REDLYUNITED: December 2014

Wednesday, 31 December 2014

My United team to face stoke: Pictures

For the first time this season, Van Gaal fielded an unchanged team for two consecutive matches, Though United failed to win the second match against Tottenham, majorly due to fatigue.
On the injury form, United is getting better as Ander Herrera and Daley Blind have started training, but would not be available for this match due to low fitness levels. Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw and Rafael made substitute appearances against Tottenham; Van Gaal described them as not 100% fit in his post match conference.
I’ll therefore expect Van Gaal to start with the same starting eleven, for the third time in a row. Three games in five days will be hard on the players, but with a game against Yeovil coming up, some of these players would rest.

Today is Sir Alex Ferguson’s birthday. A coach who has seen it all, done it all and won it all as far as club football is concern. Apart from being the most successful club football in England, Sir Alex Ferguson has also spoken and written some words that cannot be forgotten in the history of British and world football. Redly United brings you 50 of such words.

1. ‘‘I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. Football. Bloody hell.’’ (After winning the Champions League with two stoppage-time goals in 1999, that completed United’s treble and one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s most successful seasons at United).
2. ‘‘At the end of this game, the European cup will only be six feet away from you, and you’ll not even be able to touch it if we lose. And for many of you, that will be the closest you will ever get. Don’t you dare come back in here without giving your all.’’ (1999 Champions league final, half time team talk).
3. ‘‘Whether dribbling or sprinting, Ryan can leave the best defenders with twisted blood.” (On Ryan Giggs).
4. ‘‘He was 13 and floated over the ground like a cocker spaniel chasing a piece of silver paper in the wind.’’ Sir Alex Ferguson’s comments on the first time he saw Welsh wing wizard, United’s legend and now assistant coach Ryan Giggs.
5. ‘‘He was also walking up the pitch for the second goal, needing a rest. He was not fit enough for a game of that standard. The pace of the game demanded a referee who was fit. He was not fit. It is an indictment of our game.’’ (On referee Alan Wiley, after home draw with Sunderland in 2009).
6. ‘‘You can’t applaud a referee.’’
7. ''I do believe in fate.’’

LVG WITH A TOAST

Louis Van Gaal was appointed United coach on 19th of May 2014 and has spent six months on the Job. In his few months at United, he’s developed into fans favourite, friend of the press and only recently gave media men a toast during one of his interviews this yuletide season.
Redly United look back at some of his press conferences, and draw out some quotes, that establishes his philosophy and what he thinks about certain issues. The quotes are not arranged in any other, and do not follow any pattern.

"This club has big ambitions. I too have big ambitions, Together I'm sure we will make history."--- Speaking after he has just been appointed as United boss.

"To work as a manager for Manchester United, the biggest club in the world, makes me very proud.

"I have managed in games at Old Trafford before and know what an incredible arena Old Trafford is and how passionate and knowledgeable the fans are."

Van Gaal when asked if United will be better in 2015: "Of course. We shall be better. So watch."

“I can make every player better. I’m sorry. That’s arrogant, but I can.”

Who should United sign?

In about 48 hours from now, it’s going to be New Year and the January transfer window will be open for clubs to buy and sell players. While clubs are always reluctant to sell their players at this time of the season, top clubs like Manchester United are also always reluctant to sign players during this window. Price of players during this window is always substantially increased and the players have little time to blend in into their new team and environment – due to lack of the normal pre-season. They just come in and most times try to fill in an existing imperfection in their new team and this comes with some added pressure.

Traditionally Under Sir Alex Ferguson, United rarely signs players during the January transfer window, though the team signed arguably two of its best defenders of the last decade during the January transfer window, in Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra, though it took some time for both to blend perfectly into the team. Under immediate past manager David Moyes, United signed Juan Mata during the January transfer window, though he couldn’t save the team of its last season blushes.

Manchester united under new manager Van Gaal spent over £150 million on new players, and much was expected of the new assembled side. But the team has not fully lived up to that expectation, with the team lacking quality and leadership in centre defence. Injuries and inconsistency of form have also made matters worse. With the team’s defensive fragility, several defenders have been linked to the team. It remains to be seen if Van Gaal will sign players this January and who he will sign.

Redly United looks at the players linked to United, analyzes them and take a look at the probability and possibility of signing them. United have been linked to Ron Vlaar, Diego Godin, Mats Hummels and a host of others.

Ron Vlaar

Age: 29

Nationality: Dutch

Current club: Aston Villa (Captain)

The big Dutch defender has been around for while, and has a good connection with current United boss. Van Gaal holds him in high regards and described him as one of Holland’s best defender at the world Cup in his match conference before United face Aston Villa. He joined Villa from Feyenoord in 2012, and therefore has got enough Premier league experience and will thus need little time to settle if signed. He is solid

Manchester United receive double injury boost as duo could make cup return

There may light at the end of United’s injury tunnel as two of its injured players in Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo could make their return next week for the F.A cup fixture against Yeovil town.

Blind who picked up his injury while on international duty with the Dutch team has been out for about two months. And his return could mean a lot to United’s midfield that has been missing Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini for a couple of weeks. Rojo’s expected return coupled with Luke Shaw’s return in the match against Tottenham means the United defence is not missing anybody.

United are still missing Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera with no news about their injuries, while Marouane Fellaini rib is still keeping him out of action.

Angel Di Maria

Manchester United’s record signing and Argentine attacker Angel Di Maria has been named in the team of the year 2014 by famous French football magazine L’Equipe.

Di Maria who has had a successful 2014, was a vital player in the Real Madrid team that won the Champions League (La decima) and Copa del Rey. After which he had a fantastic World Cup outing with his national team, where his team narrowly lost to Germany in the finals.

He then moved to United in a £59.7 million deal, becoming the team’s most expensive signing, and became an instant hit and fans favourite. He’s scored a couple of goals and had a number of assists in his early days at Old Trafford.

Though currently sidelined with injury, he was placed alongside Xabi Alonso and Toni Kroos in a three man midfield behind the striking trio of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar in the L'Equipe team of the year.

L'Equipe team of the year 2014

Van Gaal

While Van Gaal is not happy with the frenetic schedule of the Premier league this festive period. He believes United will come better in 2015 while the team is improving per week.

United’s away form this season have not complemented their home form, with the team winning only two matches out of their nine Premier league away matches this season. Van Gaal who was not happy with his team’s inability to convert their chances at Spurs admitted that was a characteristic of a team that would find it difficult to win the title at the end of the season. But he’s optimistic that his team are improving and will come better in 2015.

In his words: ''when you cannot win the kind of matches where you are the better team, against Aston Villa, and also now, it’s very difficult to be the champion at the end of the season. But we are improving every week. I was happy with the first half.''

When asked if United will be improved in 2015 after a fraught 2014, Van said: ‘‘Of course. Of course. Of course, we shall be better. So, watch.’’

With the team missing a handful of players like Ander Herrera, Maroune Fellaini, Daely Blind, Angel Di Maria and Adnan Januzaj, and hopefully all could be back by January. United fans will be hoping for an injury free 2015, so the team can reach its potential.

VAN GAAL BLAMES HECTIC SCHEDULE FOR DRAW AT TOTTENHAM

Manchester United missed an opportunity to close the eight point gap on league leaders Chelsea after a barren draw at White Hart Lane against Spurs. Chelsea themselves drawing at Southampton. The draw continued United’s below par away performance this season. With the team winning two, drawing five and losing two of its nine away Premier League games played under Van Gaal.

United began the festive period with a resounding 3 – 0 over Newcastle at Old Trafford and then travelled to London to face Tottenham less than 48 hours later. Van Gaal who for the first time this started an unchanged line up - starting the team that defeated Newcastle.

It was a game Van Gaal described the second half as ‘‘a struggle for life’’, after United had dominated proceedings in the first half with a couple of decent chances, but returning Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris stood between the United strikers and the net. The French man denied Falcao twice, and also denied Robin Van Persie and Ashley Young. Vlad Chiriches was also quick enough to clear a Juan Mata deflected free kick which hit the post before Van Persie could pounce on the rebound. It was by far United’s best 45 minutes away from home this season, but the team couldn’t find the net.

Van Gaal in his post match conference said: "When you play your best first half of the season as Manchester United, at White Hart Lane, a top six club of the Premier League and you play like that, create six to eight chances, open chances, you have to finish that."

Vidic and Bale

Manchester United want to resign Nmanja Vidic from Inter Milan. (Daily Star)

Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea are intrested in £20 million Brazilian youngster Malcolm Silva, though Chelsea are touted as favorites to land the 17 year old. (Sunday Express)

Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj is a loan target for Everton. (Mirror)

Rel Madrid will demand David De Gea as part of the deal if Manchester United continue their pursuit of winger Gareth Bale. (Mirror)

Manchester United are targeting 18 year old Santos striker Gabriel Barbosa, though Barcelona have the first option of signing the teenager. (Mirror)

Manchester United are set to offer midfielder Michael Carrick a one - year contract extension after his recent fine form for the team (Mail on Sunday)

Cristiano Ronaldo is Luke Shaw's new landlord after the Manchester United rented Ronaldo's mansion for £7,000 a month.(Mirror)

MANCHESTER UNITED TARGET SET TO JOIN VALENCIA IN €30MILLION DEAL

Photo Source - uefa.com

Manchester United long pursuit of Benfica star Enzo Perez is set to come to an end. The midfielder who has been widely reported as a target for Manchester United may be set to join Valencia if reports from Portuguese news paper O Jogo is true. The paper is reporting that a €30 million deal to take Perez to Spain is done.

Reports have also linked Manchester United to his Benfica team mate Nico Gaitan, though there are also rumours that Valencia are also interested in him.

MY MANCHESTER UNITED ELEVEN TO FACE TOTTENHAM

Manchester United travel to London to face Tottenham just about 48 hours after the Boxing Day victory over Newcastle. United form away from home has been far from convincing this season with two wins, two draws and two defeats in six away matches. It is a situation United must improve on if the team is to stage a fight for the title. It’s the last game of the year and one that kick start a run of three away games for United. Angel Di Maria will be missing the game after Van Gaal confirmed he suffered a pelvic injury, Fellaini and Januzaj are ill and will be missing the game, Blind and Shaw are still injured and will miss the game.

Here’s Redly United starting XI against Tottenham

I would be sticking with van Gaal's starting XI against Newcastle. it is often said, you don't change a wining team. The game against Newcastle was an almost perfect game, where the whole United team peformed very well.

If there'll be any changes, it's most likely to be in the defence, with either Smalling or Rafael coming in.