LOUIS VAN GAAL'S return to Holland for his daughter's birthday will offer him some brief respite from the gathering storm back at Old Trafford.
 |
| Jose Mourinho is the best available option should Manchester United part with Louis van Gaal |
But Van Gaal will find it hard to enjoy the family gathering against a back drop of fans turning against him, players unhappy with his tactics and philosophy and Manchester United's hierarchy deeply concerned at the clubs' plight.
They appear to be caught in a stick-or-twist quandary with their hopes of salvaging the season hanging in the balance.
Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward – who advises the Glazer family, the club's American owners - is understood to want to keep faith with the manager he appointed 20 months ago, at least until the end of the season in the hope he can turn the season round and finish in third place, which would mark clinch automatic qualification for next season's Champions League and a one position improvement on last season.
Woodward must be wavering however if reports are correct that he has consulted senior players and members of the coaching staff for their views of the crisis.
Other senior figures at the club are not so sure. They are so alarmed by a disastrous campaign they would not be averse to a change now however de-stabilising a mid-season change can prove. Their view is 'can it get any worse than this?'
They appear to be caught in a stick-or-twist quandary with their hopes of salvaging the season hanging in the balance.
Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward – who advises the Glazer family, the club's American owners - is understood to want to keep faith with the manager he appointed 20 months ago, at least until the end of the season in the hope he can turn the season round and finish in third place, which would mark clinch automatic qualification for next season's Champions League and a one position improvement on last season.
Woodward must be wavering however if reports are correct that he has consulted senior players and members of the coaching staff for their views of the crisis.
Other senior figures at the club are not so sure. They are so alarmed by a disastrous campaign they would not be averse to a change now however de-stabilising a mid-season change can prove. Their view is 'can it get any worse than this?'
Ultimately, the decision rests with the Glazers and they are such a secretive family no-one has any idea what they are planning.
What is certain is that they will be deeply concerned – and cannot ignore – the fact that supporters booed the manager and players off the pitch on Saturday.
And that after spending over £300million since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013, United have their lowest points and goals totals after 23 games in the Premier League era on top of already being out of the Champions League and Capital One Cup.
Remarkably, the Premier League has been so unpredictable and competitive that despite winning only two of their last 10 League games, United are still only five points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham.
But they are also only five points ahead of 10th placed Watford and the way they are playing, a mid-table finish is far more likely than a top-four place.
They have failed to score in 10 games in all competitions this season – seven at home, three away – and, most alarmingly, they appear to be making no discernible progress under Van Gaal.
What is certain is that they will be deeply concerned – and cannot ignore – the fact that supporters booed the manager and players off the pitch on Saturday.
And that after spending over £300million since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013, United have their lowest points and goals totals after 23 games in the Premier League era on top of already being out of the Champions League and Capital One Cup.
Remarkably, the Premier League has been so unpredictable and competitive that despite winning only two of their last 10 League games, United are still only five points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham.
But they are also only five points ahead of 10th placed Watford and the way they are playing, a mid-table finish is far more likely than a top-four place.
They have failed to score in 10 games in all competitions this season – seven at home, three away – and, most alarmingly, they appear to be making no discernible progress under Van Gaal.
A five-game unbeaten run stirred some New Year optimism that they were on an upward trajectory again after their dismal December, but, in truth, it simply papered over the cracks.
Saturday's defeat to Southampton was even worse than the Boxing Day setback at Stoke because it was at home and followed a victory at Anfield – however fortuitous – that was supposed to have boosted morale and confidence.
However tactically cute Ronaldo Koeman's Saints were, one shot on target in 95 minutes from United at home is simply not good enough and the fans were right to voice their feelings.
Friday's tricky FA Cup fourth round tie at Championship promotion hopefuls Derby County, could prove the tipping point. An exit will surely force United to act – although Van Gaal might beat them to it by resigning before they can fire the bullet.
If that happens, United looked to have only two options.
Saturday's defeat to Southampton was even worse than the Boxing Day setback at Stoke because it was at home and followed a victory at Anfield – however fortuitous – that was supposed to have boosted morale and confidence.
However tactically cute Ronaldo Koeman's Saints were, one shot on target in 95 minutes from United at home is simply not good enough and the fans were right to voice their feelings.
Friday's tricky FA Cup fourth round tie at Championship promotion hopefuls Derby County, could prove the tipping point. An exit will surely force United to act – although Van Gaal might beat them to it by resigning before they can fire the bullet.
If that happens, United looked to have only two options.
The first, promote Van Gaal's No 2 Ryan Giggs, who would be a popular choice but also a gamble, given that his managerial experience amounts to four games at the end of the 2013-14 season following David Moyes' dismissal.
He has spent the last two seasons learning under Van Gaal and some might suggest he has been tainted because he has been part of the Dutchman's regime.
The romantics will hope however that the experience Giggs gained from playing in the cavalier teams fielded by Ferguson – plus the enormous respect he carries in the dressing room - would mean United go out with a licence to thrill again.
The other option is to appoint serial-winner Jose Mourinho who is understood to be ready and willing to take the job. There remains some hesitancy among United's hierarchy over the former Chelsea boss' abrasive personality but if they want results then there is no-one better available.
But while the hope would be that either man could spark an immediate improvement, the fact remains United have become an average team, despite all the spending.
Major investment in the transfer market is required again this summer to bring them up to the required level.
The problem is if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, will the top players want to sign for them?
The romantics will hope however that the experience Giggs gained from playing in the cavalier teams fielded by Ferguson – plus the enormous respect he carries in the dressing room - would mean United go out with a licence to thrill again.
The other option is to appoint serial-winner Jose Mourinho who is understood to be ready and willing to take the job. There remains some hesitancy among United's hierarchy over the former Chelsea boss' abrasive personality but if they want results then there is no-one better available.
But while the hope would be that either man could spark an immediate improvement, the fact remains United have become an average team, despite all the spending.
Major investment in the transfer market is required again this summer to bring them up to the required level.
The problem is if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, will the top players want to sign for them?
Post a Comment Blogger Facebook Disqus