-Conor Kelly
Throughout the last couple of years, supporters have been
constantly frustrated by the issues that have surfaced at Old Trafford. And
this season so far has been no different, because despite signs of progress,
there still appears to be a huge rebuilding job undergo at the club. But what are the issues facing Manchester United at present?
The main problem would probably be the fact that the current
United side is too systematic and structured, highlighted by Paul Scholes
mid-week. The rigid way in which Louis Van Gaal seems to deploy his “philosophy”
and have his players adhere to it, appears to have mixed results. Whilst on one
hand the players appear capable of sounding out the opposition in a defensive
sense (Arsenal aside), this team badly lacks the flair and creativity of
vintage United teams of the past. And who can blame Scholes, for suggesting the likes of Ruud Van Nistelrooy,
Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke etc. would not enjoy playing in this team? The fact is
they would feel frustrated. A part of Scholes’ criticism is that Van Gaal
doesn’t appear to be encouraging his players to beat men.
Memphis Depay appears
to suit the role of a skillful, tricky player yet has been inconsistent. Juan Mata does not posses the pace while Wayne Rooney has often
been stagnant and rusty up front. It’s no coincidence that Manchester United have the
third lowest shots on goal and have currently slogged out three consecutive
goalless draws. The only exceptions to risk and dynamism that the side cry out
for are Ander Herrera and the young Anthony Martial. However, Martial can’t be relied on (yet) due to a lack in experience whilst Ander Herrera is often shunned despite effective performances.
Wayne Rooney has been heavily criticized this year after a
number of woeful displays, yet the “iron tulip” hasn’t found any reason to drop
his captain, which makes Rooney seem invincible. A rest for Rooney would
benefit his football hugely and give him real confidence and desire to win his
place back upon his return. Without that there seems to be a sharpness and hunger
lacking in Rooney, where there was once unrivaled passion and energy. Van Gaal
resorted to starting Martial before the tie at PSV Eindhoven as “there was nobody else”.
The lack of options were due to two reasons; Van Gaal’s inability to recruit a
striker in the summer, and his decision to sell Chicarito and Robin Van Persie,
both for prices way below their valuation and worth.
The famous philosophy Louis van Gaal loves to talk about come with consequences. For instance, he dropped Memphis in a recent game for failing to
adapt to this philosophy and resorted to selling two of last year’s stellar
signings, Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao for coming up short regarding this approach
Yet, what is the philosophy that Van Gaal speaks of? We still
appear unsure about exactly what that is. The treatment of Victor Valdes
appears cold and peculiar too – cast aside after supposedly refusing to abide
by his policy. He is seemingly trying to appear like a ruthless, commanding
dictator possibly similar to Sir Alex Ferguson. Yet, he appears to lack humor and sensitive qualities which Sir Alex Ferguson used to encourage his players (aside from the famous
hairdryer).
Goals win games. With Manchester United losing ground in the
title race (having been at the top of the league table during mid-September albeit
struggling for goals), Louis van Gaal needs to find a solution.
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