Round Five: Leicester, Palace, Hammers Rise

1. Chelsea (1): Perhaps unhappy to have not capitalized on the sending off of Pablo Zabaleta, Jose Mourinho will still be satisfied with one point at the Etihad Stadium.  Diego Costa's goal output is impressive but his temperament could cost Chelsea if it doesn't subside.  

2. Southampton (3): Ronald Koeman is manager of the year so far without a doubt.  This week, it was Victor Wanyama’s turn to play the hero, as the Nigerian came off the bench to sink Swansea on the road.  Roll on you Saints.  

3. Manchester City (2): Frank Lampard has proved his worth in each of his two appearances.  The former Stamford Bridge man looked embarrassed and apologetic after equalizing for the Citizens, but his last farewell to the Chelsea traveling fans would put a smile on even Fabio Capello’s face.  

4. Arsenal (4): On a weekend where Liverpool, City, United, Everton, and Tottenham all dropped points, Mesut Ozil stamped his influence on a three-goal outburst in the same amount of minutes.  The North London Derby beckons on Saturday. 

5. Leicester City (11): Enough cannot be said about Leicester’s resurgence in the top flight.  Jamie Vardy and Leonardo Ulloa led a stellar line of direct football against Manchester United.  Nigel Pearson’s unorthodox positioning up above during matches looks to be paying off for the Foxes.  

6. Aston Villa (6): There were plenty of positives to take from Aston Villa’s 3-0 loss to Arsenal on Saturday.  Had a nasty bug not taken hold of several players slated to play, this one could have been closer.  Paul Lambert cannot let his club slip into obscurity after just one bad day at the office.  

7. Swansea (6): On a weekend which saw Chelsea and Manchester City duke it out, England boss Roy Hodson’s attention was on this fixture.  Players like Nathan Dyer, Wayne Routledge, and Fraser Forster were unjustly denied a better opportunity to impress the England boss by Wilfried Bony’s overzealous pair of fouls on Maya Yoshida which resulted in a rightful sending off.  

8. Hull City (13): The purchase of Mohamed Diame is looking like one of the bargains of the summer, while the rest of Steve Bruce’s vast crop of recruits are settling in nicely at the KC stadium. 

9. Crystal Palace (16): A major, major result for Neil Warnock, who earned his first win as the Golden Eagles’ new boss.  Mile Jedinak’s leadership and the uncharacteristic errors of Tim Howard aided Palace to a much-needed victory at Goodison Park.  

10. West Ham (17): A fantastic atmosphere and an even better win will cool the critics regarding Sam Allardyce’s future.  Enner Valencia is looking to be an excellent signing, while former top-club players Stewart Downing and Alex Song impressed.  

11. Liverpool (7): Another spineless performance from Steven Gerrard allowed West Ham to snatch victory from the Reds at Upton Park.  Daniel Sturridge’s return could not come any sooner on Merseyside.  

12. Stoke City (14): Mark Hughes was denied a chance to exact total revenge on his former club Queens Park Rangers in a 2-2 draw.  Peter Crouch, who played for QPR as a youngster, scored for both teams in a game which twice saw Stoke surrender the lead.  

13. Everton (9): Tim Howard was strangely vulnerable in the home loss to Crystal Palace, misjudging a punch and failing to communicate with young Jon Stones on the second Palace goal.  The Toffees showed flashes of brilliance, but unforgivable errors at the back ultimately cost them.  

14. Tottenham (10): Since their two wins to start the season Tottenham have struggled.  A home loss to bottom feeders West Brom won’t do Spurs any favors, but shouts for the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino are ridiculous.  

15. Manchester United (8): Another plummet in the rankings for a disorganized and undisciplined United squad.  They showed how capable they are going forward but must do something about their gaping exposure at the increasingly unfit back line.  

16. Burnley (12): Sean Dyche missed a terrific opportunity to notch his first premier league win against Sunderland at Turf Moor.

17. West Brom (20): West Brom rebounded from a day at the Hawthorns with Everton which ended with the home fans booing their team off the pitch.  The Baggies were unlucky not to have won a first-half penalty, but a 74th minute James Morrison strike was the only goal in an uplifting win for a struggling club.  

18. Sunderland (15): Ashley Barnes’ late drive off the crossbar was the difference in what could have been another disappointing result for Gus Poyet.  Emmanuelle Giacherrini was a threat in an otherwise lethargic Black Cats team.  

19. Newcastle United (18): Alan Pardew avoided all-out anarchy on Tyneside when he saw his Magpies come back from a 2-0 deficit to earn a point.  His job is safe for now, but his leash must be running very thin.  

20. Queens Park Rangers (19): QPR’s start to the season, although not as terminally awful, is mirroring that of 2012/2013.  Harry Redknapp’s side dropped more points at home, not the best rebound to the 4-0 thrashing they endured at Old Trafford.  

Arsenal Face a Familiar Foe

Some rivalries live forever.  There are those which fizzle out and are forgotten, and some so ridiculous that not even those involved ever reconcile.  Then there’s the rivalry between Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane. 

Arsenal face a familiar face on Saturday when they travel to Villa Park to take on Paul Lambert’s red-hot Aston Villa side.  The two clubs don’t necessarily have a heated rivalry, but one of the men on the Villa touchline has quite a history with the North London club.

For nine intense years, Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira gave fans some of the most intense matches to date.  The two captains simply hated each other and had a hateful playing relationship to put it lightly.  The Battle of Old Trafford amidst Arsenal’s unbeaten 2003/2004 season comes to mind, as does the famous tunnel incident that took place before the opening whistle had even blown. 

It’s in Gooners’ blood to hate Keane, and it’s in Red Devils’ to hate Vieira.  There isn’t a personal rivalry in the league today that even sniffs at the feuds between these two giants of the past.  For Keane though, his new position as assistant manager at Aston Villa gives him a chance to exact some more pain on Arsenal. 

Defender Alan Hutton recently hailed the influence Keane has had on the squad, citing the former Manchester United man’s motivational skills and belief he holds in his players.  Similar to how Steve Bould has transformed the Arsenal back line in the last few years, Keane has added an extra bite to a side who feeds off positive energy and momentum. 

Fabian Delph is the poster-child for the club right now, as he recently won his first caps with England.  Delph’s call-up is indicative of the work the entire club has put in.  His inclusion in Roy Hodgson’s squad for Euro qualifiers gives hope to Tom Cleverley, whose once promising career spiraled and spiraled downward until he was promptly loaned to Villa on deadline day. 

Always lacking confidence with United, it will come as no surprise to see Cleverley reinvent himself under the tutelage of Lambert and Keane.  Often the scapegoat to supporters, the Englishman was never going to succeed at a club whose supporters want absolutely nothing to do with him.

Under Sir Alex Ferguson, Cleverley saw limited playing time in his favored position, and as a result his form and confidence were shot.  Keane, who less then a year ago called Ferguson ‘egotistical,’ will instill the same rebellious and fiery approach in Cleverley that he abided to in his playing days. 

Last December, Keane and Vieira together reconciled and re-lived all the epic battles in which they were involved.  In essence, this rivalry embodies the perfect personal rivalry in sports; two men who hate each other on the field, but one day have the respect and intelligence to acknowledge his counterpart’s passion and ability.

The Frenchman now manages the reserve squad at Manchester City, while the Irishman no longer associates himself with Manchester United.  The intensity of these two men’s rivalry will likely never be replicated in today’s more harshly policed style of play, but on Saturday expect every bit of Roy Keane’s hatred for Arsenal and passion to be injected into a hungry Aston Villa side.

Injury Concerns for Liverpool

Tuesday was a monumental moment in recent history for Liverpool.  It had been 1,742 days since the men in Red had heard the Champions League anthem, and the display Anfield put on for the return of Europe’s flagship club competition was nothing short of spectacular.  

Liverpool marked their return to the Champions League with a 2-1 win over minnows Ludogrets on Tuesday, and travel to Upton park to take on Sam Allardyce’s struggling Hammers squad.  

However, the injury concerns continue to mount for Brendan Rodgers.  Albeit his squad remains deep, injuries to critical players mean new ones will have to step in big games.  

Daniel Sturridge looks read to return to full training next week, but there’s no guarantee that will be the case.  The club is in desperate need of some stability leading the line, so now is the time for Mario Balotelli to step up.  

Balotelli’s goal in his Champions League debut for Liverpool was well-taken, controlling a cross in the box and calmly slotting home to give the Reds a late lead they would eventually squander, but regain on a Steven Gerrard penalty.

Coutinho’s form has been subpar so far this season, unable to replicate the dazzling displays he put out in preseason.  Between Sturridge’s injury, Luis Suarez’ defection to Barcelona, and the Brazilian #10’s recent dip in form, three out of four of Liverpool’s incumbent goal-creators are all either out of form, out of the country, or out of fitness.

It’s imperative that whoever Liverpool play up front take their chances, whether it be Balotelli and Sterling, Sterling and Lambert, or just one of them.  Last week’s 1-0 loss to Aston Villa was a far cry from the goal-happy home fixtures we are so accustomed to seeing, so new faces have to step up. 

Even more concerning for Liverpool is news of the long-term injuries to Joe Allen and Jon Flanagan.

I would rate both Allen and Flanagan as two of the more underrated big-game performers in the league.  Flanagan plays the fullback position as good as anyone at the club; he can play on both sides of the pitch, and on both sides of the ball.  His inclusion was a mainstay in big games last season, and has yet to feature in the premier league this year.

Javier Manquillo is unproven and has yet to show proper positional discipline.  Meanwhile, the return of Glen Johnson to the squad is a frightening concept to Liverpool supporters who are fed up with his lazy defending and spineless long-range attempts on goal.  Regardless, one of them must step up and make it hard for Rodgers to pick the other.  

Rodgers made a point of signing Allen from Swansea upon his arrival to Anfield from the Welsh club.  Last season, Allen was often deployed in place of either Raheem Sterling or Coutinho in big games, showing the confidence his manager has in him.  Like Flanagan, he is a reliable footballer with excellent work-rate and versatility.  

Emre Can would be a capable replacement for Allen’s void in midfield, but the German has been ruled out until October.  Thus, the time is now for the new boys to step up and prove their worth. 

If last weekend yielded a chance for Mario Balotelli, this fixture with West Ham is surely more of an exam since he has had another full week to acclimate himself with his teammates.  If the likes of Balotelli, Coutinho, and whoever else gets the nod up front can produce, Liverpool will bounce back with ease.  

Arsenal Must Improvise

Do what you can, where you are, with what you have was always an idea instilled in me growing up.  The transfer window closed two weeks ago, yet what seems to be the biggest concern among Arsenal fans still is the failure to sign a defensive midfielder.  

Rather than sit in front of a computer and find a creatively profane way to berate Arsene Wenger, Ivan Gazidis, or Mesut Ozil on twitter, one must look at what the club have available to them at this exact moment.  

Yesterday’s game against Borussia Dortmund was indicative of the fact that Mikel Arteta is not the answer at the base of midfield for Arsenal.  Arteta appears to be getting slower by the fixture, and his once sharp ball-retention isn't what it once was.  

Anyone who watches the Gunners knows that Mathieu Flamini is just as subpar of an option.  His intensity and work rate are outstanding, as is his on-field leadership.  Like Arteta though, he is slowing down physically.

Per Mertesacker and Laruent Koscielny have not been as sharp as they were last season thus far, but there is hardly any cover in front of them.  Arteta’s listless display showed a change is absolutely necessary, but since buying a top player is not an option for a few months, the Gunners must improvise.  

It wouldn’t be so farfetched of an idea to try and play Aaron Ramsey out of position at the base of midfield.  The Welshman has endured a poor start to the season, and albeit he has scored some clutch goals late on in matches, his overall quality cowers to that of last season’s.  

Ramsey is a tough tackler, an excellent passer, and his work rate is outstanding.  Arsenal fans will point to the fact that his offensive game lifts the team, but right now the Gunners are so thin in front of their back line that other needs must be addressed.  

Ramsey’s struggles are not as well-documented as those of Mesut Ozil, but they are arguably just as bad at the moment.  Dropping him into a deeper role may not be the flashiest move in the public eye, but who else does Arsenal have right now?

Ramsey would, of course, have to improvise as well.  His license to streak forward would have to be suspended, as would his affinity for audacious moves with the ball at his feet.  In the long run, it’s a stretch to say Ramsey’s future is in the defensive midfield.  But, that’s what Arsenal need right now and over time a simpler approach will benefit the Welshman’s overall game.  

People tend to forget that when Mikel Arteta was purchased from Everton, he was a #10, and not a steely midfielder.  Arteta has logged a few decent performances since Wenger moved him to a deeper role, but he doesn't have enough gas left in the tank to be the player Arsenal need.

For all the offensive weapons Arsenal have in midfield, they can afford to temporarily play someone out of position who has the quality to succeed there.  Jack Wilshere is another option, but he isn’t in the same physical mold as Ramsey and has a history of poor temperament. 

Calum Chambers is also an idea, and probably the best immediate solution.  However, Chambers’ talents right now need to be allocated to covering the thinnest back line in the premier league, especially given the fitness of Mathieu Debuchy and Nacho Monreal.  

The idea of Ramsey being utilized where Arteta currently is wouldn’t be a proper utilization of the Welshman’s talents.  However, it is a temporary solution, and could very well be the best one for Arsenal.  

Arsene Wenger will be keen to sign a defensive midfielder in January, but until then sacrifices must be made with what pieces are already at the club’s disposal. 

Power Rankings: Chelsea's Reign Continues

1. Chelsea (1): No surprises that Chelsea have claimed the top spot for the third time in four weeks.  Diego Costa now has seven from four games, and if he keeps this up Chelsea can get away with the odd defensive error that they are culpable to commit.  Loic Remy also got in on the action, scoring his debut goal for the Blues.  

2. Manchester City (3): Manchester City are given the second spot by way of a hard-fought draw at the Emirates and the shocking home defeat to Liverpool.  With Fernando out, City lack steel guarding the back line, but like Chelsea, this team can score in bunches.

3. Southampton (5): Graziano Pelle is turning out to be one of the buys of the summer for Ronald Koeman, whose stock is soaring at the Saint Mary’s Stadium these days.  The spirit at the club couldn’t be stronger at the moment, with Southampton netting seven from their last two outings.  

4. Arsenal (6): New boy Alexis turned in an outstanding performance on Saturday, but the man of the hour was undoubtedly Jack Wilshere.  So often criticized for his performances for both club and country, the 22 year old Englishman hit back at his critics with a near perfect display anchoring the Arsenal midfield with his tenacity and driving runs.  A collision with Samir Nasri typified Wilshere’s toughness and fearless approach.  

5. Aston Villa (8): Take a bow, Paul Lambert.  Aston Villa pulled off one of the upsets of the season on Saturday, as they snatched three points in front of a stunned Anfield crowd.  Fabian Delph’s inclusion in Roy Hodgson’s latest England squad is a testament to the entire club’s body of work early on in the season.  Tom Cleverly was impressive…there, I said it.  

6. Swansea (4): Swansea were not shy in their clash with league-leaders Chelsea, but the Blues proved too much for Gary Monk’s men.  Swansea have much to be proud of after their gritty performance at Stamford Bridge, and are looking like the 2013/2014 Southampton of this season in the early goings.  

7. Liverpool (2): Liverpool take the biggest plummet in the rankings, as they were left searching for an answer to Daniel Sturridge’s absence.  Perhaps losing their talismanic front man had something to do with it, but resting an in-form Raheem Sterling was a blatant mistake by Brendan Rodgers.  

8. Manchester United (9): Much has been said about how good United looked in their 4-0 dredging of QPR on Sunday.  However, beating arguably the worst team in the league at home should be a formality.  Nonetheless, new signings Angel Di Maria and Daley Blind collectively proved their worth and offered a glimpse into the future for Manchester United fans desperately seeking piece of mind. 

9. Everton (11): Romelu Lukaku impressed in the away victory at the Hawthornes.  Rather than squander a two goal lead as they did against Arsenal, Everton locked down defensively and kept a clean sheet ahead of their home clash with a sputtering Crystal Palace side.  

10. Tottenham (7): It has been a tale of two pairs of outings for Tottenham.  The first two games couldn’t have gone better for Spurs, while the last two are definitely ones to forget.  However, I expect them to learn from last season and do better this year.

11. Leicester City (16): Leicester impressed in their second consecutive fixture with a win at the Brittania Stadium.  Leonardo Ulloa’s winner earned Leicester their first win at Stoke in 10 years.  

12. Burnley (13): Burnley wasted an opportunity to snatch an improbable three points from Selhurst park.  Sean Dyche still searches for his first premier league win as a manager following Burnley’s promotion from the Championship.  

13. Hull City (14): Hull City’s home fixture against West Ham was a riveting contest, and Mohamed Diame haunted his former club with a goal.  New signing Abel Hernandez also netted for the Tigers, but an own goal from Curtis Davies spoiled the win for Hull City.  

14. Stoke City (10): Stoke City were unimpressive in their loss to Leicester at home.  Mark Hughes has to go back to the drawing board and figure out how to add some offense to this side.  

15. Sunderland (15): Gus Poyet’s side benefitted from a late Harry Kane own-goal in a 2-2 draw with Tottenham.  Their performance was subpar, with Christian Eriksen carving up the midfield several times.  The Black Cats will head to Burnley next weekend against a team desperate for three points.  

16. Crystal Palace (12): Crystal Palace had a chance to take three huge points from a fixture involving two winless teams.  Julian Speroni saved a penalty late on, and the Eagles were lucky to end up with just a point in a game that featured lots of poor finishing.

17. West Ham (17): West Ham earned a solid point in one of the more exciting games of the season to this point.  Enner Valencia’s first league start culminated in a stunning goal, hopefully a sign of things to come for the Hammers.

18. Newcastle United (16): Alan Pardew’s job is surely in jeopardy now.  Underdogs going into the fixture against Southampton, the Magpies hardly showed up to play and were subsequently thrashed by Ronald Koeman’s revolutionary side.  Pardew needs results or he’ll join David Moyes in the unemployment line.  

19. Queens Park Rangers (19): The bottom two spots in the rankings stay the same for another week.  Queens Park Rangers were subjected to a coming out party at Old Trafford for several big signings.  Realistically they were never going to get points from this fixture, but a 4-0 shellacking is never good for morale.  

20. West Brom (20): West Brom had a chance to steal a point at home from Everton but were promptly dispatched by Romelu Lukaku and the Toffees.  They show organization for much of their games, but unforgivable gaffes at the back have cost them in recent weeks, Saturday in particular.  

A Chance for Mario

“I think he has felt the warmth of the club since he’s been here and I’m sure he will look forward to playing at Anfield.”  These are the words of Brendan Rodgers, who looks set to start Mario Balotelli in a home clash against Aston Villa today.  

In the wake of signing the enigmatic Italian, the Liverpool manager described the deal as a ‘calculated risk.’  The risk obviously has to do with Balotelli’s controversial past, but the upside is infinite given the Anfield patrons’ habit of adopting the more exuberant type.    

Rodgers is a pragmatic manager in the mould of Jose Mourinho.  The Scotsman doesn't play the same tricks with the opposition, but shares the ability to get the best out of his players. 

I say this because of the unconditional confidence the Liverpool manager instills in his squad, which has seen the rapid maturation of previously immature talents such as Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge, and Raheem Sterling.  

Upon taking the job at Anfield, Rodgers has been tasked with taking advantage of chances.  In his tenure, Rodgers has already solidified the club as a title contender, developed young sensations into star players, and appears to have bought the right talents to improve his club.  

This weekend, Mario Balotelli has a chance to similarly solidify himself in the good graces of the Liverpool faithful.  With Daniel Sturridge set to miss three weeks with a thigh injury, Balotelli replaces the Englishman as the most accomplished striker at the club.  

Against Aston Villa, Balotelli will almost assuredly lead the line in what is sure to be an offensive outburst from the Reds.  Alberto Moreno has settled into the squad after a troubled start; his 90 yard run with the ball against Tottenham which resulted in a goal was nothing short of pure brilliance.  

Lazar Markovic looks ready to play, while Rickie Lambert has cemented himself as a difference-maker off the bench.  However, Balotelli has yet to officially announce his return to the premier league.  His only attempt on goal was saved by Hugo Lloris, a header which should have found the back of the net.  

Today, Balotelli has a chance to set himself in stone amongst the Reds’ support.  His quality unquestioned, Balotelli can resurrect a career that has hit pothole after pothole on the road to the top.

He showed his class at Manchester City at times, and introduced himself to the international game at the Euro in 2012.  In the absence of Liverpool’s main man, Balotelli has a clear cut chance to break out in style in front of what is sure to be an Anfield crowd with open arms.  

King Courtois' Reign Begins

Thibault Courtois is one of those athletes who makes a lot of us think “what am I doing with my life?”  At 22, the Chelsea shot stopper is already established as one of the finest goalkeepers in the world.  

Often the forgotten player in the historically brilliant transfer window that was Chelsea’s summer, Courtois is commonly overlooked in favor of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas.  The midfielder and the striker have been integral to Chelsea’s perfect record, but the young Belgian keeper will be a mainstay in the Blues' starting eleven for a very long time.  

The age of King Courtois has officially begun in England.  This morning, Courtois signed a new 5-year deal that keeps him at Stamford Bridge through the 2018-2019 season.  At his youthful age, the keeper has already won La Liga and played in the Champions League final to cap an impressive three year loan spell at Atletico Madrid.

A few weeks later, Courtois anchored a Belgian defense that gave up just three goals in five games at the World Cup.  Not only does he boast in impressive repertoire of accomplishments.  The 22 year old declared himself one of the best goalkeepers in the world during his spell in Madrid.  

He oozes confidence, commands the box like a general, and at 6’6 shows flashes of freakish athleticism.  Albeit he could have kept out at least one of Everton’s goals in the 6-3 thriller, his reaction save to deny Kevin Mirallas later on was brilliant.  

Petr Cech, one of Chelsea’s most loyal servants and perhaps one of the best five keepers in the world, has already been usurped by Courtois at Chelsea just a few weeks into the Belgian's tenure at Stamford Bridge.  It remains to be seen if Cech will stay glued to the bench for the entirety of the season, but for now Courtois has a firm grasp on the starting role.  

Many speculated that Courtois would start on the bench while Cech carried out his duties as the incumbent holder of the #1 jersey.  Cech would of course be on a short leash, but one could argue he earned the right to start the season in goal.  

This speaks to the mild-mannered Belgian’s abilities and the confidence his manager instills in him.  Cech is still just 32, and definitely has more miles left in the tank.  However, he may be looking for a new job in the next few windows, for unseating Courtois will be exceptionally difficult.  

The Van-Gaalacticos

Now that the dust has settled on their record summer, Manchester United look ready to earn their first victory of the season when they play host to Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.  At this point in the season, no game is a must-win, but surely that’s what it must feel like for the Red Devils.  

Unless he were truly the most unappreciative employee in history, Louis Van Gaal has to be pleased with transfer kitty Ed Woodward provided him for the summer.  It resulted in the Dutchman completely re-shaping the United first team.  Here is the result of the biggest shopping spree in league history:

Ander Herrera, 25, 28.85m pounds

Already an established star in La Liga with Athletic Bilbao, Herrera joined the Red Devils for just under thirty million pounds.  The Spaniard is a complete midfielder, equipped with size, skill, and a creative knack for precision passing.  He is a technician in the mold of Frank Lampard, always looking for the ball and taking very good care of it when in possession.  Herrera went off injured on opening day against Swansea, and his return to full fitness coincides with the capture of three more signings for United.  

Luke Shaw, 19, 30m pounds

The most expensive teenager in league history and the only Englishman purchased by Van Gaal, Luke Shaw brings a difficult-to-believe level of maturity with him to Old Trafford.  His reputation as the next electrifying young fullback in the league speaks for itself, as he is already a fantastic player.  Jose Mourinho questioned the judgement to give Shaw such a big contract, but that’s the way of things for United right now.  They may have overpaid for his services between transfer fee and wages, but Shaw’s talent is undeniable and has the potential to be the best two-way fullback in the world.  

Marcos Rojo, 24, 16m pounds

Rojo is the second of four left-sided players to join Manchester United this summer.  Easily the most controversial transfer of the summer, the Marcos Rojo deal is a testament to the problems posed by third-party ownership.  Nonetheless, he is also an excellent footballer, as he showed in Argentina’s run to the World Cup final.  One of the things I’ve always liked about Rojo, which he has in common with Shaw and Daley Blind, is his ability to defend.  His left foot is ferocious going forward, but his reliability across the back line was more of an asset to Argentina in Brazil.  

Angel Di Maria, 26, 59.7m pounds

The premier league’s record signing has been impressive since his move to Old Trafford.  He was by far the Red Devils’ best player on the pitch against Sunderland, but lacked match fitness and was the first to be subbed off.  A man of the match performance against Germany over the international break only reinforced how talented this player is, while the backlash in Madrid is a negative one following the sale of fan favorite Di Maria.  Even though he is the most expensive player ever to join the league, there is much less weight on his shoulders than one would assume given the sheer number of recruits joining over the summer.  

Daley Blind, 24, 13.8m pounds

I would argue that Daley Blind may be the signing of the summer from a value perspective.  He is versatile on the left wing and excellent in a deep-lying midfield role, so expect him to feature quite often this season.  A favorite of Louis Van Gaal, Blind’s coming-out party was in Brazil, but his body of work prior to this summer was under-the-radar to say the least.  The Dutchman is the reigning player of the season in the Eredivisie, and is the son of Danny Blind, who is set to take over the Oranje following the 2016 Euro in France.  I would compare his reliability to that of Ramires; you know exactly what you’re getting out of him each time he steps on the pitch.  

Radamel Falcao, 28, loan

Ironically enough, Falcao is the shortest of all Manchester United recruits at just 5’10.  Then again, this doesn’t matter when you’re one of the top strikers on the planet.  Falcao’s exclusion from the World Cup because of injury was quickly forgotten due to the exploits of James and Juan Cuadrado, but his class is unquestioned.  Since I need not talk about how ruthless of a striker Falcao can be, this deal gives me the chance to voice a concern over the parameters of financial fair play.  

A buy option was included in the loan deal, set at just over 43 million pounds.  The loan deal is nothing more than a gambit designed to thwart the influence of fair play regulations, since United will likely trigger the permanent deal unless something extraordinary happens (torn ACL?).  Do Manchester United need Falcao?  No.  Will he improve the overall quality of the squad?  Absolutely.  However, this deal is a head-scratcher, with the likes of Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney already at the club.  

Assessing Arsenal's Window

It is not uncommon for Arsenal to scramble for signings in the closing days of the transfer window.  In years past, Arsenal have left nearly all their business to the last day, the most recent window being a change from the ordinary.

With a war chest of riches to spend, Arsene Wenger had the tools to do almost anything in the realm of possibility.  Early in the summer, Arsenal were one of the star clubs of the transfer window.  Signing Alexis from Barcelona improves the team at multiple positions, not to mention he is nothing short of a world-class player, as he showed in the World Cup. 

Arsenal did an excellent job of replacing the departed players which needed to be replaced.  David Ospina is an upgrade over Lukasz Fabianski, and Mathieu Debuchy started over Bacary Sagna in Brazil.  Furthermore, after loaning Carl Jenkinson to West Ham, Hector Bellerin proved he could produce quality minutes after his performances against Benfica and Monaco in the Emirates Cup.  

Calum Chambers was a bit of a surprise, but it’s now confirmed that he will be the third-choice center back this season.  Under the tutelage of Steve Bould, Per Mertesacker, and Laurent Koscielny, Chambers could pan out to be a top, top defender.  Then again, Arsenal are one injury away from having just two first-team center backs, although that was the case last season as well.

Arsene Wenger did a wonderful job of replacing those who needed to be replaced.  However, he did not add to the squad as so many fans wanted him to.  Last term, Arsenal were in dire need of a center forward to supplement Olivier Giroud and a tough-tackling defensive midfielder.  

Both deficiencies were brutally exposed over the course of a long season; several routs against top teams showed the need for steel in front of the back line, while Giroud could not handle the burden of leading the line consistently.  

Many fans were calling for a world-class center forward, but what people might not understand is that those kind of players don’t grow on trees.  Diego Costa was the only world-class center forward to join the premier league, and Danny Welbeck is a better signing than most would think.

At Manchester United, Welbeck’s goal output was unimpressive to say the least, but this can be attributed to two things.  First off, Welbeck was more often than not featured on the wing; he has the pace to fill that position, but his natural position is through the middle.  

Secondly, with the presence of Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie, Welbeck was far from first-choice, let alone in his favored position.  At Arsenal, Welbeck will likely be played through the middle almost exclusively, and given the absence of Giroud, this could be his chance to shine.  

Wenger is a perennial risk-taker, but the biggest risk still lies in defensive midfield this season.  Between Alexis, Welback, and Joel Campbell, Arsenal have options up top.  In the defensive midfield, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini will be tasked with much of the load, a scary thought for Arsenal fans.  

William Carvalho, Sami Khedira, and Morgan Schneiderlin were all seemingly available for the taking, but Wenger failed to pull the trigger on any of them.  In this area of concern, there is no excuse.  The funds were available, and even if Wenger overpaid for a player at the position, he would have been unanimously forgiven by fans.  

Arsenal were near perfect in the opening weeks of the window.  They replaced the players who needed to be replaced, and brought in a superstar attacker in Alexis.  However, I don’t see this squad as that much better than last year, and that is due to the lack of hard man in the middle.  

Offensively, Arsenal definitely improved, but Arteta and Flamini are both on the wrong side of 30 and aren’t getting any younger.  Between now and January, Wenger should make it a priority to negotiate some kind of deal to bring in a player who sits in front of the back four.

As I said before though, Arsene Wenger is a risk-taker; always has been and always will be.  However, the jury is still out on whether or not they can compete with the top teams, with their biggest deficiency still being a powerful midfielder, who they had two months to acquire.  

Chelsea Set For Everton Test

Jose Mourinho has had the luxury of facing two premier league newcomers in Chelsea’s first two premier league fixtures.  After a brief scare against Burnley, the Blues have gone on to dominate both games, winning comfortably in the end.

To make matters even better for Mourinho, he saw his team draw by far the easiest group of any English team in the Champions League yesterday.  This weekend Chelsea will face their first real test of the season when they travel to Goodison Park and face Everton.  

The two blue-clad clubs dueled to offsetting 1-0 home wins last season, leaving no doubt that tomorrows fixture will be hotly contested.  Everton have a pair of Chelsea strikers facing fitness battles before the weekend, but anyone who claims Samuel Eto’o isn’t out for revenge to some degree is kidding themselves.  

Eto’o, the ever confident Cameroonian who recently retired from international duty after 56 goals in 118 appearances, will have his former manager's comments about the strikers age in the back of his mind.  However, he has been with the team for less than a week, and his inclusion will likely be limited to a substitute appearance should he be available.  

Regardless of Eto’o’s fitness status, Romelu Lukaku will lead the line for the Toffees.  A year ago, Lukaku declared that he would score more goals in the premier league for Everton than any Chelsea strikers while on loan.  He came through on his promise, netting 15 goals and eventually earning a permanent contract with Everton.  

Lukaku will show the determination to prove himself under the watchful eye of Jose Mourinho, who sold the Belgian earlier in the summer.  Ross Barkley is still sidelined with injury, as are Steven Pienaar and Bryan Oviedo.  Roberto Martinez still has plenty of quality players at his disposal however.  

The midfield duo of Gareth Barry and James McCarthy has been excellent in the past year, while fullbacks Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines are a mainstay on either flank.  John Stones could deputize anywhere along the back line should Martinez need a late replacement.  Muhamed Besic has yet to make his first premier league start, so I wouldn't rule out Martinez sending him out there in front of the holding pair of Barry and McCarthy with confidence.  

Chelsea will have their hands full going into a hostile environment, but will have a full squad to choose from.  Diego Costa had a brief injury scare midweek, but has passed a fitness evaluation this afternoon and will likely lead the Chelsea line.  

Mourinho has fielded an attacking lineup in the two previous matches, but could opt for a more defensive starting XI and deploy the tireless Ramires next to Nemanja Matic in the middle.  

This would mean either Oscar or Cesc Fabregas would be sacrificed to the bench, something Mourinho is not afraid to do in big games away from home.  Ramires could also feature on one of the wings, since defending the flanks is never easy against Everton.  Whoever Mourinho selects on either wing must have a tactical understanding and help out against the marauding Coleman and Baines.  

As they did last weekend against Arsenal, Everton will likely come out aggressively.  However, Mourinho will not allow his team to go down 2-0 as Arsene Wenger did.  He has to be wary of how dangerous Everton can be when the run of play favors them and at times will be forced to play behind the ball.  

For Everton, it is imperative that lessons be learned from last weekend’s result against the Gunners.  For 75 minutes, Everton defended excellently and took their chances extremely well.  They took advantage of a sluggish Mertesacker and a weak defensive midfield, but must know the team they face tomorrow will be tougher and more organized.  

If Everton grab the lead, they mustn’t so deep in the dying moments as they did against Arsenal and allow Chelsea to mount a comeback.  Chelsea will probably play relatively simple and compact for the first portion of the game and Jose Mourinho will adjust as he always does.  

If Mourinho can sustain a defensive presence and assess how to improve the squad he has on the pitch at halftime, Chelsea could sneak away with a win.  However, the big game mentality that Roberto Martinez instills in his players will reign supreme over Mourinho’s methods.  I’m predicting Everton to snatch their first win of the season in what is sure to be a heavyweight duel, 1-0.  

Ward-Prowse Poised to Make an Impact

Arguably the story of the summer in the premier league was the fire sale from the doorstep of the St. Mary’s Stadium.  Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Calum Chambers, and Dejan Lovren all left Southampton for a combined 92 million pounds.  To add insult to injury, manager Mauricio Pochettino also bolted for White Hart Lane.  

From a Southampton fan’s point of view, the summer couldn’t have gone much worse.  From a more neutral point of view, Southampton have managed to keep hold of their brightest young star in James Ward-Prowse. 

The 19 year old, who joined the Saints’ academy at just eight years old, is already entering his third season as a full-time member of the first team.  It goes to show why over two years ago, then manager Nigel Adkins had the faith in the 17 year old Ward-Prowse to give him his premier league debut in midfield against defending champions Manchester City.  

Up against Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Samir Nasri, David Silva, Yaya Toure, and Vincent Kompany that day, Ward-Prowse earned the high praise of his manager in 65 minutes of impressive two-way football.  Since then, Ward-Prowse’s rise has been steady but relatively undetected.  

With the aforementioned Saints now having moved on to new clubs, now is Ward-Prowse’s time to shine.  It remains to be seen if he has the toughness and desire to deliver with added pressure on his young shoulders, but I wouldn’t bet against him.

He is a technician in the mold of Steven Gerrard, with less of a physical presence but possessing superior speed and quickness.  Also reminiscent of the Liverpool skipper, Ward-Prowse is outstanding in dead-ball situations and can spray the ball to any corner of the field with accuracy and vision.  

He has yet to score in the premier league, but his strengths are not illustrated in his goal tally.  In the 2013/2014 premier league season, Ward-Prowse had a better pass completion and average pass length than both Ross Barkley and Jack Wilshere, England’s two most promising playmakers.  

Furthermore, the young Saint also averaged more key passes and chances created per 90 minutes than both of his countryman last season.

Internationally, Ward-Prowse has experience at the U-17 through U-21 levels, most recently representing England in the 2014 Toulon Tournament in France in May.  His only goal of the tournament was a breathtaking free kick against Brazil, which was eventually voted goal of the tournament.  

He was also voted one of the best three players of the tournament, which is a showcase for the best young talent in the world.  In my humble opinion, he was robbed of a spot on Roy Hodgson’s recent squad he named for the upcoming friendly against Norway and the Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland, but his eventual inclusion in the Three Lions is a formality.

After a summer in which England were eliminated so swiftly and with such ease from the World Cup, Ward-Prowse gives hope to a Three Lions team in desperate need of a new star.  With Gerrard and Lampard deciding to hang up their boots, Ward-Prowse will certainly challenge Wilshere, Barkley, Adam Lallana, and Jordan Henderson for playing time in central midfield.  

Here and now however, James Ward-Prowse’s focus will be on the premier league, while more viewer focus should be on him individually.  Down the road it is a formality that he will move on for a very hefty transfer fee, but for now Southampton fans can rest easy that they still very much have a star to watch.

Defenders for the Future

The future is bright for these stars, some of whom have already featured in the top flight, but some who you may not be familiar with just yet.

Kenneth Omeruo, 20, Chelsea

Kenneth Omeruo probably has as much international experience as any 20-year old in the world.  The Nigerian started all four games for Nigeria in the World Cup, as well as every game in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, a competition the Super Eagles won for the third time.  

Omeruo, on loan at Middlesborough, was bought by Chelsea in 2012 and has yet to feature for the first team in England.  In addition to wonder-kid Kurt Zouma, Mourinho has two physically dominant center backs at his disposal for the future.  

Hector Bellerin, 19, Arsenal

Arsene Wenger always has a plan, and it’s easy to see how he envisions Arsenal’s future at right back.  With the departure of Bacary Sagna, Mathieu Debuchy was brought in to replace his compatriot as the first-choice right back.  However, Debuchy is 29 and merely a short-term replacement.  

Enter Bellerin, who is certain to feature for Arsenal in the coming years.  Bellerin recently claimed the ‘fastest gunner of all time’ title after beating Theo Walcott and Thierry Henry’s 40-yard mark, and impressed both defensively and in attack at the Emirates Cup.  The La Masia Academy product is flying through the ranks at Arsenal and could appear in the premier league much sooner than anyone expects him to.  

John Stones, 20, Everton

Some reckoned John Stones had an outside shot at making the plane to Brazil this summer, but we can definitely assume he will be in the mix four years from now.  As an understudy to premier league veterans Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka, Stones has improved on his already immense pedigree since joining Everton.  

Stones can also deputize for Seamus Coleman at right back, making him a versatile asset capable of filling a number of roles (he more than filled this role when Coleman was sidelined last year).  Roberto Martinez deserves all the credit in the world for plucking him out of Barnsley last summer, and the sky is the limit for this multifaceted young man.  

Calum Chambers, 19, Arsenal

Similar to Stones, Chambers can play both center back and right back.  It wouldn’t be a far reach to predict that the two youngsters could be England’s first-choice center backs one day, but like Stones, Chambers can also play wide right.  

Chambers was bought for 16 million pounds by Arsenal this summer, a hefty fee for a teenager with just 22 premier league appearances under his belt.  However, he has impressed thus far while Per Mertesacker regains fitness and Laurent Koscielny battles though an achilles injury.  

Matt Targett, 18, Southampton

Southampton endured a long and difficult summer in the transfer market, one which saw them lose half their starting lineup as well as their managar.  Similar to what Arsenal did, Southampton brought in short term cover at the left back position vacated by Luke Shaw.  Ryan Bertrand joined on a two year loan from Chelsea, but the future lies with Matt Targett.  

Targett joins Gareth Bale and Shaw as the latest of left backs to come up through the South.  A Southampton supporter born into a Southampton-mad family, Targett has incredible pace and explosiveness going forward.  Ronald Koeman has reportedly taken a liking to the teenager who impressed in a preseason which saw him earn a pair of starts at left back.  

Eric Dier, 20, Tottenham

Two weeks ago, I would have looked like a genius for putting Eric Dier on this list.  Now, it’s a formality.  Dier’s story is one of the more unique ones in football.  Born in England, Dier moved to Portugal at age ten with his mother when she was offered a catering job for the 2004 European Championships.  

After impressing in none other than P.E. class, Dier was referred to Sporting Lisbon scouts by his school instructor soon after moving there.  In 2010 at age 16, Dier, loyal as ever, turned down Arsenal, Tottenham, and Manchester United to stay in Portugal and play for the club who schooled him.  Now, the Englishman has returned to England and certainly made his presence felt with goals in each of his first two appearances for Tottenham.  Even as an Arsenal fan, Dier’s story puts a smile on my face.  

Weekend Preview: United Badly Need This One

Under-fire manager Louis Van Gaal is not finding life simple in England.  After the 4-0 defeat to MK Dons in the Capital One Cup this week, one would assert that things couldn’t get any worse for the Dutchman and Manchester United.

Well, cheer up Louis, because even though it’s away from home, you’ve got Burnley this weekend, a side who also suffered defeat to a lower-division side in the Capital One Cup this week.  However, anything less than three points would mean the support calling for your head and probably another awkward meeting with Ed Woodward. 

It could be worse for United in that they are lucky they don’t play a nightmare fixture following two already rather lenient games to start the season.  Manchester United have to take it one match at a time, and regardless of their recent form, should take care of business at Turf Moor on Saturday.  

As I mentioned earlier, Burnley were stunned by Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup in front of a lackluster crowd at Turf Moor.  Even thought it was just a cup game, you would think the supporters would turn up to support their side.  On Saturday, don’t expect a half-empty stadium, but know that the support for the recently-promoted club is not what it should be.  

A week one defeat to Chelsea was almost a formality, but last weeks fixture against Swansea was hotly contested.  Although Nathan Dyer scored the only goal of the game in the first half, the second period was dominated by the Clarets.

From a Burnley perspective, this fixture could mean a great deal to them.  If they were to grab a point or perhaps stun Manchester United as bottom-feeder clubs are so accustomed to, it could be a springboard for them.  

If they lose, it's far from the end of the World...they're Burnley, not Manchester United after all.  The Clarets will come out and attack, with Danny Ings leading the line against a United side seriously lacking confidence.  

On the other side of the ball, Van Gaal will likely have Argentinian signings Marcos Rojo and record signing Angel Di Maria available for selection, and if that’s not a boost to the club I don’t know what is.  

Di Maria led La Liga by a wide margin with 17 assists last year, and was man of the match in the Champions League final.  His impact for Argentina in the World Cup was immense, while his injury absence from the semifinal and final were noticeable.  

Di Maria’s offensive prowess is well-documented, and people have been comparing his new role to that of Arjen Robben under Van Gaal.  What makes Di Maria better than the Dutchman is his willingness to defend at times, something which earned him starts in the middle of the pitch last season after Gareth Bale was bought from Tottenham.  

As for Rojo, he immediately becomes arguably Manchester United’s best defender.  Rojo starred under Alejandro Sabella in Brazil, also showing he can play on both sides of the ball to devastating effect.  However, he is just one player, and his impact can only be felt at one position.  

Rojo’s versatility will make him an excellent tool in Van Gaal’s constantly changing tactical scheme, but with the recent run of injuries to almost every midfielder at the club, the focus of concern is slurring between defense and the midfield.  

Finally, it remains to be seen how United will line up with their new star player in the fold.  United have a wealth of attacking talent in Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata, and now Di Maria.  The key will be integrating Di Maria while maintaining a defensive presence in the back.  

Against MK Dons, Manchester United were made up of either untested academy players or men Van Gaal is phasing out of the club; hardly a side with any motivation or confidence.  

Right now, Van Gaal doesn’t have the luxury of selecting his best players with all the injuries.  It is imperative that the Dutchman instill it in all eleven players on the pitch that laziness or complacency will not be tolerated.  I expect United to take three points from this game, but it will not be easy at all.  United will grab the early lead, Burnley will fight back, but come up just short.  2-1 Red Devils.  

Fernando Simplifies Things For City

It was a roller coaster of a campaign for Manchester City last season.  In Manuel Pellegrini’s first season at the Etihad, City won two trophies and displayed some dominant displays of football.  What almost saw the Citizens lose the title however, was their inconsistent defending in the middle of the park.  

Particuarly away from home, Manchester City were too susceptible to the odd counter attack and poor run of play.  They would go missing for extended periods of matches, lacking the ability to defend in the middle third.  

Fernandinho is an excellent central midfielder, as is Yaya Toure.  However, as the year went on, it became clearer and clearer that both prefer to get forward more than track back.  

After two league games, Manchester City new boy Fernando is already panning out as the clubs most impactful signing of the summer.  Since Nigel De Jong left in the wake of their 2011-2012 championship, the Blues have been missing a steely defensive midfielder.  

Fernando fills this void, and although Fernandinho played alongside Yaya Toure for much of the year to great effect, the Brazilian was at fault for a lot of City’s positional indiscipline last season.  

In the big games, Pellegrini has the option to play the more defensive Fernando next to Toure, while Fernandinho would offer more going forward if he prefers an attacking side.  As we have seen in the first two games, Fernandinho can replace a forward from the bench and provide even more cover.  

In both instances, Pellegrini has done this to protect a lead, and in both instances Manchester City have closed out the game properly.  The chances of coming from behind against this team are even slimmer now.

Although he shows no signs of slowing down, Yaya Toure is getting old.  Fernando is the type of player who complements the Ivorian best, especially at this point in his career.  Liverpool, playing just one holding midfielder, ought to look at what Pellegrini does with his two central holders and think about fielding more support for Steven Gerrard.  

Poetically enough, Fernando is a much simpler player than Fernandinho.  They share a name and a starting position, but the latter is more flamboyant in both aspects.  With Fernando in the fold, Pellegrini has a means to simplify things on the pitch, which so far he has done after just two games.    

Alexis Opens Account, Questions Remain

The relief amongst Arsenal fans is at a fever pitch right now, having just seen their team squeeze out a Champions League playoff tie against Besiktas.  Alexis netted his first competitive goal for the club, but Mathieu Debuchy was sent off with a quarter of an hour to go, making for a nervy ending in North London.  

For the sake of tradition however, Arsenal managed to make it to the group stages of the Champions League once again.  Arsene Wenger will be ecstatic that his men have hurdled this early season test, but questions still remain as to how he should set up his team, especially with the long-term absence of Olivier Giroud.  

Arsene Wenger confirmed after the match that he intends to play Alexis as the main striker while Giroud is on the sidelines.  This will not be enough to appease the fans, since the Everton game illustrated how the Gunners need a physical presence to lead the line at times.  Wenger did say after the match that he will pull the trigger on a striker ‘if he is good enough’ (in other words, he’s ready to spend).  

Credit to Alexis though, who harassed and chased the Besiktas back line for 90 minutes, had some flashes of brilliance with the ball at his feet, and most importantly scored the goal.  My dissertation of Alexis when he joined Arsenal was that he is a player with winger-like qualities, but striker-like instincts. 

The finish today was not a flashy one but it was almost a mirror image of the opportunistic goal he bagged against Brazil in the World Cup.  Arsenal fans will definitely appreciate the Chileans effort as well.  The relief on Alexis’ face after the goal was noticeable, and seeing him collapse after the full-time whistle was indicative of his work-rate and emotional investment in the club.  

The man of the match, however, was Jack Wilshere.  With Aaron Ramsey out following his red card in the first leg, Wilshere was tasked with filling the Welshman’s void in the middle of the park.  The 22 year old more than delivered, showing he isn’t ready to take a back seat to Aaron Ramsey at Arsenal.

In the dying moments of the game, there was one instance where the midfielder received the ball at the edge of his own box, turned beautifully through two Besiktas players, scampered past another two, and eventually found himself with the ball on the edge of the opposition’s box.  This kind of play is what we expect to see from Wilshere more often, but can he co-exist with Ramsey?

Wenger has a lot of thinking to do after this game.  Mesut Ozil was marooned on the left for most of the match, and looked far more effective in his visits to the the middle.  Santi Cazorla and Wilshere on the other hand, were placed more centrally and had better games as a result.  Ozil still had an impact on the game, delivering the assist for Sanchez’ goal, but one has to wonder why the club’s record signing is constantly being played out of position.  

This is something Wenger must figure out, because although Cazorla and Wilshere were both effective today, 42.5 million pounds should not be utilized on a player who will only see the field out of position.  With Theo Walcott back in the fold, I expect to see Ozil take up his familiar central role, while Cazorla will likely be surrendered to the bench

Now that Arsenal have seen their qualification to the group stages, Arsene Wenger has to deliver in the dying days of the transfer window.  A guarantee of Champions League football will boost their chances of signing a top player or two, but the Frenchman must figure out how to use the players he already has at the club.

Be Patient With Van Gaal

Upon his arrival at Manchester United, Louis Van Gaal brought an aura of confidence and optimism with him following the World Cup.  I asserted that Manchester United fans should be encouraged by the Netherlands’ success in Brazil, and that Van Gaal showed the qualities necessary to turn things around at Old Trafford.  

Weeks later, Manchester United are now out of the Capital One Cup courtesy of League One side Milton Keynes Dons, who ruthlessly bludgeoned the Red Devils 4-0 today.  After a poor start to the premier league, Van Gaal was the first to tell us that things would get worse before they would get better.  Well, the Dutchman was right, and things are now worse…or are they?

One of the things I love about Van Gaal is his willingness to put promising but unproven players on the pitch in competitive matches.  Marnick Vermijl and Saidy Janko were given their debuts for the club, a sign that Van Gaal is looking toward the future.  Besides, is this not what explicitly what Van Gaal promised in his first press conference at Manchester United?

Being eliminated from the competition altogether negates the likeliness of these players seeing more chances, but first-team players should nonetheless be wary of Van Gaal’s affinity for fresh blood.  Reece James, Tyler Blackett, and Michael Keane have featured heavily in preseason and in games against Swansea and Sunderland, and are likely to stay in contention for roles in the squad.

The presence of new faces from within will only push the likes of Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, and Jonny Evans.  Van Gaal will instill it in his players that no one is assured a spot in the team, and that a younger, hungrier player will always be waiting in the wings should someone become complacent or lazy.

In the long run, getting these players on the field will benefit the club, and don’t be surprised to see more unknowns make their debuts for the club this season.  Van Gaal said after the game that he is here to build a new team, a feat impossible in such a short amount of time.  He’s right, and United fans have to maintain their patience with the accomplished Dutchman.

Meanwhile, Anderson, Nick Powell, Shinji Kagawa, Chicharito, and Danny Welbeck all failed to impress.  One can only wonder if any of these men have played their final game in a Manchester United shirt.  In the end, seeing these players play such a horrible game collectively is a blessing in disguise since players more likely to feature in the years to come will see more opportunities.   

The worst thing that can happen at Manchester United right now is for the supporters not to be 100% behind Louis Van Gaal.  He is not David Moyes, and he has won handfuls of trophies over the years.  One of the conditions of his arrival was that he would be given time, and time is definitely still on his side.

Ed Woodward knew of the imminent departures of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, and Patrice Evra, but did nothing to soften the loss of three quarters of United's best back line for years.  It isn't just that Woodward hasn't replaced them by now, it's that he didn't do it years ago.  Van Gaal implied his displeasure at the lack of work done already when he arrived, calling his new team a 'broken squad.' 

On a final note, I will reiterate how important Van Gaal has been to the shape of football since his first coaching role with Ajax in 1991.  Wherever he has managed, Van Gaal has injected previously unknown talent into the spotlight.  By no means are Reece James, Michael Keane, or Saidy Janko destined for super-stardom, but here are a few reasons to still be positive if you’re a Red Devil fan.  

At Ajax, Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids, and Patrick Kluivert all saw their first-team debuts.  The Dutch national team consequently enjoyed high degrees of success in the late 90’s.  

Over two stints in charge of Barcelona, Van Gaal integrated Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, and Victor Valdes into the Catalan squad, two of those men spearheading three major tournament wins for Spain.  

Most recently at Bayern Munich, Van Gaal installed first-team players Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller, and Holger Badstuber.  All three are integral to both club and country, and have enjoyed the highest success at both levels.