with his captain. An expensive unproven Martial brought temporary relief to the Unites goal scoring problems, with goals in consecutive matches, but Van Gaal developed other plans that seem to reduce his goal scoring ratio. That is playing him on the wings.
When Van Gaal sold Van Persie and Javier Hernandez, he was sending a clear message that Rooney will be his main striker for the season. And at the onset, no one could question decision. But when the season started, it became obvious that would turn out to be a mistake. Rooney has failed to turn up, with two goals in twelve league matches, his place in the national team is under threat. Against the wish of the fans, Van Gaal has stuck with his captain. An expensive unproven Martial brought temporary relief to the Unites goal scoring problems, with goals in consecutive matches, but Van Gaal developed other plans that seem to reduce his goal scoring ratio. That is playing him on the wings.
VERDICT
Van Gaal has admitted that he needs fast and speedy wingers, though it remains to be seen if he would see his choice this January.
Depay must either show signs of improvement before the January transfer opens or Van Gaal must then sign a top notch winger and move Martial to the central striking position.
Van Gaal has admitted that he needs fast and speedy wingers, though it remains to be seen if he would see his choice this January.
Depay must either show signs of improvement before the January transfer opens or Van Gaal must then sign a top notch winger and move Martial to the central striking position.
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