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The new Premier League season is only two weeks old and Manchester United under Louis van Gaal are already playing catch-up. The pre-season tour feels like a very long time ago now.
The Red Devils have placed a significant number of eggs into an <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/08/24/manchester-united-agree-to-record-breaking-63-9-million-fee-for-angel-di-maria-says-report/">Ángel di María-sized basket</a> and the spending may not end there with utility Daley Blind and defensive midfielder Nigel de Jong heavily linked to the Old Trafford club. Centre-back Mehdi Benatia has been mentioned as well, whilst van Gaal may have been a bit mischievous namedropping Arturo Vidal when answering a question regarding United’s transfer dealings.
This transfer window is not as bad as last year’s shambles – it would have taken a special kind of incompetence to surpass that level of ineptitude, but Ed Woodward and United shouldn’t look at this summer’s dealings with much satisfaction.
United’s fans were assured that lessons were learned and things would be different this time, but going into the last week of the transfer window it appears careless to the point of negligence that the club are still desperately trying to fill in key positions. If United do land their players, how and where would they fit in?
Let’s assume, dangerous a game as it is, that United sign their other realistic transfer targets and that no one else leaves and everyone is fit. Therefore, joining Ángel di María at United are Daley Blind and Nigel de Jong.
The additions will no doubt help but the next question to ask is who will best fit in van Gaal’s favored 3-4-1-2 system? One possible line-up could be:
De Gea
Jones/Evans/Rojo
Rafael/Herrera/De Jong/Blind
Di María
Van Persie/Rooney
In this line-up two expensive signings would miss out – namely Juan Mata and Luke Shaw. It is inconceivable that di María won’t start, so one of Mata, van Persie, or Rooney will have to be dropped. Robin van Persie has an extremely good working relationship with van Gaal and Wayne Rooney is the club captain so it is unlikely – though not impossible – that either of them will be dropped, leaving Mata as the odd man out. However, the Rooney-van Persie combination for one reason or another has never really sparked since the Dutchman joined from Arsenal. This season could well be a defining one to discover whether this partnership can really work.
Blind may be selected ahead of Luke Shaw because he is more accustomed to playing as a wing-back whilst on the other flank a fit Rafael simply offers more than Antonio Valencia, though van Gaal is reported to have his reservations about the Brazilian.
This lineup possesses strength and is complete with players who are comfortable in possession. In terms of pace there will be a reliance on Di María and Rafael to help stretch the game. There is an element of flexibility too as Ander Herrera could be encouraged to go forward to support the attack with Rooney dropping deep to allow van Persie to play as a lone striker. There’s even possibility of switching to a 4-4-2 with Blind dropping into the left-back role, allowing di María to play as an out-and-out winger.
De Jong’s role is important as he would provide a defensive screen for the back three as well as looking out for Herrera as the Spaniard adapts to the Premier League.
However, what if the 3-4-1-2 isn’t the best system to employ with the addition of the new personnel? Could van Gaal switch to a 4-3-3? If that were the case then the lineup could look something like this:
De Gea
Jones/Evans/Rojo/Shaw
Herrera/De Jong/Blind
Rooney/Van Persie/Di Maria
Jonny Evans and <a href="worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/08/20/marcos-rojo-will-be-a-perfect-additiion-to-manchester-uniteds-defense/">Marcos Rojo</a> should figure as the center-back pairing given their ability to accurately distribute the ball from the back. Phil Jones could well be shifted to right-back if the manager opts for defensive solidity over Rafael’s attacking prowess. If United play with a back four, that could open the door to Shaw and see him given a run in the first team. De Jong will once again provide the screen, allowing Herrera and Blind license to push forward and support the attack. The attacking trio once again poses the most questions. The odd man out could well be Mata again, but playing a 4-3-3 could also see Rooney deployed on the left or right of the attacking three – not his natural position. Indeed it was instructive to see Rooney play high up the pitch in the match against Swansea and to a lesser degree against Sunderland. It appears that he is being told to stay up, in part to cover for his lack of pace, and maximize his potential to score. However, if the skipper is to be part of a three and is deployed in a wide area, then his impact on a game may be greatly diminished. It’s arguable that United would be better advised playing Adnan Januzaj as part of a front three in order to create a more mobile unit.
But what if the playing squad is more suited to a 4-2-3-1?
De Gea
Jones/Evans/Rojo/Shaw
Blind/De Jong
Januzaj/Mata/Di María
Van Persie
This formation has the potential to see an extremely dynamic United with Jones, Shaw, Januzaj, and di María providing the pace United have lacked this season.
Van Gaal could trust the defensive midfield responsibilities to de Jong and Blind, giving the central area the right blend of silk and steel. Blind’s versatility may tip the scales in his favor ahead of Herrera and see the Dutchman picked for the starting XI.
Mata is arguably the best No. 10 at the club so should get the nod in that role, though his recent performances haven’t been great. &nbsp;If he doesn’t perform Shinji Kagawa provides an adequate alternative to the Spaniard.
The big decision is to who should play in the lone striker role? Van Persie may just edge Rooney for the role of lead striker. The Englishman may be club captain, but that doesn’t mean that van Gaal would be afraid of dropping him if it benefits United and van Persie is arguably the better striker.
In the unlikely event van Gaal opts for a 4-4-2 United could line-up as follows:
De Gea
Jones/Evans/Rojo/Shaw
Valencia/Blind/De Jong/Di María
Rooney/Van Persie
If it’s a straight, flat 4-4-2, then keeping shape will be vital so that could see the dependable, if limited, Valencia starting ahead of Januzaj. Di María could be given a license to roam though he may not be afforded as much freedom in a 4-4-2 as he would find in other systems. Again, Mata misses out but could figure if van Gaal opted to play a diamond formation:
De Gea
Jones/Evans/Rojo/Shaw
De Jong
Valencia/Di María
Mata
Van Persie/Rooney
If van Gaal used a diamond the emphasis would be on the fullbacks to push forward to provide the team with attacking width.
There are a multitude of formations Louis van Gaal could try but the smart money would be him persisting with a 3-4-1-2, and use the 4-3-3 system as a back-up option.
There are other tactical considerations van Gaal will need to make regardless of the formation. If he wants his team to press high up the pitch, then he’ll need to get David de Gea position himself around the edges of the box to allow the defense to do this. The Spaniard does have a tendency to stay deep in his penalty area, thus forcing his defense to drop to compensate. In de Gea’s defense, given how shaky United’s backline is at the moment perhaps it’s not a surprise that he’s choosing to anchor himself well inside the box.
Van Gaal could spring a surprise and opt to do something completely different, but whatever he does he will do whatever he deems pragmatic.
Come the end of the transfer window Louis van Gaal will hope to have made a few more signings. If he gets who he wants, then a couple of United’s stars could witness the Van Gaal revolution from the bench.

Assessing The Louis Van Gaal Selection Predicament

Assessing The Louis Van Gaal Selection Predicament - World Soccer Talk

<div style="text-align: center"><a href="http:\/\/view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/everton-arsenal-2010/image/10206177?term=leighton+baines" target="_blank"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div></a></div>
Ah, it’s that time of the year again and I simply love it. No, not Christmas, but the end of the year lists that all end up being about the same everywhere you look. Seriously, I think every music magazine has awarded album of the year to Kanye West, but that’s a topic for another article. Here we discuss the Premier League and the individual footballers that make it one of the best leagues in the world.
2010 has been quite interesting if you’re a fan of the Premier League. We’ve seen current Champions Chelsea start the season on a&nbsp;flier only to loose out on some key players and suffer once again from the goings on behind the scenes as owner Roman Abramovich and his cronies have their way. Adding parity to the Premier League, all three promoted teams are comfy in mid table or there abouts while once boring Bolton have enjoyed a mini resurgence under current boss Owen Coyle. The end of last season’s title race was a close one with Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney picking up most of the accolades. Chelsea were deserved Champions but Manchester City and Tottenham have emerged as serious title contenders in the last four months.
While familiar faces currently hold the top two spots in the standings, 2010 hasn’t been the kind of year dominated by English football’s ‘big 4’. Liverpool are re-building under Roy Hodgson, Manchester United have been solid without being great, and Arsenal seem to be plagued by the same old problems that have hindered their title credentials for the last few years.&nbsp;Critics will&nbsp;say that&nbsp;the big 4’s lack of dominance has burdened an already top heavy league while proponents will argue just the opposite. Regardless of your stance on the overall theme of this year’s Premier League, there have been some standout performances which we’ll now take a look at in the form of the league’s best starting XI.

Author’s Note: While not an easy feat, the following list has been complied&nbsp;by analyzing&nbsp;performances from the entire 2010 calendar year. If readers fail to see a player on the list they feel was deserved, it’s likely said player had a great few months but was injured, suffered a drop in form, fell to the fact that only one player can occupy each position or simply wasn’t good enough over the course of the last 12 months. As always, feel free to leave comments and suggestions in the space below.
Goalkeeper – Joe Hart, Manchester City– While Chelsea’s Petr Cech has enjoyed his best form since 2007, the league’s best keeper thus far has been the England #1 Hart. Hart started 2010 on loan with Brum then was called back to his parent club Manchester City. He began&nbsp;the season&nbsp;in the kind of super-human form football fans are used to seeing on highlight reels and maybe even in their dreams. Manchester City are chasing the title and with Hart healthy, fit and between the sticks, they’ll feel their&nbsp;shot at the title&nbsp;will increase.
Right Back –Branislav Ivanovic, Chelsea– Having filled in for the injured, first choice right back at Chelsea Jose Bosingwa, Ivanovic slowly claimed the spot as his very own over 2010 yet remains available to fill in in defense wherever needed. A good crosser of the ball when getting forward to support attacks, Ivanovic is a staunch defender and able to score the occasional goal from a set piece when opportunities present themselves.
Central Defender –&nbsp;&nbsp;Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United – Vidic has arguably been the league’s best defender for a couple of years as well as this calendar year of 2010. Strong, smart and with brilliant defensive positioning, Vidic remains a staple in the heart of United’s back line and should be considered as one of the best defenders in the world.
Central Defender – Vincent Kompany, Manchester City– Although City have been leaky recently, they’re not challenging for the title for nothing. They finished last year in fifth and look to improve upon that this season. Kompany has been a rock solid defender for City through their resurgence up the table.
Left Back – Leighton Baines, Everton– Ashley Cole and Patrice Evra&nbsp;have also had a great 2010, but I grow tired of players the likes of Leighton Baines missing out on recognition. Baines has been one of a few standouts on an Everton side with not much to gloat about in recent weeks. And although one could argue that Baines isn’t asked to do as much as the aforementioned Cole and Evra, he remains as important to his team as Cole and Evra do to theirs. Baines just missed out on joining England at last summer’s World Cup to Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock but it wasn’t because of form, but more because of the experienced players in front of him.&nbsp;Baines is a solid defender and possesses the attacking abilities that modern day full backs need to enhance the shape of their team moving forward.
Midfield (Right) – Nani, Manchester United– Nani’s stock has risen immensely in 2010 with some great wing play on the right, a number of important goals scored and has shown he possesses the kind of footballing maturity needed to succeed at United. Nani was brilliant in last season’s away victory at Arsenal on 31 January by&nbsp;turning in a man of the match performance and remains one of the league’s most dangerous attackers when on form.
Midfield (Attacking) – Samir Nasri, Arsenal– The brilliant Nasri can play on either flank or in central midfield in an attacking role. Quite possibly the league’s form player so far this season, Nasri has been an instrumental play-maker and attacker as Arsenal chase the Premier League title. Quick, a good link player, a goal scorer and emerging as a leader while Cesc Fabregas continues to struggle with injury, Nasri has excelled as a footballer in 2010.
Midfield (Defensive) – Nigel de Jong, Manchester City– What a year City midfielder Nigel de Jong has had for both club and country. His exploits in South Africa, while at times controversial, earned him a starting spot in the Final v Spain while he remains a staple with club. Strong in the tackle, a good distributor of the ball and a solid defender, de Jong is currently one of the most effective defensive midfielders in the Premier League.
Midfield (Left) – Gareth Bale, Tottenham Hotspur – No one in the world has been as effective on the&nbsp;left side of midfield in world football in 2010 as Bale has been for Spurs. First a left back with attacking abilities and now an out and out attacking winger, Bale’s stock has risen higher than any footballer this year. Bale’s a strong, marauding runner, a brilliant crosser of the ball, dangerous over a free kick and can score goals. His trickery in attack is only matched by his effectiveness when running at defenders while his abilities to defend shouldn’t be overlooked.
Forward – Didier Drogba, Chelsea– Drogba hasn’t been at his best in recent weeks, yet he’s still&nbsp;a top five goal scorer this season and was last season’s highest scorer. Although he’s battled sickness and injury, Drogba remains a threat the moment he steps out onto the pitch and let’s not forget, Chelsea are the title holders largely because of how good Drogba was earlier this year.
Forward – Carlos Tevez, Manchester City– Like Drogba, Tevez is always near the top of the goals scored list while his work rate remains mostly unmatched by any other forward in the Premier League. I’m happy to hear that he’s rescinded his transfer request and will remain at City, at least for the time being. Tevez is one of the league’s best and most exciting players to watch.
Bench: John Terry, Chelsea – Patrice Evra, Manchester United – Petr Cech, Chelsea – Darren Fletcher, Manchester United, Roger Johnson, Birmingham City – Florent Malouda, Chelsea – Wayne Rooney, Manchester United – Darren Bent, Sunderland – Stewart Downing, Aston Villa

The Best Premier League Starting XI of 2010 - World Soccer Talk

The Best Premier League Starting XI of 2010

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The Best Premier League Starting XI of 2010