As the pressure continues to mount on Louis van Gaal, we look at where the Dutchman has fallen short so far at Old Trafford.
From his inability to inspire an attacking identity to his United team, to a glaring arrogance and refusal to ditch Wayne Rooney, here are five things Van Gaal has failed to address duing his tenure.
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Inability to work with Di Maria
Angel Di Maria displayed a questionable work ethic but was rarely given a consistent run in the side in a position that played to his strengths. It says a lot about Van Gaal’s approach he managed to stifle one of the world’s best attacking players.
Blind spot over Rooney
As captain, Wayne Rooney appears to be immune from criticism and any danger of losing his place in the side. The desire to start him every single match has shunted Anthony Martial out wide, cost Ander Herrera action and the end result has been two goals in 13 league games.
Lack of options up top
United’s transfer dealings in the summer may have added Martial to the forward ranks but, bizarrely, Van Gaal was happy to let Javier Hernandez and James Wilson leave. Hernandez is banging goals in at will for Leverkusen and surely could have given United something this term.
Defending at set-pieces
Once it was Arsenal that everybody referenced in a total lack of organisation when facing a corner or wide free-kick, now it’s United. It’s cost them at key moments in recent games at Wolfsburg and Bournemouth. It’s also a problem that can be remedied on the training ground.
Arrogance in approach
Van Gaal’s commitment to a possession style is, in a way, admirable but at no stage has he seen fit to alter it. Despite so many abject performances and so many examples it wasn’t working, he carried on either through ignorance or arrogance.
