Man Utd Thread:

[gawa316]

There was some Dutch guy on sky a few weeks ago making that point. He thinks lvg overworks the players and gets a lot of soft tissue injuries as a result ( pulled muscles basically )

Is there any history of this at his previous clubs? ie lots of injuries

[AZOffaly]

Your man gave examples but I can't remember off the top of my head. Went back to Dutch club football.

[Kidder81]

He wouldn't know as much as the experts on here

[rodney trotter]

Review on Daley Blind, maybe Wobber should read it too


When it was announced that Louis van Gaal would become the new Manchester United manager, a lot of fans would have expected a red revolution was upon them.

Van Gaal's relative success during the World Cup in Brazil, where he reached third place as manager of the Dutch national team, only added to the excitement. Come August, people were ready for the impending transfers that had undoubtedly been worked on for much of the summer.

But apart from Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw—both of whom had been targets under Moyes—and Marcos Rojo, they haven't come, and with less than two weeks to go until the transfer window closes, quick and decisive action is now needed.

Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal is still mentioned a lot around Manchester among many others, as per FourFourTwo's Greg Johnson, but so is Real Madrid's Angel Di Maria, via Nicholas Rigg of The Independent. But while these two players would undoubtedly give United the quality injection they desperately crave, one of the most useful signings the Red Devils could make this summer would be Ajax's Daley Blind.

Having played an important role in the Netherlands' successful World Cup campaign, Blind will surely be buzzing with confidence at the moment. What's more: As last year's Eredivisie Player of the Year, it's more than likely the player is up for a new challenge in one of Europe's biggest leagues.

But most importantly, Blind has the capabilities to solve multiple positional problems for Manchester United. A versatile player, developed at Ajax's famous youth academy, he can play at left-back, centre-back and as a defensive midfielder.



Blind's versatility

During his first year in Ajax's first team, Blind played almost exclusively as a left-back. He wasn't immediately successful. Troubled by the pressures that come with playing in Ajax's first team, Blind needed some time to make the necessary adjustments in his game and evolve from a youth player into a mature and all-round senior.

Ajax loaned Blind out to FC Groningen for half a season. After returning to Amsterdam, he spent some time playing for Ajax's reserves, and it wasn't until December 2010, when manager Martin Jol made way for new boss Frank de Boer in December 2010, that his fortunes started changing.

Like Pep Guardiola did with Bayern Munich full-back Philipp Lahm, De Boer converted Blind into a defensive midfielder after Vurnon Anita's departure to Newcastle United. Now able to exert his influence from a deep position in midfield, Blind started developing into one of Ajax's most important players.

However, his tactical transformation did not mean he could no longer play as a left-back. Ahead of the World Cup, and after former captain Giovanni van Bronckhorst's retirement, the Netherlands manager Van Gaal was in desperate need of a left-back. Blind was the ideal candidate.

In Brazil, the Ajax man played as a left wing-back in Van Gaal's 5-3-2 formation. As became apparent when he set up Robin van Persie's wonder goal during the Oranje's group-stage match against Spain, Blind was one of the players whom the Dutch tactical setup worked through.

Later on in the tournament, Blind played as one of the Netherlands' three centre-backs, teaming up with Stefan de Vrij and Ron Vlaar, and indeed, at the base of midfield, providing some positional intelligence right next to tough-tackler Nigel de Jong.



Van Gaal's Manchester United

At Manchester United, Van Gaal has implemented the very same 5-3-2 formation, and as became apparent during the World Cup, Blind can play in different positions in this formation.

A 5-3-2 utilises two deep, central midfielders and one No. 10. While Juan Mata seems like the ideal candidate for the latter position, newcomer Herrera will probably get to play behind him. Should he come to United, Blind can partner up with Herrera to add some defensive solidity to a relatively offensive midfield setup.

But with Shaw, who is touted as Evra's successor, out injured, Van Gaal could also decide to use Blind as a left-back. United obviously need another player who can play in this position, as we saw during the club's preparatory campaign, when winger Ashley Young—who has little defensive experience—was forced to play there.

Then, there's the position of centre-back. Playing three at the back, Van Gaal will need another central defender, particularly a left-footed one. Should the Dutch boss ever decide to switch back to a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2, Blind can simply be moved to another position.

This, then, seems to be the Ajax man's biggest strength. Depending on the way a match develops and the tactical changes Van Gaal decides to implement mid-action, Blind can be moved around the pitch. Contrary to what sometimes happens to other players, this doesn't seem to phase Blind much: From one minute to the next, he can easily adjust his focus to a different task.

Manchester United are in desperate need of multiple players, for multiple decisions. Signing Blind would be like signing three of the players the club needs at once. He would be the perfect utility man for a squad in need of fixing.

Most importantly, though, United would sign one of the most talented young Dutch players around.

[thewobbler]

Thanks Rodney.

I've a cynical disposition and I know it. But surely it can't just be me that reads articles like this as PR pieces rather than analysis, given the wholly positive slant?

Like many Dutch players, who are coached in that way, he's no doubt versatile. But of all the Dutch players I've seen in England, the specialists - RVP, RVN, Overmars, Stam, Bergkamp - were the success stories. Of the multi taskers only Ruud Gullit was actually any good in all the multiple positions he played in. Blind would need to be a truly exceptional talent to be mentioned in that breath.

[rodney trotter]

It was a Dutch journalist, Elko Born, who did the piece.. Maybe made it sound a bit more positive. But, he is a verstaile player, played in 3 different positions in the WC and would be a solid signing I'd say should Utd get him.

[rodney trotter]

Di Maria on the way

[beer baron]

Bit of a head scratcher for me. Hopefully there's more to come, otherwise it could be a tough season ahead.

[rodney trotter]

Ashley Young or Di Maria - not much discussion.. Bound to be a few more signings, Van Gaal said as much

[GJL]

De Maria, Blind and a centre mid. Sorted. 

[Shrewdness]

Seems as though CR7 played a small part in persuading Di Maria that United was the club to join. Di Maria will wear the iconic Number 7 jersey IF THE DEAL GOES THROUGH. If it does, well done Ed Woodward.. We now need Vidal and Blind. If we got them, it would have been one hell of a good transfer window.

[Kidder81]

Seems as though CR7 played a small part in persuading Di Maria that United was the club to join. Di Maria will wear the iconic Number 7 jersey IF THE DEAL GOES THROUGH. If it does, well done Ed Woodward.. We now need Vidal and Blind. If we got them, it would have been one hell of a good transfer window.

I wouldn't believe everything Guillem Balague says, he said yesterday that United wouldn't want to pay what Di Maria was looking in salary (€8m net) as it would be close to Rooneys , and today he is saying PSG offered more money but Di Maria wants to go to Utd ! He wanted to leave Madrid because of his salary.

Balague is full of it.

[Shrewdness]

Absolutely.. There's nothing done yet, but barring some misfortune, it should happen. Seems there could be another arrival or two next week if rumour is right. They're supposed to be confident of landing Blind with a midfielder also on the radar. While Vidal has been all the talk, the names of De Jong and Strootman keep cropping up.

[Kidder81]

Absolutely.. There's nothing done yet, but barring some misfortune, it should happen. Seems there could be another arrival or two next week if rumour is right. They're supposed to be confident of landing Blind with a midfielder also on the radar. While Vidal has been all the talk, the names of De Jong and Strootman keep cropping up.

Not doubting it will get done, it probably will just reckon Balague sees himself as a big insider on all these deals but I reckon he goes with the wind and is wrong as much as he is right.

[laoislad]

The transfer fee that's been reported is crazy for a player of his standard.
Real Madrid laughing all the way to the bank.