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VIDEO: United's passing under LvG

August 4, 2014

Scott is the editor of RoM and has a season ticket at Old Trafford. He writes for The Mirror and Red News. He started The Republik of Mancunia in March 2006. Follow @R_o_M on Twitter.

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25 Comments

WilliamAR August 4, 2014

Our passing has been a breath of fresh air.

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Marq August 4, 2014

Those triangles and one-twos. So refreshing to watch. It is as if LVG threatened to punish any player that just pass and stood there. Last season the midfield was so static that it forced the defenders to go long. Long may our form and style continue.

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Gary Mitrovic August 4, 2014

It's fantastic to see United moving the ball with so much more purpose and zip than what we have been used to recently. These games might only be pre season friendly, but the difference in confidence and within the whole team is clear to see for me. Long may it continue.

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Sparkz August 4, 2014

That running off the ball is the main thing. 2 seasons ago (SAF’s last season) I remember speaking to an Arsenal supporting friend of mine about our respective teams. He said one of the biggest differences between us and them was that when a Utd player got the ball, he had 3 or 4 options. There was constant running off the ball, constant options for the man in possession.

Last season, we simply didn’t see that. Limited movement, limited options. I think I read an interview with Fletcher (or might’ve been Cleverley) where they said their job under Moyes’ system was to stay behind the ball,

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Tommy August 4, 2014

Its refreshing to see United move the ball with so much pace, last year it was far too slow, and that first goal against Real Madrid, friendly or not you wont see a better team goal all year

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lecho August 4, 2014

The speed, energy, movement, flair, is sensational. And it's only pre-season.

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Blacksocks August 4, 2014

Lets just hope that they can transorm this pre-season form into when it really matters! That said, I've already told the missus I'll be getting out of bed about 12.45am later!!! Friendly or not, it's still Liverpool.

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Blacksocks August 4, 2014

Sorry - should read as TRANSFORM!!!

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EC7 August 4, 2014

The improvement in the movement and passing is commendable. Already you notice the difference in play. As Sparkz alluded too. How many times last seasons did we see the midfield get beyond the forwards?... Hardly ever. If LVG can get around 20% extra out of everyone this season, then we could do well.

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Mirainashe August 4, 2014

I know we like to say stuff like "it's only pre season" etc but that's bull. You look at our preseason form last year and it was absolutely indicative of our general form into the season. You can't deny that this is a different Manchester United. Completely. The passing in this video is sublime. Look at the way we played against Real Madrid. Yes it's a friendly,but it's a friendly that both teams use to test out their training and tactics. What exactly will hinder us from playing this kind of football during the competitive season? LVG is a top tactician I'm telling you and I know most people don't like to hear this,but I feel we are now ready to tackle the tactical heavyweights in Europe. I've watched so many preseason tours and friendlies and to be honest,this is the first time we have played this style and this consistently. LVG has been here less than a month and you can see the difference. It's not a big difference. It's a gigantic difference. I'm not gonna water it down or play the "preseason" card here. We are going to bamboozle the league. No one in England plays like this. Crisp passing,quick dynamic movement and high mobility in all areas of the pitch

I personally think the idea of an overhaul as preached by Moyes and evangelized by his sympathizers was terribly way off the mark. I've always maintained this,even when Ferguson was there. What we have been lacking was tactical innovation and consistency at the very highest level. We have the players. Yes one or two or three additions would have sufficed especially now with Rio,Vidic and Evra gone. Moyes was just incredibly poor tactically and coupled with his lack of managerial skills on a basic level,it was going to be a disaster. Look carefully at the video and you'll see the very big tactical difference here. We have only added Shaw and Herrera and none of them have been the stars of the tour. I'm not saying anything about their quality,but more the fact that,they have not been the difference. Players like Young,whom I absolutely don't rate,have been looking like football players for once. You look at the passing moves with Welbeck,Kagawa,Rooney,Fletcher,same players but different effectiveness and confidence on the ball. Players that could hardly string more than three passes together last time,seem able to make 10+ passes at high speed and with startling purpose. Even if we don't buy another player,I'm confident we can challenge for the league this coming season. I've always valued tactics above player quality and this has proven to be the thing that makes the difference. You look at the WC in Brazil. Argentina in my opinion were the most excellent tactically and reached the final with one of their weakest teams ever. Holland were arguably weaker but never lost a game throughout. In the final,Germany were fresher and didn't suffer many fitness issues,but Argentina created the most chances and lost narrowly. Atletico Madrid also suffered fitness issues. It was more an issue of squad depth,but they pushed all the way. They also won the league by using superior tactics. All this crap about buying players is overrated. Chelsea will not win the league,mark my words

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FBr David Lee August 4, 2014

credit to lvg for the tactics and the players for stepping up.

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Sparkz August 4, 2014

The only note of caution is that 3 years ago (ironically the last time we went to the USA) we also played some amazing football. Just as good as this. Started the season with the same brand of football as well. Then we lost 1-6 to City and we barely saw this type of football again that season.

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Marq August 4, 2014

Behind the scenes as to why our players are running more.

Pre-season friendlies/holiday? Not when LVG is in charge

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2715348/Louis-van-Gaal-looks-inch-PE-teacher-Manchester-United-players-Boot-Camp-ahead-American-tour-finale-against-old-rivals-Liverpool.html

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John August 4, 2014

Louis Van Gaal, the father of MODERN football. Period!

His generous gifts to MODERN football:

1. Inspiration to fergie to trust youth via his great Ajax side.

2. Taught A, B, C, D of football to Jose Naughty Mourinho who managed to learned only defensive tactics unfortunately for him.

3. Pep Guardiola learned a lot from the Great Louis. His jaws dropped when he saw the Great Ajax side play coached by King Louis.

4. Frank Rijkaard also got a chance to manage Barca.

5. Clarence Seedorf got a chance to manage AC Milan.

6. De Boer is managing Ajax applying King Louis philosophy.

7. Brendan Rodgers got Liverpool into CL playing good football. Mind you, Rodgers is only a grand student of King Louis who is taught by Mourinho who learned from King Louis. Rodgers translated the football philosophy of King Louis from Dutch to English and was scared he will be found out if King Louis was appointed DoF of Liverpool. Lucky us!

8. Louis Van Gaal laid the tactical foundations and structure for Barcelona tiki taka.

9. LVG laid the tactical foundations and structure for Bayern Munich thus the new German football.

10. King Louis transformed the Dutch mentality by introducing switching of 3-5-2 and 4-3-3 at the same time playing positive football is possible. He basically opened the door for all the Dutch coaches to think outside the box re systems or formations. A blend of realistic football and idealistic football.

All hail King Louis, the father of MODERN football.

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Mirainashe August 4, 2014

@Sparkz

Well that year we were playing MLS teams like Chicago Fire and we were not all that tbh. But during the first 5 or so games of the season we did play well. If I remember well that's the season we beat Arsenal 8-2. You have to consider one other issue. We fell victim to a lot of injuries. That team that played the first five games was almost completely disbanded by injuries. But this time around we have played Real Madrid,Inter and Roma and were the clear better team. Also,I feel LVG has more confidence in attacking football than Ferguson had in his last days. That will be key. Ferguson that season took the foot off the pedal mid season to play a more cautious system but I think we should always play to our strengths. Defence is not our strength but attack. We have the quality to attack and we have the quality to dominate possession. I think since 2007 less than teams have dominated possession against us. Barcelona,throughout,Manchester City once or twice and Liverpool in that shameful game at OT. Otherwise in Europe Man United is one of those clubs that know how to keep the ball. I'm discounting Moyes because he could have relegated Madrid. So that's why I'm optimistic about our ability to be consistent with these tactics. As long as you have players that can pass a football and players like Mata,Rooney,Welbeck that can link up,you are good with this system

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Blacksocks August 4, 2014

Don't get carried away with this great pre-season form. Even LVG admits it will take at least 3 months before we start to see the team fully take on and appreciate his training and tactics. And whilst there is some dead wood to be cleared out I still believe we are at least one if not two central defenders and a midfielder short before we will challange for the league.

I have a feeling this transfer window will run right to the wire for United. Don't rule out a major signing or two between now and then. And a few out too!

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Kris Okechukwu August 4, 2014

@mirainashe
Must u always make it long? Bro pls try to keep it short.
About d quality of passing and movements off d ball is just awesome. And as one pointed that we played such game 3yrs ago b4 that 1v6 loss but d difference here is that then we had no extra body in d midfield to serve as shield(chelsea game comes to mind in which they could have scored 3 or 4) but now it is a more balanced line up.

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United Reds of India August 4, 2014

I mean look at this team... they are playing scintillating football and with so much flair. Do we really need more new players... these guys have clicked under the new manager in an instant...
*Remember this a premier league winning team. You think Moyes was going to wipe their skills off... NO WAY. e.g. Look at Fletcher and Young and Kagawa now.. they are playing like true champions... I really cant believe it! HOW WE TRANFORMED OVERNIGHT!
PREMIER LEAGUE BEWARE!

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Sparkz August 4, 2014

@mirainashe – True but we also played Barca that pre-season I think? Plus City in the Shield and Spurs and Arsenal early on in the season.

You’re right about the injuries, they really decimated us that season. Also, the 6-1 defeat to City did make Fergie reign back on our attacking play. Bit more focus on defence and control. Carrick and Scholes were both excellent that season which helped, and Rio was outstanding second half of the season, but in terms of exciting 1-2 touch football, we only saw it in fits and spurts (as I recall we had a little spell in Feb/March where we played some similar stuff to early season but not much besides).

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Paschal Agwunobi August 4, 2014

Lol, that name 'Moyes'...it tickles me. 'Lord moyes' can get any team relegated.it's true

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Pankaj Saini August 4, 2014

God some of those passes are amazing! Of course, I will still sound out the 'it's just preseason' warning. During competitive games, the opposition is bound to put more pressure on and off the ball and especially well drilled units like Chelsea/Tottenham/City with those two monsters in the centre of the park, won't give us as much space. That's where a player's ability to skip past the first challenge and turn quickly becomes fundamental.

In the central midfield, we have Herrera who can do the job (and god it was good to see Fletcher play like his old self!) but Cleverly is bound to be found out (unless he improves drastically) and I'm never sure how mobile Carrick is (I still recall that goal of his: but it is so rare to see him dribble despite having two great feet). Kagawa can do the job, but leaves us short of physicality in the midfield.

Defense still looks a bit shaky too and without much in the way of backup. An A-grade centre half and perhaps a high quality midfielder (even if it isn't Vidal) would certainly not go amiss.

Also very curious to see how Van Gaal deploys Janujaz and Lingaard. Both are tremendous talents, both are essentially no. 10s and I would hate to see them not getting enough games this season.

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John August 4, 2014

http://www.forbes.com/sites/dalebuss/2014/08/04/chevy-marketing-heaven-man-u-jerseys-and-a-win-in-the-big-house/ [ :) All hail King Louis :) ]

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Tommy August 5, 2014

@Mirenshe

We have been very good this pre season but pre season genrally does not determine how well a season goes, I remember United battering sides in pre season and finishing empty handed and I also remember United playing terrible and winning the league and why do you keep banging on about Moyes by saying stuff like "lack of managerial skills on a basic level" If he had a basic managerial level he wouldnt take relegation threatened side to top 6 on regular basis, that being said we have been very good this pre season.

@Sparks

I nust sat the team that seaon bottled the title, we should of won it that year, I still have nightmares aboiut Everton game

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Mirainashe August 5, 2014

@Tommy

Which relegation threatened side did Moyes take to the top 6 consistently? I only know him as manager of Preston,Everton and Manchester United? The top 6 consistency part is of course true

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Tommy August 5, 2014

@Mirenshe

Everton mate, they were always fightng for relegation before he took over, the 5 years before he took over their highesr finish was 13th in those 5 years, he did a good job at Everton