It’s been a difficult season for Manchester United so far, and their manager Louis van Gaal is coming under increasing pressure to turnaround the club’s fortunes during the final weeks of the campaign.
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The Red Devils were knocked out of the FA Cup by Arsenal last time out, meaning a top four place is the only realistic target left for the club this season. On the plus side, despite the impressive form of Liverpool, Southampton, and Tottenham Hotspur, they’re still in pole position.
Here are ten things the Dutchman needs to do to ensure United fans are smiling come the end of the season:
10) Play Wayne Rooney Up Front
Van Gaal admitted earlier this season that Rooney was the best striker at his disposal, but reasoned that he was forced to play the forward in midfield to accommodate the other members of his squad. Whatever the reason, Van Gaal needs Rooney’s goals to finish in the top four.
9) Reinstate Juan Mata Into The Starting XI
Chelsea’s two-time player of the year was briefly United’s record signing following his arrival in January 2014, but he’s been reduced to something of a fringe player in recent weeks. However, he possesses the quality to help turn things around.
8) Stop Relying On The Long Ball Tactics
The emergence of Marouane Fellaini has been one of the plus points for United so far this season, but they need to be less reliant on him as their ‘plan b’. They can’t just hit the ball up in his direction when they’re looking for a goal, it’s just not the United way.
7) Cut Out The Individual Mistakes
United might have beaten Arsenal if it weren’t for Antonio Valencia’s hideous back-pass, which left goalkeeper David de Gea stranded, and allowed former United star Danny Welbeck to slot in the winner for the Gunners. United’s season has been littered with such issues.
6) Don’t Pick Players On Reputation Alone
Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao were United’s two marquee summer signings, but simply haven’t performed. Van Gaal can’t afford to keep picking them based on their reputations, particularly record signing Di Maria, who is still featuring almost every week.
5) Remember That David de Gea Won’t Always Save You
United were overly reliant on the brilliance of their Spanish goalkeeper during the first-half of the season. De Gea’s simply sensational form rescued Van Gaal on a number of occasions, and he needs to realise that he might not always be there to save him.
4) Find A System That Works
United have tried a whole host of formations, having started with a 3-5-2, and then experimented with a number of other options – all including four players at the back. He’s still struggling to find a system that works, and needs to settle on something soon.
3) Shake Up The Defence
Van Gaal has struggle to find a settled back line, experimenting with a whole variety of players. The sad truth is that the likes of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, and Jonny Evans are all simply not up to scratch. They need to add to the signings of Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw and do more.
2) Play To The Strengths Of The Squad
United’s strength is in their attacking players. Rooney, Van Persie, Mata, Herrera, Young, Di Maria, Falcao… there are so many players that could make a difference for the Red Devils, despite their lack of goals so far this term. They need to use this to their advance.
1) Stop Focusing On Next Summer
Mats Hummels is just one of a whole host of players to be linked with United since the end of the last summer transfer window. However, they failed to sign a new player during the January window, and there’s now plenty of talk about next summer. Van Gaal needs to focus on what he has for now.