by Benson Agoha
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| * Luis van Gaal, New Manchester United Manager Photo Credit: MU. |
United experienced some decline since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson and sacked replacement Manager, David Moyes less than one year on the job.
Today, the Management expressed delight at the perfect beginning of a new era for the club.
Today, the Management expressed delight at the perfect beginning of a new era for the club.
In a post
on their official website, the club said the reds were deserved winners on the
night "thanks to braces from Wayne Rooney, youngster Reece James and
Ashley Young, and a fine opening strike from Danny Welbeck."
[ * “When you want to change a system,
you must start at once,” Luis van Gaal. ]
ManU said their new Manager picked a strong starting XI
for his first match in charge, the opening game of Tour 2014 presented by Aon,
and that van Gaal opted for a tried and tested formula from his time with
the Netherlands of three centre-backs with Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil
Jones. Antonio Valencia and debutant Luke Shaw played the roles of wing-backs.
"Captain for the night Darren Fletcher sat in midfield
alongside debutant Ander Herrera and a slightly advanced Juan Mata, with Rooney
and Welbeck ahead of them up front to complete a 3-5-2 formation," the
statement said.
On his part, new Boss Luis van Gaal expressed delight at the
performance, saying it was fantastic how the players performed during the game.
Another official statement from the club said the quality of
United’s football impressed van Gaal, but that he was most pleased with the way
they adapted to his trademark 3-5-2 system, with debutant Ander Herrera
sparkling in midfield.
“It is fantastic how they have performed today,” van Gaal said.
“When you see us train, you can expect something but not 7-0. It was a
surprise, but they were beautiful goals and beautiful attacks.
 |
| * Wayne Rooney and Danney Wellbeck celebrate. Photo Credit: KTN |
“The result always matters. With such a result you get confidence.
We introduced a new system and played twice on the training pitch, 11 v 11. It
is not very much, but the boys are willing to pick up the information. Last
week, 10 players who played tonight were not even at our training complex.
“When I see my team playing a new system, it is better to win 7-0
than to lose because the players will then doubt the system. But now I don’t
have that problem.”
The 3-5-2 formation, which featured almost entirely different
personnel in the second half at the Rose Bowl, is a change from United’s
traditional tactics but van Gaal had no qualms.
“When you want to change a system, you must start at once,” van
Gaal said, adding “We don’t have time to prepare for other things.
“The other system they can play is 4-3-3 and they have played it
for many years. I can change it back if it doesn’t work. With the quality of
the players we have, I can play 4-3-3 with three strikers on the bench, but I
want to play with two strikers.
“We have four number 10s, so the selection is not balanced in my
eyes. I have decided to play this system because of the quality of the players.
But if we lose, I can change back to another system.”
"[Ashley] Young netted twice in quick succession in the final
stages with two excellent finishes to complete a great night's work for van
Gaal and his men and the display and result offers plenty of positives,"
the statement said.
Manchester United will now move to Denver where they will meet AS
Roma.
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