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Manchester United 2014-2015

yinyang

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De Gea the £50m shot-stopper! Man Utd slap on mega price tag to stave off Real Madrid
MANCHESTER UNITED have placed a world-record £50million valuation on goalkeeper David de Gea in a bid to fend off Real Madrid's growing interest.
Published: 22:30, Mon, January 19, 2015By RICHARD TANNER
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/foot...e-tag-Real-Madrid-interest-Gareth-Bale-latest


And they will attempt to persuade the Spain No1 to stay at Old Trafford by offering him a £200,000-a-week five-year contract worth about £52m.

Madrid-born De Gea, 24, is happy at United but is bound to be tempted by the chance to move back home and play for Real as Iker Casillas's long-term replacement, even though his formative years were spent at their city rivals Atletico.

United have made De Gea's future their top priority but the player is likely to want to wait until the summer before making any final decision because by then he will know if Louis van Gaal has guided the club back into the Champions League.

If he rejects a new deal, Untied will have little option but to cash in on De Gea because his value will plummet during the final season of the five-year deal he signed following his move from Atletico in 2011 for £18.6m - a British-record fee for a goalkeeper.

Manchester United are set to offer Madrid-born David de Gea a five-year contract. The new £50m valuation underlines De Gea's development into one of the world's best keepers after a faltering start to his United career when he struggled to deal with the physicality of the English game.

The world-record fee for a goalkeeper remains the £32.6m Juventus paid for Gianluca Buffon 14 years ago.

United have played down suggestions they could include De Gea in a swap deal with Gareth Bale. Club sources say while there is interest in Bale, Van Gaal's priority remains strengthening defence and midfield with moves for Mats Hummels and Kevin Strootman.

And United's worldwide fan base have made their feelings clear.

Responding to a question on the MUST (Manchester United Supporters Trust) Facebook page, 99 per cent of supporters said they would prefer to keep De Gea than sign the Wales superstar.

A MUST spokesman said: "With this in mind it signals the challenge Ed Woodward [United's executive vice-chairman] and the Glazers have to get United's most popular player signed up on a new contract, before Real Madrid attempt to prise him away."

De Gea may be rested for Friday's FA Cup tie at Cambridge, with Van Gaal considering giving a debut to Victor Valdes, the former Barcelona star who recently signed an 18-month contract.

Valencia are interested in signing midfielder Darren Fletcher, United's longest-serving player. West Brom are also said to be preparing a bid.


deGea-United-553011.jpg
 

yinyang

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Can makan early tomorrow morning? :p

FA CUP FOURTH ROUND
Venue: Abbey Stadium Date: Friday, 23 January Kick-off: 19:55 GMT

TEAM NEWS

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has overcome an ankle problem and is available for Friday's FA Cup fourth-round tie at Cambridge United.
Full-backs Luke Shaw and Rafael are fit again, but Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling and Ashley Young will all miss out.
Cambridge trio Jordan Chiedozie, Johnny Hunt and Matteo Lanzoni are all cup tied, while former Manchester United midfielder Luke Chadwick is a doubt.
Defender Dominic Ball has signed on loan from Tottenham and can play.

Lawro's prediction
"In their situation - without Champions League football and, realistically, out of the title race - I can understand why United manager Louis van Gaal says he will have a good go at winning this competition. Why not?"

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal insists he is not taking Cambridge, who are 12th in League Two, lightly.
"Cambridge play very direct, with long balls," said the Dutchman. "They have five or six players above 1m 90cm [6ft 3in] so for us it's difficult to defend and that's why you have to prepare yourself very well.
"It's not so easy to beat Cambridge United.

"On Wednesday PSV Eindhoven, who are top of the first league [the Eredivisie] in the Netherlands, lost against the third team of the second division, Roda JC. Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV are out [of the KNVB Cup]. That's remarkable.

"Surprises shall happen also in the FA Cup. There are always surprises and I hope we are not the surprise. It's another opponent with another playing style with other players and we have to beat them."

Cambridge-born Chadwick faces a late fitness test on a knee problem to determine whether he can play against his former side, but he is confident his team-mates will not be fazed by facing the 11-time FA Cup winners in front of the BBC television cameras.

"It's a great club here at Cambridge and we deserve this draw against a massive club," said Chadwick, 34.
"We've got some fantastic players at Cambridge. I'm sure they can't wait to get on the pitch.
"We'll have the whole world watching on Friday night and they'll be able to show them how good they are.
"We're playing against a world-class team. All we can do is go out there, play to the best of our abilities, work as hard as we can and see where that takes us."

Match facts

Head-to-head
They have met just once before - a League Cup second-round tie in 1991. Manchester United won the first leg 3-0 thanks to goals from a 17-year old Ryan Giggs, Steve Bruce and Brian McClair. The second leg at the Abbey Stadium was drawn 1-1. Future Man Utd striker Dion Dublin scored for Cambridge while McClair was again on the scoresheet for the Red Devils.
The two sides are separated by 75 places in the League pyramid.

Cambridge United
Cambridge have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals twice in 1990 (shared record for a Fourth Division club) and again the following season in 1991.
The 1991-92 season was the last time Cambridge knocked a top-flight team out of the FA Cup when they beat Coventry City after a replay.
They are in the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in 15 years. Back in January 2000, they beat Wrexham 2-1 to set-up a fifth-round tie at home against Bolton, which they lost 3-1.

They won two finals at Wembley twice last season, winning the FA Trophy 4-0 against Gosport Borough and the Conference Premier play-off final 2-1 v Gateshead.
The U's have scored more second-half goals than any other side in League Two this season (24).
Cambridge United have scored a league-high number of headed goals this term in League Two (14).
No team has recorded more goals from inside the penalty area in League Two than Cambridge this campaign (34).
They have only kept five cleans sheets in 25 league matches this season.
They have only won consecutive league games twice this season.

Manchester United
They have won the FA Cup a joint record 11 times - but their last victory came back in 2004.
The Red Devils have won all seven of their previous FA Cup ties against teams in the fourth tier, scoring 21 goals in the process.
They have lost just one of their last 40 FA Cup matches against lower-league opponents - against Leeds in 2010 (W33 D6 L1).
Manchester United have lost just one of their last 13 matches in all competitions.
Their last four league games have produced just five goals in total.
The Red Devils have kept just four clean sheets away from home this season in all competitions.
Wayne Rooney has scored six goals in his last six FA Cup matches.
Their defenders have contributed just one goal in all competitions this season (Chris Smalling v Hull).
Only seven teams have conceded more goals from headers this season in the top flight.
 

yinyang

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LVG on his defence of and switch of his stubborn formation :p

Louis van Gaal updates Alex Ferguson's 'squeaky bum' phrase

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson jokingly referred to it as "squeaky bum time" but current boss Louis van Gaal has coined another phrase to describe the anxieties of football management.

The Dutchman, 63, claims he and his staff have been "twitching our ass" in the dugout any time he has been forced to ditch his favoured 3-5-2 system and revert to a 4-4-2 formation that United fans are more familiar with.

At a media briefing ahead of his side's FA Cup fourth round tie at Cambridge United, Van Gaal was repeatedly questioned on his use of 3-5-2.
It was when asked by a reporter to explain why United were second in possession over the last six games yet 16th in terms of efforts on goal, he amended the phrase Ferguson made famous.

He said: "I know all the stats. I read the stats. I know that we have won more with 4-4-2 in a diamond.
"But when you analyse the game then we have twitched our ass on the bench.

Squeaky Bum Time
Van Gaal is not the first Manchester United manager to refer to that part of the body to describe anxiety. Sir Alex Ferguson referred to the title run-in in 2003 as "squeaky bum time".

"I said to my players I was squeezing my ass but it was the wrong expression, I have twitched my ass on the bench because we were out of balance.
"We lost the game against Leicester City 5-3. That was undeserved. The referee gave a penalty for nothing. At that time the result was 3-2, no problem. Then you are a great club. But we lost 5-3.

"All the matches when we play 4-4-2, like against West Ham United it was always twitching your ass. I don't like that.
"We have won nine or 10 in a row then we lose one match and then the discussion about the system is coming. It is ridiculous.
"Now I have answered your question in a very good way."

Despite Van Gaal's defence of the 3-5-2 system, former United defender Gary Neville is one of several former players who have criticised his tactics as "too slow and risk averse".

Even the United fans have started to voice their concerns with many chanting "4-4-2" and "attack attack attack" during a goalless first half at QPR on 17 January.
Van Gaal switched to 4-4-2 after the break and United went on to win 2-0.

Some of Sir Alex Ferguson's statements to the media were legendary. But Van Gaal is building up his own portfolio.

In 2015 alone he has dismissed the opinions of United fans saying: "I can't observe the fans because Manchester United have 600 million fans all over the world. You can't take into account 600 million opinions."

He was also dismissive of questions about striker Radamel Falcao's absence from his squad to face Southampton on 11 January.
He said: "If a player cost £95m or £5,000 it's not any different for me. You have to prove yourself."
 

yinyang

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Rumour or fact, deadline today:cool:

REVEALED: Man Utd's sensational £67m deadline day DOUBLE swoop

MANCHESTER UNITED are plotting a sensational deadline day double swoop for ex-Chelsea star Kevin De Bruyne, now of Wolfsburg, and Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels.

Published: 15:14, Sun, February 1, 2015By ANTHONY CHAPMAN

Louis van Gaal is keen to strengthen his squad before tomorrow's 11pm deadline, with qualification for next season's Champions League the club's top priority.

The Dutchman splashed the cash over the summer, securing deals for the likes of Real Madrid's Angel Di Maria and Monaco's Radamel Falcao.

However, United are still yet to reach their full potential, and Van Gaal is now ready to add two more faces to his star-studded team in order to give his top-four ambitions a large boost.

First on his list is De Bruyne, who has gone from strength-to-strength after joining Wolfsburg a year ago.

Despite failing to make an impact at Stamford Bridge, the Belgium international is now regarded as one of the Bundesliga's finest playmakers, and scored twice in the 4-1 win over Bayern Munich on Friday.

Van Gaal believes that De Bruyne would fit in perfectly with his 4-4-2 diamond formation, and is ready to make a whopping £30million bid for his signature.

Hummels also remains a priority for United, but Dortmund are reluctant to sell their captain as they prop up the German league following a 0-0 draw against Bayer Leverkusen.

Van Gaal is aware that landing the World Cup winner is going to be extremely difficult, but he is prepared to test Dortmund's resolve with a take-it-or-leave-it bid of £37m.


http://www.express.co.uk/sport/foot...ea-De-Bruyne-Hummels-Dortmund-Wolfsburg-Deals
 

yinyang

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Can makan Cambridge early tomorrow morning? :wink: No 2nd bite of cherry (usually) :p

FA CUP FOURTH-ROUND REPLAY
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Tuesday, 3 February Kick-off: 19:45 GMT


Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is out of their FA Cup replay against Cambridge United having ruptured a muscle in his calf. Red Devils winger Ashley Young is out with a hamstring injury and defender Jonny Evans is doubtful with a knock.

Cambridge are without midfielder Liam Hughes, who injured his ankle in the original tie at the Abbey Stadium.
Harrison Dunk (knee) is out but fellow midfielder Ryan Donaldson should overcome a slight niggle with his knee.

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata did not feature in their goalless draw against Cambridge on 23 January.
But the Spain international, 26, warned his team-mates to expect a tough encounter against the League Two side even though the game is at Old Trafford.

Mata told Manchester United's website: "We want to make it to the next round and we are absolutely focused on that because, as I said before, the team is very excited about this competition.
"Every game is complicated. In sports, having respect for your opponent is a must. Even more so in football, where distances have shortened.
"That is something we are aware of ahead of our game against Cambridge. Not long ago, they proved to be a tough rival."

Cambridge United manager Richard Money says his side will approach the contest in the same manner as they did the first game.
Money told the Cambridge News: "To get the tie in the first place was like winning the pools, and to draw the first game to get the second game was like winning the lottery.

"That's the significance of what we've done for our football club. We'll go to Old Trafford and do exactly what we tried to do in the first game, which was to play as well as we possibly can."
 

yinyang

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Fixtures in Feb

SUN 8 FEB 2015 - PREMIER LEAGUE
West Ham v Man Utd 16:15

WED 11 FEB 2015 - PREMIER LEAGUE
Man Utd v Burnley 19:45

SAT 21 FEB 2015 - PREMIER LEAGUE
Swansea v Man Utd 15:00

SAT 28 FEB 2015 - PREMIER LEAGUE
Man Utd v Sunderland 15:00

 

@rmadill0

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Replay against Cambridge is really a waste of energy, should have killed them off during the initial tie.

Feb's fixtures look kind enough. 12 points are within grasp. Can't slip up now. Gunners and Pool are finding form.
 

yinyang

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Replay against Cambridge is really a waste of energy, should have killed them off during the initial tie.
Feb's fixtures look kind enough. 12 points are within grasp.
FA ties have sometimes proven to be of dream success for minnows (as with last round). Don't disagree replay is wasteful, even if being kind to Cambridge's coffers. And they don't sound too confident either. Stats has shown little chance of 2nd bite of cherry vs the bigger opposition.

Only consolation is red devils are not distracted by CL. They are even looking at possibility of week night games ($$$ too?) in between.

Is the West Ham do this sun a good game to look forward to?
 

yinyang

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Luck of draw? :p

FA Cup fifth-round draw

Crystal Palace v Liverpool or Bolton Wanderers

Arsenal v Middlesbrough

Aston Villa v Leicester City

West Brom v West Ham

Bradford City v Sunderland

Blackburn Rovers v Stoke City

Derby County v Reading

Preston North End v Manchester Utd
 

yinyang

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Everton to pursue Manchester United midfielder in summer
Roberto Martinez keen to link up with England international again

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/everton-pursue-manchester-united-midfielder-8573267

Aston Villa's Tom Cleverley battles for the ball with Everton's Ross Barkley
EVERTON will pursue a move for Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley in the summer.

The 25-year-old is out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of the season and the Blues will be ready to make a swoop for the free agent.

Cleverley is currently on a season long loan at Aston Villa and the West Midlands club are keen to make his stay a permanent one once the campaign is up.

But Everton would be favourites to land the former Bradford city youngster after Cleverley enjoyed a loan spell at Wigan Athletic during the 2010-11 season under Blues boss Roberto Martinez.

Martinez is a known admirer of the United academy product who made his England senior debut in August 2012 against Italy.

The Everton manager had been scouring the transfer market in January to find a creative midfielder who could fill the void left by the injured Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar.

Martinez stressed his search was not urgent with Osman progressing well from a snapped tendon in his foot and the Goodison boss made no move, only bringing in winger Aaron Lennon on deadline day.

Cleverley is seen as the ideal player to fit that brief but he would not have been eligible to play for Everton this season having already played for two Premier League clubs this term.

But Martinez is happy to wait and is set to move for Cleverly this summer.

Cleverley has come in for criticism for his performances at both United and Villa but the Blues boss believes he can realise his potential at Goodison Park.

Reports surfaced on Monday that United were demanding Villa paid a transfer fee of £7m before the cut off point or risk having Cleverley recalled

But no such situation materialised and the midfielder, who has made 22 appearances for Paul Lambert’s side, will remain at Villa Park until the end of the campaign.

However, Everton are then set to swoop and it has been reported that Cleverley is keen to work with Martinez again.
 

@rmadill0

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FA ties have sometimes proven to be of dream success for minnows (as with last round). Don't disagree replay is wasteful, even if being kind to Cambridge's coffers. And they don't sound too confident either. Stats has shown little chance of 2nd bite of cherry vs the bigger opposition.

Only consolation is red devils are not distracted by CL. They are even looking at possibility of week night games ($$$ too?) in between.

Is the West Ham do this sun a good game to look forward to?

Expected right? 3-0 thrashing. They were let off during the initial tie.

Judging from the game against Liverpool, West Ham looked normal. Carroll I believe is out injured and probably will see Sakho restored to the starting line up. Their defense line also cui with Reid and Collins injured.

Confident of 3 points.
 

yinyang

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Adnan Januzaj could be key to Man Utd moves for Marquinhos or Coleman

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...ball-news/adnan-januzaj-could-key-man-8575504

Forward has been told to prove himself at United, with Everton and PSG both keen to sign him

dnan Januzaj’s frank admission about his struggles to adapt to Louis van Gaal’s tactics revealed the true extent of his fight for survival at Manchester United.

The Belgian is increasingly running out of time to convince the United manager of his qualities.

And despite Van Gaal's refusal to allow him to go on loan during the January transfer window, his long-term prospects remain unclear.

With United considering moves for Paris St Germain defender Marquinhos and Everton’s Seamus Coleman, Januzaj could yet be offered in exchange for either of those targets.

Both PSG and Everton are interested in the 19-year-old, whose opportunities could be further limited beyond the end of the season.

He raised fresh doubts about his future when revealing his plight under Van Gaal.

Januzaj has been one of the main victims of the Dutchman’s attempts to deploy 3-5-2 or diamond formations at United.

He has seen his opportunities limited by expensive recruits Angel di Maria and Juan Mata - and admits he has struggled to operate in his favoured positions as a winger or No 10.

“The system really can make it more difficult for me to play there, but I have to keep working,” he said. “That is what I am doing in training every day, as I want to get more games this season.

“My favourite position is as a No 10 or a winger.

“There are lots of players here and I can play in different roles – it’s just a case of taking my opportunities.”

Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia have been surprise successes for Van Gaal after being reinvented as wingbacks.

But Januzaj has not fared so well.

“I’m not really a wing-back,” he said. “It’s harder for me because there is more defending involved and I’m not really a defender.”

Januzaj’s honest appraisal of his fate this season is refreshing.

What was surprising was the fact that his comments were published in United’s own official programme.

Van Gaal has challenged him to prove he can be a part of his long-term plans.

And while the teenager was not critical of his manager’s system, he made it clear that it has had a negative impact on his progress.
 

DavidMoyes

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:biggrin:

Moyes: Chips banned because some United players were fat


5 February 2015

783893header.jpg


Former Manchester United manager David Moyes admitted to banning chips during his brief spell at Old Trafford.

David Moyes said he prohibited the consumption of chips at Manchester United because he felt some of the players were overweight.

Moyes came in for criticism following his sacking last April, with former United centre-back Rio Ferdinand critical of the Scot's decision to clear chips of the menu.

Eating low-fat chips had been a ritual under Alex Ferguson prior to Moyes' arrival in Manchester.

Moyes - now in charge of La Liga outfit of Real Sociedad - has opened up about the decision to scrap chips in an interview with Four Four Two magazine, claiming some of his players were fat.

"Yes, I did ban chips," said Moyes, who only lasted 10 months of his six-year contract at United.

"It was because a couple of players were overweight and I didn't think chips were good for their diet."

Moyes also admitted that he was disappointed with the reception he received when United travelled to Goodison Park in 2013-14.

After 11 years as manager at Everton, Moyes returned to a chorus of boos on Merseyside as United crashed to a 2-0 defeat against his former club.

Moyes, who was sacked just days after that loss, said: "I wasn't surprised, because I know how supporters react and I had left their club. But I was disappointed.

"I got Everton competing at the top end of the league with a mid-table budget. I gave everything I could in trying to make Everton the best I could. It was a long process but we did it - my staff, my players and others at the club.

"We had some glorious nights at Goodison and the fans were superb. I've got huge affection for Everton, it was my life for over a decade."


 

yinyang

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Got out of jail with late Blind's equaliser, after pedestrian 1st half. LVG's stubborn on ineffective diamond, with opposing teams knowing how to head off the narrow forays (instead of width):cool:

Why MU toiling in attack. Man Utd attack 'predictable and lacks pace', says John Hartson

Former West Ham striker and MOTD2 pundit John Hartson expands on his TV analysis of why Manchester United's forwards struggled before snatching a last-gasp draw against West Ham at Upton Park.

Manchester United got out of jail with Daley Blind's late equaliser in Sunday's draw with West Ham but it does not change the fact they are underperforming in attack.

With the talent that United manager Louis van Gaal has got in forward positions, I was expecting a lot more from them in front of goal this season.

But, as we saw against the Hammers, the dynamic is not working at present. Part of that is down to the system that Van Gaal is using, which does not get the best out of his players. We have seen a few different formations from Van Gaal this season, but he seems to be sticking with playing four at the back, a diamond in midfield and two up front.

It is a very narrow set-up for the five players who are furthest forward, and the width is expected to come from the full-backs.
Both Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia are getting in decent areas but they are not putting balls into the area with any real quality.
The great United teams I played against in the 1990s would swamp you down the wings and put lots of crosses in for their strikers.

This team does not do that, and it means the two front men, Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie, have to do a lot of work outside the area. The only time that changes is when United are behind and chasing the game, as they were against West Ham, when Van Gaal's Plan B is to bring on Marouane Fellaini and aim long balls towards him inside the box.
Yes, it worked at Upton Park but United are bypassing players like Wayne Rooney and Angel Di Maria and just hoofing the ball. I have never seen a United team do that before, ever.

Di Maria fails to sparkle
Di Maria played at the tip of United's midfield diamond against West Ham but I don't think playing centrally suits him.
He had one of his best games for United when they used that system against QPR in September, but he was playing on the left of the diamond, behind Juan Mata. Rooney and Van Persie were up front.

Against West Ham, Di Maria could not use his pace or his crossing ability. The middle of the pitch was very congested and he was continually crowded out whenever he tried to run with the ball.

I would like to see him playing out wide again, where there is more space and he can run at defenders who are isolated and do not know whether to back off or try to challenge him.

Rooney wasted in deeper role
Van Gaal is using Rooney on the right of midfield as part of his diamond but you cannot tell me that you get the best out of him in that deeper position.

I still love watching him play but I really want to see him as a centre-forward. He is being used in a role that saves his energy but there is no need to do that because his legs have not gone yet.

Yes, he can pick his passes from midfield but he can bring more to the team when he is playing up top.
I want to see Rooney marauding around the pitch, being strong and being angry. At the moment, he seems to be playing within himself, trying to be a more measured player, especially with him having the responsibility of being United's captain too.
He is less effective for it, and he is better off just getting on with his football.

Falcao and RVP have not clicked up front
Part of United's problem is their tempo - their passing just does not seem to be quick enough and they do not come forward with enough pace.
With Falcao and Van Persie leading the line, United's front two is not the quickest and I also do not think they are suited as a pair.
They only linked up on a couple of occasions of any note against the Hammers and, when Van Persie played in Falcao with a neat touch, the Colombian missed the target when he really should have taken his chance.

There is no question that Falcao works hard, even in the first half when he was not getting the ball in areas where he could hurt West Ham. But I think he is using that to try to make up for the level of his performances at the moment, because I have not seen the sort of quality he has shown down the years.

Van Persie always plays within the width of the 18-yard box and usually likes to be the finisher.
I see a partnership between Van Persie and James Wilson working but I would go back to the Van Persie and Rooney pairing which has done so well in the past. I like Falcao a lot but I think signing him for the season has hampered the partnership that Rooney and Van Persie had, and which is proven to work.

Work to do for Van Gaal
United are not losing very often - they have only been beaten in one of their last 17 games in all competitions - but they seem to be stumbling to wins rather than ever looking really convincing.
Defensively, they have not conceded many goals but going forward they are not playing with the style we are accustomed to seeing, or the way I would expect with the players Van Gaal has to choose from.

Van Gaal's side are fourth in the Premier League table with 14 games to go. The way he uses Fellaini is a great example of the fact that this is just not the United we used to know.

If United are winning, we do not see him. If they are losing, he is brought on like he was at West Ham to win headers, so someone else can react the quickest and get the second ball.
The idea is to nick an equaliser like they did on Sunday but it is really boring to watch and United's attacking play is becoming very predictable.

I would like the 75,000 or so United fans who turn up at Old Trafford for every match to tell me that they are enjoying the football they are watching. I am sorry, but I just do not see that they can be.

The fact that Van Gaal has got United into the top four is the only thing that is saving him from a lot of criticism, and I think they have got a lot of work to do to stay there.
 
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Gallego99

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Loyal
Had Falcao and RVP taken their chances, things would have been different. The back 4 is worrisome. They managed only one headed clearance throughout the match. The goal they conceded is pitiful considering the number of Man U players in the area. Methinks they paid too much attention to the opponents rather than judge the flight of the ball.

I was surprised LVG played Jones as the past few games suggest that the player's head is not in the game. After a promising start to the season, Di Maria appear to have tapered off. Better that he plays left midfield with Shaw in support. The midfield quartet just isn't up to scratch last night, never mine the strikers.

LVG should get the players to improve on set plays and shooting in practice. It will definitely earn much needed points to stay above the pack.
 

yinyang

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Louis van Gaal: Man Utd manager given FA charge extension


Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has been granted a 24-hour extension to respond to a Football Association disrepute charge.

The Dutchman, 63, now has until 18:00 GMT on Tuesday to explain comments made after his team's 0-0 draw at FA Cup fourth-round opponents Cambridge.

He had already said he plans to contest the charge which relates to him saying referee Chris Foy was against his side.
"I do not think I said something wrong," Van Gaal said on Friday.

He added: "In 30 years as a trainer-coach, I've never been charged. You can confirm, as the media, that I never say anything about the referee, in all the matches I have played."
 

yinyang

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How, tomorrow morning... can makan Burnley? :p

By Alistair Mann
BBC Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Old Trafford Date: Wednesday, 11 February


TEAM NEWS
Manchester United will be without Luke Shaw following his sending off against West Ham at the weekend.
Michael Carrick is the only other definite absentee as he is still recovering from an ankle problem.
Burnley midfielder Dean Marney will miss the rest of the season with a cruciate knee ligament injury.
His absence ends the Clarets' 10-match run of naming the same starting line-up. Steven Reid or Michael Kightly are most likely to replace Marney.

MATCH PREVIEW
For all the continuing criticism and in-depth analysis of Manchester United, they currently reside where I'm sure they'd targeted all along, within the top four.
Though they spent an English transfer window record of £149m last summer, this campaign was only ever viewed as a year of repair following the previous season's failings, with Champions' League qualification top of the agenda.
Lawro's prediction

"I look at United and do not think their manager Louis van Gaal is getting the best out of his players. Robin van Persie does not work hard enough and is not helping Radamel Falcao at all. If you were to stick Wayne Rooney behind Falcao instead, then you have got a very different scenario."

Predictions: Lawro v Arsenal Ladies star Kelly Smith
While a club with the stature of United can hardly slip under the radar, their progress has certainly been steady rather than spectacular, yet by this time next week they could be third in the table and FA Cup quarter-finalists.
Most fascinatingly, with such a glittering array of attacking talent and so much attention on their protective frailties, they currently boast the third best defence in the Premier League. They've also only lost one of their last 17 matches.

It all points to a challenging evening for Burnley, who've not won at Old Trafford since 1962 and have recorded only two Premier League away victories in 30 attempts. That said, their recent battling draws at the Etihad Stadium and St James' Park demonstrated their undoubted character, while their only away win this season came impressively at the Britannia Stadium.

On the down side, they've conspired to give up two-goal leads in three of their last four matches, while a disappointing display at Sunderland in their last away game was an off day they could ill afford.

Starting with United, their forthcoming schedule includes all of the current top seven with trips to Chelsea, Liverpool and Southampton in addition to the high-profile visits of Manchester City, Arsenal and Spurs to Turf Moor.
If, as now, they are outside the bottom three come the end of that run, they will surely be in an excellent position to defy the odds.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Burnley have won just one of the last 20 meetings with the Red Devils (D8, L11). Their last victory in any competition at Old Trafford was a 5-3 win in the old First Division in September 1962.
United have scored at least once in their last 32 home matches against Burnley in the top flight, dating back to a 1-0 defeat in December 1921 - their longest home scoring streak against any team in their top flight history.
Manchester United have conceded just one goal in their last seven matches against Burnley in all competitions.

Manchester United
United have only taken nine points from the last possible 18 (W2, D3, L1).
However, they have claimed victory in nine of their last 11 league games at Old Trafford (D1, L1). Only Chelsea have a better home record.

United have won each of their last 12 home matches against promoted sides and are unbeaten in their last 39 since Bolton triumphed 2-1 in 2001. The Red Devils have won the same number of games this season after 24 games (12) as David Moyes' side had won at this stage in 2013-14. Wayne Rooney has not hit a shot on target in the Premier League in 2015, despite playing 450 minutes.

Burnley
Burley have won just one of their last eight league matches.
Sean Dyche's side have not kept a clean sheet in any of those games, the longest current run in the Premier League. The Clarets have won just two of their 30 Premier League away games (D5, L23) and kept just one clean sheet in that run. Danny Ings has scored in four of his last five Premier League appearances.
 
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