Is Strootman a viable option for Manchester United?

It has been a good transfer window for Manchester United, yet there is still a sense of unfinished business. The club perhaps still lacks another central defender, but of more pertinence is the continued whispering that Kevin Strootman will soon become a Red Devil.

Strootman is a superb midfielder who at 24 could become a huge fixture in the Manchester United midfield. The astute summer additions of Ander Herrera and Daley Blind make the need for a new central midfielder lessen however.

If Michael Carrick returns to his form of two seasons ago, and Angel di Maria continues in his world-class vein, then where would Strootman fit in? The Dutchman would be a worthy buy in the long-term, but it would mean there would have to be a reshuffling somewhere. The most likely scenarios are any of the following:
- Carrick moving into a defensive position
- Juan Mata moving on, and one of Herrera and Di Maria taking up more advanced positions
- Daley Blind becoming nothing more than a back-up utility man

Furthermore there would likely be no Manchester United future for Marouane Fellaini, and more predictably Anderson and Tom Cleverley. Darren Fletcher would also have to settle for the role of experienced squad player.

Strength in numbers will be no issue for United in a department that has lacked for many years, especially if they qualify for the Champions League, but something will have to give way in a midfield involving Carrick, Blind, Fletcher, Herrera, Fellaini Di Maria, Mata, Adnan Januzaj and then potentially Strootman.

Has Louis van Gaal been a pre-season disappointment?

In terms of results, the answer to the question in the title seems obvious: no. United's results have been very impressive in pre-season, whilst some of the general play and performances of the team and its best players have been encouraging. Nevertheless in terms of getting ready for the new season Louis van Gaal has perhaps left the Red Devils a little under-prepared.

Van Gaal's new 3-4-1-2 formation seems folly. United have lost three defenders and only recruited one, yet Van Gaal is now requiring his side to play with one more defender than the team is used to. The club are severely low on players in that department and the new Dutch manager is yet to recruit. Injuries to Jonny Evans, Rafael and Luke Shaw have only exacerbated the problem. A diamond formation with four defenders at the back would appear to have been a much better way of utilising United's resources.

Why has it taken so long to buy new players? Van Gaal has said he wanted to take a proper look at the squad before investing, but that doesn't cut the mustard Louis. Anyone could see that new players were necessary, whether you've seen them on tour or not. He has been slow to act and has now stretched United's resources at the back. A top-quality spine to the team mean results may not be initially effected, but it has been a poor effort from Van Gaal in getting his squad ready.

Friendly results have been good, Van Gaal has made wise choices in regard to captain, and the pre-season standards have generally been high. Nevertheless the Dutchman's preparation for the new season has been far from flawless, and that is certainly disappointing.

Van Gaal's new formation may be a masterstroke

Louis van Gaal has revealed that 3-4-1-2 (3-4-3/5-2-3) is likely to be his formation of choice for this season, a decision that may pay off when considering United's attacking options.

The set-up means United can field Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney together in their favoured forward positions. It also means Juan Mata and Shinji Kagawa can play in the favoured positions in the hole, a position that Rooney and others could also occupy.

Furthermore this formation does not require two wingers, meaning United's weakness in that area will not be exposed, and it only requires two central midfielders, a position in which United now have five decent options, though could require one more.

Central defence will need strengthening if United are to play with three centre-backs, although Michael's Keane and Carrick may be called upon there by Van Gaal. Right-back is covered by Rafael and Antonio Valencia, but a more experienced left-back than young Reece James may be required to alternate with Luke Shaw.

This formation allows United to fit their best players into the starting eleven in their best positions too, and is a good way to make the most of what Van Gaal has described an 'unbalanced' squad. And should United need to revert to 4-3-3 as Van Gaal has eluded to, Valencia, Nani, Ashley Young and Adnan Januzaj are ready-made options to fill the wide positions. A centre-back, left-back and central midfielder still remains on the wishlist however.

2014 summer transfer dealings

This summer so far has been infinitely better than that of 2013, not least because of Manchester United's activity in the transfer market. Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera are both astute signings who have a real desire to play for the club and have their best years ahead of them.

United certainly need strengthening in other areas, but it is debatable how much of this needs to come from outside the club. Should Javier Hernandez or Danny Welbeck leave, another striker may become required, but James Wilson could fill this void for example.

The anticipated departure of Ashley Young and/or Nani means United are being linked with lots of wingers. It is important to remember however that Adnan Januzaj, Antonio Valencia, Juan Mata, Shinji Kagawa, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Tom Lawrence and Jesse Lingard can all play in those positions. Unless a real top-quality winger becomes available for a good price, there shouldn't be a need to dip into that area of the market.

Central midfield still requires another signing. Michael Carrick probably has more left in him than many appreciate, but Darren Fletcher is not the force he once was, Marouane Fellaini has been a disappointment and unfortunately Tom Cleverley seems set to remain a mere squad filler. With Anderson set to leave, aside from Ander Herrera, United are relying on attacking midfielders to provide top midfield quality and therefore another signing is a necessity.

Defence is the final area United need to strengthen. The Red Devils can afford to leave right-back alone, with Rafael, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Antonio Valencia all there to cover. If Louis van Gaal rates Phil Jones and Jonny Evans then promoting Michael Keane as United's fourth centre-back may be a worthwhile possibility. United would still need another left-back however baring in mind Patrice Evra's imminent departure. A versatile left and centre-back, such as Daley Blind or Thomas Vermaelen, appears to be the pragmatic option. If Van Gaal feels United need a new top centre-back however the club could require signing two defensive players.

Manchester United place emphasis on youth, and it is also important the club retains a good British core in its players. That means that promoting youngsters and not buying a plethora of foreign players may be the right strategy for Louis van Gaal to implement. And with no European football to contend with United may be able to trim down an oversized squad and take some risks with youth.

POTENTIAL SUMMER
Signings: Luke Shaw (LB), Ander Herrera (CM), Another (CM), Another (LB/CB)

Departures: Patrice Evra (LB), Alex Buttner (LB), Rio Ferdinand (CB), Nemanja Vidic (CB), Anderson (CM), Ryan Giggs (CM), Nani (RW), Bebe (RW), Ashley Young (LW), Javier Hernandez (ST)

Promotions: Michael Keane (CB), Jesse Lingard (AM), Tom Lawrence (LW), James Wilson (ST)

Other possible breakthroughs: Tom Thorpe (CB), Wilfried Zaha (RW), Nick Powell (AM), Will Keane (ST)

POTENTIAL LINE-UPS
4-3-3: De Gea, Rafael, Jones, Evans, Shaw, Carrick, Herrera, Mata, Januzaj, Van Persie, Rooney

5-3-2: De Gea, Rafael, Jones, Carrick, Evans, Shaw, Herrera, NEW CM, Mata, Van Persie, Rooney

5-2-3: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Carrick, Evans, Shaw, Herrera, NEW CM, Januzaj, Van Persie, Rooney

Big game tactics

Last season Sir Alex Ferguson got it mostly right at home to Real Madrid: stick Danny Welbeck on Xabi Alonso to prevent him dictating the play. Then, when United get the ball, get it quickly to Robin van Persie who can hold the ball up and then play in Welbeck sprinting past him.

Against Bayern Munich this season David Moyes, as Ferguson did, made Danny Welbeck the cornerstone of his plans, but in a different way. Welbeck was the furthest forward striker, shifting his position across the forward line based on where he could find the most space to surge into and disrupt a shaky Bayern defence. Behind him the ploy was to get the ball into space for Welbeck as quickly as possible, preferably through Wayne Rooney, before half of United's team run forward to join him.

It worked fairly well, but with a few caveats. These caveats however are things that can be rectified for the second leg, giving United a decent chance of progressing. Firstly, Shinji Kagawa simply has to start in Munich. His ball retention is arguably better than any other United player who played on Tuesday, bar perhaps Michael Carrick. This means when United do get the ball, they at least have a chance of building something incisive once Kagawa's involved. He was used to great effect in this regard at the Bernabeu last season.

Secondly, a stronger defence may enable Phil Jones to move into midfield in place of Marouane Fellaini. Despite Jones' sometimes clumsy play, anything and anyone would be an improvement of Fellaini's ball retention in the first leg. Furthermore, Jones is less likely to so weakly lose some the aerial battles that Fellaini did, whilst also arguably offering more determination and better defensive cover. Jones' energy should also enable him to take up some of the advanced positions that Fellaini did too.

The introduction of Patrice Evra at left-back may have no impact on United's defensive display; Buttner was solid on Tuesday. Nevertheless, Evra should be slightly more assured on the ball, giving United a better chance of building attacks.

There were some good signs from the first leg against Bayern and a template was established for getting a result against them. Concentration will have to be yet again as good if not better in the Allianz Arena, but a few simple personnel changes can give United real hope of progressing.

FURTHER POINTS:
4-4-1-1 to 4-5-1
United mostly set-up in a 4-4-1-1 that switched in true Moyes style to a 4-5-1 whilst defending. This worked a treat. In attack Welbeck drifted across the front line, supported by Rooney and Giggs slightly to the left. Fellaini also supported the attack with Valencia wide-right. In defensive transitions however, Carrick and Fellaini remained central with Valencia right, but then United showed some fluidity. Either Giggs would move left and Rooney deep centrally, or Welbeck would move left with Giggs centrally. This enabled decent defensive protection in midfield, but also a flexibility that allowed players to change shape depending on their starting position.

Full-backs
Bayern's full-backs were not given much attention defensively until the final third, but this worked well. It meant United focussed mainly on crowding on the central areas. Bayern meanwhile could switch the ball at will, but to little effect. Without an orthodox striker in the middle, good wide area work was not as dangerous as it may have been. United did well not to charge down the Bayern full-backs and expose themselves in the middle.

Moyes is better than this

2012/2013 season: 29 games played, 48 points, 46 goals scored, 35 goals conceded
2013/2014 season: 29 games played, 48 points, 46 goals scored, 34 goals conceded

Yes, you guessed it. The first line above refers to Everton, the second to Manchester United. The common denominator: David Moyes. What does this remarkable similarity tell us about the Scottish manager though? It tells us he will be better in years to come, should he be given the time.

Why? Its simple. Manchester United have better players than Everton. For United to have the same record as Everton last season requires there to be various extenuating circumstances that have pulled them back. These could be any of:
 - transition (this will inevitably be longer than at most clubs because Alex Ferguson was at the helm for that extraordinary 26 years)
 - disinterested players: the older players are not all on-board. Look at "captain" Nemanja Vidic for one.
 - adaptation: Moyes is still learning and adapting to his role.
 - home form: United's abysmal home form has to be an anomaly.

Once these factors diminish Manchester United will improve. Juan Mata is a better player than Steven Pienaar. Wayne Rooney is a better player than Steven Naismith. David de Gea is a better player than Tim Howard. Michael Carrick is a better player than Darron Gibson. Robin van Persie is a better player than Nikica Jelavic. Marouane Fellaini however may be a worse player than Marouane Fellaini.

The point is clear. United have better players than Everton. They also have better training facilities, a better medical centre, and a bigger transfer budget. On this basis there is no reason for them to performing at the same level as Everton under Moyes. Add in the additional factors that have come with Moyes' first season however, and it makes a bit more sense.

Now none of this means this season has been acceptable under Moyes. It hasn't. It has been atrocious. What it does mean however is that once Moyes has adapted, once the transition is over, once all the players in the squad are fully committed and interested, and once the home form picks up, Manchester United will be better. Moyes may not be the best manager in the world, but he is better than this. And so, if he gets his time, Manchester United will be better than this.

The Chosen One

David Moyes was the 'Chosen One' of Sir Alex Ferguson and the Manchester United board. There is something about leader's choosing successors that requires special handling however, and perhaps it wasn't quite done right at Old Trafford.

Without extensive knowledge, but a small pool of observation and church-related experience, I would suggest Moyes was in the worst category of three to take over at United. This is of course an area that needs far more research; these are merely my musings.

Those three categories of managers that could've taken over at United are: one from within the club (Ryan Giggs, Mike Phelan etc.), one from outside the club that appears from the outside a good contender to continue the work of the previous (David Moyes, and other hard-working Scots who have been at their clubs a long time), and finally something completely different.

Part of the problem of choosing a new manager was the fact that categories one and three weren't filled with sufficient candidates. In category one the managerial experience of Mike Phelan and Rene Meulensteen was not good, whilst the likes of Ryan Giggs had barely completed their coaching badges. Other former Manchester United players are an option for this category, but none of them (Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes, Roy Keane) have hardly set the world of management alight.

Category three is the area most United fans will now be wishing the new manager came from. But who was available? Pep Guardiola? No. Jose Mourinho? Probably yes, but it would've been a huge risk for such a potentially destabilising manager to come in for a period of short success (see his history). Carlo Ancelotti went to Madrid, meanwhile the likes of Fabio Capello and Guus Hiddink aren't exactly young. There is certainly reason to think a British manager or at least one with extensive Premier League experience would've been preferred.

Risky, young options such as Roberto Martinez and...well...Roberto Martinez were simply too risky. For a manager to come from category three they would've had to be full of charisma and personality. Not just a little bit, absolutely full.

This is the point; the lingering shadow of Ferguson and the huge influence on the club meant that either his successor had to be absolutely embedded in the club culture and structure, or had to be from completely outside with a huge personality to shrug off some of that shadow and keep the club successful in their own way. David Moyes, as successor, fits into neither of those categories.

David Moyes is the middle-road. He has the experience of the Premier League, is British, and has done relatively well at Everton. He also fits in line with the club culture in terms of everything except connection with the club himself. What United have done by bringing in Moyes is to bring in a lesser version of Ferguson. This is not a slight on Moyes. What it means is Moyes is supposedly an embodiment of Ferguson, with similar traits, except no embeddedment in the United culture itself. He is a stranger.

Of course all the talk of 'Ferguson being in the stands' shouldn't and probably doesn't affect Moyes. But the shadow of Ferguson will affect him in other ways. The players will have been looking for continuity (category one) or if not then strongly-led and charismatic change (category three). Moyes provides them with a limp version of continuity. Also, the fans will have expected instant success (whatever they say about patience), but the lack of history with the club combined with lack of major success elsewhere and personality means Moyes will find little patience with the fans.

David Moyes is a hard-working (as we keep getting told) manager. He will be working hard to put things right, and tactics etc. aside, United will improve under him. Whether they will be the force of recent years remains to be seen, but things will get better. For things to get better however, Moyes will need time. And this isn't just a sentimental thing. He genuinely needs time. Here's why: he will need to rid the spectre of Ferguson. Firstly this must happen among the players; players who are so ingrained in the Ferguson way must show great adaptation, or go. Nemanja Vidic is already going, and Adnan Januzaj and Juan Mata are good ways to rid the Ferguson spectre in the squad. Nevertheless this is a long process. Secondly, fans expectations must not diminish, but must also stop drawing comparison to the Ferguson era. This is a similarly long process.

The idea of a David Moyes-type manager coming in to take over Manchester United's managerial reins, in terms of leader-successor theory, was not a pretty one. Yet, because of a shortage in other areas, Moyes became a tempting option as he brought some kind of limp stability to the club. In order for a manager of his type to overthrow the Ferguson spectre and improve the team, he genuinely needs time. Whether this will ever return United to the best team in the country, never mind the best team on the continent, remains to be seen. But Moyes certainly has the capability to improve, and whether he does so depends on time. But if a different type manager were appointed in the first place, perhaps United would be somewhere else right now.

David Moyes era will have implications for United's culture

I have never seen a worse Manchester United performance in my life than the 2-0 defeat to Olympiakos. Perhaps rivalling it, at least in recent years, in terms of abjectness was the defeat to Athletic Bilbao, but that one didn't 'matter' anywhere near as much. Not for Manchester United's season, not for their players, not for their manager, and not for their culture. The defeat to Olympiakos may well do.

The first three points here are easy to explain. Manchester United's season has just taken one step closer to being a trophyless one (I'm not counting the Community Shield). In terms of the players, this match may have been another helping hand to their inevitable exit from Old Trafford. Step up and walk out: Rio Ferdinand, maybe Antonio Valencia, maybe Robin van Persie. Incidentally, its no good asking Chris Smalling to step up and walk out; perhaps trying to step up, slip over (fifty times) and slide out would be more inappropriate. And then in terms of the manager, David Moyes finds himself under increasing strain, not only to do better in his job but also to survive the 'managerial chop'.

United's culture is possibly the most poignant issue under threat here though. Firstly in terms of their status. A club with the history of United is not simply going to disappear off the map of European football, but already the fear factor has gone. Next up will be the inevitable absence from top-level European competition, for perhaps many years. Slowly the history will become just that: history. United will be a great of years past, no longer the European footballing force they once were, and their status will be diminished.

Secondly United's, what I call 'purity', is under threat. The ever-commercialising machine that is the club is already disliked, to an extent, by many. But this is one thing when the club is successful and winning trophies. Its another thing when they're breaking transfer records, breaking wage records and even breaking 'number of sponsorships one club can have' records, but being successful. The worse United get in footballing terms combined with the better than get in commercial terms is only going to serve to disenfranchise even the most loyal of supporter. United are at risk of losing focus of what makes them special: the football.

Thirdly, the main threat to United's culture is the one most strenuously put forth by Sir Alex Ferguson: time. What if David Moyes is given the chop? A new manager may come in and do quite well for a while. But should they then go through a Ferguson-esque patch of 2003-2006 then who's to say they wouldn't then receive the sack? If Moyes goes now, or even anytime in the next six months, then United's values in terms of giving managers time go completely out the window. Once the club loses its culture of 'time', it lays itself at the mercy of the commercialisation machine it is and puts itself at risk of ever-fluctuating status. It ignores history and becomes the money-driven club looking for instant success, not sticking to values and history.

The Moyes era at Old Trafford so far has been, in many respects, dreadful. The defeat to Olympiakos is the latest and the most potent yet in raising questions about the club's season, players, manager, but also of the culture. If United as a club react in the wrong way to the 'Moyes era' failings, then going with him could be the club culture that so many love. But if Moyes remains, and with him does failure and disappointment, then the club culture may slowly start to ebb too.

Understanding Moyes' tactics

If Manchester United fans were to understand David Moyes' tactics a bit better then, perhaps, just perhaps, the supporters may start enjoying this season a little more.

Of course understanding his tactics is no substitute for a loss, or indeed seventh position in the Premier League. What it may do however is create a sense of understanding with Moyes' desired aims, create a sense of excitement when United are in positions on the pitch that Moyes identifies as danger zones, and most importantly dissolve the sense of despair when United don't play how each individual fan would like them to play.

This article is not intended to suggest that Moyes' particular tactics are good, or for that matter bad. It is simply intended to create a better understanding about where he could be taking Manchester United in the hope that some fans can find it easier to get on board with the Scot's ambitions.

David Moyes loves to create overloading situations in wide areas of the pitch. 2v1s, 3v2s and even 4v3s on the flanks are Moyes' preferred way on his team getting into an attacking position and thenceforth creating a goalscoring opportunity. This may explain why he was pleased his team reached the byline so many times in the recent loss to Stoke. By overloading on each particular flank, Moyes' players find a way into an advanced zone.

United need the right players to achieve this, and perhaps are slightly short at the moment. Aside from the occasional (or not so occasional in Antonio Valencia's case) disappointing final ball from the wingers, they also need energetic full-backs who can be strong defensively and attack with menace at the right times. Patrice Evra, whilst excellent at surging forward, is seemingly struggling to combine the two facets to his game well at the moment, and Moyes could well justify shelling out a hefty amount on a new left-back given this is his preferred footballing philosophy. He also needs good back-up full-backs baring in mind the importance they play in his tactical set-up.

Another area of the field that needs to respond well to this footballing philosophy are the strikers. They need to move into the right areas to give the wide players opportunities to find them when they overload the flanks. This was probably the reason United struggled to score more goals against Chelsea in January; attacking players not being in the right positions to score goals after good work out wide. Danny Welbeck, despite his recent good goalscoring form, often looks slightly off the pace when it comes to reacting instantly to penalty area chances, and this certainly appeared to be the case against Chelsea.

A further important point is getting players, other than just the strikers, into good positions once the wide overload has worked well. United's first goal against Cardiff earlier this season was a good example of this, when after a left-sided overload, Ashley Young crossed into the box where there were already four United players. As well as increasing the odds that Young's cross would find a player, the numbers in the box also meant another player (Van Persie) was on hand to score after the initial rebound.

So not only are wide overloads part of Moyes' philosophy, but also important are the positions of the strikers and other players in converting those overloads into good goalscoring chances. The second goal against Cardiff, whilst a good strike from Ashley Young, highlighted the issues United face sometimes as only Van Persie had got himself into the box after a wide overload.

Another facet of play Moyes tends to employ is a mixture of pressing in the attacking to defending transition. He will often instruct his front four players to press high, whilst his back six regain their positions. This explains why United's front players are often seen sprinting to close down the ball, only to soon be bypassed with no immediate back-up. This is a sign of the importance Moyes places on regaining shape, something Patrice Evra in particular needs to be quicker in doing.

From this brief assessment of Moyes' tactics, we can see that the Scot likes to attack by creating wide overloads, and likes to transition to defending by regaining shape as quickly as possible whilst his forward players initially press the opposition to slow their transition to attack. This all requires a hard-working team, with good knowledge of their roles and responsibilities, and particularly good and clever positioning when attacking.

Who knows whether David Moyes will adapt his approach in the future, but this current style is consistent with this season so far, and in the past at Everton. As a fan, understanding this rather than being frustrated at a perceived misuse of a player or naivety in tactics, may help to see a better future under Moyes. Perhaps once the players adapt fully to this philosophy, including the players Moyes might bring in to fit into the style, the club will go on an upward spiral. Or perhaps it won't. Who knows.

Why he Mata's

The signing of Juan Mata reeks of ingenuity. Assuming he manages to fulfill the expectations that Manchester United will place on such a signing, he should become a very important player, for this season and beyond. Here's why:

Catalyst

In the same way Mezut Ozil was a 'catalyst' signing for Arsenal, Mata could act as the same for United. His 'big name' status will give lift and impetus to all those Old Trafford. It should inspire hope, confidence and belief, three absolute key traits under the Sir Alex Ferguson era that have been missing of late. The actual signing in itself should go some way to bringing back the key ingredients of United's winning ways.

Attack

United have been incredibly unlucky with their injuries to Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. The purchase of a world class attacker in Juan Mata goes some way to easing their loss, and when they return the three could create a formidable attacking triumvirate. Where goals have been a problem this season, the creativity and offensiveness of Mata should go some way to finding a solution.

The Premier League

With Mata comes none of the stigma attached to the likes of Shinji Kagawa and Juan Sebastian Veron, who performed wonderfully across Europe and failed to deliver in England. Mata is a proven player in the Premier League, having won Chelsea's player of the year award two years in a row. There should be no worries about his acclimatisation to United.

Long-term

Mata at £37 million would break United's record transfer fee, but it would not be a waste should he fulfill all of the criteria above. On top of that the Spaniard is a mere 25, fitting in with the recent Manchester United policy of not signing players over 26. He could be a long-term asset to the club, not just a short-term fix.

Caveats

The signing of Mata does not meet the immediate needs of a new full-back and central midfielder. Neverthless, his purchase indicates a willingness to spend big and to go for world class targets, and gives confidence that David Moyes will bring in players in the required positions, if not in January, in the summer. The catalyst and attacking impetus he could bring the team may also serve as a 'stopgap' for United until the summer when they can bring in further targets. He could well inspire the team into the all important top four. At that point, in the summer, more structural rebuilding can begin.

Impact on other players

The signing of Mata will hopefully serve as a role model to the similarly creative Adnan Januzaj, whilst also serving as a new creator for United's forwards. He should also act as a motivator in terms of other players in his position.

In a more 'negative' sense, his signing may well signal the end of their careers at United for any one of Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young, Nani, Shinji Kagawa and Javier Hernandez. It may also prove useful should the unfortunate happen, and Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie leave the club in the near future.

Plans for the blog

After launching my blog for the start of the 2012/2013 season, I maintained it throughout that year with analysis of every Manchester United fixture, as well as some opinion pieces. Having decided at the end of the season I did not have the time to continue blogging as much, I decided to stop updating the site.

Now however, in January 2014, I have decided to start reusing the site to post short and small articles on my Manchester United opinions. I hope my followers on Twitter, if any of them even care, will be pleased that my rants will be no longer filling up their timelines, and will be filling up this website instead.