How Dropping Rooney & Carrick Could Help Balance United
Manchester United has looked strong at times early this season, especially in wins over Liverpool and Southampton a few weeks ago. They met a grim reality check, however, at the Emirates before the international break, with the brilliance of Alexis Sanchez leading Arsenal to a 3-0 win over the Reds.
Dropping from the top of the table thanks to that loss, United now heads to Goodison Park, a stadium at which they've struggled mightily in recent years, to face Roberto Martinez …
Premier League Matchday 2: Score Predictions for Every Fixture
It is week 2 of the Premier League and we have a number of juicy fixtures to look forward to. Manchester City versus Chelsea headline the group, but a number of equally matched teams face off this weekend.
Below are my game-by-game scoreline predictions:
Aston Villa vs Manchester United
Jordan Ayew and Rudy Gestede are good additions, but Aston Villa will sorely miss Christian Benteke and Fabian Delph against United. I expect Villa to grab a goal thanks to suspect Red Devils defending, …
Matchday One: Five Most Impressive Premier League Debutants
The Premier League exercised its spending power this summer, and not just the teams you would expect; the rise of the British pound and the league's TV deal has given mid-table teams impressive resources as well, allowing them to poach talent from Europe's other top leagues.
Here are five debutants who were exceptional in their first Premier League match for their new club.
*Note: Cabaye considered a "Premier League debutant" despite having played in England before because he signed from overseas.
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What Did Manchester United Learn From Tottenham Win?
Manchester United survived a nervy 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford to begin the 2015-2016 Premier League season. While it was a less than convincing display from the Red Devils, their supporters will feel far better than they did after last year's 2-1 loss to Swansea in the opening fixture.
While it is still early in the season, Louis van Gaal will be able to take away a lot from the match.
1. Chris Smalling is undroppable, Blind not so …
Projecting Manchester United's Starting XI and Formation vs Spurs
Manchester United fans' wait is almost over, with the Red Devils hosting Tottenham on Saturday morning in their first Premier League fixture of the new season. It is also the season's first competitive game at Old Trafford, a stadium to which European football will return after a one-year hiatus.
Louis van Gaal's has masterminded another transfer-filled summer, and may not be done just yet. The sale of record Premier League signing Angel di Maria to Paris Saint-Germain is nearly complete, with …
Chelsea Not Yet Among the Champions League Elite
In the past, reigning supreme in England has guaranteed fear in European competitions. Before 2013, 7 out of the previous 8 European Cup/Champions League finals had featured an English team; since Chelsea shocked German giants Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, however, zero of the last six finalists have been from England.
The Premier League may continue to be the world's richest and most popular domestic league, but its teams' influence in Europe has diminished significantly. Last year was a low …
What are the Top Four's Weaknesses?
Manchester United: Central Defence
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="286"] Otamendi would be a huge addition for United.[/caption]
United have been heavily linked to La Liga studs Sergio Ramos and Nicolas Otamendi this summer, and with good reason: their centre-halves are not Premier League-winning quality. Phil Jones is a far more dependable defender than he gets credit for; he earned a 7.51 rating from Whoscored last season, higher than Arsenal stalwart Laurent Koscielny. He had an impressive 7.5 clearances per game for the Red …
Manchester United's Projected Formations for 2015-2016
Louis van Gaal tinkered with formations quite frequently last year, confusing even the most loyal Manchester United supporters. His determination to use different setups and play stars out of position (see: Rooney, Wayne) rubbed many up the wrong way, but some of it stemmed from lacking the right personnel.
With a second transfer window under his belt, Van Gaal seems to have acquired the right players to fit his possession-dominant, high line system. How will that translate tactically? Here are the …