Manchester United Pre-Season Tour Game 1: LA Galaxy

Manchester United vs LA Galaxy

Date: 23 July 2014
Final Score: Manchester United 7-0 LA Galaxy

Lineups:

Man United first-half (3-4-3): De Gea; Smalling, Jones, Evans; Valencia, Fletcher, Herrera, Shaw; Mata; Welbeck, Rooney.
Man United second-half (3-4-3): Lindegaard; M Keane, Fletcher, Blackett; Rafael, Cleverley, Herrera, James; Kagawa; Nani, Young.

LA Galaxy:Penedo; Gargan, Meyer, Leonardo, DeLaGarza; Ishizaki, Sarvas, Juninho, Husidic; Keane, Zardes.

Match Analysis: Louis Van Gaal's first game in charge of Manchester United proved to be a huge success. Two goals each from Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young, and youth team left-back Reece James helped United to the win. Van Gaal went for three at the back which has not been played for a very long time at Manchester United. However, it soon became evident that this tactic was extremely effective as United dominated possession early on. It didn't take long for Danny Welbeck to open the scoring with a 30 yard screamer before the goals started coming. Rooney scored 2 before the break, and in the second half youth team left back Reece James showed that he could score goals as well as defend by netting two great goals. Ashley Young, who has been critizized by media over the last few years also managed to score two but it was the performance of Ander Herrera that caught the eye of everyone. For years, United have needed a midfielder who can create chances and make assists. Herrera seems to be that man as he made four assists on his way to getting the man of the match award. I believe what made this game so successful was the fact that United really attacked the opposition and sent players forward. This proved too much for the Galaxy to handle and if United play like this during the actual season, I am sure that this year will be a success.

Photo Credits:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2703725/Manchester-United-7-0-LA-Galaxy-Wayne-Rooney-Reece-James-Ashley-Young-doubles-ensure-perfect-start-Louis-van-Gaal.html

Manchester United New Signings- Ander Herrera

Ander Herrera

Basic Facts

Full Name: Ander Herrera

Date of Birth: 14 August 1989 (24 yrs old)

Nationality: Spanish

Height: 1.82 m

Position: Central Midfielder

Former Club: Athletic Bilbao

Transfer Fee: £30m

Analysis: Many United fans will remember Herrera from last summer as David Moyes tried to sign him. However, it didn't quite work out and was one part of a disastrous transfer window. However, with a new manager this year, United managed to execute and actually make the signing. Herrera is a very talented young midfileder who United clearly need as it was obvious from last season Carrick, Cleverley, and Fellaini were not up to the standard. Because Herrera is young, it may take some time for him to settle down in a new country. However, he is very lucky to have joined Manchester United because United already have two spaniards in David De Gea and Juan Mata who have not only managed to settle down in England but become crucial parts of the team. De Gea and Mata will be able to help Herrera adapt to the English culture and hopefully his comfort will translate to good performances on the pitch. Herrera has a lot of potential but he must work hard to ensure that it doesn't go to waste.

Photo Credits:

http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Herrera.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/06/24/article-2666823-1F0FFAC400000578-906_634x421.jpg

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Sport/Pix/columnists/2013/9/4/1378282828112/Ander-Herrera-008.jpg

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2014/manchester-uniteds-ander-herrera-deal-3774697

Manchester United New Signings- Luke Shaw

Basic Facts:

Full Name: Luke Paul Hoare Shaw

Date of Birth: 12 July 1995 (19 yrs old)

Nationality: English

Height: 1.85 m

Position: Left-Back

Former Club: Southampton

Transfer Fee: £30m

Analysis: Luke Shaw became the most expensive teenager ever when he signed for Manchester United this summer at £30 million. It would be easy for fans to just say this is a waste of money for someone so young but what people have to take into consideration is that because he is young, he can develop into one of the best players in the world. Last year, Shaw had a brilliant season for Southampton. Although he didn't score he still made it into the Premier League Team of the Year which is a fantastic achievement for a young player. Shaw went on to make the World Cup squad this summer but did not feature until the last game in which he played extremely well to win the man of the match award. These performances have already shown what Shaw is capable of and I believe he will be a success at Manchester United.

Photo Credits:

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/audio/video/2014/2/28/1393603481305/Southamptons-Luke-Shaw---017.jpg

http://soccerlens.com/files/2013/08/Luke-Shaw-pic-1.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/06/27/article-2672111-1F302D0D00000578-396_634x579.jpg

http://images.dailystar-uk.co.uk/dynamic/58/photos/888000/620x/gavy_neville_luke_shaw_england-368716.jpg

England vs Costa Rica

Date: June 24, 2014

Final Score: England: 0 Costa Rica: 0

England: Foster, Jones, Smalling, Cahill, Shaw, Lampard, Wilshere (Gerrard 73), Milner (Rooney 76), Barkley, Lallana (Sterling 62), Sturridge.

Subs: Hart, Johnson, Jagielka, Welbeck, Henderson, Lambert, Sterling, Baines, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Forster.

Costa Rica: Navas, Gamboa, Duarte, Gonzalez, Miller, Diaz, Ruiz, Borges (Barrantes 78), Tejeda, Brenes (Bolanos 59), Campbell (Urena 65).

Subs: Pemberton, Acosta, Umana, Myrie, Francis, Granados, Calvo, Cubero, Cambronero.

Analysis: With Costa Rica beating Italy, England had already been eliminated from the World Cup before this game started. This gave manager Roy Hodgson a chance to play his young players and give them a taste of World Cup Football. The youngsters grabbed the chance as 18 year old Luke Shaw earned the Man of the Match Award. England had a few good chances but unfortunately failed to put them away leading to a disappointing 0-0 draw to end the tournament. Once again, England have failed in yet another big tournament which now leaves big questions as to whether this team is even capable of ever challenging for a major tournament. I think the problem this tournament was mainly the defending. Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill did not show why they deserve to be England's starting center backs after making more than a few mistakes during the course of the tournament. The strikers were ok but both Rooney and Sturridge need to work on their finishing as both missed good chances which ultimately cost England. From here on forward, England have to look on to the Euro 2016 and hope they can develop some youth talent and hopefully play well there.

Photos:

Photo Credits:

http://wpmedia.o.canada.com/2014/06/costa-rica-v-england-group-d-2014-fifa-world-cup-brazil7.jpg

http://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.1883865!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg

http://sportsbyte.sunderland.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/PA-20214467.jpg

England vs Uruguay

England vs Uruguay

Date: June 19, 2014

Final Score: England: 1 (Rooney 75) Uruguay: 2 (Suarez 39, 85)

Lineups: 

England: Hart, Baines, Cahill, Jagielka, Johnson, Gerrard, Henderson, Sterling (Barkley 64), Rooney, Welbeck (Lallana 71), Sturridge.

Subs: Foster, Wilshere, Lampard, Smalling, Jones, Milner, Lambert, Shaw, Forster.

Uruguay: Muslera, Gimenez, Godin, Caceres, Pereira (Fucile 79), Lodeiro (Stuani 67), Gonzalez, Arevalo Rios, Rodriguez, Cavani, Suarez (Coates 89).

Subs: Munoz, Gargano, Hernandez, Forlan, Perez, Ramirez, Maxi Pereira, Silva.

Analysis: England's World Cup dream is all but over after another disappointing defeat. Just as they did against Italy, England dominated possession for long periods of times but were unable to find the finishing touches. Liverpool striker Luis Suarez gained revenge on the English Media by sinking the English with two goals and proving why he is one of the best players in the world. When he is in this kind of form there just is no stopping him. Phil Jagielka struggled to handle Suarez and has to take the blame on both the goals. He didn't have a strong showing against Italy either so I believe that most of the blame should go on him. However, that is not to say the strikers played well either. Danny Sturridge was poor and although Wayne Rooney got his goal, he should have had two or three more. 

Suarez Goal 35' 

Rooney Goal 75'
























































Suarez 2nd Goal 85'










Photo Credits:

http://doctormo.deviantart.com/art/England-Badge-167079385

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uruguay_national_football_team#mediaviewer/File:Uruguay_football_association.svg

http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Luis+Suarez+Uruguay+v+England+Group+RQt63feJToWl.jpg

http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Wayne+Rooney+Uruguay+v+England+Group+tucFWhE2Ekgl.jpg

http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Wayne+Rooney+Uruguay+v+England+Group+tucFWhE2Ekgl.jpg

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02948/rooneygoal-getty_2948620b.jpg

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/75660000/jpg/_75660529_winner.jpg

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/75661000/jpg/_75661187_suarez_mm_getty.jpg