The Van Gaal Giddyometer keeps on building, fresh from the Dutch failing to reach the world cup final with a pretty limited squad, only by a semi final penalty shoot out defeat, he begins his United career with a 7-0 victory, even if it was a friendly. I'd seen the press conference and a little of the training session and there was no doubting who was in charge. It's almost as if last season didn't really happen, David Moyes tenure was all just a bad dream.
I suppose the seven goals are what will catch the eye, but for me, it was the formation, the way we kept the ball and how natural the new tactical approach seemed to a team that two players apart was the same squad Moyes could only manage seventh position with. The build up play, the passing, the ability to create chances, which always seems to have been a problem for United in the past when they have flooded the midfield, all caught the eye. Herrera did excellently for his opening 90 minutes in a United shirt. Playing two different roles, the first half as a holding player and the second as a more advanced creative player and looking the part, and more, in both. I actually thought Mata was the player who really caught the in the first half, he was everywhere, short passes or long seemingly popping up all over the shop. Luke Shaw did well, if his wasn't as eye catching as Herrera's.Playing as a wing back, it would have been interesting to see how much joy he would have got down the left hand side if he'd have done the 90 minutes.
It's hard to judge the three centre half formation, LA Galaxy didn't provide much of a test in all honesty. I suppose the coming games in Denver against superior opposition will give us a better idea of that. Van Gaal did confirm that his preferred formation will be three at the back, so those games will be worth watching.
Even though we managed to get another four during the second half, I thought the first half told us more about the season to come. Never the less, the mixture of squad players, such as Nani, Young and the Keane's and James coming through the ranks that came on for the second half were impressive. I've never really seen James as first team material, but I'm starting to wonder whether Van Gaal will prove me wrong.
Anyway, last night was a nice little taster for the start of a new era at home to Swansea in three weeks time.
I suppose the seven goals are what will catch the eye, but for me, it was the formation, the way we kept the ball and how natural the new tactical approach seemed to a team that two players apart was the same squad Moyes could only manage seventh position with. The build up play, the passing, the ability to create chances, which always seems to have been a problem for United in the past when they have flooded the midfield, all caught the eye. Herrera did excellently for his opening 90 minutes in a United shirt. Playing two different roles, the first half as a holding player and the second as a more advanced creative player and looking the part, and more, in both. I actually thought Mata was the player who really caught the in the first half, he was everywhere, short passes or long seemingly popping up all over the shop. Luke Shaw did well, if his wasn't as eye catching as Herrera's.Playing as a wing back, it would have been interesting to see how much joy he would have got down the left hand side if he'd have done the 90 minutes.
It's hard to judge the three centre half formation, LA Galaxy didn't provide much of a test in all honesty. I suppose the coming games in Denver against superior opposition will give us a better idea of that. Van Gaal did confirm that his preferred formation will be three at the back, so those games will be worth watching.
Even though we managed to get another four during the second half, I thought the first half told us more about the season to come. Never the less, the mixture of squad players, such as Nani, Young and the Keane's and James coming through the ranks that came on for the second half were impressive. I've never really seen James as first team material, but I'm starting to wonder whether Van Gaal will prove me wrong.
Anyway, last night was a nice little taster for the start of a new era at home to Swansea in three weeks time.
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