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| Louis van Gaal is beginning to turn things around at Manchester United and beat Liverpool 2-1 on Sunday |
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| The former Everton midfielder was signed by David Moyes and was impressive at Anfield on Sunday |
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| Van Gaal was delighted after masterminding the victory that cemented United's position in the top four |
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| Herrera was impressive in midfield and was calm in possession in the Premier League match on Sunday |
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| Daley Blind surges forward from left back to beat Liverpool defender Emre Can |
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| Michael Carrick put in another composed display for Van Gaal - he exudes confidence in the holding role |
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| Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney celebrates at the final whistle after his side beat Liverpool |
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| Spanish midfielder Juan Mata celebrates after netting a double against Liverpool in the Premier League |
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| Another of Moyes' signings Juan Mata put in his best performance in the United shirt against Liverpool |
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| Smalling and defensive partner Phil Jones (left) have improved in recent weeks for Manchester United |
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| Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal embraces midfielder Marouane Fellaini after the game |
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| Mario Balotelli is held back by Liverpool supporters after tussling with Chris Smalling at Anfield |
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| Mata nets his second goal at Anfield - a superb scissor kick past goalkeeper Simon Mignolet |
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| Mata nets his second goal at Anfield - a superb scissor kick past goalkeeper Simon Mignolet |
No need for
pages of detailed statistics, the proof of Manchester United’s style was
evident all over the Anfield turf. The grace of Juan Mata’s two goals
and the swarm of white shirts, particularly in the first half, did more
for Louis van Gaal than any bits of A4 paper bearing pitch maps and
percentages.
The
reaction of Ryan Giggs told a tale too. Not long ago he was keeping a
stony face when Ashley Young scored late on at Newcastle in a win of an
entirely different complexion. Lucky, was the overriding analysis after
St James’ Park.
As
Mata celebrated his second strike, that glorious scissor kick, Giggs
bore a smile that came not only from witnessing a moment of individual
brilliance but from knowing United had earned the victory and produced
some dazzling stuff.
This
campaign under the Dutch manager has been littered with good results and
unfulfilling performances. United were clinging on rather than charging
ahead. Coherence and clarity, those concepts Van Gaal has built his
philosophy around, seemed distant planets.
United’s
exit to Arsenal in the FA Cup left silverware a forlorn hope, and
raised doubts anew about a finish in the Champions League places.
Staring
at a fixture schedule encompassing six of the top seven, with engines
revving behind them, United did not look safe in fourth.
And then, with Van Gaal’s credentials questioned, his team deliver their two best performances when it matters.
Van Gaal’s
entire ethos is built on systems where players are given specific roles
and instructions. His tweaks in formations and personnel throughout the
season are a sign of him working through problems. But recent injuries
and suspensions have thrown up solutions too.
Robin
van Persie left United’s last Premier League defeat, to Swansea, on
crutches and has not played since. As cruel as it may sound, that has
helped Van Gaal. His compatriot has been underwhelming and often clogged
attacks.
Instead
Wayne Rooney is restored to his centre forward role, providing a more
mobile focal point and in turn increasing the fluidity in midfield. The
Liverpool game was not Rooney’s best, compounded by that late penalty
miss, but against Spurs he was terrific and a much surer bet in the
run-in for goals.
Angel
di Maria is another who seemed undroppable, only for fate to intervene.
His rash tug of Michael Oliver’s shirt saw him suspended for the 3-0
win over Spurs that brought a return for Mata. Di Maria had looked in
need of removal from the starting line-up.
Jonny
Evans is out for some time still over Spitgate, but that has brought
Chris Smalling and Phil Jones together for two successive performances
of defensive stability.
Van
Gaal’s decision to employ Antonio Valencia at right-back has been
inspired: a rapid winger without tricks converted to dependable defender
with an attacking bent. So too, Daley Blind’s re-introduction at
left-back and Ashley Young at left wing
Steven
Gerrard came on to the pitch to make a mark. He did so with a crunching,
fair tackle on Mata. Having seen that, Herrera decided to return a show
of strength, sliding to block Gerrard’s next involvement. That, of
course, drew the stamp that saw the Liverpool captain dismissed.
Not
since the days of Roy Keane would a United midfielder respond like for
like when the battle got tough. Herrara will never snarl like the
Irishman but he can put in a challenge and United have needed that. In a
derby an instant reaction – within the laws, of course, his booking was
bizarre – is required to assert authority.
There
was the perfectly-weighted pass to release Mata for the opener and a
vibrancy around his display, coming off the back of that excellent Spurs
show. For a player barely featuring over winter – one of the more
curious Van Gaal calls – his recent resurgence bears the hallmarks of a
long-term success.
Gerrard was
not the only one to fess up after the game. Michael Carrick admitted it
was his mistake that led to Liverpool’s goal, trying a dribble only to
lose the ball in a dangerous position.
But
that should not cloud another composed display. He exudes confidence in
that holding role, sharp passing, astute movement, intelligent
positional play.
It is no coincidence that in 14 Premier League starts for Carrick, United have won 11, drawn two and lost only one.
Injury has hindered Van Gaal here, but he has always picked Carrick when fully fit.
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