Much ink has been spilled analyzing just how Man U’s Dutch Renaissance will look. What will change? What will LVG’s real fingerprint be?
Before we get there, two suggestions that need to be dispelled – Dutch football, and therefore this year’s Red Devils, will feature constant positional interchange, and the new formation will be the biggest change at Old Trafford.
As to the first, not all Dutch-style football is created equal. 70’s era Total Football was predicated on fluid positional interchange. Despite his associations with Rinus Michels and Johann Cruyff, the same will not be said of van Gaal’s Man U this season. For proof, look no further than the manager’s comments this pre-season.
Comparing his inherited squad to the needs of their new formation, van Gaal has been rather explicit about the specific requirements of different positions. Ashley Young can play wingback while Wilfried Zaha cannot, and Shinji Kagawa has the skills to play at the base of midfield since he is so far down the pecking order for a spot at the number 10. In fact, the 3-4-1-2 itself was likely selected in order to incorporate Rooney, van Persie, and Mata into the starting lineup in favored positions.
As to the second, that 3-4-1-2, LVG showed flexibility in Brazil with Netherlands and has suggested that he will do the same in Manchester. He seems to be rather straightforward with the media, and that combined with the shortage of center backs currently on the roster suggests that he will use 4 at the back at times.
Judging by their preseason games, the biggest tactical difference between this year’s MUFC and previous models will be their use of space. Defensively he has played a high line at the back, looking to compress the space opponents have to work with. Offensively, they have looked to spread out their opponents as much as possible. One forward stays high to stretch the defense and both wingbacks keep chalk on their boots even when the ball is on the other side of the field.
If the defense stays spread with them, then there are wide avenues ready made for quick two-touch passing. If the defense looks to trap and outnumber, then van Gaal’s midfielders switch the ball quickly. When the ball arrives wide, the wingbacks attack the shifting, reorganizing defense.
How will it work?
This is all great in theory, but it takes talented, technical players to pull it off. Let’s take the International Cup final against Liverpool as an example.
Liverpool has been narrow in the midfield under Brendan Rogers, and they had great success in the first half unsettling United. Whereas other sides in the tournament obliged United’s width, Liverpool pressed the ball carrier and dared them to hit the long switch.
The passes connected, but the wide players took their first touch backwards. That split second was all it took for the defense to shift, and the attack was off. Whenever they looked dangerous it came from a positive first touch by their wingbacks.
If United are to continue their attacking exploits this season, Luke Shaw, Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia, et al must take better first touches. The center backs and central midfielders must provide better service, too. Neither van Persie nor Rooney possesses the pace needed to truly stretch a defense, so look for Welbeck to get significant minutes. He proved in the Champions League against Bayern Munich that he is plenty capable of operating this way. He will need to do the same this season.
Preseason games have provided plenty of feel-good factor, but more than the usual caveats apply here. Liverpool has been the only team to really press United, and United struggled to cope. The wingbacks must provide more threat and the long service must improve. If they don’t, look for Man U to struggle offensively.
Crooked Left 