Introduction
After an amazing start to his managerial career at
Manchester United, winning all games in preseason, a heavy dose of reality has
been served to one Louis Van Gaal in recent weeks. Three winless league games
were sandwiched with a humiliating loss to MK Dons, only to be followed last
weekend with a complete capitulation at the hands of newly promoted Leicester
City. What was on paper an easy start for the Red Devils has swiftly turned
into the stuff of nightmares. Fans now fear to think what will happen when the
top 6 come knocking. So what has gone wrong at this once mighty football club?
Is it just a tough transitional period or the beginning of trophy-less years out
in the wilderness? Make your own decision.
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| The face of every United fan worldwide |
A Sinking Ship
Although the past 12 months were not predicted by most, it
is easy to pinpoint the catalyst for this downward spiral. Sir Alex Ferguson
was the greatest manager the planet has ever seen, a man who could get 110% out
of every single player in every single game. He was a born winner who stuck by
the adage that “no one was bigger than the club”. Last season was the first in
my lifetime which saw Manchester United run by the players and not the manager.
Dressing room fallouts and on-the-field arguments were the main reason why
David Moyes lost his job so quickly. The players did not respect him, simple as
that. It was a sign that suggested the past two decades of success were more
down to the man at the helm, and less about the men on the pitch.
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| Surely it's time to break the glass? |
Now the team have a manager who has at least a CV comparable to the great man. However the problems are just as ripe, if not worse. Of course the signings of Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao shows that big names still want to play for the club, regardless of Champions League football. They are still one the biggest franchises in the world. One or two years without the highest level of European football is manageable but if that turns into 4/5/6 seasons then the best players will not want to come to the red side of Manchester. If this football club are to compete at the highest level in England once again they must get back into the top 4, if not then the struggles of 2013-2014 will continue long into the future.
A Temporary Blip
All teams go through difficult periods and every fan needs
to realise that. Chelsea and Manchester City for instance only came into
prominence in the last decade or so because of their billionaire owners while
Arsenal and Liverpool have both experienced varied levels of recent success.
For United to break out of this slump in form they must rebuild. That process
has started with the busy transfer window, both with arrivals and departures,
although a lot of work is still needed. It will also take time for the players
to adapt to the new managers’ style and more importantly his tactics. The
latter has already come into question. The 3-5-2 formation has its’ benefits
but up to now it has failed to deliver in competitive matches. Injuries have
forced LVG to change back to the trusty 4-4-2 and the signs are at least promising...
kind of.
The greatest conundrum facing the coach is at the back.
Manchester United have the weakest defence of the top 7 sides and although the
new signings strengthen the left hand side, the centre halves are in general
not good enough. Phil Jones will eventually become a world class defender but
the rest leave a lot to be desired. Losing Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and
Patrice Evra all in the same window has been felt throughout the whole squad.
Granted each of them had seen better days but experience is invaluable. Something
United have evidently missed this season. There is no doubt about it.
Nonetheless if a world class centre half (or two) can arrive in January then
success should be within grasping distance. If they fail to do this then a
finish outside the top 4, and maybe even top 6, will happen again come
May.
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| Rio and Nemanja, the biggest of roles to fill |
Concluding Remarks
I will leave it up to you whether the past year at MUFC is
the start of a sinking ship or if it is just a temporary blip. Personally, I
believe the roots of success are deeply imbedded into this football club and
although current times are hard, it is difficult to believe they will continue.
The Theatre of Dreams has seen away win after away win recently but if the
manager can sort the team out defensively, Manchester United have the attack to
instil fear into their opponents once again.
Photo Sources;
Pic 1 - http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/leicester-city-5-manchester-united-3-reaction-we-gave-it-away-a-lot-of-players-lost-their-heads-says-louis-van-gaal-9747398.html
Pic 1 - http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/leicester-city-5-manchester-united-3-reaction-we-gave-it-away-a-lot-of-players-lost-their-heads-says-louis-van-gaal-9747398.html
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