Five things we learnt from the pre-season

Hi everybody!!!This is your Dhaya Murgesh (a.k.a Dani) back from routine college works.The most solacing thing for a football fan in the months of June and July are the pre-season games.Though clubs play for commercial and financial purposes,millions of fans could see their favorite players playing in their native.This year Manchester united toured China and Sweden as a part of #MUTOUR 2016 presented by AON.United might have satisfied all their 33 sponsors but calamitous weather,plane emergency,cancelled match were the highlights. Here are the things we learnt from pre-season.

1.A Pretty good transfer market:

      Mourinho did what LVG and Moyes couldn’t do in last three years.Fans and Pundits called for strengthening of Spine of the team.Instead,previous managers panicked in the transfer market with the buys of Fellaini,Di Maria,Falcao.Jose understood the situation and bought a central defender,Central striker and will probably bring a central midfielder too.

      He added Baily,Mkhitaryan,Zlatan to bolster his squad.Pogba is expected to join the party soon.None could complain Ed Woodward in this transfer season.

“I asked them for four players, four profiles of players I needed and I gave them options. So 75 per cent of the job is done. We have just 25 per cent left to do until 31 August. We are in great conditions to have what I would consider to be a good market for us.”

2.A Decent squad to challenge for the titles:

United could even attack ISIS with an attacking array of Mkhitaryan, Rooney, Martial, Zlatan, Rashford.The team has wealthier options in midfield.Likes of Schneiderlein, Herera, Carrick, Mata could add Silk and Steel to the middle of the park.Though Defence looks light weight, the team could manage with the defensive organisation in-front of back four and the factor ‘THE BIG DAVE’. With consistency in the bag,the current crop of players showed United ain’t going for a Liverpool and will return to the throne soon.

United going forward next season!!!!

3.Jose has a  better plan:

Previous managers lacked in their ambition.Jose has assessed each and everyone in the squad.He is clear with his philosophy.He indicated deadwood would be removed in an honest and direct way.His tactics are clear.The transfer policies are transparent.His ambitions are higher.Moreover,he knew how to get over the criticism from fans,press,legends of the club.His recent press conferences grow confidence among the fans and players.Believe me guys,he is neither the guy ,who celebrated in front of Stretford end as Porto Manager nor the ill-fated manager,who answered 13 minutes for a single question as Chelsea manager.This lad has grown into the stature of  famous Manchester United Gaffer. Till now,he did anything wrong,hopefully will not in the future.

You can win a short competition, you can win a couple of matches, without playing well. But you cannot win competitions without playing well.

‘What is playing well? It is scoring more goals than the opponents, conceding less, making your fans proud because you give everything and you win. It is everything at the same time.’

SHANGHAI, CHINA – JULY 20: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Manager Jose Mourinho and Wayne Rooney of Manchester United in action during a first team training session as part of their pre-season tour of China at Century Park on July 20, 2016 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)

4.Tactical Analysis:

Meaningless crosses and Side way passing were the things United used to display in the last three years.But,Mourinho has assured to play football in right way.It is evident from pre-season displays.United used to see much of the ball during LVG’s reign.But,Possession without purpose is not possession.Jose has tweaked the tactics.In the match against Galatasaray,Utd averaged possession of 46%. But,they were attacking.Players are not afraid to play killlers passes,to commit tackle.Wing-backs were given more freedom and intended to attack the lines.He offers variety behind the strikers.Martial is more direct,Rooney could spray the balls,Mkhitaryan could do both!!!For the first time,I have smiled after seeing the team sheet (Vs Galatasaray) non-ironically.

The Safer brand of football is long gone.Expect this United side to do things ,lose possession,retrieving and counter-attacks.More TWITCHY BUMS!!!!!

“Fans will forgive you even when the team lose,if you play football in right way”-Sir Alex Ferguson

5.But,Is he doing in United way ?

Though he speaks himself proud of his youth policies,the progression of youth players under Jose is still a big question mark.His squad to Sweden included just two youth academy product.Likes of Januzaj,Borthwick-Jackson could be shown doors.Andreas Perreira could leave due lack of chances.James Wilson and Will Keane are not in his plans.Fletcher has left.Rumors regarding Timothy Fosu Mensah gives me butterflies in the stomach.Will Jose give places to feelings ?

Though we could not predict anything from the pre-season (Remember LVG’s first game Vs LA Galaxy 6-1), Jose has showcased his ambitions,tactics and urgency to show success.Let us all stand behind Mourinho as we did for Moyes and LVG and support him through out the season.That’s all,lads.See u folks in next blog work.

GLORY!!!GLORY!!!MAN UNITED!!!