It was not the disappointing performances, not the consistent bad results, not the lack of goals, not the below-par defending or ludicrous substitutions or heavy defeats to top sides that was David Moyes’ downfall. All of that would’ve been forgiven had the Scot showed that he was building a side with a clear identity and style. Had the Scot trusted the youngsters a lot more and showed the world that this is how Manchester United are going to play, then he would still be in a job. Unfortunately for Moyes, he didn’t and thus he was sacked.
One thing Moyes could never manage to do in his tumultuous ten-month reign of Manchester United has already been done by Louis Van Gaal, barely a few days in. Van Gaal’s decision to go with a 3-5-2 shows that the Dutchman has come into Manchester with a plan and plans on executing it. Although the Red Devils have won all three games that Van Gaal has taken charge of so far, there are a few areas of concern that the Dutchman has to address. The club are well stocked in the attacking department and very top heavy.
So here are three concerns that the Dutchman must tackle if his formation has to work and the club end up with their heads held high.
Wing backs
Rafael’s injury now means that the Red Devils start the season with just one recognised full back/ wing back in Luke Shaw. Although Antonio Valencia has shown that he can play as the right wing back, the problem with playing him there is that, although he can get up and down the pitch, he lacks the positional discipline to get back and make the recovery runs. Even new-signing Shaw doesn’t seem to have the manager’s faith as he has been forced to train alone, to improve his fitness.
When you are playing three at the back, your wing backs are your most important positions. Not only do they have to defend, but also provide the width which would be otherwise provided by wingers, who have no place in the system. Unless Manchester United buy a couple of players, or bring through someone from the youth system, wing back is likely to be a problem area for the Red Devils, because of its rigorous demands.
Centre backs
The departure of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic didn’t just leave the club short on quality, but on quantity as well. The Red Devils look set to start the new campaign with just three senior centre backs who have never played in this formation before. One of the biggest challenges when playing a three-man central defence is the need to be versatile and play not just as centre backs, but also cover the flanks when the wing backs bomb forward.
Although both Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have played at right back and can do this role, the lack of a left-footed centre back means that the club currently have no one to play as the left-sided centre back. Unless Van Gaal brings in Vermaelen and at least one or two more centre backs, the squad is likely to be stretched once someone is injured.
Central midfield
The injury to Michael Carrick now means that the club will be without their most consistent performer of the last few years for the start of the season. Although Darren Fletcher has done well so far, he is only just coming back from a long-term lay off and will, in all likelihood, need some time to get back to the player he once was. Tom Cleverley doesn’t really fit into the current system thanks to his lack of defensive discipline and Marouane Fellaini, who was brought in as a defensive midfielder has done nothing to stake his claim for a place in the side.
Ander Herrera has taken to life at Old Trafford like a duck to water, but given the lack of support he has, alongside him, you can certainly see why the club are going all out to secure the signature of Arturo Vidal. The all-action Chilean midfielder would certainly add a lot of bite and steel to the midfield and given the Spaniard some much-needed company. Even if the club are unable to seal the deal for Vidal, they need another central or else, there will be a gaping hole in the centre of the park, just like last time.