Manchester United - The Dutch Revolution

Superb month defensively, not a goal conceded. Nice detail in the report, too :).

Really good updates very stylishly arranged, you better hope you don't come up against MK Dons in the cup

@Joshie: Haha thanks very much pal!

@Walt: Agreed! And thanks for the praise buddy

@Champi0n: Thanks! Haha yeah, we're screwed if that happens

Players believing in van Gaal's philosophy has led to the great start for Manchester United.

Manchester United players believing in Louis van Gaal's system which is the main reason why they are undefeated in the league so far.

A club like Manchester United are used to winning trophies and to sticking by a certain philosophy, like Sir Alex Ferguson had when he managed the club to it's best years of success. Sir Alex played a traditional 4-4-2 and had a good mix of youth and experience in the team, which worked wonders. The fans and players believed in his system which then gave the whole squad the confidence needed to win many honours.

Similar to Sir Alex, van Gaal has won over the players and the fans into believing his 3-5-2 system is the one to stick by for many seasons, and after a great start in the league, the confidence has brought on many more victories leaving the club top of the table heading into November. But the question on many fans lips is how is this formation working so well? Well, I can attempt to answer that.

After watching Holland play in Brazil with van Gaal's 3-5-2 tactic, it took a lot of teams by surprise. The most important parts of that formation are the wing-backs, as they provide the needed width down the wings, as seen by the amount of goals scored from assists by the Dutch wing-backs which were Daley Blind and Daryl Janmaat. The defenders were all covering for when the wing-backs advanced forward and having that one commanding centre back which was Ron Vlaar allowed the Dutch to keep it solid at the back.

Speaking of Daley Blind, van Gaal has brought in the players needed for that formation to work,along with Blind, he has purchased many new faces, most notably French midfielder Paul Pogba, who has really sharpened up their midfield. Although both Pogba and fellow Frenchman Umtiti, cost the club a combined total of 47 million, they have many years left in their careers to improve even further, which is the reason why van Gaal invested in them. Both Blind and De Vrij in my opinion are great signings not only because of their fee, but a because they are familiar to van Gaal's 3-5-2 from the World Cup.

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The formation also has a player who plays behind the striker, which Juan Mata has filled since the start of the season. He has been very important to United's game as he has the ability to find the forward two of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney. We saw Sneijder play there for Holland in the World Cup and he got so many assists as he's given the freedom to roam around behind the strikers. Adnan Januzaj has also started to play there in cup matches and he could make for a very good number 10 in the future.

Although there is still many months left in the season, I see United challenging for the title, they have got a very balanced and powerful squad which is capable of achieving anything. If they keep key players such as Mata, Rooney and Pogba fit, they could stream roll the league. Their main threat is Manchester City, as after their title winning season they are stronger than ever before and will pose trouble to United when the sides meet twice in the league for the annual Manchester Derby.

All I know for certain is that it's going to be a much better season than last and we could be seeing the United of old return.

Love the idea, the layout is superb. A great piece as well

Fantastic update, but not sure about Gary Neville being a football expert

Slick update. Nice content and the little touches are very nice, too. Congrats on the nomination, too!

Congrats on the nom!

Personally I think this will be up there for quite some time as the story continues to grow, you've done so well. Great update, nice to see your risky transfers paying off

Fantastic update, neatly presented and very well written!
Congrats on the SOTM nomination, there is no doubt that your story is one of the best around

James maybe after this progress United should sack LVG and replace him with you

Hey! Sorry for the lack of daily updates! I've just started college so I don't have much time throughout the day now to write updates for this story. I plan to do most of my writing on weekends, but post them throughout the week!

y u do dis Joshie

Manchester United accept 20 million offer for Kagawa

Manchester United have accepted a 20 million pound offer from Borussia Dortmund for Japanese playmaker Shinji Kagawa.

Kagawa stated his ambition to move away from the Manchester based club after Louis van Gaal told the 25 year old that he will not be part of the first team this season. If personal terms are agreed it will see Kagawa reuniting with Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp once again after he left for Manchester United 2 seasons ago.

If the deal goes ahead, Kagawa will not be able to move to Borussia Dortmund until the window opens once again in January which means if van Gaal is in need of playing an attacking playmaker, he could still use Kagawa up until the first of January, but the Dutch manager is looking at Adnan Januzaj to step into the attacking midfield position if Juan Mata gets injured.

Kagawa failed to make an impact at Manchester United after his transfer from Dortmund a couple of seasons ago, whether it was down to former manager David Moyes not playing him in the right position, or that the player could just not adapt to the English game remains unknown, but the Japanese international said the following;

"I am delighted to be joining back up with Borussia Dortmund in January, but I am still a Manchester United player, and if the boss needs to play me I will still give a hundred and ten percent as currently I'm still contracted to Manchester United. I will miss the club but this move is best for me, my family and my career."

Louis van Gaal has not commented on the transfer but an official spokesperson for the club said the following about Kagawa's departure in January;

"It is disappointing to see Shinji leaving as we believe he still has a lot to offer the club but it is his decision and that's what matters in this situation. We are getting a good sum of money for his transfer and we want to wish him the very best when he moves back to Germany. We will miss you Shinji."

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So it doesn't only happen in real life. will be sad to see him go but you got a good fee for him

Ok... not sure if real life or FM now...