Five things United can learn from opening day Premier League victory.
Things were meant to be different for Manchester United. After dropping the albatross that was David Moyes, and bringing in a successful manager, the club were set to reassert themselves back at the top of the Premier League pecking order.
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The 2-1 defeat would have once been a shock result, but after the season United have just had they could be faced with the realisation that they can no longer dominate sides at Old Trafford the way they used to.
However, there is hope, and below are five lessons that the club can learn from the Swansea game and use to their advantage over the coming weeks.
Let The New Boys Settle
United were forced to bring in a number of new faces a little prematurely against the Swans, and because of that they looked unsettled. Furthermore, Louis Van Gaal went with the unusual wing-back system that he’d used during pre-season, meaning Ashley Young and Jesse Lingard occupying the positions. If LVG is to succeed with touch of genius, fans and players alike will need to allow for bumps in the road. United’s problem isn’t going to be fixed overnight, and a bad result here and there will be the price they will have to pay to find the winning formula.
The Wing-Backs Will Work
United laboured down the flanks during the first half as they get used to this new system, and they will need to endeavour to get the ball forward earlier to run at opposition defences, getting a second man to double up on the full-backs. When United changed shape in the second half, Adnan Januzaj found himself both closer to goal and far less isolated – which resulted in him winning the corner for United’s equaliser.
Stronger Mentality
Swansea boss Garry Monk is one of the favourite’s to lose his job this season, but there is an argument that his side were victorious because they wanted it more. Monk is a popular figure at the Liberty Stadium and has commanded the instant respect of his players, and with their backs against the wall they came through for him. United’s mental strength will need to be stronger than any of their opponents at all times. This may take some time after taking such a beating last term, but it will come.
Three In
English defenders, unlike their European counterparts, prefer to play in a flat back four rather than any sort of variation with more numbers. Swansea were able to take advantage of the uncertainty displayed by Smalling, Jones and young Tyler Blackett, because they were not accustomed to having to watch out for each other that way. Van Gaal has predicted it will take them three months to get used to this, and it looks like they’ll need it.
Ander’s World
Herrera was one of the club’s more impressive performers during their pre-season tour of the United States this summer and the fans were looking forward to seeing him do what he does best against Swansea. However, he struggled to get into the game as Ki refused to let him have the space he required to perform. To do so he will need to have protection from aggressive defensive midfielders to allow him to pull the strings like he can.
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