Manchester United: 4 Reasons Why Louis Van Gaal Still Has A Lot of Work To Do At Old Trafford

Manchester United Football Club. One of the world’s biggest football clubs. A club which faced unprecedented success with one man. One man alone- Sir Alex Ferguson. After twenty six long years where he won over 35 trophies for the team in red from Manchester, he departed. And the man who filled his rather big shoes, David William Moyes, wasn’t expected to bring about wonders and results like his illustrious predecessor. But what soon turned out became unheard of in the Theatre of Dreams.

Losses to teams which were generally cakewalks and performances which led to Moyes’ exit just showed that Manchester United too were like any other club. After a dismal season for the Red Devils, Louis van Gaal – a no-nonsense manager with a stupendous record in his managerial career winning titles in Netherlands, Spain and Germany – decided to take up the coveted job.

He has surely transformed the club with his acquisitions and the players he sold. The arrivals of Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind, Ander Herrera and the most surprising of all, Radamel Falcao turned the tables for Manchester United. On the other hand, the selling of Danny Welbeck, a player who has been in the club since his childhood, hasn’t gone far too well with the purists.

Although Van Gaal has had a not-so-bad season so far, he still has a lot to do. And here’s why…

1. GREATER CHALLENGES LIE AHEAD

United have played seven games since the start of the season and only one team of the lot- Everton- were in the top eight last season. Yet, United are eight points adrift of leaders Chelsea who have still not lost a match. Draws to teams such as Burnley and Sunderland and losses to Swansea and Leicester City have hampered United’s season already. Especially the losses to the Swans and Leicester. The first game was downright poor for the Red Devils while the second one hurt the players mentally more than anything else. After leading 3-1 after 70 odd minutes, it would certainly be difficult to digest a loss.

The next five matches include trips to the Emirates and Etihad and matches at home against leaders Chelsea and Crystal Palace and Hull City. The away matches are going to be tough any day as both the teams have quality. The 6-1 loss to neighbours city still reels in the hearts of United fans and it surely does hurt. Although the they aren’t the same force again, partly due to Yaya Toure’s poor form, they shouldn’t be taken lightly at all.

The next three home fixtures – Chelsea, Hull City and Crystal Palace- will show how ready and how much United have improved as each of the three teams have their own strengths and it will surely be decisive for United in the long run.

2. A SHAKY DEFENCE

Over the years, we have been witness to a solid back four for United with the central defenders taking total charge in and near the box. Players like Steve Bruce, Jaap Stam, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have not only been defensively brilliant but they’ve also carried the team excellently in times of adversity. This season though, nothing of that sort has happened. Defence has been an afterthought and we could see that during the match against Leicester City where four goals were scored in a span of twenty minutes.

We have had seven people, at various times, playing as a centre back. That isn’t neat, is it? Phil Jones played two matches and did what he could do bets- get injured. Evans followed suit. Tyler Blackett impressed and got himself suspended too. Smalling has just come back and gone. Rojo had a good World Cup but he is certainly not the centre back United so needs right now. Raffael is not a centre back but he is trying to be one and is failing miserably while trying. Same goes to Shaw. McNair has been the only shining light when it comes to Central defence in Manchester United this season and the fact that a teenager is the best defender this season for a club as big as United speaks volumes of the defence, doesn’t it?

Ten goals have been scored against United. A once formidable defence has now crumbled under pressure time and again. Set pieces used to be a piece of cake for Ferdiand and Vidić. Not anymore. The fact that United are set to play against City, Chelsea and Arsenal, all of whom have tall, imposing headers of the ball just makes it more tough.

3. VAN GAAL’s TACTICS

Louis van Gaal is one of the most successful managers in the history of the beautiful game. He led Ajax Amstredam into an undefeated season and brought out the likes of Patrick Kluivet, Clarence Seedorf and Edgar Davids. England and club football though is a totally new perspective.

When he managed the Dutch national team in this year’s FIFA World Cup, he played with a 5-3-2 formation with two wing backs and a target man in the form of Robin van Persie while Arjen Robben was wrecking havoc playing in and around van Persie. The two wing backs, Dan Janmaat and Daley Blind played their roles to perfection and Robin van Persie was in such good form.

Blind and van Persie are now part of the United set up. But they aren’t the same players as they were a couple of months ago. Certainly not van Persie. Although the talismanic Dutchman has been out of form (I’m saying this regarding his playing and not considering his goals) and has not been potent or accurate like he man he was. And yet van Gaal keeps playing him for God-knows-why. During the West Ham game, he was the only United player who didn’t defend. And even when the ball came on to his side, he was merely jogging. It does say a lot, doesn’t it?

Blind’s acquisition though has been brilliant. Moving on, United fans all over the world still do not know why a world class centre back hasn’t been purchased and it is yet an another question that has been left open for the almighty to answer. Apart from this, van Gaal is trying desperately to get his full backs defend properly. Attacking has been his forte without a shadow of a doubt. But in having said that, one just can’t neglect the team’s defence, can he?

Although Wayne Rooney is on suspension, he is one of United’s most feared players and probably the only one who can stand toe to toe with the likes of Angel Di Maria and Falcao. But the positions he has been playing this season is just not right. Like last season where Moyes opted to play him on the wings, van Gaal to opted playing him far out wide or right in the centre behind van Persie and Falcao and it has certainly not worked. Everyone knows how dangerous Rooney is as a striker yet the people in the hot seat don’t seem to understand that.

4, IMPROVE BENCH STRENGTH

Manchester United are facing criticism from all quarters and are desperately trying to become the force of old. Injuries for quite a number of players and a resulting poor bench strength hasn’t helped the cause. Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher, Ander Herrera, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao have been injured at one point or the other. Suspensions for Rooney and Blackett have just further damaged the cause.

I hate to say this but Antonio Valencia is just not what United deserves. At one time you see him as a full back, then as a central midfielder, a winger and what not. Instead of selling players such as Michael Keane, Nick Powell, Danny Welbeck and Tom Clawrence, Valencia could have gone out. Central midfield goes have been somewhat taken care of by a certain Daely Blind and thank god he is there. Ashley Young is another such player who United ought to have sold.

Without Michael Carrick in the fray, United look frail and are easily broken down and crumble under pressure. Buying Sami Khedira would be a perfect choice for van Gaal in the next transfer window.

Injuries to Evans, Smalling and Jones has proven that we need a couple of good standby’s and we need at least one defender who would be part of the starting eleven day in and day out. Sadly, as of now, we don’t. And the fact that Jones, United’s best bet in Central defence, is prone to injuries, just makes matters worse. Buying Mats Hummels wouldn’t have caused much harm and recent reports that Raphael Varane decided to drop out on United as Jones came in is a bit sad.

Much can be said about Louis van Gaal and his fortunes with the Red Devils and in having said this, I bid adieu.