Tag Archives: Louis Van Gaal

NEWS

Hector Moreno on Luke Shaw: “I am so sorry”

September 15, 2015 Will Burns Leave a comment

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal confirmed that Luke Shaw has suffered a double leg fracture in tonight’s 2-1 Champions League defeat to PSV in Eindhoven. PSV defender Hector Moreno has expressed his sorrow on causing the injury writes Will Burns.

The perpetrator of the tackle, Mexican central defender Hector Moreno was interviewed by Dutch TV channel SBS6 after the game and discussed the situation. Immediately after the challenge, Moreno was visibly shocked.

“I wanted to play the ball” said the PSV defender. “Initially, I hoped it was not serious, but I was afraid that it was”.

Moreno, himself fractured his tibia in a World Cup game for Mexico against Holland in the Brazil last summer: “I know how it feels, I know how difficult such a thing is. I feel very bad about it, I am so sorry. I wish him and his family the best.”

Philip Cocu took to defending Moreno in his post-match interview:“He is a player who never enters into a challenge with the intent to injure anyone. Afterwards he focused on the match, but it does something to you, when you see something like that. I hope it’s not too bad.”

Manchester United coach Louis van Gaal also expressed his opinion on the injury of Shaw and was obviously upset: “He came as an 18-year-old boy to Manchester United and had a very difficult first season. Just now, he has made an excellent start to his second season and this happens. When he came into the dressing room, he had an oxygen mask on and he was crying. I hope he returns this season.”

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REPORT

PSV spoil Memphis’ return to Eindhoven

September 15, 2015 Will Burns Leave a comment

TUESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – GROUP B

PSV 2-1 MAN UTD

It was a night marred with a horrendous injury to Luke Shaw, but PSV will treat this as a night to remember, a great return to the Champions League with an unlikely victory against Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United writes Will Burns.

As the teams emerged this evening, the atmosphere was electric and for good reason. The Philips Stadion had not seen Champions League football since the 2008/09 season when current head coach Philip Cocu was actually on the pitch at that time for PSV. This time he was leading from the sideline and grabbed a vital victory in Group B of the Champions League.

With Memphis Depay returning ‘home’ of sorts, Louis van Gaal handed a first start to £58m man Anthony Martial in the lone striker role for the Manchester United. The Red Devils came out with a high press, especially on Andrés Guardado, hustling the midfielder from the off. The match failed to get going and the visitors were forced make an early change after quarter of an hour when Luke Shaw suffered a suspected broken leg.

The left-back was moving at pace and made a great run into the PSV area, he was then met head-on with a strong challenge from Hector Moreno. The Mexican defender immediately moved away from the area looking distressed which explained to all it was a bad one. Shaw was replaced by Argentine international Marcos Rojo after a six minute delay to comfortably remove the England defender from the pitch. No booking, no penalty, no foul was given by Italian referee Nicola Rizzoli – Moreno left his feet in the challenge and was lucky to still be on the pitch.

The compassionated fans applauded Shaw off and the minutes surrounding the injury gave the stadium a real subdued feel. Once the game got going again, PSV pressed dangerously with the speed of Luciano Narsingh and Maxime Lestienne causing some trouble but the flag of the linesman was raised more than often halting the play.

Although the game was playing at a good tempo, we had to wait 38 minutes for our first chance as Chris Smalling nodded wide from a Juan Mata free-kick. In the second chance of the game, three minutes later, we had the opening goal. Daley Blind sliding in former PSV favourite Depay, whom overpowered Santiago Arias, slipping his challenge with great footwork and slotted home with a goal that the attendance has seen time and time before.

The former PSV hero could have grabbed his second just a minute later. Mata gifted Depay a ball which sent the winger wide and subsequently dragged his shot the wrong side of Zoet’s post. The hosts were on the ropes and Smalling, somehow found himself through on goal and forced a strong stop from Zoet to keep the score at 1-0.

The lead only lasted six minutes as Cocu’s men grabbed a fortunate equaliser on 47 minutes. Lestienne with a whipping corner and defender Moreno easily rose over Matteo Darmain and the Mexican’s effort skimmed off Blind’s head to nestle into the net.

The second half began an even contest with both sides using swift attacks to build chances but neither goalkeeper were trouble initially before Narsingh gave David de Gea no chance with PSV’s second goal.

As they threatened in the first half, PSV’s famous counter attacking football gained them the unlikely lead. Great awareness from Guardado spotted the troublesome Lestienne sitting on the high defence of United. The Belgian received the ball and sped down the left and crossed at the back post for the unmarked Narsingh nod home from yards out and the Philips Stadion erupted.

Van Gaal’s side should have been level soon after, Bastien Schweinsteiger lofted a wonderful ball over the PSV back four, putting it on a plate for Mata, but the Spaniard failed to control the ball and the Eindhoven jeers and cheers sounded out to sarcastically congratulate him.

The visitors dominated and hunted the equaliser but lacked options in the final third. Van Gaal added Marouane Fellaini into the mix replacing Ander Herrera but the big Belgian, like on Saturday in United’s 3-1 win over Liverpool; he did not have any affect.

United’s energy waned and the long balls were being booted forward as PSV got men behind the ball and rode out the unlikely win.

It was great performance for PSV who finally deliver some good news for the Eredivisie and Dutch football in general. The Eindhoven side had done their country proud tonight and on the final whistle they celebrated like they had lifted the trophy, not just a victory in their first game.

TEAMS

PSV: Zoet – Arias, Bruma, Moreno, Brenet – Hendrix, Pröpper, Guardado (Schaars 72) – Narsingh, De Jong, Lestienne (Locadia 86).

GOALS: Moreno 47, Narsingh 57.

BOOKINGS: Arias 55, Moreno 60, Bruma 71.

MANCHESTER UNITED: De Gea – Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Shaw (Marcos Rojo 24) – Schweinsteiger, Herrera – Young (Valencia 86), Mata, Depay – Martial.

GOALS: Depay 41.

BOOKINGS: Smalling 67.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Joshua Brenet (PSV)

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW, EUROPEAN SCOUTING REPORT

EUROPEAN SCOUTING REPORT: Manchester United

September 14, 2015 Will Burns Leave a comment

PSV Eindhoven are set to venture into the Champions League group stages for the first time since 2009 and their first opponents are one of the most successful clubs in the world. Manchester United have claimed the European Cup silverware three times as well as winning the Cup Winners Cup in 1991 and arrive in Eindhoven on Tuesday to face Philip Cocu’s men.

Memphis Depay, PSV’s record sale of any player in their history, arrives home to face his former side and will look to make an impact which he has failed to do so far in the Premier League. The 21-year-old winger, however did help the Red Devils qualify for the group stages notching twice in part one of the Playoff round against Club Brugge at Old Trafford.

TACTICS

Manchester United defeated bitter rivals Liverpool 3-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday evening however, in all fairness it was a poor game including an atrocious first half. There was no creative spark for Van Gaal’s side, which looked like they lacked energy and passion. Apart from left-back Luke Shaw getting forward there was very little to admire from either side.

In a 4-2-3-1 formation, the powerful big Belgian Marouane Fellaini was used as makeshift centre-forward in the absence of the injured Wayne Rooney but failed to make an impression. Although, United were the home side, they seemed to be restricted by their tactical straitjacket enforced on them without Rooney, but still against a poor Liverpool side, who have only scored three goals all season, they still ran out 3-1 winners.

The second half showed an improvement from the Old Trafford outfit mainly due to new sense of urgency that half-time substitute Ashley Young (replacing Depay) brought on with him. Former Ajax man Daley Blind scored a good goal just after the break, although Brendan Rodgers’ men did not look switched on to close the Dutchman down.

One thing Van Gaal has constructed in Manchester is a well-organised defence, even though some second-half chances from the Reds made the back four look uncomfortable under pressure. The inexperienced Joe Gomez gave away a penalty to set-up Ander Herrera to make it 2-0 and after Christian Benetke (Liverpool) grabbed a consolation with a perfect overhead kick, a young Frenchman appeared off the bench to send the 75,347 into raptures.

The £58.8 million price tag was deemed as ‘ridiculous’ by Van Gaal prior to Saturday’s game, but 18-year-old Anthony Martial, a window signing from AS Monaco, killed the game off in style and paid off a tiny bit of monstrous fee. With great composure the teenager, making his debut, had veteran defender Martin Skrtel retreating before placing a shot into the Liverpool net.

PSV could trouble United come Tuesday night with their precision passing and speed off the counter. Look for Maxime Lestienne to stress out Darmain in the right-back position and Luuk de Jong should prove to be a handful, especially if the much smaller Daley Blind is sitting in central defence.

Manchester United will be without Rooney through injury and Van Gaal may look to the young Martial to make his first start and gain further confidence after his dream start.

MANAGER PROFILE: Louis van Gaal

Great tactician. Disciplinarian. Legend. Can all be words to describe former Ajax manager Louis van Gaal, who has one Champions League medal himself with the Amsterdammers. The 64-year-old stepped into the Red Devils’ hot-seat after David Moyes failed to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson, when the famous Scotsman retired in 2013.

The clipboard wielding Dutchman has had little success in his tenure in Manchester so far, but this is indeed a transitional period for the 20-time league title winning side, where Van Gaal is bringing in his own players, own formation and own style of football to the Premier League.

KEY PLAYER: Memphis Depay

If Memphis Depay is going to pick his game up, surely the Philips Stadion is his perfect stage to perform this act. The 21-year-old is physically strong, fast and skilful so has all the credentials to be a top player but looks to having a tough time adjusting in the Premier League. Obviously, PSV head coach Philip Cocu knows the player very well and will look to Colombian right-back Santiago Arias to control Depay and keep him quiet. Arias will find it hard to discover a tougher task in his career, although as he proved in Saturday’s 6-0 win away to SC Cambuur, Depay may have to do some defending of his own.

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NEWS, TRANSFERS

Man Utd linked with Ajax keeper, club say not for sale

May 20, 2015 Will Burns Leave a comment

With strong reports in previous months linking David De Gea with a move back home to Spain, Louis Van Gaal has been scouring the continent for his replacement. Surprisingly, Manchester United already have Victor Valdes who many believe should fill the void should De Gea move to Real Madrid writes Darren Harrison.

Furthermore, fresh reports are linking Van Gaal with a move for Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, somebody he has worked closely with during his spell managing the Dutch national team. It may come as a surprise to many to see fresh reports linking Cillessen with a move to United, especially for a fee of around £25 million pounds. Subsequently, United goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek, also worked with Cillessen during his spell as goalkeeping coach of the national team, this could be one of the reasons Van Gaal is looking at Cillessen to replace De Gea.

On the other hand, Ajax manager Frank De Boer is reluctant to let his goalkeeper leave, Cillessen has most recently been voted best goalkeeper in Dutch football and Ajax club player of the year. Marc Overmars, sporting director for the Amsterdammers spoke to De Telegraaf and stated the stopper was not for sale: “Not even for £25 million”.

Although unlikely after Overmars’ comment, if Cillessen leaves Ajax, potential replacements for the keeper may come closer to home. Mickey van der Hart recently spent time on loan at Go Ahead Eagles, while FC Groningen stopper Sergio Padt may be a better replacement for Cillessen, having impressed for Groningen this season and broke into the Dutch under 21 squad, Padt could possibly be identified to replace Jasper Cillessen should he leave the Amsterdam club this summer.

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TRANSFERS

Can Man Utd’s new boy live up to his expectations?

May 7, 2015 Will Burns Leave a comment

Memphis Depay. A name which suits this 21-year-old, because it has strength, grace and you just can’t forget him. And the media makes sure this won’t happen with their numerous articles around the wonderboy based on Facebook-likes and vague social media posts. After all, the odds are looking good for the United fans. Mainly because of his connection with fellow Dutchmen and ex-coach Louis van Gaal writes Martijn Hilhorst.

‘LvG’ worked with the right-footed left winger at the World Cup in Brazil, in which Depay became the youngest Dutch scorer ever (at a World Cup). However, Louis van Gaal only made inquiries over the player’s availability last summer but decided to keep track of his progress rather than make a move. After 21 goals in the Eredivisie and his rising star we could state that his was a costly decision by the United manager.

The self-titled ‘Dreamchaser’, which is tattooed on his chest, have been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and he could one day live up to this standard. According to Ed van Steijn, the man who scouted Ronaldo for United, he is better than the Portuguese was at his age: “If I compare him to a young Cristiano Ronaldo at the time, then Depay has more strings to his bow. I like him better’. And his coach Cocu also adds on the pressure by comparing him with his colleague at the Dutch squad: ‘Whether he can be as good as Arjen Robben? I think so.”

But can he live up to these expectations? When it comes to football ability, you can never tell for sure at this age, but mentality-wise without a doubt. In this aspect of football he is right up there with Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo. Constantly improving his technique and physique and being highly frustrated when it won’t go his way.

Memphis on the ball and beginning to to dribble is truly a heart raising event. His physical superiority does not limit his technical abilities which is rare – akin to his eagerness. But those moments of magic are often replaced by losing possession, shooting from impossible corners and being too irritated. His consistency is something Depay needs to work on. In the Dutch competition it’s okay to have an off-day, but not on the level he sees himself playing at.

The semi-finals of a WC, single-handedly making PSV champions after this seven years with winning the competition and on his way to become top goal scorer in the same league. Depay is only 21 years old, but he has been extraordinary and magical in many games for the Netherlands and his club PSV. Who wouldn’t want a young mix between Arjen Robben and Cristiano Ronaldo for around £25m?

To hear more of my views on Depay, watch the latest edition of Stretty News TV below…

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TRANSFERS

Van Gaal clinches Depay’s most coveted signature

May 7, 2015 Will Burns Leave a comment

Premier League giants Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Memphis Depay from Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven subject to a medical which will take place this weekend. The right-footed left winger will sign until the summer of 2019 with the option for another year. It’s believed that PSV received around £22 million for the Dutch international reports Martijn Hilhorst.

Depay have been playing wonderfully this season for PSV and is currently the top scorer in the Eredivisie with 21 goals (two more than colleague Luuk de Jong). ‘Memphis’ is just 21-years-old, but has already been compared to big stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Arjen Robben.

Depay was heavily linked with moves to Liverpool and Paris Saint Germain, but eventually choose Manchester United instead, where he will play under his former coach at the Netherlands, Louis van Gaal.

Depay on his move: “Time to set my goals again on winning trophies with Manchester United. I always say; dream, believe, achieve. I was dreaming and believing of becoming the champions of the Eredivisie with PSV and we achieved it. I’m extremely grateful towards PSV and all the fans for believing in me”.

Depay started at PSV when he was just 12-years of age, he made his debut in 2011/12 and scored 38 times in 88 Eredivisie matches since then. He also played fifteen times in the Dutch national squad, including the World Cup of 2014 in Brazil. His new coach, Van Gaal, let him make his debut for ‘Oranje’ in October 2013.

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FEATURE

Louis van Gaal: When will it all go right at Man Utd?

September 21, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

It’s the 13th of July, and The Netherlands have just brushed aside the hosts to secure third place at the 2014 World Cup. Yes, a team largely unfancied before the tournament to progress past the group stages, and was called the weakest Dutch side ever to go to a World Cup, had managed to finish third. How had this happened? Well yes, it was largely due to the individual brilliance of Arjen Robben, but let’s not kid ourselves, the main man behind the success was Louis Van Gaal writes Fin Crebolder.

Throughout the tournament he showed tactical flexibility to adapt to all problems he faced, from crushing the reigning World and European Champions in the opening game by playing a very non-Dutch 5-3-2, to changing his goalkeeper purely for a penalty shoot-out. These bold decisions of course paid off and increased his popularity and credibility throughout football. He had also recently been confirmed as the new Manchester United manager, and the United fans couldn’t wait for him to start, they were confident he would bring back the glory days that had disappeared for the previous season.

Fast forward just over two months, and Van Gaal has not had an ideal start. Despite a 4-0 win against QPR, he has still had a worse start to the season than his predecessor, David Moyes. His first four games were all unimpressive. A shock 2-1 defeat against Swansea at Old Trafford, followed by uninspiring draws against Sunderland and Burnley, and a humiliating 4-0 defeat to MK Dons, raised many questions about Van Gaal’s credentials for the job. However, it’s easy to forgot that for the first three Premier League games of the season Van Gaal was not able to pick his favoured team, due to injuries and the lack of signings.

The fact that in the first game where he had all his first team players signed and available, his team managed to dismantle QPR with ease is enough to give Man United some hope, and Van Gaal, as he’s admitted himself, has always struggled to get off to good starts wherever he has managed, due to his unique style and philosophy, which players can often take time to get used to. However, at all of these clubs, despite poor starts, he has always ended up delivering, and if he manages to keep his players fit and happy, then Man United should be back in the Champions League by May, and maybe, just maybe, this time next year, the giants of football will be fearing “The Gaalacticos”.

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FEATURE, TRANSFERS

What can Man Utd fans expect to see from Daley Blind?

August 31, 2014 Will Burns 2 Comments

After a few weeks of rumours it is finally a done deal. Daley Blind will make to the move to Manchester United for a number which floats around £14m (around€18m) plus bonuses and a percentage of a future fee if Blind ever leaves United. The versatile Dutch international will be the fifth major signing from Louis van Gaal. Only, what kind of player is Daley Blind? Martijn Hilhorst explains.

When Blind became an official squad member for Ajax in 2008/09, the opinions were divided. Some felt he was not good enough, while others saw the potential in him. As a young kid, he eventually played a total of five league matches that season and Ajax manager of that time, Martin Jol was not convinced. The following season he was loaned out to FC Groningen where he played left and right full-back and this brought some staggering performances. After a great spell in Groningen, many clubs wanted to loan him, but Blind decided he wanted to stay at Ajax to earn his place in the team. This was a bold move and he emerged successful in the challenge until the winter when he failed to play but then Jol was fired in December 2010. His successor was Frank de Boer.

‘Frankie’ immediately said that Vurnon Anita (now of Newcastle United) was not a left-back, but a defensive midfielder. Daley became the second choice after Urby Emanuelson and six months later , Urby was sold to Serie A giants AC Milan. Therefore, Blind became first choice as a left-back in which he played for a few seasons until the 19th October of 2013.

In an away fixture against FC Twente, he was selected in the defensive midfielder role and with just nine minutes remaining, he provided the assist in a 1-1 draw. After that season (2012/13) he was named Ajax’s ‘Player of the Year’ and the season following even the Eredivisie’s ‘Player of the Season’ but enough of the ‘chit-chat’, what are his qualities and his (minor) flaws?

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

Daley Blind is known for his versatile way of playing. For example, during this summer’s World Cup campaign for the Netherlands, coach Louis van Gaal decided to use him as a central defender and left-back which he performed well. He possesses great intelligence and awareness, always turning the right way, knowing when to clear the ball or take a breather and he combines this decision making with key passes during the match. Everyone remembers the ball he floated in for Robin van Persie in the 5-1 hammering of Spain. That is a perfect example of a courageous cross which not a lot of players would have delivered so perfectly. The biggest aspect of his game is his passing.

In the last years couple of years, I haven’t seen a ‘DM’ anywhere in the world (expect for Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets) who has such a brilliant composure on the ball. When your build up play is dreadful, give it to Daley, he will create a brilliant through ball to one of his fellow midfielders or forwards.

Although, he has got a few flaws. He is not a ruthless defensive midfielder like the Premier League may be used to, and he is to slow for the left-back position but bear in mind that Louis van Gaal is the manager! He is able to change the game, making people understand that his philosophy is one to follow. Where many United players are having trouble with adjusting to his 5-3-2 formation, Blind could lead the way. Ajax players are known for their intelligence and technical abilities so he is a perfect fit as a DM.

Agreed, he was named Eredivisie’s ‘Player of the Season’ in the 2013/14, but do not expect a fancy player which will solve everything at Manchester United. You can expect a player who will control the play, dictate the tempo and protect the defence.

The Red Devils will have one easy solution now – just give it to Daley and he will lead United to victory.

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NEWS, TRANSFERS

Blind move to Man Utd is imminent

August 30, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Twenty-four year-old defender/midfielder Daley Blind is set to complete a transfer from Ajax Amsterdam to Manchester United imminently. The reported fee is €18 million (around £14m) writes Alex Pieter.

Blind joins a midfield in Manchester consisting of Juan Mata, Angel di Maria and Ander Herrera and the son of former defender Danny, will be expected to anchor the midfield in a deep, defensive role.

The news comes at a difficult time for the Amsterdammers, who is coming off a defeat to rivals PSV, who look to be keeping their star player, Memphis Depay. Frank de Boer’s side have just been drawn into a difficult Champions League group with European giants Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

The €18 million that Ajax will receive for Blind will help alleviate any hard feelings about his departure. Blind is a very good player, but the money can go a long way for a club like Ajax, provided they spend it wisely, or at all.

With the sale of Blind and other players in the past five seasons, Ajax now has over €85 million to their name (via @Tussendelinies and transfermarket.nl). Ajax fans will now wait to see if Marc Overmars will make a move before the transfer window shuts. The reinging Eredivisie champions are in desperate need of reinforcements if they are to challenge for a fifth straight title. The midfield is now short on depth and no player has stepped up to lay claim to the striker position. Perhaps Overmars is waiting until the January transfer window to see where, and even if, this team needs any additions, but the way PSV are shaping up, by then it could be too late.

Blind’s move had been rumoured for some time, and will help make life for new Manchester United Boss Louis van Gaal a bit easier. Blind played under Van Gaal at this past summer’s World Cup and knows his preferred systems and tactics. He will help bring stability to a new midfield that needs to develop chemistry. It will take time for the midfield to mesh under Van Gaal’s systems, but Blind will help ease the growing pains.

By far, Blind’s greatest attribute is his knowledge of the game and his tactical awareness. Blind has the composition of a field general and future captain. Like all Ajax players, he has had tactics drilled into him from an early age.

However, Daley was not always destined to be great, like many of the other players Ajax have sold off to higher leagues in the past few seasons. In fact, at one point he was nearly sold to fellow Eredivisie side FC Groningen for a fee of just €1.5 million.

Blind’s persistence and drive paid dividends as he developed, first into a starter at Ajax, then a key contributor, and eventually one of the best players in the Eredivisie.

Only time will tell if Blind’s skill set will translate well to the English Premier League. If anything holds Blind back it will be his lack of pace and physicality. However, Christian Eriksen was knocked for the some things during his move to Tottenham Hotspur. Eriksen proved that players from Ajax can makeup for what they lack in pace or physical prowess with the tactical knowledge of the game and technique. If Blind can make a similar impact in Manchester to the one Eriksen has made in North London, it will have been a wise purchase for United.

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TRANSFERS

Roma should cash in on Kevin Strootman now before his inevitable move to Man Utd

August 20, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Louis van Gaal is a keen admirer of Kevin Strootman and would love to bring his countryman to Old Trafford to strengthen a midfield crying out for reinforcements. David Moyes did make this a priority last summer when he first arrived as manager. He attempted to make a swoop for Cesc Fabregas, who was at the time with Barcelona, as well as Marrouane Fellaini, who he had managed at Everton. The Scot was only able to land Fellaini during a transfer window that became a debacle for United. In truth, neither of Moyes’s primary targets are the type of players the team needs writes Joe Maloney.

Ander Herrera has been impressive since leaving Athletic Bilbao for £29 million. He adds comfort in possession that we have become accustomed to seeing from a classy Spanish midfielder. He evidently has the confidence in playing the ball forward which will enable plenty of chances for the likes of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney.

Michael Carrick, now the oldest player at the club, is out for a number of months after sustaining a knee injury. Had the England midfielder been fit, evidence illustrated last season indicated his best days were perhaps behind him. Tom Cleverley has not developed into the promising player he once appeared and the same applies for Anderson. Darren Fletcher has impressed during pre-season, but has not featured in over 20 league appearances during a season, since 2010-2011. That leaves the disappointing Fellaini. The Belgian midfielder was probably the least natural fit of a Manchester United player brought to the club in recent memory. Employed in a holding role, he does not possess the movement and struggles to maintain possession. Often, Fellaini is found wanting, in what has been billed as his best position and usually finds the game passes him by. This is a midfield that has been starved of top-class replacements since the departures of Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes. It was the reason behind Scholes’s return to the side after his original retirement.

Although Strootman is recovering from a serious knee injury, sustained last March, Van Gaal is a keen admirer of the midfielder and would like to bring him in. David Moyes discarded the opportunity to sign the Roma player. He also called off the chance to sign Thiago from Barcelona before he joined Bayern Munich. Strootman has only recently started light training and still facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. However, with United’s essential need in midfield, speculation has risen that a bid could be submitted before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month. Roma coach Rudi Garcia was quick to play down this rumour after Roma’s 3-2 defeat to LVG’s team during the club’s tour of America.

“Maybe after a three-digit offer, then we will sit down and think about it” said Garcia.

Last season the midfield was never more exploited, in both matches, against eventual champions Manchester City. City’s dynamic players Yaya Toure and Fernandinho were far too much for the likes of Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley or Fellaini to handle. Any top-side midfield in the modern game expresses high amounts of speed, power, urgency, movement and ball retention. None of those components you could label at the Red’s centre midfield in the last campaign. Some could say it isn’t something they have displayed for a number of years since losing the likes of Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves. Strootman portrays great strength, drive and stability that would match well to the side’s capabilities.

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NEWS, TRANSFERS

Daley Blind would consider move to Manchester United

August 18, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Despite the continuous reports in the English media, Ajax left-back Daley Blind insists has not heard the rumours linking him with a potential transfer to Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United, although he has stated he would consider a move if a ‘nice option becomes available’ writes Will Burns.

Reports indicate that new Man Utd boss Van Gaal is keen to add the 24-year-old to his squad at Old Trafford after he played a starring role in Holland’s unexpected progession to the semi-finals of the World Cup this past summer in Brazil.

Talking to Fox Sports Nederland after today’s 3-1 win away to AZ Alkmaar, Blind denied any suggestions linking him to the Red Devils said: “I have nothing to report, I’m happy here at Ajax.”

Although the defender refused to rule out the possibility of leaving the Amsterdammers if the right club approached him: “I certainly don’t need to leave and I am happy with all the support I receive here but if a nice option becomes available, then we’ll talk and then we’ll see.”

Blind has been with the reigning Eredivisie champions since the age of 8 years old and head coach Frank de Boer has already admitted that the club would not stand in Blind’s way if they received a suitable offer this summer for him.

Last week De Boer spoke to De Telegraaf and said: “We all know that if there is a price that we could not refuse, if that is offered then we’ll wish him all the best. But I have not heard anything so far, so I am assuming that he will still stay for another year.

Although De Boer did suggest that he thinks the player is ready for a big move: “I think it’s best for him, but on the other hand if the temptation is there, if such a big club comes in, he could adapt well.”

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NEWS, TRANSFERS

Dutchman interested in move to Man Utd

August 11, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Manchester United target and Netherlands World Cup star Daley Blind has admitted that he would be open to a move to Manchester if new manager Louis van Gaal were to make an offer for him.

The Ajax defender has been constantly linked with a summer move to Old Trafford given the fact that Blind fits perfectly into the new 3-5-2 model of play that Van Gaal is implementing at the club.

Blind said, “For me, it is just about waiting but I am happy here in Amsterdam” and went on to say that “if something comes along his path, I will think about it.”

His focus remains on Ajax, but he finished the interview by saying, “we will see what happens next week”. Whether or not van Gaal has set a deadline for a new arrival remains to be seen but it seems quite strange that Blind would mention a specific time as to when he is expecting something to happen.

Ajax head coach Frank de Boer also weighed in by saying that “he will make the right choice and if he goes to a big club, he deserves it.” but went on to say that the defender would be better of staying in Amsterdam for another year to develop the quite competent skill set that he already boasts.

Manchester United recently lost out in the Thomas Vermaelen sweepstakes to Barcelona with the former Arsenal captain moving to Spain for a fee believed to be in the region of £13 million.

It is no secret that Manchester United are in the market for a left-footed defender and Blind is probably the most realistic target at this point in time. He is affordable, up for the move, knows Van Gaal and his system, and is versatile in what he can offer the club.

The 24-year-old has appeared for Ajax 100 times since his debut in 2008 scoring three goals during that time. He is also a fully fledged Dutch international footballer with 19 caps to his name, and the son of former Ajax footballer Danny Blind.

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EURO 2016, EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS, KNVB, NETHERLANDS, NEWS, ORANJE

Hiddink returns as Oranje head coach

August 1, 2014 Will Burns Leave a comment

Guus Hiddink was introduced today as the new Netherlands coach to lead Oranje into the European Championship 2016 qualifiers. The 67-year-old has vowed that he will compile a team that will play “attractive but practical football” writes Will Burns.

New Oranje head coach Hiddink (centre) poses with assistants van Nistelrooy (right) and Blind (left).

Hiddink has already had a spell as head coach of his country in 1995 for a three-year tenure and is well coveted inside the Netherlands. He led PSV Eindhoven to a record-breaking six Eredivisie championships and four KNVB Bekers but, perhaps his greatest achievement, was taking underdogs South Korea, to a last four finish in their own backyard at the 1998 World Cup finals.

Hiddink has been named to replace Louis van Gaal earlier this year as Van Gaal had stated he wished to return to club management and later accepted the manager’s job at Manchester United. Hiddink has large shoes to fill as Van Gaal himself pulled off a great World Cup feat himself this summer, leading Oranje to third place and bronze medal in Brazil.

As the KNVB unveiled Hiddink, he said at the press conference: “First and foremost, bravo to the team, both the players and the technical staff who worked under Louis van Gaal.” He added: “There will not be many changes, I felt great enthusiasm on starting my first official day of work today.”.

Hiddink stated that he wished to keep faith in the ‘Dutch school’ while also hoping to maintain the “instinct of survival” that Van Gaal had established inside the team.

Hiddink has been out of coaching work since leaving Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala in July last year, but at the end of last season acted as a consultant for Philip Cocu at PSV.

The deal Hiddink has signed with the KNVB runs through to the end of the 2016 European Championships in France, after which he will be replaced by current assistant Danny Blind. His other assistant will be former Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

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