Sir Alex Ferguson’s most underrated trait as Manchester United manager was his ability to almost brainwash his players into believing they were better than they actually were.
Quite the opposite of a false sense of security, it was particularly notable in his latter years as manager and over a career which landed the Scotsman 38 trophies, including 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups and two Champions League titles.
The same cannot be said for Louis van Gaal.
After spending £250 million, United are no better off than they were under van Gaal’s predecessor and Sir Alex’s ‘recommendation’ David Moyes.
In less than 18 months under his charge, the Dutchman has turned Wayne Rooney into Emile Heskey, broke the British bank for Angel Di Maria and then sold him, farmed off a little player called Chicharito who built a reputation on scoring (something United currently can’t do), almost lost David De Gea and last but not least, convinced Ashely Young he’s world class wing-back.
Nuff’ said? Oh wait, Victor Valdes is still there too.
Fourth in the Premier League and only three points off top, you may argue that this negative talk is not justified, but a hopeless exit from the Champions League last week and a string of poor results in the league have left United fans with a collective distaste.
The statistics this season have been damning.
The club is top of the league for average possession (60%), passes in own half (3416) and for percentage of passes backward (16%), which is not a stat you want to be riding high in.
Some damming stats at @ManUtd…. Some big changes needed in January for LVGs men #MUFC pic.twitter.com/4Grab8fRYs
— Outside90 (@Outside90) December 10, 2015
Percentage of passes going forward (31%)…last in the league. Percentage of passes into final third (12%)…second last in the league. Chances created (121)…15th in the league. They show the lack of forward-thinking of the United players, who have obviously been told to keep the ball for longer in a tighter formation to what the fans are used to.
This is not the Manchester United way. You can’t discount the fact that the fans are used to the ‘United way’ and their growing unrest stems from a period of 18 months since van Gaal’s arrival. The fans have been patient until now and have unwillingly accepted results over style, but there comes a tipping point. The club’s exit in the Champions League on last Tuesday, and the loss to Bournemouth in the league over the weekend. For a club that has spent £250 million in less than 16 months, that is no where near acceptable. It’s bordering on disgraceful.
Sir Alex built a world football superpower based on what worked effectively domestically – wing play. Yes, he broke the bank on occasions for signings but more often than not, they were calculated buys who were brought in to fill a role. Louis van Gaal has taken the Real Madrid approach and attempted to splash the cash at every in-form footballer in the world under the age of 25. It’s tripe.
The players have lost their way and so Louis has lost the players. The fans are now more disheartened than ever before and pot-shots are coming in thick and fast from past-players. Manchester United are quickly losing their DNA and if things don’t change, the loss could be irreversible.
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