Watching Manchester United tear chunks out of City on Sunday, like a ravenous wild dog, it was hard to imagine that this was pretty much the same eleven that looked hopeless a couple of months ago.
Louis van Gaal’s philosophy has taken time to sink in, but the Manchester United players have applied themselves and the results are clear for everyone to see – not least in the defence where a comedy of errors has been replaced by composure and assertiveness.
Manchester United’s defenders still have a lot to prove of course. But ever since Chris Smalling and Phil Jones – the pair who were projected to be the next great Manchester United partnership – actually got to play together against Tottenham, for the first time this season, United have largely shut up shop at the back.
Both still young (Jones is 23 and Smalling 25) they could still prove to be the perfect partnership. While there isn’t a ball player in there of the quality of Rio Ferdinand, these two have earned the right to enjoy an extended stay at the back. What they do have is the pace and aerial presence of Smalling, twinned with Vidic-esque blood and thunder of Phil Jones. Partnerships take time to mature but, now that they have that, this duo is going to get even better.
When you consider that Manchester United also have the excellent Marcos Rojo in reserve (and the highly promising Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair waiting in the wings) you have to ask whether Manchester United will revisit their priorities for the summer transfer market? Do they need Mats Hummels?
Smalling has improved dramatically
Hummels has constantly been linked with Manchester United and his manager Jurgen Klopp suggested at the weekend that this deal could well be on. Yahoo Sport reports:
Klopp said: “He’s told me he’s thinking things over.
“We’re always looking around the market ourselves.”
When asked about Manchester United’s interest in the World Cup winning defender, Klopp said: “He’s good enough for Manchester United.”
If Hummels comes in then he will demand a start. That means that Smalling-Jones partnership will be broken up. Of the two, we think that Jones is a marginally better player but Smalling would complement Hummels better. So perhaps Jones would find himself on the sidelines or shoved out to right back a la Ivanovic at Chelsea.
As aforementioned, the big question is how much Louis wants to improve the distribution out of defence. But it does seem a real shame to break up a partnership which is finally paying such dividends for Manchester United.
United fans: does the club need Hummels?
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