Many speculated that sacking David Moyes would at least stop the rot setting in further at Manchester United. When Dutch legend Louis van Gaal took over this summer after a hugely successful World Cup with the Netherlands, many Man Utd fan rejoiced and looked forward to a vastly improved season.

During preseason United scored six victories in seven outings. Van Gaal’s 3-5-2 formation was heralded as a stroke of genius as Utd geared up for the new campaign.

There has also been some major moves in the transfer market with Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo all joining. United confirmed the British record signing of Angel Di Maria this evening for a fee of around £59.3m.

But Van Gaal and the United faithful haven’t had time to celebrate. Barely hours after the Di Maria announcement and his new club were humbled and humiliated in the League Cup suffering a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of League One side MK Dons.

That comes after the Old Trafford side failed to win in their opening two Premier League fixtures. Losing at home to Swansea and drawing away at Sunderland.

The new formation is clearly not working. Louis needs to see that he doesn’t have the personnel available to him to get the best out of 3-5-2. Especially with a squad void of any morale. The formation needs a lot of pressing and possession. Currently the ‘Red Devils’ lack hunger and determination. The players treat the ball like a hot potato and get rid of it as quickly as possible, usually to their opponents!

The amount of injuries that Man United have suffered so far this term is alarming. Van Gaal has been known to over train his players in the past, and that has resulted in a vast amount of niggles and strains. Is history repeating itself?

There is also still too much deadwood in this United squad. The pool is populated with too many faces that constantly under perform. More need to leave and let the rest breathe.

Yet even with all these players, Manchester United have still to find a ball winning, dynamic midfielder. A player that they’ve been calling out for, for a few years now!

Interestingly enough, most of the criticism this term seems to be aimed at the players themselves. Now I’m not totally against that but last year it was all David Moyes fault. If this was 2013/14 United support would have already be calling for Moyes to go at these three results in a row. Yet Van Gaal’s reputation seems to protect him from the harshest of criticism.

But lets look at facts, United haven’t bought well for a few seasons now. Ed Woodward needs to be questioned. Its all very well breaking transfer records every window but you need to improve on all areas of the team, not just creative midfielders. The team desperately need a veteran centre-half that can take that defence by the scruff of the neck and pull them up.

David Moyes must be watching this team play and smiling to himself, knowing it wasn’t all his fault. The problems at United go from the top (board) to the bottom (vast squad including too many mediocre fringe players).

The whole club is broken and it should look at going back to basics first. Stick to a trusted, solid formation that the players understand. Be strong, resolute and attack down the wings. Scrap and fight for results if you have too. Get back the fear factor and build on any success you have and then build on it.

Only then will they be able to come out the other end and be ready to try out new systems and philosophies.

Posted on August 27th, 2014 by scott
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