Before May 2013, Manchester United was a Ferrari speeding up a hill. And then the handbrake came off. A new handbrake came in and people said it was modelled like the previous one, but the Italian motor’s tyres kept turning backwards. Now with another new handbrake, the problem is – as United We Stand fanzine put it – ‘right direction, wrong gear’.
It’s 4th January 2011 and Manchester United – level on points with leaders Manchester City – are facing Stoke at home. United win the midweek fixture 2-1. This was a typical Old Trafford game; United played attacking football, the away side threatened, United won.
Although a stock result in Ferguson’s catalogue of wins, aspects of that game now pop out. Javier Hernandez – nicknamed Chicharito – netted the opener, back-heeling an effort from a driven Luis Nani cross. Chicharito returned the favour for the winner, setting-up Nani who slotted in from 18-yards. Rafael Da Silva offered support for Nani down the right wing, overlapping the Portuguese which created space for the winger’s in-field runs. Three thriving players of the late Ferguson era, now outcasts of the Louis van Gaal regime.
Nani and Chicharito are serving season-long loans at Sporting Lisbon and Real Madrid respectively, while Rafael remains in Manchester but hasn't started a Premier League game since late October.
In Ferguson’s last season in charge, Rafael started 38 games across all competitions. Seen as the long-term replacement for Gary Neville, the Brazilian’s value has only depreciated since then, starting just seven games under Louis van Gaal this campaign.
Rafael is perpetual motion down the right flank and has abundant enthusiasm. This tenacious nature has previously deprived him of accountability though, most notably when he was naively sent off against a Bayern Munich side managed by van Gaal in a 2010 Champions League quarter-final. Such lapses in maturity come with his playing style, but Rafael offers pace, attacking support for wingers and undeniable effort.
Antonio Valencia has predominantly occupied the right-back position this season, but he belongs in a more advanced role to accentuate his attacking abilities. Though known for his attacking support, Rafael’s honest playing style reflects his defensive mindset: he hates conceding goals and will sacrifice himself for the team cause. On the flanks, where United have not been penetrative this season, Rafael can re-install pace and movement through his grafting attitude.
Former partner of Rafael on the right, Nani’s career at United is one hinged on frustration. After 100 Premier League appearances for United, Cristiano Ronaldo scored 19 goals and assisted 12 – Nani scored 19 and assisted 33. As this statistic shows, talent is not in question; it’s translating this talent into prolonged form.
A yearn to individually shine has previously deprived Nani of a marker-pen sure place in United’s starting XI, but this selfish drive makes him special as he attempts things others wouldn't dare. Past moments of ingenuity are aplenty, such as his fine skill and chip at the Emirates in 2010. Bearing pace, skill and two-footedness; spectators become meerkats when the ball is at his feet.
Di Maria has frequented the right-wing position this season (when not starting playground fights with referees), but is a naturally left-sided player and thus has become predictable with his cut-ins on the right flank. Nani’s two-footedness makes him tricky for defenders and it’s this improvisation which United need in order to break out of their predictable, dejected ball circulation.
A regular benefactor of Nani’s trepidations on the right wing, Chicharito was loaned out this season as the Mexican’s gung-ho playing style was appraised to not compliment van Gaal’s high-regarding of ball retention.
Signed in 2010, Chicharito swiftly became a fan favourite at Old Trafford, with his passion to achieve at his dream club transparent in his performances. Boasting the impressive scoring ratio of a goal every 130 minutes in the Premier League, Chicharito’s hassling style and flair for goalscoring has earned him – what the strikers’ union would call – the backhanded compliment of being labelled a ‘super sub’. In whatever capacity, United sure could do with their baby-faced assassin.
A problem BBC pundit Alan Shearer highlighted with United’s current strikers is that they're not willing to gamble and make runs in behind the defence for creative players such as Herrera or Di Maria to thrive off. Chicharito doesn't fall culprit to this; he always buys a ticket, even if it means getting caught offside.
Chicharito is the archetypal goalscorer. He’s not efficient at holding the ball up and bringing others into play, nor does he have the best first touch or passing accuracy. But he will trouble defences and score goals. With killer pace and untraceable movement in the box, Chicharito is a defender’s kryptonite. And if he gets that inch of space, you’ll doubtless see him knee-sliding to the corner flag moments later.
Perhaps these players don’t suit the van Gaal philosophy. But the question is, has this philosophy worked? United’s play has been dull and predictable and it requires an element of risk, of improvisation to ignite the van Gaal reign.
Rafael, Nani and Chicharito are capable of rash performances, but the trio offers a possibility of craftsmanship which the current side doesn't boast. Don't rely on them to keep the engine running, but they could provide the spark to kick United into gear.
Source: DSG
