We’re not even getting Prosecco football right now. (There’s a sparkling wine joke to get you going of a Saturday)
Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes that it’s unfair for fans to expect the same style of football from Louis van Gaal that they were treated to under Alex Ferguson.
In his column for The Telegraph, the former United and England right back claims that “it’s a bit like breaking up with a partner of 26 years and wanting the new person to be the same as the old one. They – we – are going to have to let go.”
The Sky Sports pundit will always remain a fan of the Red Devils, a club at which he started and finished a near 20-year playing career, and he has been vocal in his desire for United to play a more attacking brand of football.
“Personally I would like them to play at a higher tempo,” he writes. “I would also like them to press high against inferior opposition, but I’ve come to the conclusion this isn’t the Van Gaal way.
“It’s what I believe in, what United have previously believed in and not what is in front of us now. I also think most of the new signings should be performing at a higher level.”
But Neville is quick to point out that, while the flash may have disappeared from Old Trafford, the results have not.
“Many United fans feel confused between thinking ‘the pace is slow, we’re not playing the way we used to,’ and ‘hang on a minute, we’ve lost one game in 19, we’re third in the League and in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.’”
The LVG playing style is something that has come under scrutiny in both the media and the terraces due to its ponderous, non-penetrative method which is in stark contrast to the way Fergie instructed his teams to play.
“Van Gaal likes more controlled possession,” Neville notes. “Sir Alex liked possession too, but his big words were ‘tempo and risk.’ He used those words so often in our changing room: ‘I want tempo and rhythm in our passing.’ Get the ball moving quickly.
“If we were ever two or three up then he would be happy for controlled possession .Van Gaal is happy to shift the ball side to side relentlessly from minute one, not risk as much in possession and work openings whereas under Ferguson their was a greater intent to take risks until the game was won.”
Neville places huge importance on the manipulation of the transfer window in the coming years if van Gaal is to prove a success in England but is unable to pin down the areas that need remedying.
“I know he needs to strengthen but I’m not totally sure where or when. While United fans – me included – are unsure, the one person I guarantee won’t be is Van Gaal because he is so sure of himself. I bet he can’t believe the current fuss. He will be relaxed, confident and pleased with a run of one defeat in 19.”
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