Manchester United

[dom9]

I'd be interested to see what van Gaal does next.

He seems to be one of these managers (not unlike Brendan or Rafa) who has a philosophy, a way of playing, and he doesn't really want to deviate from it. This means that in the early stages of a tenure (another football only word it seems), results can go badly against manager. But usually, there is some hope that over time, the players who don't suit the system will be eased out and replaced with players who do suit the system. It's exactly what Brendan and Rafa have done. Van Gaal's first three games have gone so catastrophically badly that it's now a case of damage limitation already.

Does he stick with his principles and hope that things improve (they might not)? Or does he introduce some pragmatism and start playing to the strengths of his squad, thus looking weak, and in danger of sending out conflicting signals to his players?

The English media and fans don't take to the former at all well. The next game and the last game are the most important. The bigger picture goes out of the window.

It could get worse before it gets better for United.

[Roboklopp]

Let's hope it gets much worse & never gets better. Cunts.

[dom9]

That would be ideal.

[dom9]

Looks like he is gonna stick with plan A:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28947634

Louis van Gaal 'not shocked' by Man Utd defeat at MK Dons
By Chris Osborne


Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal insisted he was "not shocked" by his side's 4-0 thrashing by MK Dons in the Capital One Cup.

United crashed out against the League One side to leave Van Gaal winless after his first three games in charge.

"I am not shocked because I know what can happen," he said. "A new team is not built in one month.

"I also think Milton Keynes played very well, very aggressively and they had a little bit of luck with the goals."

A Jonny Evans error gifted Will Grigg a first-half opener and the MK Dons striker chested in a second after the hour mark. Arsenal loanee Benik Afobe then hit his own double to compound United's misery as the away side managed just two shots on target all match.

Van Gaal said he wanted to look at "the second team and youth education" after Sunday's 1-1 draw with Sunderland and would analyse the mistakes which "gave the match away".

He said: "We made too many errors. I have no regrets about my selection but the changes were risky.

"I changed the way we played in the first half. We played one versus one over the whole pitch and when you see that. we created a lot of chances, but we were not lucky."

Former Netherlands boss Van Gaal took over at Old Trafford in the summer following last season's seventh-placed finish, their worst in Premier League history.

United's spending has reached £131.7m in this transfer window following the signing of Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid for £59.7m on Tuesday.

The loss at Stadium MK came with six internationals in the starting line up and follows a home defeat against Swansea on the opening day of the Premier League campaign and Saturday's draw at Sunderland.

When asked to elaborate on why he was not shocked by his side's capitulation against MK, he referred to the "rebuilding process" he was overseeing at the 13-time Premier League champions.

"It is very difficult when you start as a manager in the Premier League with a home loss and then a draw and then after that you lose in a cup match," said the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager.

"For the fans, it is very difficult to still believe in the philosophy of Louis van Gaal.

"But you have to do that because I am here and I am here to build up a new team. The process needs time. We know exactly what we are doing.

"We have lost in the Capital One Cup, so tonight has cost us the chance of a trophy, and that is disappointing."

MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman on BBC Radio 5 Live
"They are a fantastic club, Manchester United, and everybody was so warm and respectful. You almost feel sorry for them. They are a club in transition. Sir Alex Ferguson was there what, 26 years, and created such a dynasty that everyone knew he was a hard act to follow. I think it's a game they can just forget."

Van Gaal suggested that Argentina international Di Maria could be an option out wide, should he stick with the wing-back system he has adopted in his first three games in charge, even though the 26-year-old has mainly featured in an advanced central role in recent seasons.

"I have bought Di Maria because he can play inside and wide. It's very handy," said the Dutchman.

"When I was coach at Bayern Munich, I bought Arjen Robben and he could also play on the wings and inside. Then I always had the opportunity to change."

MK Dons boss Karl Robinson, meanwhile, enjoyed MK Dons' biggest win since they formed in 2004.

"I'm shocked. I know everyone is going to write about Manchester United and I think that's a bit unfair," he said.

"I'll be honest - in the second half I felt comfortable. We came to play football and play the right way, the way we want to play.

"We're a football club that is going places."

If he gets the time (and I think he will), I think he could get things pretty right. So let's enjoy the humiliations while they last.

[Roboklopp]

Ha! Have the same on my clipboard just about to post. Speaking about himself in the 3rd person again. Buffoon.

[Rich]

United fan facebook friend is seriously comparing our result against the Premiership Champions and MK Dons!

Unbelievable.

[Vermilion]

To 'get it right' will cost them a fortune. It's gonna take time,
a whole lot of precious time, it's gonna take patience and time, to do it right, but it's gonna take money, a whole lotta spending money, it's gonna take plenty of money to do it right.

[PTP]

deluded - it's bury their heads in the sand and ignore

the similarities between our demise and theirs are interesting.

As i said before i just hope they don't have some extra cash from somewhere that allows them to panic buy and get three or four players in before the window to address their shocking midfield and defence.

[PTP]

To 'get it right' will cost them a fortune. It's gonna take time,
a whole lot of precious time, it's gonna take patience and time, to do it right, but it's gonna take money, a whole lotta spending money, it's gonne take plenty of money to do it right.

nicely done

[john316]

Hopefully he keeps up this style of 'team building'. Joe Allen would be eminently available for £20m if he's actually interested!

[dom9]

I guess our biggest hope is that van Gaal's abrasive management style ends up causing havoc and more chaos and friction. He's no Brendan in that regard. And they also need Woodward and his team to step up. Another summer of transfer failure, and I can't see him staying in the job.

I think it will be three years before they're back in title contention.

[chadrtc]

Hopefully he keeps up this style of 'team building'. Joe Allen would be eminently available for £20m if he's actually interested!

I don't think he would.

[RichC]

Neither do I, he's an important squad member

[Kenneth]

However we view his worth to the squad, I don't think we'd sell him to them. We don't need the money.

[Vermilion]

Yeah, faaaaar too early to give up on JA imo.