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Boring, boring Man Utd: 7 stats suggesting something’s wrong with Van Gaal’s philosophy By Jack Gordon-Brown Posted on November 2, 2015
Manchester United are only four points off the top of the Premier League. Given that they ended the 2013/14 season 22 points off top spot and last year 17 points adrift, there is a fair argument that they are improving at a reasonable speed.
When you consider Chelsea’s current predicament, any problems United face at the moment pale in comparison. No longer in possession of that Sir Alex Ferguson-inspired aura, they are at least competing again.
The problem, though, is that they just appear a bit boring, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Last week, Paul Scholes became the latest man to have a dig, the former United midfielder claiming the current side is ”probably a team you wouldn’t want to play in” (per BBC Radio Manchester, via the Daily Mirror).
Given the money they have spent and some of the players they have brought in under Louis van Gaal, it seems a strange state of affairs. But rather than fixing the issue, the Red Devils seem to be retreating into their defensive shell even more.
Here are the stats to show there is something wrong with Van Gaal’s United at the moment…
Three 0-0 draws in a row
Going into the Manchester derby eight days ago, United had a chance to go ahead of their noisy neighbours-cum-regular tormentors Manchester City. Instead, a bore draw meant the Blues stayed ahead.
It can be argued that was it City who played for the point, but it was United who were serious lacking in invention and ingenuity on their own patch. Since that game, United have proved it wasn’t a one off by following it up with two more 0-o draws, first against Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup (a game they lost on penalties) and then away to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
It seems no coincidence that Wayne Rooney — a man so lacking in form that it is hard to see him ever recovering it — has started those two 0-0 draws in the league as the focal point in attack.
Only TWO Man United players have reached double figures for successful take-ons this season
Only Anthony Martial and Memphis have completed more than 10 take-ons for United this season, with the former completing more than double any other player for the Red Devils.
Manchester City and Arsenal, United’s two main title rivals so far, have five and six players that have completed 10 or more take-ons respectively. Leicester City, the other team ahead of the Red Devils, have four players that have reached this certain landmark.
Martial has been United’s only consistent attacking menace this season, while Memphis is now out of form, confidence and ultimately favour at Old Trafford. In his absence, United have hardly looked more creative. Meanwhile, it is entirely baffling that Martial has been shifted to the left-hand side of attack in recent weeks.
United are the only Premier League side yet to score a goal from outside the box in 2015
Among the criticisms levelled at Van Gaal, one is that his teams are too rigid and methodical. They seem to lack spark and moments of instinct usually provided by top level players — players that United possess.
You would have though that one of Angel Di Maria, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Memphis — players that have all played for United in 2015 — would have managed a strike from outside the area.
Instead, long-distance goals have been conspicuous in their absence, this season in particular.
Attacking display by numbers vs. Crystal Palace
Man United's attacking display vs. Palace by numbers:
4 take-ons completed
3 chances created
3 crosses completed
1 shot on target
0 goals
Given Crystal Palace’s decent start to the season under Alan Pardew, a draw for United at the weekend can hardly be constituted as a disaster. Selhurst Park is not a particularly comfortable place to visit.
But on Saturday, it was Palace who will count themselves unlucky not to have taken all three points. Yannick Bolasie and Wilfired Zaha, the Eagles’ beguiling wingers, were the most dangerous players on he park.
United’s lack of attacking threat, meanwhile, was highlighted by just one shot on target, with the tameness that has permeated through the team in recent weeks (and months) on full show here.
Reliance on the long ball
United have attempted more long balls (3287) than any other Premier League side since Louis van Gaal took charge.
It is a stat that you would come to expect from West Brom under Tony Pulis or West Ham under Sam Allardyce, or in fact any team that plays with a target man.
United though, don’t play with a target man as such. Rooney and Martial are both adept at bringing others into play, but you certainly aren’t playing to their strengths by playing it long to them. Fellaini, the only man a long ball game would actually suit, has started just one league game.
Lack of chances created in wide areas
United’s lack of penetration this season is partly due to their lack of creativity from wide areas. 25.9% of their 81 chances created have come from wide areas this season, compared to 37.3%, 42% and 35.1% in the previous three campaigns.
Martial looks out of place on the wing, while Memphis has yet to inspire. No other player has stepped up to the plate, and United subsequently funnel more attacks through the middle.
Lack of overall chances created
United’s overall lack of spark is highlighted by the fact that only struggling Aston Villa have created less chances, and they could rectify that tonight when they face Tottenham — two chances from Villa will send United bottom of the chart.
United may dominate the ball and assume control of matches, but they are failing to turn that dominance into chances.
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发表于 3-11-2015 12:10 PM
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