Philosophy and tactics under Louis van Gaal 2015/16

[RichH2016]

It's great to hear that we changed our approach tonight! That we sacrificed control and possession for counter attacking football.

But was that because we knew Stoke had the ability to either control the game even if we looked to stop that. Or that their pace on the break was a real worry?

I guess we won't know until the next game. But for tonight we should enjoy a good result together with a good performance.

 

[JSNFRMN]

Best I think we've looked under Van Gaal. That Martial goal is what it's all about for me, that's the Manchester United I know and love. More direct, more pace, more movement, more creative freedom. Hopefully look to continue playing this way and improve.

One game at a time, don't want to get carried away but that was much better.

 

[bludsucker]

I miss one bloody game and they play like the man united of old. Unfair of them really. Jokes aside was the performance really completely different from what we have served up over the last two seasons? Will have catch the replay when they show it.

 

[RichH2016]

I've seen bits of the match so I could provide some kind of valid opinion... And it was like watching another team. Are we sure the reports about Pep didn't misspell United? Because that was one hell of a response...

The Martial goal in particular was United of old. A quick ball forwards to release Mata who drew players in and fed Rooney who got his head out and floated a pass to Martial who ruthlessly finished the move off. Wow!!!

Within 10 minutes we'd created 3 good clear chances. Within 3 minutes Martial beat Johnson for the first of many times. In fact for the first time under LVG I don't think 3-0 even flattered us! On another night we could have had 4/5/6! It was world's apart from the reverse game at Stoke!

 

[JSNFRMN]

Manchester United: Jesse Lingard says freedom is a weight off the shoulders

“But it's that freedom that we have, it's a weight off our shoulders and we can just play football now."

 

[RichH2016]

Says a lot...

So LVG was definitely telling the players essentially to stay in position and keep it safe.

What's changed then? Why has he taken the shackles off? Is it coincidence that this now comes after Woodward spoke to the senior players?

Whatever has forced this change it needs to continue! Let's not go back to what we were doing before please. Let these talented attacking players do what they are paid to do. Allow them that freedom.

 

[JSNFRMN]

Maybe Van Gaal realised himself it wasn't working and decided that a change was necessary, maybe Woodward had a say. Fact is, players seem much happier now. Shame it wasn't seen back in August when players went to Van Gaal and asked for changes.

 

[RichH2016]

See the more I think about it the more I just think LVG had nothing to do with it.

I can't honestly believe that all of a sudden he's abandoned his philosophy.

What's happened I think is very quickly on Tuesday the players gathered that Stoke like in the previous game would keep the ball very well. As a result we could either try and match them and stick with the philosophy or we adapt. We soak up pressure and hit them on the break like we did.

It's just my idea but that's honestly what I think. LVG wouldn't suddenly just change his philosophy like that.

What may happen now is against teams who like to control possession he'll go with a similar approach. But as soon as we play a side who we should dominate it'll go back to what it was before.