More than half a year gone, and I think we all are in a position to judge and comment on Louis Van Gaal's reign at Old Trafford. It has, by no stretch of imagination, been a run filled with ecstasy, relief, disappointment, anguish, a tad annoyance and sometimes embarrassment. After pre-season heroics that left every United fan ecstatic, life back in England was not something that could put a smile on their faces. Opening day defeat to mediocre Swansea, and draws against relegation candidates Sunderland and Burnley left Van Gaal with a lot to do. Just when things looked to get back on track after the 4-0 thumping of QPR at home, United embarrassed themselves with a 5-3 capitulation at Leicester where they let slip a two-goal lead, twice in one half. Although United did manage to get themselves out of scrap with home wins over West Ham and Everton and a draw against then-runaway leaders Chelsea-in a match where United always looked the better side-, they were pulled back with a draw against struggling West Brom and a defeat at the Etihad. Van Gaal since then managed to get United on a somewhat fortune-laden 11-match unbeaten run before their luck finally ran out against high-flying Southampton.
THE RUN
Perhaps no other aspect of Manchester United's current campaign can be shown in decent light other than their 11-match run, which in itself has left so much to be scrutinized. In so many of those games, United have been the second best team by some miles, but to their credit have come away with the points (much like champions, eh?). They have failed to create clear-cut chances regularly and despite having so much of the possession have looked to be missing that cutting edge despite boasting of some of the finest players on the planet. This, despite, at the start of the season, scoring goals never seemed an issue.
THE DILEMMA: ROONEY OR MATA?
This drastic change of fortunes in front of goal may be brought down to fact that Wayne Rooney, who scores and creates with equal panache, has been pulled down to a deep midfield role. Despite, having a large say on the proceedings from the middle of the park, United have suffered in front of goal. Juan Mata, whose reputation for eye-of-the-needle passes precedes him, has too been largely ineffective, mainly because he has been coming way more down the park than his liking. Although, the defensive side of the game can, by no means, put to neglect, the consequences of the failure to find the right balance has shown. While one may be tempted to believe that Rooney perhaps suits the No. 10 role in this United side better because of his defensive abilities added to his contributions further up the pitch, perhaps the frequent-scoring Spaniard, his ever-improving work-rate and his mammoth transfer fee might have been critical reasons for his continuous run in the team-although it has to be agreed the diminutive La Roja from Villafranca has been good in patches.
ROBIN VAN PERSIE AND RADAMEL FALCAO
The fall of form of Robin Van Persie, or the Flying Dutchman, as he is lovingly christened by adoring fans, has been to an alarming extent. Evidently no more the marksman he was under Fergie, most of Van Persie's appearances this season have treated fans with some listless performances. Missed volleys on his otherwise impeccable left foot, Torres-esque misses from point-blank range, and little desire to make those cunning runs that made him so dangerous has been the order of the day for most part. Perhaps the only highlights of this season yet are his last-gasp equalizer against Mourinho's men that United their much-deserved equaliser and the two he scored at St.Mary's that gave United full points after a poor game.
United's deadline-day coup, Colombian captain Radamel Falcao, was something that left many supporters amazed in both awe and perhaps a little bit of lack of logic. After letting go of the super-sub Javier Hernandez and ever-hardworking Danny Welbeck, United signed this superstar. Despite recuperating from a knee injury that put him out of the game for more than six months (including the Brazilian extravaganza), Falcao was expected to slowly get back to form and take United by storm. After scoring against Everton, Falcao re-injured which kept him out of the starting XI for two months. Upon his comeback, he scored equalizers against Aston Villa and Stoke City and despite showing a tremendous desire, his lack of pace has stunted his growth in the Premier League. Talks of a permanent deal where well underway in the media, before Van Gaal decided upon leaving the superstar out of the Match Day 18 in the defeat against Southampton before stating in the media he wants the Colombian to prove himself. It's certainly not the end of the road or the season for Falcao, but he needs to find his scoring boots soon enough to power United to Top 4 and himself to a new lucrative, permanent contract at the richest club in the world.
With both Van Persie and Falcao having underperformed, Van Gaal has been left to require the services of teenager James Wilson to provide potent upfront and to be honest, young Wilson has sometimes outperformed his more decorated counterparts.
Perhaps Van Gaal has been left to rue selling Welbeck?
United have been linked to several defenders during the season, but perhaps United need a goalscorer too.
MICHAEL CARRICK
Such has been the measure of importance of the England man to the Man United midfield that can't be put to words. Injured at the start of the season, the missing link was clearly evident at the heart of the midfield. Neither Scotland captain Darren Fletcher, nor Spanish recruit Ander Herrera could fill the boots of the pass maestro. His calming influence and the ability to pull strings had been sorely lacking until his return to the United lineup which coincided with their unbeaten run. Van Gaal tried to fill the void with countryman Daley Blind, who performed admirably but the return of Carrick has seen United look less vulnerable to conceding possession and goals. He has been equally effective when asked to play as a makeshift centre back with his immaculate tackling, a calm head and excellent reading of the game, putting other accomplished defenders at United to shame. Such has been influence, that he was awarded the vice-captaincy during the middle of the season.
THE CASE FOR THE DEFENCE
Perhaps no other part of the United side have been under more intense criticism and scrutiny than their shoddy backline. Hindered continuously with injuries, suspensions and poor form, Louis Van Gaal has had to change his back 3 or back 4 more than he would have liked. England internationals Jones and Smalling have been inconsistent. Putting in terrific performances one day, only to get needless suspensions (notably Smalling's sending off in the Manchester Derby) or injured at times when Van Gaal might have just have been starting to believe his young defenders where coming of age. The void left after the departure of long-time servants Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic would be big enough to fill for any defender, even more so for the calamity-prone Jonny Evans and inexperienced Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett who haven't come close to giving the slightest hint that they could be the answer to Van Gaal's defensive woes. Argentine World Cup star Marcos Rojo, signed from Sporting Lisbon in the summer had been the only consistent performer at the back until he got injured and has been missing from the team ever since.
What has not helped the cause, has been Van Gaal's lack of stability in terms of formation. Playing 3 centre backs and two wing backs in a 3-5-2 one day and reverting to a more conventional back 4 on another. The Dutchman might, however, rightly point out to his terrible luck with injuries which has seen the likes of Luke Shaw and Ashley Young get injured right when they seemed like they were up for the task.
Coming to Young, a player deemed for the bin at Old Trafford for quite a long time now, had performed admirably at a left-wing back role terrorising opposing full backs in every game. But, once again, injury struck and he hobbled out against Stoke in much discomfort.
Van Gaal has clearly stated that United won't be anything like active in the January transfer window, but with the likes of Everton star Seamus Coleman and Dortmund skipper Mats Hummels linked to Old Trafford with much vigour, Van Gaal would perhaps be left to rue his decision of not adding a world class player to his defensive arsenal, should United miss out on a Top 4 spot with the likes of West Ham, Arsenal and Spurs breathing down United's neck.
The only shining light, at the end of a dark tunnel at the back, has been the form of David De Gea. He has started every game this season-including the 4-0 demolition at the hands of lower division MK Dons- and has pulled off some marvellous saves and has undoubtedly been the sole reason for a large portion of United's current points tally. On current form, the best goalkeeper in the league, the Spanish international, who looked far away from being good enough when he first arrived from Atletico Madrid, has been in solid form and has been so tough to beat on so many occasions. The fact that he doesn't have more number of clean sheets than Saints 'keeper Fraser Forster, shows to what extent, the United defence have failed to put their hand up.
THE CAPTAINCY ISSUE
Perhaps Van Gaal's finest masterstroke has been to get Wayne Rooney and Van Persie functioning on the same wavelength again. Van Persie, considered hot favourite to get the armband from countryman Van Gaal after leading the Oranje to a decent 3rd spot in Brazil occupies the centre-forward role that Wayne Rooney has coveted all his life. On the flip side, Rooney surely looks to be a fine leader after getting the armband at both club and country level, despite having to play in a more unfamiliar role in deeper midfield. Both Rooney and Robin are happy, and this could prove to be a stroke of genius.
WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO?
After the tumultuous, injury-stricken start to the season, Van Gaal has undoubtedly managed to steady the ship. Despite having the same number of points at the same stage of the season as his immediate permanent predecessor David Moyes, United sit more comfortably in the Top 4 this season than they were last season, when they were 7th and ended up finishing in the same spot which resulted in Old Trafford not holding a European home game for the first time since 1989-90. United, despite not looking threatening going forward, have solidified themselves gradually at the back, making themselves harder to beat and less vulnerable to concession of possession and goals (much to the contributions of Michael Carrick). They have been lucky to get all three points at St. Mary's and Ashburton Grove, but have been unlucky in equal measure when they failed to get more out of games against Villa and Spurs where they clearly looked the better side for much of the game. With the race for Top 4 very much on, United do find themselves in a bit of an advantage in terms of position than their immediate rivals. With 'easy' games against QPR, Sunderland, Leicester, Swansea down the tunnel, perhaps Van Gaal might feel his boys have a more than realistic chance of going on a decent run-now that his injury problems have finally looked to lessen- and firmly cement their Champions League spot, only a month after they were considered rank outsiders for the title.
THE RUN
Perhaps no other aspect of Manchester United's current campaign can be shown in decent light other than their 11-match run, which in itself has left so much to be scrutinized. In so many of those games, United have been the second best team by some miles, but to their credit have come away with the points (much like champions, eh?). They have failed to create clear-cut chances regularly and despite having so much of the possession have looked to be missing that cutting edge despite boasting of some of the finest players on the planet. This, despite, at the start of the season, scoring goals never seemed an issue.
THE DILEMMA: ROONEY OR MATA?
ROBIN VAN PERSIE AND RADAMEL FALCAO
The fall of form of Robin Van Persie, or the Flying Dutchman, as he is lovingly christened by adoring fans, has been to an alarming extent. Evidently no more the marksman he was under Fergie, most of Van Persie's appearances this season have treated fans with some listless performances. Missed volleys on his otherwise impeccable left foot, Torres-esque misses from point-blank range, and little desire to make those cunning runs that made him so dangerous has been the order of the day for most part. Perhaps the only highlights of this season yet are his last-gasp equalizer against Mourinho's men that United their much-deserved equaliser and the two he scored at St.Mary's that gave United full points after a poor game.United's deadline-day coup, Colombian captain Radamel Falcao, was something that left many supporters amazed in both awe and perhaps a little bit of lack of logic. After letting go of the super-sub Javier Hernandez and ever-hardworking Danny Welbeck, United signed this superstar. Despite recuperating from a knee injury that put him out of the game for more than six months (including the Brazilian extravaganza), Falcao was expected to slowly get back to form and take United by storm. After scoring against Everton, Falcao re-injured which kept him out of the starting XI for two months. Upon his comeback, he scored equalizers against Aston Villa and Stoke City and despite showing a tremendous desire, his lack of pace has stunted his growth in the Premier League. Talks of a permanent deal where well underway in the media, before Van Gaal decided upon leaving the superstar out of the Match Day 18 in the defeat against Southampton before stating in the media he wants the Colombian to prove himself. It's certainly not the end of the road or the season for Falcao, but he needs to find his scoring boots soon enough to power United to Top 4 and himself to a new lucrative, permanent contract at the richest club in the world.
With both Van Persie and Falcao having underperformed, Van Gaal has been left to require the services of teenager James Wilson to provide potent upfront and to be honest, young Wilson has sometimes outperformed his more decorated counterparts.
Perhaps Van Gaal has been left to rue selling Welbeck?
United have been linked to several defenders during the season, but perhaps United need a goalscorer too.
MICHAEL CARRICK
THE CASE FOR THE DEFENCE
What has not helped the cause, has been Van Gaal's lack of stability in terms of formation. Playing 3 centre backs and two wing backs in a 3-5-2 one day and reverting to a more conventional back 4 on another. The Dutchman might, however, rightly point out to his terrible luck with injuries which has seen the likes of Luke Shaw and Ashley Young get injured right when they seemed like they were up for the task.
Coming to Young, a player deemed for the bin at Old Trafford for quite a long time now, had performed admirably at a left-wing back role terrorising opposing full backs in every game. But, once again, injury struck and he hobbled out against Stoke in much discomfort.
Van Gaal has clearly stated that United won't be anything like active in the January transfer window, but with the likes of Everton star Seamus Coleman and Dortmund skipper Mats Hummels linked to Old Trafford with much vigour, Van Gaal would perhaps be left to rue his decision of not adding a world class player to his defensive arsenal, should United miss out on a Top 4 spot with the likes of West Ham, Arsenal and Spurs breathing down United's neck.
The only shining light, at the end of a dark tunnel at the back, has been the form of David De Gea. He has started every game this season-including the 4-0 demolition at the hands of lower division MK Dons- and has pulled off some marvellous saves and has undoubtedly been the sole reason for a large portion of United's current points tally. On current form, the best goalkeeper in the league, the Spanish international, who looked far away from being good enough when he first arrived from Atletico Madrid, has been in solid form and has been so tough to beat on so many occasions. The fact that he doesn't have more number of clean sheets than Saints 'keeper Fraser Forster, shows to what extent, the United defence have failed to put their hand up.
THE CAPTAINCY ISSUE
WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO?
After the tumultuous, injury-stricken start to the season, Van Gaal has undoubtedly managed to steady the ship. Despite having the same number of points at the same stage of the season as his immediate permanent predecessor David Moyes, United sit more comfortably in the Top 4 this season than they were last season, when they were 7th and ended up finishing in the same spot which resulted in Old Trafford not holding a European home game for the first time since 1989-90. United, despite not looking threatening going forward, have solidified themselves gradually at the back, making themselves harder to beat and less vulnerable to concession of possession and goals (much to the contributions of Michael Carrick). They have been lucky to get all three points at St. Mary's and Ashburton Grove, but have been unlucky in equal measure when they failed to get more out of games against Villa and Spurs where they clearly looked the better side for much of the game. With the race for Top 4 very much on, United do find themselves in a bit of an advantage in terms of position than their immediate rivals. With 'easy' games against QPR, Sunderland, Leicester, Swansea down the tunnel, perhaps Van Gaal might feel his boys have a more than realistic chance of going on a decent run-now that his injury problems have finally looked to lessen- and firmly cement their Champions League spot, only a month after they were considered rank outsiders for the title.
About Author
Shounak is a hardcore football fanatic who is up for sharing his views on the happenings in the world of football with people.
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