It's weird watching this Van Gaal United team at the moment, even when they're dominating games you're never entirely sure whether it's down to the philosophy or how much other team are willing to let United have the lions share of the possession whilst hoping to catch us on the break.
Yesterday's game followed the template of the last game against West Brom at home to an extent. What was noticeable from both games was that when both West Brom and Watford decided to go for it, they both created chances. That record of not conceding for ten hours or whatever it was, was a bit of a weird one for me. When teams go for it against us they do create chances, even when we line up with two defensive midfielders. Anyway Watford did eventually score, even if it was from a penalty that was needlessly given away from Rojo.
What was refreshing to see, was the way United then took complete control of the game during those last five minutes and really went for it. It wasn't just that we scored at the death, as fucking brilliant as that was and always is. It was the fact that we went all out for the three points and there was only one team that was going to take the three points if another goal was to come in theose last five minutes.
As for the rest of the game, I'll admit I was deflated to see Memphis up front of Wilson, I hope Wilson was injured because it does appear that Van Gaal has a bi of a downer on him. That said Memphis did probably give us his best performance in a United shirt that we've seen so far. There were still a few too many Naniesqe moments where he took the wrong option at the wrong time.
I have to say I was very impressed with Lingard again, this time playing as an out and out forward. Alright he had two great chances where he should have taken at least one, but his movement, the pace and intelligence he brought to the role gave us a dimension that we have sadly lacked over the last couple of years. Did anybody notice Rooney was missing?
I thought Schneiderlin had a very good game, but even though Schweinsteiger got all the attention through the winning goal, less so. There were times when he lost the ball or gave it away through sloppy passes, where you really should have been expecting a bit more from your experiened player. Still he was on hand to drive home that cross that the Watford defence couldn't keep out, so everybody forgets that!
I suppose the other main talking point was the substitution and tactical rearrangement after Herrera was forced of by that hamstring strain. I'll never be a fan of three at the back and I'm still not really sure if it worked or not. Yes we took an even bigger stranglehold of the game after Herrera went off, but we also allowed watford to get back into the game and get to the stage where they looked as if they had the goal in them that actually came. Thankfully De Gea is still here and is there any doubt that he is the best keeper in the premier league. Personally I can't think of a better goalkeeper in the world, he may not be better than Neuer but he certainly is at least at the same level.
So Leicester lead the table with us second after City's capitualtion at home to the dippers. Why couldn't that have been to anybody else, yes it was funny to City get smacked at home, but not funny at all to see Klopp getting those twats to play football like that. The one that got away!
Yesterday's game followed the template of the last game against West Brom at home to an extent. What was noticeable from both games was that when both West Brom and Watford decided to go for it, they both created chances. That record of not conceding for ten hours or whatever it was, was a bit of a weird one for me. When teams go for it against us they do create chances, even when we line up with two defensive midfielders. Anyway Watford did eventually score, even if it was from a penalty that was needlessly given away from Rojo.
What was refreshing to see, was the way United then took complete control of the game during those last five minutes and really went for it. It wasn't just that we scored at the death, as fucking brilliant as that was and always is. It was the fact that we went all out for the three points and there was only one team that was going to take the three points if another goal was to come in theose last five minutes.
As for the rest of the game, I'll admit I was deflated to see Memphis up front of Wilson, I hope Wilson was injured because it does appear that Van Gaal has a bi of a downer on him. That said Memphis did probably give us his best performance in a United shirt that we've seen so far. There were still a few too many Naniesqe moments where he took the wrong option at the wrong time.
I have to say I was very impressed with Lingard again, this time playing as an out and out forward. Alright he had two great chances where he should have taken at least one, but his movement, the pace and intelligence he brought to the role gave us a dimension that we have sadly lacked over the last couple of years. Did anybody notice Rooney was missing?
I thought Schneiderlin had a very good game, but even though Schweinsteiger got all the attention through the winning goal, less so. There were times when he lost the ball or gave it away through sloppy passes, where you really should have been expecting a bit more from your experiened player. Still he was on hand to drive home that cross that the Watford defence couldn't keep out, so everybody forgets that!
I suppose the other main talking point was the substitution and tactical rearrangement after Herrera was forced of by that hamstring strain. I'll never be a fan of three at the back and I'm still not really sure if it worked or not. Yes we took an even bigger stranglehold of the game after Herrera went off, but we also allowed watford to get back into the game and get to the stage where they looked as if they had the goal in them that actually came. Thankfully De Gea is still here and is there any doubt that he is the best keeper in the premier league. Personally I can't think of a better goalkeeper in the world, he may not be better than Neuer but he certainly is at least at the same level.
So Leicester lead the table with us second after City's capitualtion at home to the dippers. Why couldn't that have been to anybody else, yes it was funny to City get smacked at home, but not funny at all to see Klopp getting those twats to play football like that. The one that got away!
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