MICHAEL OWEN was left in no doubt about the frustration felt by many of the under performing Manchester United stars as he stood recently in the Old Trafford tunnel.
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| The style of play under Louis van Gaal has not been pleasing Manchester United fans or Michael Owen |
Visiting his former club in his role as a TV pundit the former England star was told in no uncertain terms by a leading current United player that he wouldn’t enjoy playing under Louis van Gaal.
Not that Owen feigned surprise because he has seen for himself the struggle for goals in a season in which the Stretford End’s refrain of ‘attack, attack, attack’ has provided the bleak backdrop to a campaign in which entertainment has been a non runner.
Borrowing a famous phrase related to George Best ‘Louis where has it all gone wrong?’
Van Gaal was surely the man to repair the damage of the short lived but traumatic David Moyes era, a glistening CV and a presence to match.
At first the fans took to him, the Dutchman commanded instant respect – United were in safe hands. It would only be a matter of time before he delivered.
They also splashed a British record fee of £59.7 million on Angel Di Maria who just a few weeks earlier had almost singlehandedly won the European Cup for Real Madrid. Happy days.
Well not for the Argentinian who quickly discovered that his wonder goal at Leicester was unlikely to be repeated as the strait-jacket was applied.
Van Gaal didn’t want his players becoming mavericks, going on slalom runs, shooting from 35 yards. It was possession, possession, regimented manoeuvres aimed at grinding the opposition down.
Those who refused to obey the orders were taken to task in class room type inquests at Carrington where the analysts rule.
Di Maria, one of the world’s leading players and the perfect foil for Lionel Messi in Argentina games, became disenchanted and a burglary at his Cheshire home virtually confirmed he would quickly be on his way to Paris Saint-Germain, United taking a £15 million hit.
Van Gaal has invested around £275 million on new players in his 18 month reign – few have reached the standard required at a club of United’s standing.
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| Argentine winger Angel di Maria failed to settle in Manchester |
Together with the absence of excitement it’s why the 64-year-old finds himself on the precipice, his job hanging by a thread.
The Beatles enquired ‘Will you still need me, will you still feed me. When I’m 64’. At this rate Louis, the answer from within the corridors of Old Trafford power will soon be a resounding no.
One acid test when you dissect the impact of new signings is whether their purchase price has increased or decreased.
Even allowing for inflation most observers would agree that United would be out of pocket if they cashed in on the newcomers.
Another £35 million for Memphis Depay anyone? No thanks. Even Anthony Martial who will cost £58 million if he fulfils all the criteria and has shown potential for a 19-year-old, wouldn’t guarantee the club their money back.
Morgan Schneiderlin at £24 million has yet to display the Southampton form which impressed a number of Premier League suitors, Ander Herrera may be a crowd favourite but a lack of first team action will be trimming his £30 million fee.
Even at £16 million Marcos Rojo has done little to suggest he is a bargain signing, the same with Matteo Darmian who after a bright start doesn’t look any longer a snip at £13 million.
Bastian Schweinsteiger has been a shadow of the Bayern Munich colossus whose £7 million arrival was universally heralded as a Van Gaal coup.
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| Schweinsteiger has not been what Manchester United fans were hoping for |
There would probably be no sell on loss on £14 million Daley Blind but no can say the hard working Dutchman has taken United to another level.
Infact the best two performers so far this season have been Chris Smalling and David de Gea – already here when Van Gaal arrived.
Just to add fuel to the fire there has been resentment at the treatment of former Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes.
Following his fall out with Van Gaal the three times European Champions League winner has been banished to train with the academy players and has only made two senior appearances.
That has upset close team-mates like Juan Mata and Herrera, who with others, have been horrified at his treatment.
There have been attempts this season to repair the fractured team-spirit, the latest led by skipper Wayne Rooney in the aftermath of last weekend’s damaging home defeat against Norwich.
Van Gaal was also in conciliatory mood earlier in the week when he spoke to the players at their Christmas lunch and called for unity as he strives to save his job.
His outburst at Wednesday’s media conference illustrated that his pride has been hurt by the constant speculation over his future.
But he has been around the block a few times to know the clock is ticking. Time waits for no man no matter how big the reputation.
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