Former Swansea manager Michael Laudrup has moved to reveal the details behind his shock departure from the club.
The Dane was dismissed earlier this month amid rumours that his relationship with the South Wales side had reached breaking point due to a series of off-field problems.
Laudrup had been extremely successful in terms of results with the Swans, guiding them into European competition via Capital One Cup glory while securing an impressive finish in the league.
However speculation suggesting the club had an uneasy relationship with their manager and his agent began to circulate over the summer, culminating in his sacking shortly after the January transfer window had closed.
Laudrup says that he was made to wait nine days for an explanation as to why he was relieved of his duties, and that the whole episode has been puzzling for him:
“Mid January, I’m told they’re not satisfied and that’s that. They wanted to change the coaching staff,” he is quoted by The Mirror.
“After the game against West Ham I got another message: I should really, really, really change my staff.
“I had a personal matter on the Monday morning. I wasn’t in Paris. It was a personal matter and the chairman knew about it.
“On the Tuesday, we had a meeting again. I shake hands. They say ‘thanks for the work you are doing’. Then, Tuesday afternoon, I receive mail that due to breach of contract it will be terminated just a few hours after the meeting.
“I was very confused so I called the club and asked what was going on. While I was on the phone, my wife said things were already on the internet that I had been dismissed.
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“I was advised not to speak out because I needed the letter from the club and reasons for my dismissal. It took nine days to receive that letter.”
Bournemouth and West Ham’s 3-3 draw was amongst Boxing Day’s more slapstick affairs. Simon Francis could have easily seen red for putting his boot through Chiekhou Kouyate’s face in the first half, Asmir Begovic gifted Marko Arnautovic the simplest brace of his career with two uncharacteristic errors and after the Austrian took the lead in the 89th minute, it was cancelled out in stoppage time as an offside Callum Wilson handled the ball on its way into the net.
Nonetheless, in a game that could have a huge say on their season due to West Ham’s close proximity in the table with yesterday’s opponents, there was a real grittiness and desire about the Irons, who appear to have truly rediscovered the character of the east London club under David Moyes. While the quality of the goals was certainly questionable, the Hammers kept going until the very end and almost claimed three points as a justified reward.
That’s a far cry from the West Ham we saw under Slaven Bilic at the start of the season, when a disappointing twenty-minute spell could lead to a capitulation, and no player highlighted that improvement in heart and professionalism better than captain James Collins – who was left ushering his angered team-mates away from referee Bobby Madley at the full-time whistle.
In addition to netting the opening goal by latching onto an Aaron Cresswell corner at the near post, the Welshman completed two tackles, two interceptions, won four aerial duels and made a whopping 13 clearances. But if there’s one thing that arguably let the centre-back down though, considering his veteran status in the team, it’s a failure to organise his team-mates properly at set pieces – Bournemouth netted from two dead ball scenarios as the Irons failed to clear.
Moyes’ side are clearly heading in the right direction and Collins has the character to play a huge part. But having now conceded the fourth-most set piece goals of any Premier League side, tightening up in those defensive situations is the crucial next step for Moyes on the training ground.
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David Moyes may be thankful to a degree that an international break has arrived. He’ll have time to reassess, to figure out the tweaks in the system that need to be made, and ask what has caused two utterly lifeless performances from Manchester United.
There was confidence that after six goals over two games at the start of the campaign, the Moyes era at Manchester United would be smooth sailing, or at least smoother than it has been. However, following the two major tests thus far against Chelsea and Liverpool, United’s on-pitch performances have mirrored the ineffectual activity in the transfer market. The football wasn’t always great under Alex Ferguson, but it got results. This season’s team, and admittedly it’s only following three league games, looks to be a step away from what we’ve seen in the past.
For the past two Premier League games Robin van Persie has been isolated up front. The service from midfield has been non-existent, with Ryan Giggs, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young combining for very little attacking ingenuity from the flanks. Shinji Kagawa, who on paper would be the perfect supply line for van Persie, remains on the bench and frustrated by a lack of minutes. Yes, it’s still early days, but the problems are very much out in the open.
What seems to be the case is that Moyes wants to avoid improving United’s traditional and successful means of attack by upgrading the team’s wingers. Giggs is no longer what he used to be, though that goes without saying. Nani is inconsistent and for much of the last year looked to be heading for the exit. As for Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young, you’d have to seriously ask what they bring to the team as regulars, or possible regulars in the starting XI.
The problem is there’s no adventure to United’s play. It’s as if Moyes hasn’t totally realised that he’s made the jump from underdogs to a team who are normally considered the top dog. At Everton, the football improved somewhat last season, but there was often a lot of talk about the valiant efforts of those in the backline, as if they were holding on to a result. At United, it doesn’t work like that and it never should. As was seen against Chelsea, Wayne Rooney was brought in, but how much instruction was there overall to go for the win at home to a title rival?
The integration of Kagawa should be key. Moyes spent all summer chasing a creative midfielder to no success. What if Ander Herrera had completed a move from Athletic Bilbao? Would he have been used sparingly from the bench because he’s too creative and forward thinking? It may be a ridiculous question to ask, but we’re seeing that in the lack of involvement of Kagawa, comfortably the team’s most creative midfielder.
Losing isn’t a disaster. Bayern Munich, the best team in Europe at the moment, have lost games over the past year. A good run of form will always come to an end, but generally you have an understanding of what to expect from the biggest teams around Europe; sometimes their best efforts aren’t good enough to counter the best from the other side. But this United side seem to be lacking a direction, or at least an attacking one. Losing at Anfield to a Liverpool side who are clearly in form is no great shame, it happens. Losing in the manner United did and off the back of a throwaway performance against Chelsea is certainly cause for concern.
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Is there cause for concern following United’s lifeless performances in the league?
Norwich defender Sebastien Bassong has credited hard work for the club’s recent revival, according to reports from talkSPORT.
The Canaries claimed a 2-1 Premier League victory over Sunderland over the weekend, which extended their unbeaten run to eight.
This turnaround followed a some humiliating results to the likes of Fulham and Liverpool that had led many to right off the East Anglian club’s chances of survival.
Bassong believes that their turnaround has been no coincidence and feels that the hard work being done on the training ground is paying off:
“After all the work we’ve done from the start of the season up to now we’re really delighted about how things are coming along.
“I’m not able say one thing that made us change like this. I think it’s going to be pretty basic but it’s just the work (we put in).
“We just work hard in training week in, week out, every day.
“A lot of players came in to the team this season so perhaps it took time for us to adapt and after the poor start we had I think it could only get better.”
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The Cameroonian international arrived at Carrow Road during the summer, signing from Tottenham.
There are few teams in the Premier League that can look back on the season with a sense of satisfaction like Southampton. Fittingly, after defeats in their opening four games (no team has ever survived after losing the first three) saw them pitched as early relegation candidates the Saints are eight points clear of the drop zone with four games left to play and on course to record their highest league finish for a decade. It’s quite some achievement for club that took the radical decision to swap managers in January. The transition from Nigel Adkins to Mauricio Pochettino has been smoother than anyone could have imagined with the Argentinian currently overseeing a six-match unbeaten run.
In fact few would have predicted this fixture would be a mid-table affair. West Brom have been a model of consistency in the top-flight this term and haven’t slipped into the bottom half since August. The Baggies have stuttered in recent weeks though, managing just one win in their last six games, and generally struggle away from the Hawthorns. With aspirations of beating last seasons 10th placed finish, their highest since 1981, Steve Clarke must get his players’ focus back on the rails if there season is to reap the rewards it has promised.
Team News
Southampton have Morgan Schneiderlin available along with Luke Shaw and Guly do Prado, but teenage midfielder James Ward-Prowse is an injury doubt for manager Mauricio Pochettino.
West Brom won’t have captain Chris Brunt (knee) for the trip to the south Coast. Youssuf Mulumbu remains sidelined as he completes the third and final game of his ban.
What the managers said…
“In the next two years I want to be back in the Champions League with Southampton and I believe it’s not unreal. We are a well organised side, with great belief in our abilities and it’s not an accident that we have beaten Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City recently. Why in a couple of years? It might be next year. I think in football if you have to be something, you have to be optimistic – why not dream of big achievements, big goals?” Mauricio Pochettino reveals his lofty ambitions for Southampton (Daily Mail)
“I’d love him to stay here but we have to plan for life without him. Rom has to go back, he is here for a year’s loan. He is their player and he goes back. He is contracted to them and I am 99.9 per cent sure he will do pre-season with Chelsea and then they will decide whether they want to let him out again. We have to develop the squad and build the squad without knowing that.” Steve Clarke admits West Brom are already preparing for life without post-Romelu Lukaku (Mirror Sport)
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Pre-match Statistic: Southampton have dropped 29 points from winning positions this season – more than any other team in the Premier League
Prediction: Southampton 2-0 West Bromwich Albion
Make your bets ahead of the showdown at St Mary’s by clicking on the banner below
It was no surprise when Harry Kane was named the Young Player of the Year, after being hailed as one of the most exciting players of the Premier League this season.
He earned his first England call up and scored just seconds after coming on against Lithuania. It has been a dream season for Harry Kane, but is he losing his touch?
This season’s wonderkind deserves acclaim. Yet in his last six appearances, he has scored just once. He found the back of the net at St James’ Park, when his side won 3-1. Considering how much Newcastle are struggling right now, they could very easily end up in the relegation scrap in these last few weeks – is this really an achievement?
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In Tottenham Hostpur’s last game, they played Manchester City. Spurs could not get anything from the game, as City took all three points. Surely, for the bright spark of this season, Harry Kane should have gotten a result for his side then? Instead, he picked up a yellow card. He also watched Sergio Aguero push himself further towards lifting the golden boot.
Picking up yellow cards against the big six sides this season has evidently been a problem for the 21-year-old. He has collected yellow cards against Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. It is evident that Kane struggles against the big sides as well. He spent ninety minutes at Old Trafford in Chris Smalling’s back pocket, and his performance was sub par in the Capital One Cup final.
Kane does play well against the smaller sides, but does that really make a great player? He scored his first Premier League hat-trick against Leicester as they were written off at the bottom of the league. He has also registered goals against the likes of Queen’s Park Rangers, West Brom and Crystal Palace.
The youngster was on course to lift the golden boot at the end of the season, but Sergio Aguero has stopped him in his tracks. Can he catch Aguero and snatch the title back? In their remaining fixtures, Spurs will face Stoke, Hull and Everton. With that in mind, it could go down to the wire for the golden boot.
He has had a good season, but Harry Kane is not a Premier League great – yet. He is not a prolific goalscorer, but he is not too far off it. The striker needs to be at his best in the big games against the big sides – this is how he can prove he is a true great.
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Football may not be a game renowned for its long memory, but even by the Premier League’s standard, the change in fortunes that Scott Parker has suffered in little over 12 months at Tottenham Hotspur feels incredible.
As we headed into the final straight of last season, the former-Charlton Athletic man was already well on course to pick up both the supporters’ player of the year at White Hart Lane, as well as a starting berth for his country at the European Championships.
Yet fast forward to the March of 2013 and it seems hard to believe quite how altered Parker’s standing within first team affairs feels this season. Because where as he last season he represented something of a priceless commodity, this time around, he feels more of a clunking component in a stuttering machine.
Of course, it’s easy to overplay what many have perceived to be a season of regression for Parker in the white half of North London.
A near on four month absence with an Achilles issue has cast an overwhelming shadow over the midfielder’s season and where as ideally he would have been eased back into first-team proceedings, the season ending knee injury to Sandro hyper accelerated his return to the fore.
Indeed, the 32-year-old had amassed only an hour of Premier League football before his season was effectively jump started at QPR in January and the lack of options in the Spurs engine room ensured that Parker had to find his form the hard way.
Yet with only eight league games remaining this season, Parker heads into the final straight with his influence upon Andre Villas-Boas’ side a real talking point within the home crowd.
Superficially, when looking beyond Spurs’ recent hiccup of form, it feels difficult to justify a lot of the negativity that has surrounded Parker’s performances. Out of the 20 games he’s featured in for the Lilywhites this season, the England man has only played on the loosing side four times, with three of those losses coming in the last three games. Certainly, if he has been struggling to replicate the form of last term, it’s hardly had a detrimental effect upon the results.
But while Tottenham have hardly been floundering with Scott Parker in the side, they’ve not often felt like they’ve flourished in his presence, either.
It would be cruel to proportion the weight of Spurs’ often-jagged performances in recent months solely on Parker’s shoulders, although you can’t help but feel that he serves to represent a motif of the side’s collective inability to sustain any real rhythm to their play.
Should Spurs claw their way to Champions League qualification this season, supporters aren’t likely to worry too much about how they got there; just as long as they do. But despite going on a 12 game unbeaten run, while Villas-Boas’ side played some great football in patches, it was hardly a sustained free-flowing exhibition of attacking football.
In the games against Norwich City, Newcastle United and especially the two legs against Lyon in the Europa League to name but a few, Spurs managed to avoid defeat, but they certainly didn’t make life easy for themselves. The result has ultimately always been ground out, but at times Villas-Boas’ side have rarely managed to hit the high gears for more than a 10 or 15-minute spell.
And perhaps few have tended to look quite as laboured as Parker has done within the side, when things haven’t necessarily been free-flowing.
Some will point to the fact that the usual barometer for a good Parker performance last season was when you barely heard his name mentioned at all, as he mopped up loose ends and went about his business both quietly and efficiently. This season however, while he’s still performed that role well, the remit for his midfield play has encompassed a slightly larger scope under Villas-Boas.
The anchor midfield pairing in the Villas-Boas system requires an awful lot more dynamism and interchangeability than the relatively singular role Parker was asked to play alongside Luka Modric last term.
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Where as last season, the England man was given the sole task of sitting and sweeping up, this time around, he’s had to offer a presence in the final third for the first time in his Spurs career. When Mousa Dembele sits, Parker has to move forward and consequently, he’s often looked painfully exposed when approaching the edge of the penalty area.
So is Scott Parker really a fading force or more an unfortunate victim of accelerated change? Whichever way you look at it, the role he’s being asked to play by Villas-Boas hasn’t made it easy for him to stand out in this team.
Yet on the other side of the coin, while he has tended to look like an awkward component in the Tottenham machine, the core attributes of his game have still remained a priceless asset in the newly found steel the side have developed in recent games. Calls from some supporters to drop Parker’s industry for the technical excellence of young Tom Carroll aren’t without gravitas, but as we’ve seen so often throughout the 32-year-old’s career, subtracting his skillset from your side often tends to do more harm than good.
Having had both Sandro and Scott Parker plying their trade in this Andre Villas-Boas system, there can be simply no arguments that the Brazilian remains the better fit and perhaps the overall better player. But with Sandro out the picture following injury, regardless of his limitations in the Portuguese’s system, Parker has done an admirable job within the starting XI. A long term option he may not be, but over the next eight league games, he still has a massive part to play.
West Ham United host Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup at the London Stadium on Tuesday night, and Irons fans have demanded that youngster Sead Haksabanovic is handed a start.
David Moyes’ men would ideally love to progress in the competition, but Premier League survival may come first even though they moved out of the relegation zone with an impressive 3-0 win against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.
The east London outfit welcome 18th-placed Newcastle United to the capital this weekend, and Moyes may well see that as a must-win game.
Haksabanovic only joined the Hammers during the summer, and he has made one appearance for the senior team – the 3-0 win against Bolton Wanderers in the League Cup in September – while he has been on the substitutes’ bench in the Premier League on two occasions, including against the Potters on Saturday.
West Ham supporters were quick to have their say on the 18-year-old via social media, and while one said “he is the closest player to resemble Lanzini I can think of”, another said “Haksabanovic to start tonight please”.
Who first dreamed up the notion of the release clause? Perhaps it was a ploy adopted from the business sector – potentially incarnated by former Tottenham-owner-turned-TV-personality-turned-Lord, Alan Sugar. Perhaps it was invented by Mr. R. Clause himself. Perhaps ex-Liverpool director Damien Comolli, a relentlessly suspicious character, came up with it.
Either way, the release clause adds an interesting dynamic to the transfer market – a simple-yet-effective method of saying ‘If you want him that badly, this is how much you’ll have to pay. Don’t bother negotiating. I can’t be bothered to sit in a boardroom, sipping coffee and downing croissants, whilst debating it.’
Indeed, release clauses can often be extortionate. But here’s FIVE buy-out fees Football Fancast thinks strikes great value-for-money and Spurs should consider activating when the transfer window reopens in January.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON MAURICIO POCHETTINO TO REVEAL ALL
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WILFRIED BONY – £19m
With Emmanuel Adebayor, Harry Kane and Roberto Soldado finding just one Premier League goal between them this season, a new striker is a must for Tottenham in January.
Mauricio Pochettino favoured big-n-burley centre-forwards at Southampton, namely Rickie Lambert and Dani Osvaldo, and still appears to prefer that mould, more commonly selecting the Togolese lankster over his shorter team-mates.
And one striker also fitting that category is Swansea City’s Wilfried Bony, who was regularly linked with a White Hart Lane switch during the summer:
The 25 year-old impressed last season to bag 16 goals and four assists in his inaugural Premier League campaign, following an incredible 37-strike haul during his ultimate year at Vitesse Arnhem. Here’s Bony’s highlights from 2013/14:
//www.youtube.com/embed/L_zt5akDKGs
In addition to firepower, he far outshone Spurs’ strike-force last season in terms of hold-up play, as detailed below:
The Ivory Coast international has rediscovered his scoring touch over the last few weeks, netting twice in his last two Premier League outings – including this goal against Newcastle:
His £19million release clause is more than affordable, but Swansea are planning to tie their star forward down to a new long-term contract:
PACO ALCACER – £14.5m
Another release-clause-inspired front-man option for the Lilywhites to consider is Valencia starlet Paco Alcacer, who the tabloids claim has already popped up on Mauricio Pochettino’s radar:
The 21 year-old has been nothing short of potent over the last 18 months, as detailed below:
And that incredible influence in the final third has seen Alcacer rise to the forefront of Vincente del Bosque’s plans for the Spanish national team – he’s claimed four caps since his debut in August, netting thrice in the process. Here’s a look at the 5 foot 11 forward in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/RCKK3deKD2w?rel=0
Reminiscent of a young Fernando Torres, the Spain international bears no particular defining strength but a varied all-round-game.
Furthermore, Alcacer’s current release clause is just £14.5million, leading one Spanish publication to dub him ‘the bargain of Europe’ and leading to a plethora of attention throughout the continent. Indeed, the Spaniard has already attracted some heavy hitters:
But Los Che are planning to bump up his release clause to a whopping £40million:
EDER BALANTA £12.5m
Following a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City, giving Spurs the second-worst goals conceded record in the Premier League’s top half, as shown below…
… a new centre-back wouldn’t go amiss in January, especially with Jan Vertonghen’s White Hart Lane future shrouded in doubt:
One potential solution comes in the form of highly-rated Colombian international Eder Balanta, often linked with the likes of Liverpool, Juventus and Barcelona:
World Cup performances were expected to springboard the 21 year-old into European football, but he eventually made just one appearance as Los Cafeteros proved to be the tournament’s surprise package.
Nevertheless, the River Plate starlet looks like a real talent, with head coach Ramon Diaz comparing him to Argentine World Cup-winning centre-back Daniel Passarella. Here’s Balanta in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/NApExJhZwEY
The South American’s silky, exciting, front-footed style makes his £12.4million release clause well worth the punt, but other sources claim River Plate could be pressed to sell for as little as £5million.
TERELL ONDAAN – €1.5m
Representing the cheaper and more speculative end of the release clause spectrum is Eredivisie youngster Terell Ondaan.
Hardly a household name in England, or even for the Netherlands for that matter. But the 21 year-old winger played a crucial role in Willem II’s promotion push from the Ereste Divisie last season and he’s now turning heads in the top flight, getting off the mark against Heerenveen earlier this month:
Here’s a look at his form so far this term:
Impressive stuff from the former Ajax academy product, who has also muscled his way into Oranje’s U21 string. Here’s a short clip of Ondaan in action:
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//www.youtube.com/embed/XwjxudASFa8?rel=0
He’s already being tipped as a future star at club and international level, and with a rumoured release clause of just €1.5m could quickly prove to be an incredibly astute investment.
ANDERSON TALISCA – €18m
Brazilian beast Talisca only joined the Benfica ranks in July this year, but a plethora of top clubs are already considering activating his €18million release clause:
Indeed, the 20 year-old has bagged an incredible six goals in seven league appearances since the summer- including this powerhouse effort against Arouca:
Measuring in at 6 foot 2, he’s famed for his surging runs, incredible strength and trickery, illustrated by this beastly charge for the Brazil U23s:
Here’s another look at Talisca in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/NlL06CT08J4?rel=0
He appears purpose-built for Premier League football, but Benfica want to bump up his release clause to an outrageous £47.5million.
Even the most ardent Juan Mata fan would struggle to suggest that the current campaign, his first full season with Manchester United, was always destined for success.
Now though, things seem to be falling into place for the former Chelsea man. The little midfielder could still be heralded as a key figure in a triumphant return to the Champions League for the Old Trafford side. It has taken a while to come to fruition, but Mata now looks central to United’s ambitions.
Despite struggling to nail down a spot in Louis Van Gaal’s first team and battling to become accustomed to the “philosophy” to which the Dutch coach is so committed, Mata has regularly proved to be the difference when United have gained three points instead of one. The playmaker bagged decisive goals in home victories over Stoke and Palace.
Mata the match-winner was at it again with the stakes sky high at Anfield. His two goals capped a stunning performance and dispatched his side’s biggest rivals. Aside from the heroics, other aspects of his recent form have reminded Premier League fans why he can be considered one of the divisions’ finest attacking midfielders.
Most strange about the last two United victories is that the 26-year-old has regained his mojo from an unlikely source.
Stationed on the right of three attacking midfielders, he has reaped great benefit from the deployment of Marouane Fellaini in the central position. While the big Belgian has drawn in and then bullied the opposition, Mata has found joy in the space this has created.
A master at exploiting these gaps, he passed and moved his way to success against Liverpool, whose midfield were nowhere near him and whose left wing-back Alberto Moreno looked hapless in trying to track him.
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Despite the failure of the David Moyes era, here now are his two major signings combining effectively in attack.
Even more ironic is that Fellaini has come good in the very role players like Mata crave; the number 10 position.
The towering midfielder is by far the least luxurious choice to operate as the fulcrum of the Red Devils’ attack, but recently he has become the most effective at operating behind the striker. A side effect of this is Mata moving to what Van Gaal describes as a false right winger.
Whatever the role, he has adapted to it and also continues to develop a good understanding with fellow Spaniard Ander Herrera operating further back in the midfield.
The ex-Valencia schemer’s improvement could also have been aided by the lack of scrutiny he has been subjected to.
His price tag, £37million, was emphatically overshadowed by that of Angel Di Maria, whose flagging form has stolen the headlines, along with the struggles of another high-profile arrival, Radamel Falcao.
The diminutive Mata has never really been under the same pressure to perform as his team mates. In part this could be due to his “nice guy” status in the eyes of the Old Trafford faithful. The midfielder has now cemented a place in their hearts, by scoring against Liverpool both home and away.
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It would be foolish though to dismiss his current success or focus on a few high profile fixtures. The reason being that the Spaniard has the stats to merit his praise and indicate he could be integral to his side’s push for European qualification.
What stands out is his goals-to-games ratio, which is better than one in three for United and almost as good for Spain.
He also contributes heavily with assists and regularly attains a pass completion of over 90 per cent.
If Van Gaal has finally found a system in which he can prosper, he has all the qualities to haul a side who have looked sluggish in their race for the Champions League across the finish line.