Louis Van Gaal is on the brink of an exit from Old Trafford after Manchester United lose again at the Britannia Stadium. It was a must win game for Manchester United having lost 3 consecutive and winless in their last 6 games. Manchester United’s play did not reflect the manager’s predicament. With the manager under pressure they produced one of their worst performances of the Van Gaal era. Manchester United looked toothless and the players looked lost for most of the game. Man United are now winless in 7 matches and have lost 4 in a row. This is now Manchester United’s worse start to a season through 18 games (29 points).
There will be no respite for Louis Van Gaal as his team faces Chelsea on Monday. If he is not relived of his duties today only a victory on Monday will extend is tenure. There is no quick fix for Manchester United but the Stoke game is rife with areas that Manchester United must improve on in order for United to start playing better. Here are 4 important observations that have lingered throughout the season.
1. Van Gaal has no idea what he can do to change Manchester United’s trajectory.
Much like his predecessor Moyes, he looks confused and lost. The problem for Manchester United is that unlike Moyes, Van Gaal was given free reign to spend (to the tune of £250 million). None of his players have made an impact. Matteo Darmian was the best player through the early part of the season but is now injured. Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger and Depay have been huge disappoints while Javier Hernandez is tearing up the Bundesliga with his goals (11 from 14 appearances). The most worrisome thing about Van Gaal’s tenure at Manchester United is that he still does not know who is best 11 is.
2. Manchester United confidence is at an all time low.
At no point during the game did Manchester United look like scoring. There was a vast difference when both team was on the ball. Stoke City (like all team against this Manchester United side) were confident on the ball. They were decisive in their movement and always looked like a threat to score. Arnautovic, Bojan and Shaqiri caused the United defense fits. For Manchester United, it was more of the same. Their game features lost of sideways and backward passing. This then leads to wayward long balls.
3. Memphis Depay should not be playing for Manchester United.
He is having a hard time adjusting to the premier league but the major issue at the moment is his attitude. He has not shown any desire and often spends more time sulking and complaining to the refs. He has also been guilty of giving the ball away on far too many occasions. He was culpable for the opening goal after a terrible attempt at a header to his goalkeeper. After scoring 22 goals for PSV Eindhoven last term, Depay has scored only 2 goals in 13 appearances for Manchester United.
4. Marouane Fellaini is hurting his team’s play more than he is helping.
Yes he offers a direct option but that’s the only thing he seems to bring to the team. His control and passing are very circumspect. There have been numerous occasions where United are showing promise in attack only for the ball to end up with to Fellaini. Because he is incapable of making the final pass, he often plays the ball backwards or sideways often overlooking the player making the forward run. Yet shockingly, Van Gaal has persisted with him.