Hi Kane, thank you for joining us here on TheStamfordShed ahead of the big Premier League tie between Chelsea and Manchester United. To kick off, we like to find out a bit more about your affiliation towards your desired club. When and why did you start supporting Manchester United?
This is an awful story. I’ve always supported Manchester United since I got into football, although it was a shameful method! I’d joined a local football team purely out of interest, and none of my family were particularly into football. As a result, I kicked my 7-year-old logic into action and used a sticker book I got free in a newspaper. I decided whichever team I turned to would be my team forever. And of course, lacking any sort of common sense, I turned straight to the middle. So yes, I was a page away from supporting either Manchester City or Middlesbrough. I guess I was lucky! It would have been nice landing on a local team, or simply choosing a local team if I had a better understanding, but it could have been worse.
Manchester United have been resurgent over recent months, can you explain to us what has been the difference maker in your opinion?
A lot of people have put this down to individuals. Marouane Fellaini has been labelled as “undroppable”, while Juan Mata, Ander Herrera and Ashley Young have all become changed men in the United set-up. However, I don’t believe the remarkable improvement has been down to one person, and I actually believe it starts with David Moyes. While he wasn’t particularly favoured, and wasn’t able to put his options to full use, the acquisitions of Mata and Fellaini could ultimately be the difference between fourth and second. Then you’re led to Louis van Gaal – who I believe is the predominant factor in our late crusade. It took the Dutchman some time to find the right formation and tactics, but he was never going to click immediately. Football was obviously very different back then, but Sir Alex Ferguson needed time to build his empire, multiple seasons in fact. That length of time can’t be allowed now given the pressure and success expected from a club like Manchester United, but van Gaal seems to have found his preferred starting XI, and put it to use. In years of watching football, I don’t think I’ve seen many managers keep their team the same as often as van Gaal, and I thoroughly believe it’s paid off. Let’s put it down to his ‘philosophy’.
As a fan, what was it like to see such a monumental club struggle after years of dominance?
In a way, it was horrendous. But I think I found it horrendous for all the wrong reasons. Due to a number of reasons, it was the first season I wasn’t able to watch the Red Devils as often as I’d liked to – I was lucky to catch a full game once a month. So I maybe didn’t see as much of the horror show as other fans did, but I was more frustrated by our supporters rather than the results. Between supporters and the media, Moyes became the laughing stock of English football. That was never going to make it easy, and we certainly didn’t give him enough time to make his changes. After so many years at Everton, a club which lacked the funding and expectations of Manchester United, I feel it was a step too far, too soon. I found it harder to watch the media’s wrath and the supporters – especially on Twitter after a defeat, which was utterly horrendous – then the actual football we played. I was impressed with the capture of Mata, and I was initially intrigued with the arrival of Fellaini, which I’m glad has now paid off. So while I was understandably uncertain on watching the club, I don’t feel I took our downfall as bad as many other supporters. Although that’s not to question my loyalty!
Has there been a time in the season were you wanted Van Gaal out?
Not yet. There have been a number of decisions he has made which I haven’t agreed with, but ever since watching him with the Netherlands during the 2014 World Cup, there wasn’t a moment when I was #VanGaalOut, as they would put it. The main thing fans seemed to get annoyed with was his ignorance in formation choices. Initially, he seemed set to be working with a 3-5-2. Our defence is the weakest part of the team, and without David De Gea being in the form of his life, I don’t think we’d be contending for European qualification now. Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia weren’t good enough to play in such a role, and opting to 4-3-3 has proved the world of difference recently. I also feel Radamel Falcao hasn’t been given a fair opportunity, and if van Gaal backed the Colombian more, I believe he would have been able to adapt and score regularly. He’s only started five games all season, and when a player is appearing for the odd 10 or 15 minute spell, you can’t expect him to score.
Last season, Manchester United acquired Juan Mata from Chelsea. The Spaniard was a fan favourite at Chelsea, how have Manchester United fans taken to him?
He was a dream signing! It was as if we we’re playing a video game, as taking the former Player of the Year from a rival club shouldn’t be happening under Moyes! I feel the area Moyes lacked in was man management, and for that reason, he couldn’t get a number of stars to perform. However, he has bought new ideas under the reign of van Gaal, and for me he should be one of the first names on the scoresheet. At the start of the season, I would have potentially opted for Adnan Januzaj over the Spaniard on the team sheet (if only Januzaj continued his fine form), but there is no doubt Mata should be completing ninety minutes week in, week out. How can fans not love the partnership of De Gea, Herrera and Mata? It’s adorable!
Manchester United have been linked with almost everybody, who do you see as a realistic summer transfer target?
Realistic is questionable, but my number one target would have been Dani Alves. He may no longer be the world’s best right-back, but he’s still up there as a great talent. When he’s available on a free transfer, his wage demand wouldn’t matter too much to me! However, I don’t see him as a feasible target now, as it looks like Nathaniel Clyne is a set for a switch to the Theatre of Dreams. I can’t say I’ve seen too much of him, so I won’t hold judgement yet. But I expect him to be a good signing, considering our current options. With Jurgen Klopp recently announcing he will leave Borussia Dortmund, now is our chance to sign Mats Hummels. I agree with a recent comment by former United man Owen Hargreaves, in that Jerome Boateng would be a better arrival, but I feel Hummels is more of a realistic target, and an experienced centre-back has been lacked since the departures of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. The odd signing may be needed to add depth, but once two defenders are in, our main focus should be extending De Gea’s contract. That would be as good as a new signing in its own right, I’d want to see him send the majority of his career as a Red Devil. I’d also like to see Nani and Javier Hernandez return to action after a season away on loan.
Chelsea and Untied have had many entertaining games over recent years. Is there one that stands out for you?
There’s only one answer to this, and it was the sweetest of them all. The 2008 Champions League final. I’m sorry to have to mention it on here, but John Terry’s slip in itself became an iconic moment. I’d say this game was the most memorable game I’ve ever watched with Manchester United though. From Cristiano Ronaldo’s headed opener to Frank Lampard’s equaliser, I was gripped with every moment. When it came down to the penalty shootout, I remember watching it with my step-dad; we were both standing up right in front of the television (he isn’t much of a football fan but still couldn’t help but enjoy every moment), and when John Terry stepped up, I had to turn away. I couldn’t watch, and simply remember seeing Terry as he fell to the floor, and Edwin Van Der Sar subsequently celebrating. When he won it for us with Nicolas Anelka’s penalty, that was a special moment. While I was too young to remember the 1999 Champions League final, I could imagine how good that felt with Ole Gunnar Solksjaer netted the late winner.
From a Manchester United perspective, who do you see as Chelsea’s biggest threat?
No doubt about it. Eden Hazard. While it pains me to say this as a Manchester United fan, the boy’s got everything. He can dribble, he’s skilful, he has electric pace, he can cross and he can finish. He is everything you’d want in a winger. Even if Diego Costa was available, I’d still believe Hazard would pose as the biggest threat. While the Belgian can certainly find the net, I’d be interested to see how many Costa would score without his services and general involvement in play. Considering Antonio Valencia is likely to be our weak point in the game, I feel extra protection will need to be given with Hazard down the flank. Louis van Gaal must reiterate the importance of stopping Hazard, because he has the ability to singlehandedly secure three points for the Blues. If not Hazard, I’d probably select Nemanja Matic as the key man, but while he is solid defensively, the main threats in games like this have to come in the final third of the pitch. After all, goals win matches, and matches win titles.
Finally, can you give us your score predictions for the game on Saturday?
I actually made a prediction earlier for TheStretfordStand, and have the result in favour of the hosts. With our recent run of form, many would expect it to continue for the remainder of the season. However, this is where I believe it ends. Undoubtedly, the victory over City with an impressive one, which could be the highlight of the season. While knocking four past our noisy neighbours makes the victory that little bit nicer, let’s not forget they lost to Crystal Palace six days earlier. Following our 2-1 win over Liverpool, they later witnessed Arsenal knock four past the Reds in their next game. And let’s not forget Tottenham conceding three against Leicester City, could only hold out for a goalless draw with Burnley, and lost to a struggling Aston Villa. While the recent results for the Reds cannot be undermined and demoralized; all our ‘big-name’ opponents have faced struggling spells in recent times. Of course, taking maximum points in all fixture shows positive times for van Gaal after his shaky spell at the helm, but I believe this remarkable feat could now come to an end on Saturday. Chelsea’s last defeat came in the shock FA Cup upset at the hands of Bradford City. The Blues were set to storm for victory – except from a sloppy fifteen minutes. Their last league defeat came on New Year’s Day, in which an in-form Harry Kane was ultimately the difference. Chelsea are strong, and could prove too strong. For me, Chelsea will edge the fixture. While I can certainly see United scoring, and after missing out on a goal during the derby, Wayne Rooney will be pushing to add his fifteenth of the season and edge closer to a number of records. However, Eden Hazard and Loic Remy could conclude the magical run of the Red Devils. I’d predict Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United.
Thank you so much for joining me today Kane. If you would like to hear more from Kane, you can hear more from him on Twitter @KaneBrooker and you can find me on @RyanDarby_.
