New boss; old problems- Vangaal's Manchester woes

The resumption of the English Premier League was certainly something many a Red Devils fans was looking forward to. However, the way it just panned out on the debut day is something manager Louis Van Gaal would rather wish to forget quickly. Playing against Swansea, a team whose name sounds more like a children's animation movie rather than a bare knuckle football team, the former defending champions were surprised to lose the first match of the new season. It looks like a case of new manager but same old problems. By handing debuts to two youngsters that half of the fans of Man United had never heard off, clearly indicated that the current squad needs an urgent rejuvenation. United simply do not have enough good footballers and their debt-saddled owner makes it far from certain they can buy the quality needed. Louis van Gaal has got a problem. In fact, he's got three. First, the culture of football in England; showing a way with a snappy style is among his many talents, he maintains that players must think about 'not only running, but also to use your brain'. He also said recently that his new club comprised of 'a lot of players playing intuitively. But they have to think'. Again, nicely put. So why make Wayne Rooney the captain? Rooney has many qualities, when at his best, he has always played with a joyous, instinctive, unfettered power, a force of sporting nature. And when he is at his worst, the same: he plays without thought for bookings, for his manager's instructions, for staying in his position. Whether raging bull or rabid junkyard dog, Rooney is unthinking intuition made pasty flesh. And so it may be that handing him the armband is an attempted bulwark against the third problem facing van Gaal: a long, proven and proud record of falling out with other big egos everywhere he has worked. At Bayern it was Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben, at Ajax it was Johan Cruyff and Zlatan Ibrahimovi?, at Barcelona it was Rivaldo and Cruyff (again). In fairness, all five of those would try the patience of a most humble saint. But it looks that making Rooney captain is an attempt to get him onside early, and hope the star can drag the dressing room with him. The New Boss may be nothing like The Old Boss, but the fiasco could yet be all too familiar. Whatever happens, it will make for fantastic viewing. Arsenal fans, because they tend to be very loud, there is virtually little difference when the team wins or loses. The decibels from Arsenal stalwarts are usually deafening. After all it has been, for the last nine years. So it was expected when Man United lost and the Gunners won with virtually moments to spare, it was bound to be another tumultuous weekend for the Gooners. The win, especially coming a week after the team reduced defending champions to mere boys dressed like men was definitely something to shout about. Truth be told Arsenal won this game with a performance that was more effective than it was pretty. But for Arsenal fans what is not worth shouting about anyway? For the Gooners anything goes as long as it is in red and white. Frankly speaking few expected Arsenal to struggle the way they huffed and puffed against minnows such as Crystal Palace. Especially not when this team did not even have a proper manager. Perhaps the Gunners may have been guilty of the ultimate crime since in modern game: complacency. But having said that, no such allegation can be levelled against Aaron Ramsey, Santi Carzola or new signing Alexis Sanchez. The trio worked their poor behinds to ensure there was no repeat of last season's opening day debacle. For Arsenal haters especially if you are in the Red Devil camp the last minute goal and the earlier loss of United to Swansea is a bitter gum they have had to chew for the last couple of days. But this is another weekend with new games to be won, or lost. As for Chelsea, Jose Mourinho has really started the season from where he ended it. No not by winning a match, by playing the usual mind games. Prior to the Chelsea's Monday match against newcomers Burnley, Mourinho, in his characteristic style had made the usual ludicrous allegations that have become the hallmark of the short Portuguese. He claimed Arsene Wenger gets an easy ride at Arsenal, with a delivery date of ten years. He too had a jibe at Man City's Manuel Pellegrini saying the City, manager is nothing but a harvester not anywhere near during the hard labour of sowing. Someone needs to tell him if the premier league is to be won on mind games he would be a hot favourite, too bad we are yet to get there. For the time being let him do the business on the pitch!