Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester United - The common weaknesses

Ander Herrera has failed to step up for Manchester United when Carrick has been unavailable

Box-to-box midfielder

Manchester United’s association with any and every box-to-box midfielder since the transfer summer of 2013/14 is well-documented. It’s high time they finally get one this summer to add balance to the midfield, contribute in attack as well as defence, provide much-needed competition and cover to Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini and of course, to let Wayne Rooney play upfront.

Real Madrid too need a tireless midfielder who runs up and down the pitch and actually possesses defensive awareness, unlike Isco and James. The injury of Luka Modric exposed their shortcoming in this position and was a major factor in derailing their season.

A certain Paul Pogba showed them what they were missing in the UCL Semi-final, and although transfer rumours are unbecoming of any serious sports-writer, this one might just see the light of day.

Bayern Munich often fielded a midfield trio of Lahm, Alonso and Schweinsteiger in the latter half of the season – although highly gifted and experienced footballers, they are too similar and in a way, an anti-thesis of the present Real Madrid in that three defensive midfielders are playing together.

Although this move was dictated by injuries and the return of David Alaba will help speed up things, Pep might consider playing Muller in a more central role – a solution which, interestingly, is the opposite of what Real need in midfield.

Maybe the Toni Kroos – Xabi Alonso switch was not such a good idea after all, eh?

Thomas Muller could be suffering the effects of being in the limelight

Role of key players

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has praised Wayne Rooney’s captaincy, hailing the forward’s contribution in training and the dressing room as well as his versatility. Rooney’s role in the starting eleven, however, is still uncertain under ‘King Louis’.

Initially deployed in a central midfield role where he seemed ineffective and in a sulking mood in general, his eventual positioning as a centre-forward coincided with an upturn in Manchester United’s fortunes, but not necessarily his.

To compound problems, Angel di Maria, United’s new no. 7 who had initially instilled new hope of a mazy winger once again ruling Old Trafford, has fallen out of favour after a promising start. His deployment on the wings, in midfield, even as a second striker have all brought disappointing results and for LvG to mount a serious title challenge next season, the roles of Messrs 7 and 10 needs to be defined.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has come a long way during his time at Real – a smooth metamorphosis from tricky winger to lethal goalscorer, which had started at United but was completed at the Bernabeu, La Decima win for Los Merengues and 2 Fifa Ballon d’ors.

Notwithstanding his achievements, maybe the time has come to revisit his role, and position, in the team. Presently playing as a left winger in a 3 man forward line, CR7 has, in Arrigio Sacchi’s words “Not gone past a player for 3 months now”.

Although this is a harsh assessment of his contribution, a redefined role as a forward alongside Karim Benzema in a 2-striker formation, or even as a lone forward must be on the cards for whoever takes over from Carlo Ancelotti.

Gareth Bale, too, has been disappointing on the other side of the forward 3, showing little instinct or agility to running past defenders towards goal. Often, he has been forced to run along the sideline and cross with his weaker foot.

A far from prudent use of his strengths, which include his blistering pace and physical presence to beat defenders, a lethal left foot for crossing and shooting plus his contribution in defending the flanks, would greatly benefit Real.

After FC Bayern’s Champions League loss to Barcelona, several of the former’s past greats commented on the ills of their club; some blamed the transfer policy, others criticized the players’ attitude. Oliver Kahn, though had this to say – “Guardiola gives Gotze minutes when the game is already over,' he said to ZDF.

“They don't take advantage of his talent.

“[Thomas] Muller is playing in the wrong position as well. These problems, with two big players from Germany, must be resolved.”

Gotze’s earlier limited involvement could be explained by the lack of room for him in the playing 11; that excuse ended with Robben and Ribery both injured for large parts of the season.

Guardiola has been unsure regarding Gotze’s position – he has played on the left side of midfield, on the left wing as a forward, and occasionally as a false 9, with Muller and Lewandowski on either side – but knowing Guardiola, maybe he was just experimenting.

Whatever the case, the talent of Gotze is undisputed and the onus is on the manager to incorporate him into the first team, especially with “Robbery” on the wrong side of 30.

Muller’s case is more complicated, much like the player himself.

The Raumdeuter’s statistics for this year (20 goals, 18 assists) are close to last year (26 goals, 15 assists). Statistics, though, only tell half the story and tactically speaking, Muller has usually operated as a second striker with Lewandowski this season, as opposed to playing on the right wing the previous season: this has led to him playing with his back to the goal more often and setting up goals rather than scoring them by stealthily moving into dangerous positions from the right wing.

Putting Muller as a forward has resulted in him losing his element of surprise: it is easier for defenders to mark him in a central position as opposed to the right flank from where he operates so effectively, much like a hybrid striker of the 21st century. Removing him from the ‘limelight’ into a withdrawn position (either on the wings or in central midfield) from where he can ‘investigate space’ at will, might go a long way in maximizing his potential and achieving greater goal tallies for the season, which he is perfectly capable of.

2 years on, Pep still has his work cut out.