Football stuff #ManUnited

It's three weeks in to the greatest spectacle that television produces, and already the madness has begun. That's right it's Barclays Premier League time and I (and many other football nuts) could not be more excited.
The christmas carol relating to the most wonderful time of the year would not be misplaced, for millions around the world right now!

This is has been the most extraordinary start to the season for me. For a couple of reasons really. None more than the lunacy in the British media. Between the journalists and the pundits, it's amazing to see the furore they are able to create surrounding the littlest things. More on that later.

I think my Man United are off to a decent start. This start is a much improved one compared to last season in terms of results. Have United set the scene alight? Certainly not. Is that something new for United teams? Not really. Man United are a traditionally slow starting team for whatever reason. Sir Alex insists that was never by design, but it just always worked out like that.

It is interesting then to see television pundits bemoan every one of Uniteds three opening games as "lacklustre", "uninspiring" and/or "boring". From my rose tinted vantage point there have been spells in all three games that have showed glimpses of what the team can produce once they've found top form.
Before the Aston Villa game Allan Curbishley insisted he "can't see what Van Gaals best eleven is". An odd comment when you consider that Van Gaal has used pretty much the same personnel in all the games to date. I'm aware these pundits are paid to put forth opinions and observations, but surely they must be informed?

Man Uniteds new signings have fared pretty well in the main. Darmian has slotted in to that right back position seamlessly, and looks top quality. Memphis looks at times like the real deal, then at times reminds you of Nani (not in a good way unfortunately) but at 21 and three games in to his Premier league career, it's very easy to cut him some slack. Particularly if you take his brilliant Champions league performance in to account. Schneiderlin also looks every bit the part. He hasn't hit top form yet, but it's easy to see why Van Gaal paid top dollar for him. For me, the signing of the window was Schweinsteiger. It may well be that at 31 his best is behind him, but let me throw in a cheesy (but necessary) cliche, "form is temporary, class is permanent". In the games he's played so far he's affected the game positively. He's clearly a leader, and United look assured when he's on the pitch. For me he is Michael Carrick's technical ability, laced with Roy Keane's tenacity, and Bryan Robson's football brain. In the Newcastle game which he started, Rooney actually took a couple of sighters at goal. I'm convinced that has to do with Schweinstegers presence.

Someone who has got tongues wagging, and "experts" opining is Wayne Rooney. Every minute he goes without scoring is going in to a magic time keeper, which is then used as a stick to beat him with. Surprisingly, it is United fans most keen to write Rooney's footballing obituary. Read a popular United fan and blogger say somewhere that he's been "terrible since 2012". I laughed out loud! Rooney has an interesting relationship with the Stretford faithful. His perceived willingness to leave the greatest club in the world and move to cross town rivals Man City, has never (and will never) be forgotten. For those of us however, who have made peace with his moment of madness we remain ever grateful for his contribution. He is currently nowhere near his best. But he is playing in a position he is no longer familiar with. It follows that it will take him some time to "get back in the swing of things". I'm convinced that once he's got a goal or two, he'll go on a run. I do think that his best position is playing a number ten though, just off the striker. He's a player who prefers the ball at his feet. So, Van Gaal should be playing to those strengths.

The most interesting talking point for me relating to Man United is Louis Van Gaal. I was convinced when he arrived in Manchester that he was the man to move the club forward. I have for the last two weeks been reviewing my sureness. I have little issues with his footballing knowledge, and even with the way he sets out his team. My big issue with Van Gaal is his management. First, I don't quite understand what his or Ed Woodwards transfer strategy is. Why is he not able to attract every player he wants? Second, why does he seem to have so many players fall out with him in such a short period of time? And last, but certainly not least, why on earth has he handled the De Gea issue in this fashion?! Surely, the situation was as easily handled as a conversation with De Gea detailing what it would take to allow him to leave. As soon as Madrid didn't fulfill those expectations, it should have been business as usual. This ridiculous situation where De Gea is sitting there in his team blazer watching the team play at Old Trafford is ridiculous. Quite frankly, it reflects negatively on Van Gaal. I'm sure his shoulders are broad enough to handle the negativity. But it is unnecessary, and he doesn't need it!

I'm so excited my Man United is back in action, and I can't wait to write more thoughts on the season!
"It's the most wonderful time of the year"