Monday, 25 August 2014

Debrief: Decisive Mourinho puts Chelsea on track as Man United drop more points

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Debrief: Decisive Mourinho puts Chelsea on track as Man United drop more points

Debrief: Decisive Mourinho puts Chelsea on track as Man United drop more points

Posted: 24 Aug 2014 01:26 PM PDT

Chelsea show the simplistic beauty of planning In his first season back at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho knew what he wanted. He didn't quite have the squad he knew he needed (and wasn't slow to remind us of that fact) but he knew exactly what was needed to transform the Blues back into the trophy-chomping juggernaut they were during his first spell in charge. Mourinho knew what he wanted and he went out and got it. With the help of Roman Abramovich, naturally, Chelsea's summer dealings were quick and decisive. No faffing around, no politicking, no hard bargaining or settling for second best. Just speedy, decisive action. And, on the evidence shown in the opening two weeks of this Premier League season, that assertiveness has already made Chelsea the standout candidate for the title. Look at the Blues' opening two games and while Branislav Ivanovic has arguably been Chelsea's best player, the new signings have made an immediate and clear positive impact. Cesc Fabregas ran the show at Burnley, helping turn a goal deficit into an exhibition. Diego Costa has filled the void up front almost instantly, scoring important goals in both matches - the equaliser at Turf Moor and the all-important deadlock-buster against a resilient Leicester. And Thibaut Courtois has shown why many believe he's the world's best keeper, making a phenomenal save to deny David Nugent at 0-0. The ruthlessness of Chelsea's rebuild is what catches the eye. Granted, Courtois is a separate case as Chelsea already owned his rights (though a decision still had to be made to drop Petr Cech, a stalwart and one of the club's most liked players). But in the cases of Fabregas, Costa and Filipe Luis, Chelsea identified where they needed to improve and targeted players at the top end. While so-called competitors shop for bargains at Lidl or study 'resale values', Chelsea went to Harrods and bought some of Europe's best players. Having a clear market strategy and executing it may not seem worthy of praise, but when you assess the transfer market carnage at other European clubs you realise the good summer Chelsea have had - and how effective it could prove. Sometimes, beauty is found in doing the simple things well. Pochettino begins to unlock Lamela talent Whisper it, but heading into the 4-0 deconstruction of QPR, Spurs had won their four previous Premier League home games, scoring 14 goals in the process. In fact, Spurs have won all but two of their league games at White Hart Lane in 2014, and those they didn't win came against Manchester City and Arsenal. That those victories came under the management of you-know-who, however, means we should probably move on swiftly before the very thought of… 'Mr. S' kills any Spurs-supporting FFT readers' Sunday night post-match chi. To frame the QPR beating as a continuation of development from the Sherwood (d'oh!) era would be wrong. There's a completely different feel at Spurs right now thanks to Mauricio Pochettino, and that positivity and enthusiasm is neatly summed up in the early form of club record signing and forgotten man Erik Lamela. Lamela set up both goals in Spurs' Europa League win at Limassol in midweek, and the Argentine followed that up with two more assists here. Rather than lock him up in a cupboard and never speak of him again, Pochettino has nurtured the 22-year-old and restored his swagger. "We are confident that with time and hard work, like he has done in pre-season, he can go far," Pochettino said in midweek. "We need him to look forward, believe in his skill and condition and work very, very hard." Already this approach is reaping benefits, as Spurs made it two wins from two in a rampant performance against an admittedly desperate QPR side. United mediocrity continues but club a work in progress Another game, another disappointment for Manchester United. This time it came at the Stadium of Light, where Louis van Gaal's injury hit side took the lead through Juan Mata's tap-in before succumbing to a Jack Rodwell headed equaliser in the first half. The game would end 1-1 - no reason for panic in the grand scheme of things (many teams will go to Sunderland and struggle given the organisation they've shown in their opening two matches) but not a result to convince anyone that an Old Trafford revolution is ongoing. Van Gaal criticised his team post-match, singling out their slack passing as one of the reasons for dropping two more points. United's passes were 'either too fast or too slow' said the Dutchman, and the visitors' passing never looked like breaking down Sunderland, who were quite comfortable defensively with Wes Brown, John O'Shea and Lee Cattermole particularly solid. To look at the numbers alone can be deceiving. United completed 141 attacking third passes to Sunderland's 56, while anyone reviewing the match stats might look at Tom Cleverley's game-high 74 passes completed and conclude he ran the midfield. The problem is, stats only tell you so much. As Van Gaal put it, the speed of the passing and its timing was often the problem. For all United's pass dominance, Sunderland still created twice as many chances, and while Van Gaal's side were fine playing the ball sideways (89% completion) and backwards (97%), their forward passing was less successful (81%). In fact it was uninventive and slow. United's slack play was also reflected in their foul count, 15 committed to the Black Cats' 10. They were second to everything. At this early stage of the season it's important to point out that not only are United a work in progress, they also had close to a whole team out injured. The likes of Cleverley, Mata and Darren Fletcher were too slow in possession, but when Ander Herrera is fit and Angel di Maria comes in (if the deal, reportedly imminent, goes through) that speed of movement and play should improve. Rooney disappoints... Less reason for understanding and calm, however, comes when analysing the performance of Wayne Rooney. United's (and almost certainly England's) new Captain Fantastic was given the armband presumably as he will be expected to lead this brave new Van Gaal era from the forefront, an example to all and the embodiment of The New Manchester United. But once again, this didn't happen. Rooney is - and perhaps always will be - a curious case. He is at one and the same time both a club icon and the most divisive player in modern United history. By this time next year we could be talking about the club's all-time top scorer (Rooney is 33 goals from eclipsing Sir Bobby Charlton's record). But take a poll of United and indeed England fans, and many would be less reverent, more dismissive. Again this weekend Rooney disappointed. He failed to lead from the front. He failed to register a single shot on target. He failed to create a single chance. His passing was timid and he looks to have lost at least a yard of pace. Gone (or at least temporarily missing) is that explosive burst of speed that takes him past a player in one-v-one situations, the aggressive running that has defined him since he burst onto the scene at Euro 2004. Both he and Robin van Persie lacked service, sure. But there's a deeper issue at hand with Rooney. Do we ask too much of Wayne? Or is he a player in decline? David Moyes didn't think so, handing him a £300,000 per week contract. Nor does Van Gaal, making him captain. And yet… something doesn't seem quite right. Perhaps we expect too much from Rooney, but given his performance at the Stadium of Light (and in countless games last season, particularly the big games) you couldn't honestly conclude this is a player at the top of his game, where a leader should be. …but Buckley leaves Poyet buoyant Asked to name the biggest positive for Sunderland after the game, Gus Poyet didn't hesitate. "Will Buckley" he snapped, barely giving the interviewer time to finish his question such was the Uruguayan's enthusiasm. Signed from Brighton for £2.5 million, Buckley didn't start Sunderland's opening game against West Brom but came into the team here after injury to Adam Johnson. Deployed on the right hand side of the Black Cats' forward trio, Buckley's main asset was his dribbling ability, his intricate skills taking him past Ashley Young on several occasions, drawing fouls and winning set-pieces in dangerous areas down the right. The Oldham-born winger wasn't always involved, dipping in and out of the game at intervals, but created more chances than any player not named Seb Larsson and beat his man more than anyone else too. Poyet was right to be optimistic about the 24-year-old, while Johnson - who didn't really impress at West Brom - may face a battle to regain his place.

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MK Dons v Man United: Van Gaal seeking maiden triumph

Posted: 24 Aug 2014 11:44 AM PDT

The Dutchman has not madethe early impact a fine pre-season suggested he might have at Old Trafford, a 2-1 home defeat against Swansea Citypreceding a listless 1-1 draw at Sunderland. A League Cup trip to stadium:mk which may usually have been unwelcome therefore represents a welcome break from thePremier League. Van Gaal will be targeting an improvement in Uniteds passing, which he bemoaned following the draw at Sunderland. He said: We were dominating but you need creative passing in the last third and that was also not so good. We do not want to be dominating without creating chances. Creating chances and making goals is the purpose of a game. We must improve the passing. Adding to Van Gaals concernsis a growing injury list. New signings Ander Herrera (ankle)and Luke Shaw (hamstring) are both set to be sidelined over the coming weeks, while United are also without Michael Carrick (ankle) and Jesse Lingard (knee). Its a similar story in defence, where Chris Smalling was withdrawn against Sunderland due to a groin injury, meaning United were forced to deploy two youngsters - Tyler Blackett and Michael Keane - alongside Phil Jones in a back three. Van Gaal said: It is unusual to have four injuries in midfield. Every club that has that has a problem. That is why I played (Adnan) Januzaj in midfield [as a substituteversus Sunderland]. When you have a lot of injuries like now then you always need players. However, there may be good news on that front with the potential availability of new signingMarcos Rojo, who missed out against Sunderland having not received a work permit. United reached the semi-final stage of the competition last season, but were beaten bySundays opponents Sunderland. MK Dons have made an encouraging start to their League One campaign, winning two and drawing one of their first four matches and they will be eager to claim a major scalp in order to progress to the third round. Defender Lee Hodson (ankle) is set to miss out once again for the home side and it remains to be seen if goalkeeperDavid Martin (hip) is available to return.

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United will finish in the top four - Poyet

Posted: 24 Aug 2014 11:16 AM PDT

Louis van Gaals men were underwhelming in Sundays 1-1 Premier League draw at the Stadium of Light, which followed their season-opening 2-1 home loss to Swansea City. The display was disjointed and Juan Matas 17th-minute goal handed the visitors a scarcely deserved lead, thoughJack Rodwell levelled for Sunderland before the interval. Yet Poyet believes Van Gaal will ultimately find the right formula and spark a turnaround. Asked if he still thought United would finish in the top four, the Uruguayan said: Yes, because [Marcos]Rojo [who missed out against Sunderland as he has not yet received a work permit] has been added and they will still spend more money. I know Van Gaal very well and if you give him time he will achieve what he promises. I have no doubt. While the result was a great source of frustration for Van Gaal, Poyet declared himself pleased with a point. Chief among the positives was the performance of new boy Will Buckley, who caused United plenty of problems on his home debut. He added: I am so pleased he had a very good first half because everybody knows why I was so consistent in trying to get him. He was electric, direct and he will do plenty of things. We have to be patient with him but he showed why he is here.

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We lack confidence - Van Gaal

Posted: 24 Aug 2014 11:09 AM PDT

In a continuation of the Dutch managers disappointing start to his reign, United only gleaned a point from a poor display that was hardly the rally many expected after the2-1 home loss to Swansea City last Saturday. United took the lead against the run of play at the Stadium of Light, Juan Mata opening the scoring in the 17th minute. However, they were unable to take advantage as an unmarked Jack Rodwell levelled proceedings from a Sebastian Larsson corner before half-time. And Van Gaalsaid: One point, that is not good enough for Manchester United. We lost a lot of balls in situations where I dont expect it. We were dominating without creating chances. That is disappointing. I think that is down to the confidence. The play was much better in the United States [in pre-season]. We have to improve but it takes time. You can never say how long it will take. If you win the next game, then confidence is coming back. It seems help may be at hand with rumoursthat United will soon complete a British-record deal for Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria. Van Gaal refused to be drawn on those links, adding: I cannot say anything about transfers.When a transfer has been finished, then we can say something.If the moment is there, Manchester United shall announce it. He then jokingly added: It is not only Di Maria; maybe [Arturo] Vidal and [Lionel]Messi. Manchester United are a big club.

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Sunderland 1 Manchester United 1: Van Gaals uninspiring start continues

Posted: 24 Aug 2014 09:53 AM PDT

United, who lacked any fluency at the Stadium of Light, were fortunate to take a 17th-minute lead through Juan Mata. However, they failed to take advantage as an unmarked Jack Rodwell headed ina first-half levelleron his home debut toearnSunderland a point. All eyes were again on the Dutchman after United began their campaign with a 2-1home defeat to Swansea City last week. As if to add to the pressure, all three of the clubs close-seasonsignings Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera and Marcos Rojo were unavailable on Sunday. Yet few would have predicted the level of disjointedness on displayas United struggled badly, particularly in defence. That they emerged with a point was perhaps a source of relief, with Connor Wickham spurning a great chance for Sunderland just after half-time. It was the home side who enjoyed the brighter start as United began nervously in possession, with Lee Cattermole - buoyed by a wonder goal against West Brom last week - hitting a half-volley just wide. There were certainly signs of the nerves Van Gaal alluded to last week in his chargesdisplay, although abotched attempt to play out from the back fortuitouslyled to an opening as Tom Cleverley curled over early on. But it was Sunderland causing all the problems, the impressive Will Buckley cutting inside to feed Wickham - who could only hit straight at David De Gea with the goal gaping. Perhaps awoken by that miss, United responded to take the lead as Antonio Valencia found space on the wing and sent a vicious low cross to the back post that Mata was able to tap into an empty net. But the goal did not bring an improvement in the visitors general play and Sunderland levelled in the 30th minute, Rodwell heading home Sebastian Larssons corner at the front post. United did begin to see more of the ball thereafter, although it was Sunderland who created the first halfs final chance when Steven Fletchers overhead kick went tamely wide. Whatever Van Gaal said to his players at the intervaldid not have the desired effect as furtherpoor defending let in Wickham, who saw his fizzing strike turned cleared off the line by Tyler Blackett. Van Gaals men then enjoyed a spell of pressureand were denied a penalty when Ashley Young went down under a challenge from former United defenderWes Brown. The visitors continued to press forward in search of a winner but, despite some nervous Sunderland defending, were not able to find the Midas touch in front of goal.

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Di Maria has said his goodbyes

Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:35 AM PDT

The Argentina international has been heavily linked with a switch to Old Trafford in recent weeks and was left out of the Real squad for Fridays Supercopa de Espana second leg against Atletico Madrid. Paris Saint-Germain are also among Di Marias potential suitors, but Financial Fair Play restrictions appearto have halted their plans to bring him to the French capital. However, the 26-year-olds departure now appears to be imminent. Angel Di Maria has said his goodbyes, Ancelotti is quoted as saying by Sport. Its not official but the matter is resolved - it was his decision to leave. World Cup winner Sami Khedira had also been linked with a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu, but Ancelotti has insisted the German is going nowhere -at least for the time being. He is happy here and he is staying, he added. Arsenal had appeared to be among the frontrunners for Khediras signature.

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Everything you need to know about... Tyler Blackett

Posted: 24 Aug 2014 04:30 AM PDT

The 60 second story Born in Manchester, defender Tyler Blackett has been with Manchester United since the age of eight, joining his local club in 2002. Blackett has represented England from Under-16 to Under-19 level, as well as spending time out on loan at Championship clubs Blackpool and Birmingham, before impressing on United's pre-season tour of the United States. Traditionally a left-back, new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has deployed him as one of three centre-backs in his new 3-4-1-2 formation, as he looks to change United's fortunes after last season's hapless performances under David Moyes which saw the 2012/13 champions finish a dire 7th. Why you need to know him Blackett was one of the standout players of United's pre-season tour of America. His impressive displays in the victories over Roma, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Liverpool in the International Champions Cup demonstrate just how much Blackett has developed in such a short space of time. he former England youth international outshone many of his team-mates, with Van Gaal admitting that Blackett has forced his way into his plans for the upcoming season. With a string of injuries in United's squad, Blackett was handed his debut in the 2-1 opening day defeat to Swansea. It seems likely that Blackett will be involved with the first team more often this season, but to what extent he is will depend on whether Van Gaal keeps faith in him after signing Marcos Rojo, who plays in the same position. The 20-year-old is a perfect fit in Van Gaal's new system and his versatility is ideal as he can operate as a left-back in a four-man defence, or as a centre-back in the 3-4-1-2 Van Gaal seems intent on employing. Blackett is also a much cheaper and rewarding alternative to Holland international Bruno Martins Indi, who played in the same role under Van Gaal during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, operating at centre-back and left-back throughout the tournament. United were heavily linked with a move for the ex-Feyenoord defender but no formal bid was made and the 22 year old secured a £6 million move to Porto. Strengths Blackett has a tall, powerful physique. He's strong, athletic and has lightening pace which makes him difficult to dispossess. The defender looks comfortable when in possession of the ball, and his distribution is also impressive, regularly producing pinpoint passes which enable the team to get out of trouble and launch a counter-attack. His work-rate is second to none and he seemed unfazed even when playing up against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Raheem Sterling during the pre-season tour. Weaknesses Despite being strong and pacey, Blackett needs to develop his ability to take on opposition players, something which Blackpool and Birmingham fans will know all too well from his loan spells at their respective clubs. All too often when charging down the left hand side Blackett gets the ball caught up underneath his feet, making him easy to tackle and leaving the team susceptible to a counter-attack. However it must be noted, the effect of this would be limited in the 3-4-1-2 formation, as there would be two other centre-backs to cover his ventures forward. Also, Blackett often gives away needless fouls, something which he needs to eradicate from his game to ensure he's not putting his team under consistent pressure having to defend set-pieces. They said... Blackett's impressive performances during pre-season earned him high praise from Van Gaal: "He can play at this level for sure, but can he play match after match? I can't answer this at the moment." Also when asked about impending defensive reinforcements Van Gaal stated that while United were looking for replacements for Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic: "We have to replace them but I also like Michael Keane and Blackett." Did you know? Blackett is technically eligible to play for England, Jamaica, Barbados through family connections. However it is unlikely we will see any Adnan Januzaj-esque debacles over international allegiances, with Blackett having already represented England at youth level, and stating his intentions to represent England as a fully fledged international in future. What happens next? Hopefully for the 20-year-old, a good run in the first team at Old Trafford. However this largely depends on whether Van Gaal sticks with Blackett having secured one of his defensive targets in the transfer window in Rojo, as well as the form of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans.

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