IT’S BEEN OVER two years since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped away from Manchester United and despite the litany of high-profile signings, the club have failed to maintain the level of excitement and purpose that featured so prominently under the iconic manager.
This term, results have been relatively solid but performances have infuriated rather than entertained.
Under Louis van Gaal, there appears little in the way of swagger or flair and instead, United have a possession obsession, something Jonathan Wilson analysed superbly quite recently. The general attitude seems to be that the process pleases Van Gaal more than the result. Domination of the ball is what he strives for, safe in the knowledge that if his plans are adhered to and carried out properly, his team will win the game – their asphyxiation of their opponent will lead to chances being created. Without the ball, the opposition can’t hurt you.
In some ways, there is much to admire about the way Van Gaal sticks so rigidly to his principles. But while his team look to take control of the ball from the off, they’re so preoccupied with keeping to van Gaal’s philosophy, concentrating so intently on following a bit of an unnatural plan, that they’re unable to think much about unlocking defences and creating chances.
Under van Gaal’s management, United have shown a disinterest in the first-quarter of the game, preferring to concentrate on building a foundation and refusing to risk much in the final third.
Incredibly, since last August, United have scored just three league goals inside the opening ten minutes of games – that’s 44 fixtures.
In his ill-fated spell in charge, David Moyes conjured the same miserable tally – certainly an unpleasant and unflattering comparison for van Gaal to deal with.
Still, there are key differences. Firstly, although it may be quite the tedious system, at least van Gaal has one. Manchester United’s top brass became increasingly unimpressed with Moyes’ indecision and the lack of clear approach. No one can accuse van Gaal of being anything other than defiant – his arrogance and stubbornness probably (and perversely) a warm welcome after the vanilla days of his predecessor.
Secondly, United have dominated with their system. For the most part, van Gaal has been true to his word and the team has got results. And they may still not offer much in the opening quarter but the 9 goals they’ve managed between the 10th and 20th-minute of games is four higher than what Moyes managed.
But, it pales in comparison to Ferguson’s approach.
Under the Scot, United started quickly and tried to put the opponent on the back-foot, looking for an early goal.
It usually worked a treat. Taking his final season as a comparison (widely seen as one of his poorest league triumphs), United scored 11 times inside the first ten minutes of games and put up the same number between the 10th and 20th-minute.
United dominated the first quarter of games through goals, not possession. From 38 games, they scored inside the 20th-minute on twenty-two occasions.
As much as ‘Fergie Time’ and United’s late rallies became such a common narrative, how United began games is usually under-estimated.
Still, van Gaal is providing enough excitement to gain the supporters’ trust. Under Moyes, United’s performances would just fade to nothing – no rousing finale or dramatic ending.
But van Gaal has overseen some memorable flourishes in the dying moments of games – something that has got the fans on-side, maintained a kind-of spirit in the camp and ensured points were picked up.
On his watch, United have scored 10 times between the 80th-90th minute and five of those goals have contributed to United rescuing seven league points.
Under Moyes, United managed 9 goals between the 80th-90th minute but the vast majority were consolations or merely gave some gloss to the result. The goals only carried an influence on one game – a 3-2 comeback victory against Stoke which amounted to an overall two-point gain.
But, Ferguson’s sides were the masters of late, crucial goals and the numbers don’t lie.
In that final season, they managed 13 of them in the final ten minutes of games. And they were worth a whopping 12 points to United’s league campaign.
The United system for so long was about a big start and a big finish.
But it’s just something else that has changed significantly at the club in a short space of time.
