Manchester United’s last chance of silverware ended on Monday, and the pressure is growing on their manager…
Manchester United’s season is on the verge of collapse. After Monday’s defeat at the hands of Arsenal ended their participation in the FA Cup, as well as any realistic chance of Louis van Gaal starting his Red Devils reign with a trophy, the misery is mounting up at Old Trafford.
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The supporters are steadily starting to turn on the Dutch boss, for whom a top four place is now the only thing he has left to aim for. And with Liverpool breathing down United necks in fourth place, time is running out for Van Gaal to turn things around.
In the list below, we rank the ten major decisions he’s got wrong already this season…
10) He’s made too many changes in a short space of time
Van Gaal moved quickly to make brash changes to the squad that finished seventh under David Moyes. Arguably his biggest error in this regard was allowing three experienced defenders – Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra – all long standing United stars, to depart for nothing, and arguably not replace them.
9) He didn’t give his fringe players weren’t given a fair chance
Javier Hernandez, Nani and Tom Cleverley were among those to be ditched on the basis of just a handful of pre-season friendlies. This immediately meant Van Gaal would be pinning all of his hopes on his new signings bedding in quickly and being a success. Unfortunately, that’s definitely not worked out for him thus far.
8) He’s too reliant on Marouane Fellaini as ‘plan b’
One of the supposed plus points of United’s season has been the emergence of Fellaini, who struggled desperately under the management of Moyes last season. The former Everton man has become the man for every occasion, and the man Van Gaal turns to when he needs a goal. United’s plan b is seemingly just to launch it up to him and hope for the best.
7) His efforts in the cup have been humiliating
It seems like an age ago that United were thrashed 4-0 by League One side MK Dons in the Capital One Cup. Considering that United’s only realistic chance of silverware this season was either the FA or League Cup, it’s hard to understand why Van Gaal didn’t take them more seriously. In the FA Cup, they limped past Cambridge, Yeovil and Preston before eventually succumbing to Arsenal.
6) He’s failed to get the best out of Robin van Persie
After a brilliant first season at United under Sir Alex Ferguson, Van Persie struggled for goals under the management of David Moyes last season. It was hoped that the arrival of Van Gaal, with whom RVP enjoyed a superb relationship due to the pair’s time together in the Dutch national team, would inspire something of a turnaround, but the partnership simply hasn’t delivered.
5) He signed Radamel Falcao, and it’s not worked
The Colombian is currently earning £250k per-week, with a £43m transfer fee supposedly lined up for the start of next season. However, after just four goals in 20 appearances, there seems little chance that United will do anything other than send the striker packing back to Monaco. Falcao was reduced to playing for the academy team earlier this week, and looks unlikely to have anything other than a bleak future at the club.
4) He signed Angel di Maria, and it’s not worked either
So much was expected from United’s record signing, but for whatever reason he just hasn’t settled at the club. The near £60m transfer fee has bought United just a small handful of goals and assists, paling in comparison to his impressive contribution for Real Madrid last season, and leaving Van Gaal with a huge headache regarding how best to utilise him.
3) He’s constantly changed formation
Van Gaal still doesn’t appear to know his team’s best formation. He started the campaign with a 3-5-2, which simply didn’t work and was too easily exposed. He then moved to four at the back, but has continued to play wingers at full-back, leaving his side with even less defensive cover. A packed midfield has also left any central striker stranded up top, leading to fans demanding a 4-4-2.
2) He’s failed to implement an inspiring style of play
The United fans have also been bemoaning their team’s style of play, which has certainly been far from inspiring. United teams used to play with a free-flowing fluency, and that simply hasn’t been present since Ferguson’s departure. Players regularly look frustratingly sluggish on the ball, and their progress up the pitch is often slow and unsuccessful.
1) He’s played his ‘best striker’ in midfield
Van Gaal declared that Rooney, his captain, was his best player. However, he spent half the season playing him in midfield. The main reason for this appeared to be to accommodate Van Persie and Falcao, but surely you have to play your best player in his correct position. Rooney performed diligently enough in the centre of the park, but clearly wants to be up front and scoring goals.