What a horrible game, United had absolutely no business winning that game. They got lucky because van Persie apparently has ice in his veins while the Saints wasted chance after chance. Great result, but shocking performance.
One of the most telling moments for me yesterday was Rooney banging the pitch with his hand in frustration at Valencia when he was breaking out, turned at the half way line to pass to RW and nobody was there at all. Players just don't seem to be on the same page at all and they are only where they are through a combination of the talent they have available, luck and De Gea.
I think there has to come a time when the club has to look at all the injuries and explore the possibilities that there might be some external factors responsible (training, conditioning, warm up etc) and they are not all bad luck. Smalling is the 43rd injury in van Gaal's tenure.
One of the most telling moments for me yesterday was Rooney banging the pitch with his hand in frustration at Valencia when he was breaking out, turned at the half way line to pass to RW and nobody was there at all. Players just don't seem to be on the same page at all and they are only where they are through a combination of the talent they have available, luck and De Gea.
I think there has to come a time when the club has to look at all the injuries and explore the possibilities that there might be some external factors responsible (training, conditioning, warm up etc) and they are not all bad luck. Smalling is the 43rd injury in van Gaal's tenure.
Neville was talking a bit about LVG's training methods during the game yesterday. He mentioned that he really works the players hard and that could be a cause of some of the injuries. He suggested LVG is not a believer in sports-science training methods (or whatever you want to call it) like Fergie was.
Mike Phelan, Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant manager at Manchester United, has claimed Louis van Gaal must shoulder the blame for the club’s ongoing injury crisis after overhauling the fitness regime since taking charge at Old Trafford. United have suffered over 40 separate injuries since the start of the season, with defender Chris Smalling the latest to suffer a setback by sustaining a groin injury during Monday’s 2-1 victory at Southampton.
Radamel Falcao, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw have all endured lengthy injury absences this term and Phelan, who was relieved of his duties at United by David Moyes in May 2013, claims that Van Gaal’s decision to move fitness coach Tony Strudwick from his first-team role may have contributed to the injury problems.
"What's happened is a continuation of the same players getting injured all the time, so you have to look to the reasons why,” Phelan told the International Business Times.
“I think Manchester United changed their thoughts on the fitness regime, they looked at it a little bit differently.
"Tony Strudwick, who was operating as head of sports science, was involved day to day with the first team.
“He understood the ins and outs of how to keep players fit, how to keep them ready for competition.
“Then suddenly they moved him sideways and did something completely different. That may have had an effect. That one area has changed.”
United declined to comment on Phelan’s remarks, but it is understood that Strudwick’s new role as Head of Athletic Development was regarded as a promotion at Old Trafford, with Jos van Dijk – Van Gaal’s long-standing fitness specialist – taking charge of first-team fitness matters.
"They've brought in new people with a different way of doing things,” Phelan, now working at Norwich City, added. “The intensity of training may be one thing - it may be too intense, or not intense enough - but obviously slight changes have been made with the present way of doing things.
Whatever it is, it needs to be looked at very closely and addressed. You can't be spending millions on players only to have them sidelined through possible mismanagement. And consider this is their lightest pre-Xmas schedule in PL history.
You left out money. Apparently at least another 100 million pounds to spend during the January transfer window.
money is such a poor excuse in that case.
36m for Carroll
27m for Lallana
22m for Lovren
22m for Markovic
20m for Downing
18m for Johnson
18m for Balotelli
18m for Aquilani
17m for Allen
17m for Sakho
16m for Henderson
16m for Moreno
12m for Borini
all over the last 5 seasons. Liverpool have spent A LOT of money themselves, they just haven't spent it wisely.
Plus, none of the 6 new players started yesterday. Blind, Shaw, di Maria and Rojo are all injured, while Herrera and Falcao were substitutes when the game was already decided.
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You left out money. Apparently at least another 100 million pounds to spend during the January transfer window.
My comment was just about Sunday's game. The difference in the game was that United have players that finish their chances, and De Gea made a few world class saves, and a few more really good saves as well. Liverpool were the better side for large parts of that game, but United were better in both boxes.
You left out money. Apparently at least another 100 million pounds to spend during the January transfer window.
Liverpool werent slouches in the spending department this year, they just didnt buy anyone of real impact.
I wasnt too invested in this season, I didnt think it would go this badly mind you, but if you lose a guy like Suarez and Sturridge is constantly hurt and then Sterling has to effectively carry the load you're going to have problems.
Rodger bought for quantity, and he had to. Last season's squad was notoriously thin. I just dont think he bought well.
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If you thought this season would have a happy ending, you haven't been paying attention.
the funny thing with the media is, all of these 'in crisis' clubs (United/Arsenal/Spurs/Liverpool) already have or will by the end of the year have passed Southampton who some journos had as the 2nd best team in the league 4 weeks ago
its all about what have you done for me lately
If Liverpool win this weekend vs Arsenal suddenly its top 4 back on, United lose and the title is a bridge too far etc.
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Ander Herrera is part of a probe into alleged match-fixing and illegal payments in Spain. According to Spanish reports, prosecutors will next week file court papers naming Manchester United’s £28million midfield signing from Athletic Bilbao as part of their investigation.
The Spain international, who joined United last June, will be required to fly over and give evidence at the court in Valencia.
If found guilty he could face a ban or even jail. The alleged match-fixing is tied to Herrera’s time at his first club, Real Zaragoza.
The 25-year-old was part of the Zaragoza team that won 2-1 against Levante on the final day of the 2010-11 season in a must-win game to seal the club’s escape from relegation.
But a subsequent investigation by Spanish anti-corruption authorities has reportedly uncovered payments to players’ bank accounts – including that of Herrera – with former Zaragoza president Agapito Iglesias’ role under the microscope, as well as that of two club directors.
Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera is one of 41 players, coaches and directors named in a match-fixing investigation in Spain. Prosecutors allege almost one million euros was used to pay Levante players to lose their match against Zaragoza at the end of the 2010-11 season. Swansea City winger Jefferson Montero is also among those named by prosecutor Alejandro Luzon.
The BBC has asked Herrera's agent for a response.
A Swansea spokesman said: "We have had no contact regarding this matter."
Prosecutor Luzon filed the case at a court in Valencia on Monday.
The court document alleges Herrera was one of 10 people who withdrew tens of thousands of euros funded by Zaragoza in order to pay bribes.
And finally Herrera releases a statement via facebook.
Quote:
Ander Herrera – statement:
In an on-going legal process involving Real Zaragoza (Spain), the club I was honoured to play from 12 until 22 years of age, there are 41 people cited as possible witnesses, of which I am one.
I have never had and will never have anything to do with manipulating match results.
If I am ever called to testify in any judicial hearing, I’ll be happy to attend, as my conscience is totally clear.
I love football and I believe in fair play, both on and off the pitch.
I'm guessing that we was an unknowing accessory but at the same time the club gives you money which you then withdraw and give back to them in cash will need explaining.
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