Manchester United claimed only their third victory away from home this season by beating Q.P.R. 2-0. Goals from substitutes Fellaini and Wilson gave United the victory after they were beaten by Southampton at home last week. Here are the five talking points of the game.
Four at the back better than three: Manchester United again started the game with three players at the back. Whenever United had played 3 man defense, they have looked ordinary as. But sometime in second half, they switched back to normal 4-4-2 with the mid-field diamond and scored two goals. Sooner Van Gaal realizes that 3-4-3 does not suits to United sooner United will play much better.
Should Falcao be signed permanently? Last week Falcao did not even managed to make to the bench. James Wilson was preferred on the bench. He started this game due to injury to Robin Van Persie. After he was dropped, he was mentioned a lot in the media. In his news conference, Van Gaal said that Falcao should prove himself if he wants to get back in the team. It was a perfect chance for him to shine. But he squandered his chance. He is a kind of striker who could score 9 out of 10 chances given to him but in the match, he missed 4-5 chances. So it would not be a surprise if Van Gaal decides not to sign him on permanent bases.
Are QPR heading for another relegation or will they fight back? Q.P.R. at 19th position in the premier league with only 19 points from 22 games. They have managed to win only 5 games out of 22. And this becomes even worst when the team has a manager like Harry Redknapp. He has third most number of premier league wins only next to Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. They still have to face teams like Stokes, Southampton, Tottenham, Arsenal, Everton, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City. But if they play together then they might have a chance to save themselves. They have got good pace in players like Austin, Vargas and Isla who can cause problem to any team and in Zamora and Barton, they have good experienced players. So it won’t be surprised if they survive.
Van Gaal still experimenting to find best team: Manchester United has used most number of players this season in premier league and still Van Gaal does not know his best team. Only once this season he has retained same squad for two consecutive games. He have tried number of defensive combinations but still he cannot get the best defensive pair or trio. Van Gaal is known as a tactical genius but sometimes his tactics needs to be questioned. In the match against Q.P.R, Phil Jones was taking corners from left side instead of being in the box and try to attack on the other hand, defending the free kick just outside the penalty-box, long players like Jones, Carrick and Evans were forming the wall while short players like Mata, Rooney, Blind and Valencia were marking Q.P.R players in the box.
Can Charlie Austin make to England squad? The 25 year old forward is having a very good season. He has already scored 13 goals in 19 premier league games. He caused a lot of problem to United defenders. He got December’s Player of the Month award for scoring 5 goals in the month. If he can continue like this, one day he can make his England debut. The first choice forwards for England are Rooney, Sturridge and Welbeck. But if someone gets injured like Sturridge and Welbeck both are injured at the moment, then England manager must choose from the younger lot. Here Austin has to face challenges from some other players. Danny Ings(Burnley), Saido Berahino(West Brom), Andy Carrol(West Ham) and Harry Kane(Tottenham) are also in good form and are leading the attack for their club. So if he wants to make in England’s squad he have to perform better than these players.
Source: DSG
