OUR man in Manchester examines the situation at United and what could happen to under-fire boss Louis van Gaal.
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| Louis van Gaal's position as Manchester United boss is under scrutiny |
Season so far?
United were top of the Premier League at the end of September and briefly again for 24 hours in mid-November but have never been totally convincing and often far from impressive.
Any early optimism has ebbed away following a 15-game run in all competitions which has yielded only four wins and 14 goals – less than one a game - and has resulted in exits from the Capital One Cup and Champions League, dropping them out of the top four and putting Louis Van Gaal’s position as manager under serious scrutiny.
Van Gaal’s tactics have been blamed for inhibiting his players and making United boring. He had, at least, made them more defensively secure but over the last three games – all defeats – they have looked vulnerable at the back and shipped nine goals, as many as they had conceded in the previous 16 games. The players look uninspired and low on confidence.
United were top of the Premier League at the end of September and briefly again for 24 hours in mid-November but have never been totally convincing and often far from impressive.
Any early optimism has ebbed away following a 15-game run in all competitions which has yielded only four wins and 14 goals – less than one a game - and has resulted in exits from the Capital One Cup and Champions League, dropping them out of the top four and putting Louis Van Gaal’s position as manager under serious scrutiny.
Van Gaal’s tactics have been blamed for inhibiting his players and making United boring. He had, at least, made them more defensively secure but over the last three games – all defeats – they have looked vulnerable at the back and shipped nine goals, as many as they had conceded in the previous 16 games. The players look uninspired and low on confidence.
Highlight?
There haven’t been many so the 3-1 home win over old foes Liverpool at Old Trafford back in September stands out - mainly because of Anthony Martial's debut solo goal. But the first half of that game was turgid before United, boosted by Martial's introduction as a substitute, sprang to life after the break.
Lowlight?
Plenty of these. Failure to qualify from a Champions League group that didn’t look the hardest underlined United’s fall from grace as a European force – just four years after appearing in a Champions League final. A penalty shoot-out defeat at home to Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup was also desperately disappointing while being blown away by Arsenal in the first half at the Emirates exposed their flaws. Last weekend’s home defeat to Norwich however was probably as bad as it gets.
There haven’t been many so the 3-1 home win over old foes Liverpool at Old Trafford back in September stands out - mainly because of Anthony Martial's debut solo goal. But the first half of that game was turgid before United, boosted by Martial's introduction as a substitute, sprang to life after the break.
Lowlight?
Plenty of these. Failure to qualify from a Champions League group that didn’t look the hardest underlined United’s fall from grace as a European force – just four years after appearing in a Champions League final. A penalty shoot-out defeat at home to Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup was also desperately disappointing while being blown away by Arsenal in the first half at the Emirates exposed their flaws. Last weekend’s home defeat to Norwich however was probably as bad as it gets.
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| United's season has gone from promising to shocking |
New Year hopes
It looks like United’s board will resist calls from fans to bring in Jose Mourinho or promote Ryan Giggs and stick with the beleagured Van Gaal, at least until the summer. Looking at it positively, they are still in with a title chance given this season’s dog-eat-dog Premier League, despite being nine points adrift of shock leaders Leicester.
They are only three points behind neighbours and pre-season title favourites City so the top four is certainly within reach. And they still have two other competitions to try and bring some silverware back to Old Trafford. They are desperate to end 11 years since last lifting the FA Cup while the Europa League is the only major trophy the club has never won - although the Thursday night fixtures could hinder their League form.
But on the negative side you wouldn't put money on them achieving any of those targets unless their form improves drastically, they can sign some new players and start scoring goals.
It looks like United’s board will resist calls from fans to bring in Jose Mourinho or promote Ryan Giggs and stick with the beleagured Van Gaal, at least until the summer. Looking at it positively, they are still in with a title chance given this season’s dog-eat-dog Premier League, despite being nine points adrift of shock leaders Leicester.
They are only three points behind neighbours and pre-season title favourites City so the top four is certainly within reach. And they still have two other competitions to try and bring some silverware back to Old Trafford. They are desperate to end 11 years since last lifting the FA Cup while the Europa League is the only major trophy the club has never won - although the Thursday night fixtures could hinder their League form.
But on the negative side you wouldn't put money on them achieving any of those targets unless their form improves drastically, they can sign some new players and start scoring goals.
Transfer plans
United desperately need a striker – or two. They are interested Harry Kane, Romalu Lukaku, Saido Mane, Leicester hot shots Jamie Vardy and Rihad Mahrez – who wouldn't be? - and then there is long-term target Gareth Bale.
But clubs do not need the cash and are simply not interested in selling their best players mid-season so any of those deals will have to wait until the summer when United will simply have to spend big again to upgrade their squad, despite Van Gaal's £265m expenditureover the last 18 months.
If the goal drought goes on however, they could recall James Wilson and Adnan Januzaj from their loan spells at Brighton and Boruissa Dortmund respectively. With a relatively small squad, Van Gaal is unlikely to sell any players in January.
United desperately need a striker – or two. They are interested Harry Kane, Romalu Lukaku, Saido Mane, Leicester hot shots Jamie Vardy and Rihad Mahrez – who wouldn't be? - and then there is long-term target Gareth Bale.
But clubs do not need the cash and are simply not interested in selling their best players mid-season so any of those deals will have to wait until the summer when United will simply have to spend big again to upgrade their squad, despite Van Gaal's £265m expenditureover the last 18 months.
If the goal drought goes on however, they could recall James Wilson and Adnan Januzaj from their loan spells at Brighton and Boruissa Dortmund respectively. With a relatively small squad, Van Gaal is unlikely to sell any players in January.
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