Manchester United got their pre-season off to a flyer in the evening in Pasadena, romping home a 7-0 victory the score line of which not many would have expected with LA Galaxy believed to have had an edge with their fitness. However, this proved not to be the case with quality prevailing in a game that held many positives for Van Gaal in his first game in charge.
Van Gaal setup his team in a 3-5-2 with Valencia and Shaw as wingbacks, positions in which they excelled. The 3-5-2 formation is not something the Man Utd faithful will be used to but what is key is the retention of the wingers, it is unclear still the Dutch boss will line his side up like this at the start of the season but what is clear is his players adapted well to the change.
For a pre-season game the first-half was an abundance of attacking football for one team anyway, with the midfield trio of Herrera, Mata and Fletcher having a deathly hold on the game that gave LA Galaxy no room for maneuverer. This showed as Welbeck’s terrific strike in the 12th minute crept in the post from around 30-yards out. A good display from the England international who needs to kick on with his career.
A half of possession, high pressure, and ball retention came to the fore and Van Gaal’s philosophy showed, in the 42nd minute Valencia’s cross hit a hand and Man Utd were awarded a penalty that was dispatched comfortably from Wayne Rooney, another defensive error lead to Rooney’s second moments later.
That summed up a confident and good performance from Man Utd, the standout was Ander Herrera who went on to get Man of the Match, the former Bilbao man showed a complete midfield performance and looks a truly good signing. Time will tell if the young Spaniard will make it at the Old Trafford club, but if this performance if anything to go by the Reds fans have something to look forward to next season. In the second-half he continued gaining two assists.The link up with Juan Mata was something in particular to be excited about.
At half-time both sides made numerous changes effecting the flow of the game particularly earlier on in the second-half. However, we didn’t have to wait long for the next goal with Reece James popping up to slot the ball home in the 62nd minute, his first goal in his first game for Man Utd. The dream debut continued as he capped of a great performance as wing back with another in the 84th minute. But, aside from the goals he showed the potential to be able if not now but in the future to challenge for that left-back spot and he has put himself on the radar.
The half was capped off from two goals from Ashley Young whose career has stagnated at his time at Old Trafford but he showed finesse in his finishing, and notably after being clipped by the keeper he stayed on his feet to slot home. Perhaps Van Gaal can get the best out of Young, one of those who needs to impress.
There were other impressive performances, for example Fletcher looked assured and might I dare suggest getting back to the quality midfielder he once was before his illness, the captain for the evening filled in at centre half for the second-half showing his numerous qualities.
An easy game for Manchester United against LA Galaxy in the end, and it is only pre-season so fans shouldn’t get carried away just yet, but you can only beat what is in front of you and Man Utd did that in style.