With Manchester United’s excellent recent run continuing yesterday with a superb 4-2 win over Manchester City at Old Trafford, here’s a look at five key ways Louis van Gaal has turned things around for the Red Devils towards the end of this season…
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(Images) Louis van Gaal parties with Man City ladies team after Man United derby win
1) Switching to a back four
The recent change to a 4-1-4-1 formation has brought about this brilliant turn around in form from Manchester United – it’s clear that many of the players were struggling to function in a back three for much of the campaign, but Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and others now look far more comfortable and solid after switching to a regular back four again.
2) Reviving Fellaini’s career
The form of Marouane Fellaini has been a huge boost for United, with the Belgian powerhouse now looking every bit as good as he did at Everton, with van Gaal seemingly knowing better how to get him performing than his old manager David Moyes did when he brought him with him from Goodison Park to Old Trafford.
3) Getting the best out of Young
In one of his greatest managerial achievements, van Gaal has succeeded where even Sir Alex Ferguson failed – getting the best out of Ashley Young. The former Aston Villa man has performed consistently all season as both a makeshift left-back and now in a more attacking midfield role, scoring an important goal against City in yesterday’s derby win.
4) New role for Mata
With his brilliant double winning the game against Liverpool at Anfield, Juan Mata also got on the scoresheet against City and has looked much better in this United side since being given a more free role on the right-hand side, finally looking like a game-changer for the club. All the more credit to van Gaal for not feeling the pressure to play record signing Angel Di Maria in that position instead.
5) Moving Rooney back upfront
Another initial tactic that van Gaal got wrong and has duly changed – Wayne Rooney has been much better since moving from midfield to his preferred striker role, also allowing for the likes of Fellaini, Mata, Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera to show what they can do in the middle of the park.