18 Yard Box continues its build up to the new Premier League season and this time its the 20 times League winners Red Devils which are on the agenda.
13 months,3 managers. In a club like Manchester United where loyalty, faith and patience is highly-rated, such a figure doesn’t reflect the true nature of the history and integrity of the football club. After Sir Alex Ferguson departed from the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, a nightmarish season followed. The arrogance was lost. The determination to win was lost. David Moyes tried. David Moyes failed. A club that bullied oppositions—weak and strong alike, fell prey to even the slightest threats. Players revolted, fans revolted and finally, the management revolted. David Moyes was shown the door and with that the club hit nadir. A low that not even the rivals could imagine.
13 months,3 managers. In a club like Manchester United where loyalty, faith and patience is highly-rated, such a figure doesn’t reflect the true nature of the history and integrity of the football club. After Sir Alex Ferguson departed from the ‘Theatre of Dreams’, a nightmarish season followed. The arrogance was lost. The determination to win was lost. David Moyes tried. David Moyes failed. A club that bullied oppositions—weak and strong alike, fell prey to even the slightest threats. Players revolted, fans revolted and finally, the management revolted. David Moyes was shown the door and with that the club hit nadir. A low that not even the rivals could imagine.
 |
| A new vision bringing a new era for the Red Devils |
Louis van Gaal, the Dutch tactician was brought into the
fold after that with Ryan Giggs working as the interim till the Dutch coach
took to his new challenge. With the appointment of van Gaal, an air of
positivity and optimism was wafted back to the ‘Theatre of Dreams’. However,
the loss of key players like Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and the
legendary, Ryan Giggs might dent the Red Devils’ resurrection, extent of which
is still unfathomable.
Glance at
the 2013/14 season
The past season has been harsh on the result front with big
players underperforming, young players lacking motivation and amongst all this,
one lad stood tall—Adnan Januzaj. The lanky 18-year old had a good season
amidst all the drama and tension and lived up to the potential of his wonder
boy tag. Marouane Fellaini, a high-money acquisition massively underperformed
failing to score a single goal in the entire season.
Manchester United began on a shaky note having to top
oppositions like Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool in the inaugural month
of the season. Grueling loss against city rivals Manchester City and a loss
against bitter rivals, Liverpool brought down the morale of the team in the
initial stages of the competition. Moyes’ mismanagement of the entire team—his
inadequacy in the tactical front caused more problems for the Red Devils as
they went on to lose against mid-table clubs like West Brom, Stoke and
Newcastle United.
 |
| Moyes was left scratching his head after a dismal season |
The season was wrought with controversies regarding dressing
room environment as David Moyes’ rather docile and submissive personality made
the players question his management. Poor results followed. Scapegoats were
sacrificed. Anti-Moyes campaign was on the high. Sir Alex Ferguson, whose
parting words were “Stand by your manager” saw his words fall into deaf ears.
Finally, David Moyes ‘dream job’ came to an abrupt end. It
had to. There’s no room for emotion when your team loses 3-0 at home to
Liverpool. The fans showed that. The management showed that. As Moyes packed up
his stuff, the hopes of Manchester United competing in Europe next season left
with him. A club of Manchester United’s stature without European football is a
sorry feeling but that’s how bad the 2013/14 season was. Transition.
Major
Transfers
Ins
NAME
|
FROM
|
TRANSFER
FEE
|
Luke
Shaw
|
Southampton
|
£27.0m
|
Ander
Herrera
|
Athletic
Bilbao
|
£29.0m
|
Outs
NAME
|
TO
|
TRANSFER
FEE
|
Alexander
Buttner
|
Dinamo
Moskva
|
Undisclosed
|
Patrice
Evra
|
Juventus
|
£1.2m
|
Nemanja
Vidic
|
Inter
Milan
|
Free
|
Rio
Ferdinand
|
Queens
Park Rangers
|
Free
|
Style of
Play
Louis van Gaal is a revolutionary tactician and he is someone who isn’t afraid to do the unthinkable. His stint with Netherlands at the World Cup got him much plaudits. Hailed as the tactical genius, van Gaal implemented a 3-4-1-2 in the first friendly fixture against Los Angeles Galaxy and even went on to admit to the press that he would be playing this particular formation extensively throughout the season. This formation has been somewhat obsolete in the English Premier League owing to a more attacking and man-marking approach to the game. Already thin at the back, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling will most probably the main-stays at the back with Valencia and Shaw doubling up on their defensive as well as attacking duties. Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera are the most probable recruits at the middle of the park. With Arturo Vidal to Manchester United rumours hotting up, the Chilean could eclipse Carrick in the midfield role IF he does arrive at the club. Mata, Rooney and van Persie are the primary candidates to fill up the upper triangle.
 |
| LVGs revolution |
Key Players
1. Ander
Herrera
 |
| He could provide the creative spark in the midfield which the Red Devils are lacking |
The erstwhile Atletic Bilbao midfielder made an outstanding
start to his Manchester United career earning praises and plaudits from pundits
across the globe. The match, albeit against LA Galaxy, was dominated by the
slick passing of the 24-year old Spanish midfielder and his style of play put
him heads and shoulders above all the players on the pitch. The Red Devils
lacked a quality and versatile midfielder after the retirement of Paul Scholes
and the introduction of Herrera into the fold might see that void being filled.
2. Juan Mata
 |
| His composure will be the key to United's attack |
3. Luke Shaw
 |
| The English left back would provide the necessary steel to the United defence |
The 19-year old was the first player involved in the mass exodus of the Southampton players and Manchester United paid big money for the young defender to secure his signature. The talented left-back already has 60 club appearances and 3 international caps. His blistering pace and the ability to find a perfect cross into the box makes him one of the best left-backs in England at the moment. In addition to his attacking qualities, his perseverance to win back possession and defend against opposition attack makes his involvement detrimental to the Red Devils’ success in the coming seasons.
Final
Verdict
Come August 16th, Manchester United would start
its rejuvenation period under van Gaal with the hopes of getting the title
back. Even though Manchester United has proved their worth and won back the
Premier League trophy on countless occasions, a top four finish wouldn’t hurt
their image. Keeping in mind that Manchester United would not be playing in
Europe this season, their entire focus will be rebuilding for the English
Premier League and should they succeed in getting the crown back, it will go
down in the history books as one of the classic comebacks ever! Will Manchester
United script yet another fairy-tale ? Only time will tell!
Written By,
Rishav Ghosh
Rishav is a writer/ contributor for 18 Yard Box
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