If press and fan reaction is anything
to go by, then Manchester United turned a massive corner on Sunday as
they held runaway league leaders Chelsea to a dramatic 1-1 draw.
It is being hailed as the moment the Red Devils went from club in crisis to club on the rise as Robin van Persie’s injury-time equaliser sent Old Trafford into a frenzy, but for the Red Devils – while it may be a step in the right direction – there remain some pretty glaring problems that Louis van Gaal is yet to really solve.
Perhaps the most prevalent concerns his rickety defence. United’s backline has conceded 13 goals so far this season, one more than at the same stage last year, and an area of which even Van Gaal seems to struggle for an answer.
So far this season the United boss has flirted with EIGHT different central defensive line-ups, with his most recent – Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling – looking worryingly fallible at times.
Injuries have been largely to blame for Van Gaal’s constant chopping and changing with various knocks and strains forcing the Dutchman into using SEVEN different players at centre-back in a variety of formations.
The decision to start the season with a 3-5-2 formation was largely seen as a pragmatic approach to cope with a diminished squad, but following the decision to scrap that and revert to a more conventional back four – drafting in young, untested talents in the process – just what is Van Gaal’s best defensive option?
While the fewest goals conceded came with United fielding a back three, they have looked more solid with a central pairing, even if the differing personnel have yielded varying results.
Picking out individual players suggests that their best centre-halves have been Rojo, Paddy McNair and Jonny Evans, with the trio conceding just six goals between them in total.
Van Gaal’s apparent preference for fielding one-footed players on either side means that summer signing Rojo is a certainty to feature in any first choice pairing, but who is the better partner for the Argentine?
During the two matches they have played together McNair seems an excellent option, with the young Northern Irishman having won a number of fans during his appearances for United – in particular against Everton. However, the best partnership looks to be one Van Gaal is yet to have had the option to try.
Evans’ development over the past few seasons has seen him heralded as a future leader at the club and during the early stages of his reign Van Gaal seemed to agree, picking out the 26-year-old as one of the most impressive stars in his squad.
Comfortable with either foot, Evans certainly adds balance and experience to United’s back-line and everything suggests that he could form a good partnership with Rojo.
His injury has robbed Van Gaal the option to try the two together, but once he returns to action, could United finally have a solution to their defensive problems?
United fans, who do you think is your best option in central defence? Let us know by commenting below…
It is being hailed as the moment the Red Devils went from club in crisis to club on the rise as Robin van Persie’s injury-time equaliser sent Old Trafford into a frenzy, but for the Red Devils – while it may be a step in the right direction – there remain some pretty glaring problems that Louis van Gaal is yet to really solve.
Perhaps the most prevalent concerns his rickety defence. United’s backline has conceded 13 goals so far this season, one more than at the same stage last year, and an area of which even Van Gaal seems to struggle for an answer.
So far this season the United boss has flirted with EIGHT different central defensive line-ups, with his most recent – Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling – looking worryingly fallible at times.
Injuries have been largely to blame for Van Gaal’s constant chopping and changing with various knocks and strains forcing the Dutchman into using SEVEN different players at centre-back in a variety of formations.
The decision to start the season with a 3-5-2 formation was largely seen as a pragmatic approach to cope with a diminished squad, but following the decision to scrap that and revert to a more conventional back four – drafting in young, untested talents in the process – just what is Van Gaal’s best defensive option?
While the fewest goals conceded came with United fielding a back three, they have looked more solid with a central pairing, even if the differing personnel have yielded varying results.
Picking out individual players suggests that their best centre-halves have been Rojo, Paddy McNair and Jonny Evans, with the trio conceding just six goals between them in total.
Van Gaal’s apparent preference for fielding one-footed players on either side means that summer signing Rojo is a certainty to feature in any first choice pairing, but who is the better partner for the Argentine?
During the two matches they have played together McNair seems an excellent option, with the young Northern Irishman having won a number of fans during his appearances for United – in particular against Everton. However, the best partnership looks to be one Van Gaal is yet to have had the option to try.
Evans’ development over the past few seasons has seen him heralded as a future leader at the club and during the early stages of his reign Van Gaal seemed to agree, picking out the 26-year-old as one of the most impressive stars in his squad.
Comfortable with either foot, Evans certainly adds balance and experience to United’s back-line and everything suggests that he could form a good partnership with Rojo.
His injury has robbed Van Gaal the option to try the two together, but once he returns to action, could United finally have a solution to their defensive problems?
United fans, who do you think is your best option in central defence? Let us know by commenting below…
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