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David de Gea question remains the elephant in Manchester United squad David de Gea question is still the live issue in Manchester United squad
(about 2 hours later)
The David de Gea questionThe David de Gea question
This continues to be the sizeable elephant in the Manchester United squad. If the Spaniard stays beyond 1 September and does not depart for Real Madrid then the club retains a world class goalkeeper. But the point is still that no one knows and for Louis van Gaal to approach the new season with a big “if” surrounding the future of his No1 is hardly satisfactory. It cannot aid squad stability. And the uncertainty does not allow the best far-sighted, long-term planning as the situation remains De Gea could leave at any time. Maybe he will not. But as the manager said after Wednesday evening’s 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in Chicago: “We have a situation that is not favourable for David de Gea but neither for us and neither for the club that maybe he wants to go [to].” It is the not knowing that is the issue. This continues to be the sizeable issue in the Manchester United squad. If the Spaniard stays beyond 1 September then the club retain a world-class goalkeeper. But the point is still that no one knows and for Louis van Gaal to approach the new season with a big “if” surrounding the future of his No1 is hardly satisfactory. It cannot aid squad stability. And the uncertainty does not allow for long-term planning – as the situation remains De Gea could leave at any time. Maybe he will not. But as the manager said after Wednesday evening’s 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in Chicago: “We have a situation that is not favourable for David de Gea but neither for us and neither for the club that maybe he wants to go.” It is the not knowing that is the issue.
Will Memphis Depay shine as a trequartista?Will Memphis Depay shine as a trequartista?
In the four tour outings that are the 21-year-old’s sole appearances for Manchester United since signing Depay has operated as the No10. This is some responsibility for a young player yet to kick a ball in English football. There have been flashes of quality and hints that he can break games open but the Dutchman will have to prove he can damage Premier League opponents consistently from the position. Although Depay has played as a central attacker previously in his short career, he made his name as a wide player. Against PSG Depay again struggled to strike up a slick understanding with Wayne Rooney. If Van Gaal selects him behind the captain for the opening match with Tottenham Hotspur can he flourish? In the four tour outings that are the 21-year-old’s sole appearances since signing Depay has operated as the No10. This is some responsibility for a young player. There have been flashes of quality and hints that he can break games open but the Dutchman will have to prove he can damage Premier League opponents consistently from the position. Although Depay has played as a central attacker previously, he made his name as a wide player. Against PSG Depay again struggled to strike up a slick understanding with Wayne Rooney. If Van Gaal selects him behind the captain for the opening match with Tottenham Hotspur can he flourish?
United are not in the shape Van Gaal wantsUnited are not in the shape Van Gaal wants
The shape proposed by the manager for the coming season is 4-3-3. It was also the formation United apparently played at times last term. Yet there was scant sign then and there was scant sign in the matches Stateside; 4-2-3-1 continues to be the way this Van Gaal United line up. Against Club América, San Jose Earthquakes, Barcelona and PSG Rooney was always at the tip of the team, ahead of an attacking trident, with two holding midfielders and the defence. Van Gaal likes 4-3-3 as he believes it harness pace and his attacking forces best. In his debut campaign the 63-year-old’s United were viewed as sluggish, the 4-2-3-1 holding too many players in safe positions. This is why formation formation formation matters to the manager. Yet the 4-3-3 continues to be elusive when the side actually plays. The shape proposed by the manager for the season is 4-3-3. It was also the formation United apparently played at times last term. Yet there was scant sign then and there was scant sign in the matches Stateside; 4-2-3-1 continues to be the way this Van Gaal United line up. Against Club América, San Jose Earthquakes, Barcelona and PSG, Rooney was always at the tip of the team, ahead of an attacking trident, with two holding midfielders and the defence. Van Gaal likes 4-3-3 as he believes it harnesses pace and his attacking forces best. In his first season United were viewed as sluggish, the 4-2-3-1 holding too many players in safe positions. This is why formation, formation, formation matters to the manager. Yet the 4-3-3 continues to be elusive when the side actually plays.
Is the squad as balanced as Van Gaal says?Is the squad as balanced as Van Gaal says?
The Dutchman is offering a mixed message about the players he can choose from. Early during the trip Van Gaal said that when taking over a year ago the squad was unbalanced as he did not have two players for each position. Now, he asserted, after allowing 17 senior players to leave and recruiting 10, this has been addressed. This summer there have been five new signings. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Matteo Darmian, Depay and Sergio Romero. Yet in San Jose, after Barça were beaten 3-1 on 25 July, Van Gaal bemoaned the lack of creative vision in the squad. As an illustration he described Ashley Young as “no Neymar”. The bottom line is he wants a Neymar or an Arjen Robben or any other elite footballer but unless Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman, can pull a large rabbit out of the hat Van Gaal will not have one. This is what makes Ángel Di María’s apparent move to PSG a head scratcher: here is a player who can offer stellar performances. The Dutchman is offering a mixed message about the players he can choose from. Early during the trip Van Gaal said that when taking over the squad was unbalanced as he did not have two players for each position. Now, he asserted, after allowing 17 senior players to leave and recruiting 10, this has been addressed. This summer there have been five new signings. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Matteo Darmian, Depay and Sergio Romero. Yet in San Jose, after Barça were beaten 3-1 on 25 July, Van Gaal bemoaned the lack of creative vision in the squad. As an illustration he described Ashley Young as “no Neymar”. The bottom line is he wants a Neymar or an Arjen Robben or any other elite footballer but unless Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman, can pull a large rabbit out of the hat Van Gaal will not have one. This is what makes Ángel Di María’s apparent move to PSG a head-scratcher: here is a player who can offer stellar performances.
Related: Louis van Gaal: David de Gea flux is 'not favourable' for all parties concernedRelated: Louis van Gaal: David de Gea flux is 'not favourable' for all parties concerned
What is now known about the new signings?What is now known about the new signings?
Has Van Gaal really learned a great deal about the four new outfield players on the tour? One answer may be no. Any assessment of where Darmian, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger and Depay are on the form graph can hardly be conclusive given the bitty nature of the football each played. All were given a half in the first two matches and an hour against Barça and PSG, apart from Schweinsteiger who missed the Barça outing because of injury and was taken off at half-time of the final match. This is not Van Gaal’s fault, just the nature of these pre-season exercises. Fitness and an easing toward match rhythm are about the best that can be hoped for. There is a behind-closed-doors match at United’s training ground before the season when Van Gaal will play 11-v-11. But Schneiderlin apart, who is Premier League hardened, the manager is in a quasi-state of hope regarding whether the rest can instantly adjust to English football. Because this is the demand – to hit the ground running by beating Tottenham Hotspur on 8 August before the dare-not-lose Champions League qualifier, the first leg of which is less than a fortnight later. Has Van Gaal really learned a great deal about the four new outfield players on the tour? One answer may be no. Any assessment of where Darmian, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger and Depay are on the form graph can hardly be conclusive given the bitty nature of the football each played. All were given a half in the first two matches and an hour against Barça and PSG, apart from Schweinsteiger who missed the Barça outing because of injury and was taken off at half-time of the final match.
This is not Van Gaal’s fault, just the nature of these pre-season exercises. Fitness and an easing toward match rhythm are about the best that can be hoped for. There is a behind-closed-doors match at the training ground before the season when Van Gaal will play 11-v-11. But Schneiderlin apart, who is Premier League hardened, the manager is in a quasi-state of hope regarding whether the rest can instantly adjust to English football. Because this is the demand – to hit the ground running by beating Tottenham Hotspur on 8 August before the dare-not-lose Champions League qualifier, the first leg of which is less than a fortnight later.
A demeanour shiftA demeanour shift
There has been a subtle yet discernible change in the Van Gaal persona. He has always offered the air of a man fully in charge but after 12 months in the job he seems a little more relaxed and a little more in control of the club. As with his first tour, Van Gaal micro-managed proceedings in America, asking for training and press conference times to be switched as he wished. Yet the sense is he has further tightened his grip to ensure United are fully in synch with the Van Gaal way. The expectation is he will be even more exacting on the training pitch and even more strident when facing the media. There has been a subtle yet discernible change in the Van Gaal persona. He has always offered the air of a man fully in charge but after 12 months in the job he seems a little more relaxed and a little more in control of the club. As with his first tour, Van Gaal micro-managed proceedings in the US, asking for training and press conference times to be switched as he wished. Yet the sense is he has further tightened his grip to ensure they are fully in synch with the Van Gaal way. The expectation is he will be even more exacting on the training pitch and even more strident when facing the media.
How adequately has the tour prepared United?How adequately has the tour prepared United?
“We know pre-season is hard work but it’s important we do as well as we can and be ready for the start of the season. In terms of preparation and games it couldn’t have gone any better.”“We know pre-season is hard work but it’s important we do as well as we can and be ready for the start of the season. In terms of preparation and games it couldn’t have gone any better.”
So Rooney told manutd.com on the eve of the game against PSG. Yet as with the question over how the four new outfield players will bed in, Van Gaal is concerned that when the real stuff starts the side as a whole may be caught out. This occurred last August when Swansea City beat United 2-1 at Old Trafford. The manager continually stated in America that the victories mean nothing. He also asked that the usual final warm-up at Old Trafford be scrapped, so there is no more of the real stuff until Saturday week. That is Day Zero for Van Gaal. If that match is lost to make it two consecutive opening day losses under him there will surely be scrutiny of United’s preparation. So Rooney said to manutd.com on the eve of the game against PSG. Yet as with the question over how the four new outfield players will bed in, Van Gaal is concerned that when the real stuff starts the side as a whole may be caught out. This occurred last August when Swansea City beat United 2-1 at Old Trafford. The manager continually stated in the US that the victories mean nothing. He also asked that the usual final warm-up at Old Trafford be scrapped, so there is no more of the real stuff until Saturday week. That is Day Zero for Van Gaal. If that match is lost to make it two consecutive opening-day losses under him there will surely be scrutiny of United’s preparation.
Bastian Schweinsteiger’s fitnessBastian Schweinsteiger’s fitness
Van Gaal left the man who turns 31 on Saturday out of the Barça match because he did not want to take any chances over a minor knee injury. When speaking in Seattle Schweinsteiger was clear he has no concern over his physical robustness and the ability to cope with the demands of English football. Yet he missed the opening four months of last season with a serious knee injury. He started, as expected, against PSG and appeared in good shape but was taken off at half-time, though the manager did not say afterwards that Schweinsteiger had a problem. The hope will be he suffers no reaction and that the midfielder’s start at United is not hampered by problems as Van Gaal needs him to steady the side and help Rooney lead the club. Van Gaal left the man who turns 31 on Saturday out of the Barça match because he did not want to take any chances over a minor knee injury. When speaking in Seattle, Schweinsteiger was clear he has no concern over his physical robustness and the ability to cope with the demands of English football. Yet he missed the first four months of last season with a serious knee injury. He started, as expected, against PSG and appeared in good shape but was taken off at half-time, though the manager did not say afterwards that Schweinsteiger had a problem. The hope will be he suffers no reaction and that the midfielder’s start is not hampered by problems as Van Gaal needs him to steady the side and help Rooney lead the club.
What if Wayne Rooney cannot play?What if Wayne Rooney cannot play?
The plan to operate with a single striker means Van Gaal no longer requires four frontline strikers. But should Rooney be ruled out by injury or suspension can the manager rely on Javier Hernández and James Wilson, his two other recognised centre-forwards? The Mexican spent last season on loan at Real Madrid because Van Gaal did not believe he could enhance United’s campaign. Wilson is 19, scored two goals last year, the first not coming until 17 January, and made only 17 appearances. Van Gaal wants Barcelona’s Pedro. But he is not accustomed to playing in the middle of a frontline. Rooney has Duncan Ferguson’s testimonial on Sunday at Goodison Park. Van Gaal may have his fingers crossed his captain takes it easy. The plan to operate with a single striker means Van Gaal no longer requires four frontline strikers. But should Rooney be ruled out by injury or suspension can the manager rely on Javier Hernández and James Wilson, his two other recognised centre-forwards? The Mexican spent last season on loan at Real Madrid because Van Gaal did not believe he could enhance United. Wilson is 19, scored two goals last year, the first not coming until 17 January, and made only 17 appearances. Van Gaal wants Barcelona’s Pedro, but he is not accustomed to playing in the middle of a frontline. Rooney will play in Duncan Ferguson’s testimonial on Sunday at Goodison Park. Van Gaal may have his fingers crossed his captain takes it easy.
Adnan Januzaj has to prove himselfAdnan Januzaj has to prove himself
The manager purred about the Belgian’s second-half display against Barça in Santa Clara. There was almost some surprise in Van Gaal’s reaction, too. This is because Januzaj is in make-or-break territory with his career at the club. The manager has reservations regarding Januzaj’s attitude and temperament and is clear there is no way back to becoming a regular again – as he was under David Moyes two years ago – unless the 20-year-old makes it impossible to leave him out. He scored against Barça but as Van Gaal said afterwards more of the same is required. The manager purred about the Belgian’s second-half display against Barça in Santa Clara. There was almost some surprise in Van Gaal’s reaction, too. This is because Januzaj is in make-or-break territory at the club. The manager has reservations regarding Januzaj’s attitude and temperament and is clear there is no way back to becoming a regular again – as he was under David Moyes two years ago – unless the 20-year-old makes it impossible to leave him out. He scored against Barça but as Van Gaal said afterwards, more of the same is required.