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<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/category/manchester-united/">Manchester United</a> fans have hope. After a very rough start to the season, the Red Devils have picked up the pieces despite drawing with West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea, before losing to Manchester City. It’s was a rough start for Louis van Gaal, but there have been some encouraging signs.
Daley Blind
You get the feeling that as impressed as everyone was with the Blind at the World Cup, we hadn’t see the best of the Dutchman. We saw a lot of Blind as someone with good vision and the ability to win the ball back, but him playing as a true left wing back was something relatively new to him. For Ajax, he played as a left back, but also as a defensive midfielder, which is the role he now takes on for United.
In a couple of games for the club, he played as the anchor of a diamond midfielder, though that has changed, as he is now the base of what looks like a 4-1-4-1. It’s important not to label United as a 4-1-4-1 team though, because van Gaal is a manager that puts an emphasis on his team playing in a system with multiple variables, as opposed to a particular shape.
Having played in van Gaal’s three-center back, two-wing back system at the World Cup, Blind is clearly a smart player who understands van Gaal’s ways, and right now he is acting as the coach without the ball on the pitch. He’s responsible for organizing players, which means getting guys to step when they need to step and making sure each of the opposition is accounted for when they roam around the middle of the pitch.
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Throughout the game, you can see him pointing things out and making sure guys are where they are supposed to be at each time. This was very important in the game on Sunday, as he had a lot to deal with in the middle. Watch for Blind’s leadership role in midfield when his side plays Crystal Palace at the weekend.
Marouane Fellaini and Game Chasing
The David Moyes signing seems to be establishing himself as a key member of this squad. Him starting might just be a stop-gap solution for now, but if the Belgian continues to impress, he could find himself logging regular minutes for this team.
Whether it was doing a job on Cesc Fabregas last weekend, or acting as the big man against West Brom, Fellaini has done ita all, but this is a guy that has to get forward to be successful. While he can play as a center midfielder, he’s at his best when he has the freedom to get forward and use his body in and around the box. In his last full season with Everton, he featured as an attacking midfielder a lot and that got the best out of him.
Pushing him forward as someone in that attacking midfield four is smart. One of the reasons why Fellaini works in the four ahead of Blind, is because it gets Wayne Rooney into the squad as well. Van Gaal would be foolish to drop Rooney to put Fellaini in behind Robin van Persie (or to drop van Persie for Rooney) in some kind of 4-4-1-1. Playing Fellaini naturally further forward too gets the Belgian in attacking positions more often, though he can drop back to get the ball as well.
There’s a sequence around the 23rd minute of the match against City that perfectly replicates what United want out of Fellaini.
As part of the buildup, Fellaini has dropped out of the attacking midfield four to get the ball.
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It’s a simple lay off, but after he gets the ball and gives it back, he turns to advance further up the field. Seconds later, he gets the ball again, lays it off and then bursts forward.&nbsp;
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At this point in the attack, he’s pretty much a forward, as he sits on the shoulders of City’s back line and is side-by-side with Robin van Persie.
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In this situation, Fellaini has helped the team advance the ball up the pitch and put himself in the position to disturb the back four. There’s not much else van Gaal can ask for here.
The more Fellaini can get onto the rearguard of the opposition, the more effective he’ll be for United.
A player like Fellaini is also very influential when it comes to chasing the game. He’s physical enough that when he can get forward, he can not only hold the ball up, but also flick the ball onto one of United’s other attacking talents.
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United have become pretty adept when chasing games lately, because they have the players to do it. Angel di Maria is frightening when he runs at defenders in space, and Fellaini is obviously a good body to bang the ball up to. This combination not only works in open play, but also on set pieces, as seen when United got the equalizer against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/category/chelsea/">Chelsea.</a>
But beyond the basic connection, United don’t seem to be panicking when behind, which is a good sign. Instead, they’re sliding balls into the right places and using their assets to the best of their abilities. There were a few moments late in the second half when United had the ability to get an equalizer.
For example, Di Maria gets the ball below as United probe around the box about 20 minutes from time. City is packed behind the ball, but is nearly unzipped by a smart through ball and a couple of runs behind the back four.
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If Fellaini reads this play a little bit earlier, this match could end up 1-1, because that ball was on more than the one the Argentine played was. United are working the channels here, and that’s the sign of a smart and well-disciplined team.
The bottom line is that play isn’t being rushed, as the team looks very calm in possession, if that’s the right way to put it. When looking for an equalizer, the players don’t panic, as they just keep playing their game to the best of their ability. Perhaps that also speaks to a growing confidence within the side.

Premier League Tactics Corner; Analyzing The Manchester Derby

Premier League Tactics Corner; Analyzing The Manchester Derby  - World Soccer Talk

<div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="http://view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/sports/football-cardiff-city/image/4525382?term=Jay+Bothroyd" target="_blank"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" style="border: 0px" src="http://view4.picapp.com/pictures.photo/image/4525382/football-cardiff-city/football-cardiff-city.jpg?size=500&amp;imageId=4525382" border="0" alt="Football - Cardiff City v Burnley Coca-Cola Football League Championship - Ninian Park - 13/4/09..Jay Bothroyd celebrates scoring the first goal for Cardiff Photo via Newscom" width="500" height="336"></figure></div></a>Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd is a surprise name in the squad</div>
Fabio Capello has announced his squad for Wednesday’s friendly with France and one name in the squad will certainly cause England fans to raise an eyebrow. Cardiff striker Jay Bothroyd has received a surprise call-up and while it is a fitting reward for the 28-year-old’s impressive start to the season, it does make you think about the strength of English footballers in the Premier League.
When the Premier League was launched it would have been almost unthinkable to see player from outside the top flight representing England. But now Bothroyd’s call-up could open the door for more lower league players to represent the Three Lions.
More and more English players who would have previously easily managed to play in the top-flight, are now dropping in to the lower leagues in a quest for regular first-team football.
This has meant that there is a general lack of options for Capello in the Premier League, and in the future you have to feel that there will be a much greater number of players from outside the top flight in contention for places in the England squad, and this can only damage England’s chances of success.
If you look at Spain all of their squad are playing in not only Europe’s top leagues, but for the top sides and England will not be able to mould top players if their international players aren’t able to test themselves against the world’s best on a regular basis.
The lack of English players in the Premier League means that when a good young player emerges they are often fast-tracked in to the England frame. This is exactly what Capello has done with the inclusion of Jordan Henderson, Andy Carroll and Chris Smalling who despite their tender age and lack of real experience have been called-up for the game at Wembley.
England are looking to follow the German example of giving young players a chance and in many ways there is no problem with this. In years to come Carroll, Smalling and Henderson look set to be key parts of the England set-up, so why not give them the experience at&nbsp; a young age?
While Carroll might miss the game through injury the experience of been part of the England camp can only be of benefit to him, and the same goes for Henderson and Smalling if they don’t feature on Wednesday night.
But in an ideal world Capello would love to see a much greater pool of English players in the Premier League for him to choose from, so he wouldn’t have to rush his youngsters through or include players who haven’t proved they can do it at the top level.
This isn’t going to happen overnight though, and while the home-grown player rules that were introduced for this season may have some impact in increasing the percentage of English players in the league you have to feel that there will never be the same number as of when the Premier League was launched.
The Premier League is now a global industry and unfortunately the England team has, and will continue to suffer as a result.
England squad to face France on Wednesday: Foster (Birmingham), Hart (Man City), Green (West Ham); Gibbs (Arsenal), Cole (Chelsea), Terry (Chelsea), Jagielka (Everton), Lescott (Man City), Richards (Man City), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Smalling (Man Utd); Walcott (Arsenal), Wilshere (Arsenal), Young (Aston Villa), Gerrard (Liverpool), Barry (Man City), Johnson (Man City), Milner (Man City), Henderson (Sunderland); Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Bothroyd (Cardiff), Carroll (Newcastle), Crouch (Tottenham), Cole (West Ham).

Some Shock Names In The England Squad For France Friendly

Some Shock Names In The England Squad For France Friendly - World Soccer Talk

<div id="attachment_25186" style="width: 250px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/bebe3.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25186" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-25186" src="/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/bebe3.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="311"></figure></div></a>Bebé in action for United</div>
The decision&nbsp;made by&nbsp;Sir Alex Ferguson to bring the previously unknown Tiago Manuel Dias Correia, commonly known by his nickname Bebé, to Manchester United has come under a lot of scrutiny by the press, but has Fergie unearthed another gem?
The Bebé transfer was an interesting and peculiar one right from the start. He began his career with amateur side Loures before signing for Portuguese second division side Estrela da Amadora in the summer of 2009. Estrela struggled to pay his wages and looked to unload him to dutch giants PSV in May 2010, however Bebé’s former agent Goncalo Reis revealed that PSV had turned down the offer as ”they did not know him”. He was then snapped up by Vitória de Guimarães in the summer of 2010 on a free transfer. He signed a five-year contract with Vitória witha £7.4 million release clause, but didn’t play a single competitive match for the Portuguese side before United pounced.
After recommendations from former assistant at Old Trafford, Carlos Queiroz, and after an impressive pre-season with Vitória, where he scored five goals in six games, Sir Alex Ferguson began to show interest in the 20-year-old, and on the 11th of August 2010 Manchester United signed Bebé for an undisclosed fee thought to be in the region of £7.4 million. When the press got word of this deal a media circus ensued. Surely Fergie wouldn’t pay over the odds for a player he has never seen play before, a player recommended to him just one day before the deal went through by a former member of staff, a player who spent most of his childhood in a homeless shelter and whose only previous notable footballing experience before 2009 was appearing for amateur club Loures on occasion and the CAIS team in the European Street Football Festival in the Bosnian town of Foca. Or did the United boss know something we didn’t? The rumour mill went into overdrive and stories began to leak. A former coach at Bebé’s old club Estrela, Jorge Paxaio, revealed that in January this year Bebé was in the shop window for as little as £125,000 in attempt to save the club from going into liquidation.&nbsp; He explained:

”Last season we had no money at all. We were trying to transfer Bebé to other clubs. We had to raise money desperately. We told everyone in England and in Europe: “For 150,000 Euros you can have him”. We couldn’t get anybody interested. Nobody trusted him. None of the clubs were interested because he had never played at a high level. I was surprised with the sudden way it happened with United. I was hoping he would move to a bigger club in Portugal or to a medium-sized club in Europe. I didn’t expect Manchester United.”
Bebé’s former agent Goncalo Reis was, like most in the footballing world, equally shocked at how the deal progressed. He went on to say:
”A scout from United could have contacted me or the club last season. There was no secret. But I understand that the United scout just saw certain games in Portugal and only realised Bebé was a great player when he saw some pre-season games involving Guimaraes.”
<div id="attachment_25196" style="width: 487px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/bebe-vitoria2.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25196" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-25196 " src="/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/bebe-vitoria2.jpg" alt="" width="477" height="280"></figure></div></a>Bebé in his Guimaraes Vitória days</div>
It looked to everyone that United had paid over the odds for the attacker. Everyone was asking themselves why Ferguson had dished out such a large sum of money for such an unknown, inexperienced youngster. Although the majority in the media allowed themselves to be drawn to the idea that another overpriced flop was on his way to Old Trafford, some were less scrutinous. It is now widely believed that although Ferguson would have preferred Bebé to stay at Vitória and gain a little more experience, as well as giving him a chance to scout the player more extensively, the United boss was pressured into triggering the £7.4 million release clause in his contract amid speculation that some of Europe’s top clubs, including Real Madrid and Benfica, were courting the Portuguese prospect. If the youngster possesses the skills required to interest some of Europe’s top clubs, along with a number of world class coaches, you begin to think that £7.4 million isn’t a whole lot of money for an apparently promising talent, by the standards set in today’s footballing market.
The Bebé transfer came under even more scrutiny recently when Manchester United revealed that Jorge Mendes, and not Goncalo Reis, was the agent involved in the deal that took him to Old Trafford. Mendes, who is the agent of former United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz and was also involved in the deal that took Cristiano Ronaldo to Old Trafford, was involved in accusations made by Reis that he had ”poached” the players contract. Reis insisted that at the time of the transfer he had a written contract, between himself and Bebé, to act as his agent. It is reported that Bebé had written to Reis to terminate their relationship, although Reis has claimed that he didn’t receive the letter until The 13th of August, two days after the player had signed for the Red Devils. FIFA regulations forbid an angent from contacting a player while he has ”an exclusive representation contract” with another agent, and Reis may present his case for further investigation.
<div id="attachment_25177" style="width: 470px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/bebe-res.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-25177" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-25177" src="/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/bebe-res.jpg" alt="" width="460" height="288"></figure></div></a>Bebé gets a run out for the reserves</div>
Amid all the stories and controversy involved in the deal, it would be understandable for Bebé to feel apprehensive and overwhelmed by his new surroundings, but he seems to have taken to life at Old Trafford quite comfortably. The Portugal under-21 international made his debut for the United first team against Scunthorpe on Wednesday the 22nd of September&nbsp;and has already began to impress the backroom staff and his new teammates. United assistant Mike Phelan believes Bebé showed plenty of promise on his debut in the League Cup clash.
“The scoreline gave us the opportunity to give Bebé a little look at what Manchester United is all about. I thought he responded very well. There were fleeting moments of pace and power, and he got a little bit excited now and again. But it’s important that players like him get these opportunities.”
Teammate Chris Smalling was also impressed by Bebé’s bit-part display.
”Since he’s come in, he’s become sharper every day. He’s really improving and working on his fitness. Tonight he really caused their full-back problems, coming in from the wing. Hopefully we’ll see him produce that kind of form in many games to come.”
Bebé was surprised to make United’s 25-man Champions League squad, but is keen to impress.
”I’m surprised by my inclusion in the Champions League squad, it’s a dream for me. I never thought I would have made it, but now I am a very happy man. I only hope that my confidence returns when I start playing some games and scoring goals, like I know how. At the moment I am working very hard each day in training. I intend to make the most of my chance and hopefully profit from the opportunity given to me.”&nbsp;He told reporters in Portugal:
”I am working hard, everyone has helped me a lot, I have adapted well, given the short time I have been there. The older ones help me a lot.”
Following a slightly more personal question from one particular journalist, Bebé smiled and added:&nbsp;&nbsp;”Did Ferguson make me cut my hair? More or less…”
Before even kicking a ball for Manchester United, he was criticised, scrutinised and deemed unworthy by many. Will he join the list of expensive flops that have come and gone at Old Trafford, or will he prove his worth and repay the faith shown in him? With the media spotlight shining directly on Bebé’s rise from the streets to stardom, will he shine back?
Leave a comment and have your say.

Bebé: Hero or Hobo?

Bebé: Hero or Hobo? - World Soccer Talk

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