Louis van Gaal won his first match of Netherlands’ 2022 World Cup campaign yesterday. Today is eight years to the day from one of his more impressive victories at Manchester United.
It is eight years since November 22 2014, the date of Van Gaal’s first Premier League away victory, in his seventh attempt.
This win came at The Emirates, with Manchester United winning 2-1, a quite remarkable victory because Van Gaal’s Red Devils managed just two shots on target.
This was in contrast to Arsenal’s nine, from 23 attempts, with the Gunners holding 61 per cent possession. But Manchester United dug in to secure a much-needed away win, between a battle of two clubs on the decline from past powers.
Arsene Wenger’s side were frustrated by Van Gaal’s 3-4-1-2 formation, with United scoring through an own goal from Kieran Gibbs, and a late Wayne Rooney strike.
Olivier Giroud scored in injury time for Arsenal from a Mikel Arteta assist – but it was too late.
Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett in defence
United’s victory was made all the more impressive by Van Gaal’s experimental and makeshift defence, featuring a back three of Chris Smalling, Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett.
While Smalling is now at AS Roma, McNair is at Middlesbrough and Tyler Blackett has most recently been at FC Cincincatti.
This was one of 11 Premier League games Blackett featured in under Van Gaal, and 24 McNair was selected for.
United saw Luke Shaw taken off in this match after just 16 minutes due to an injury, replaced by Ashley Young.
The starting XI was… De Gea; Blackett, McNair, Smalling; Valencia, Shaw, Fellaini, Carrick; Rooney; Di Maria, Van Persie
Van Gaal threw on youngster James Wilson for the final 15 minutes, with Darren Fletcher also a late substitute.
The manager was quoted by The Mirror after the win: “When you saw my team before the game, you might think that I was crazy, but I’m not crazy.
“If Arsenal had scored in the first 20 minutes then it would have been a different game and I would be being questioned about why I played with three defenders, but now I can laugh.
“I am confident that I made the right decision.”
Arsenal’s starting line-up had included Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck, along with Jack Wilshere who went off injured after comically squaring up to Marouane Fellaini.
Arsenal would go on to get one over on United in the FA Cup later that season too with Danny Welbeck scoring the winner in a FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford, with Angel di Maria harshly sent off.
United finished the season in fourth place, although Van Gaal would squander the return to the Champions League, knocked out in the group stages the following season.
History has not been kind to the Dutchman’s spell at Manchester United despite his FA Cup final in 2014. Looking back, managing to win away at Arsenal with McNair and Blackett in defence was one of his finer moments at the club, a testament to his coaching abilities and bravery to trust in young players.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
