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The hallmark of the Manchester United team under Sir Alex Ferguson was attacking football, taking risks when on the ball in order to score goals. Manchester United, however, have struggled to create chances in the last few games.On paper, United and Louis Van Gaal have the deadliest attack in the Premier League with world class players such as Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao, Juan Mata and Angel Di Maria and young talents such as Adnan Januzaj and James Wilson on display.The club have, however, over the last few games, lacked ideas upfront, with the midfield holding the ball for large portions of the game. They have failed to keep constant pressure on the opposition and lacked penetration up front with strikers such as Falcao being fed only a couple of half chances in front of goal.It was evident after the summer transfer window that United would struggle defensively and David de Gea has had to bail them out on numerous occasions. The signings of Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria added to the attacking talent the manager already had at his disposal and placed more emphasis on the lack of defensive solidity.Here we take a look at some of the problems the players are facing in front of goal:
#1 Key players being played out of position:
Starting with club captain Rooney, Van Gaal initially stated that he preferred Rooney as a No.9 but the arrival of Radamel Falcao initially forced Van Gaal to play Rooney behind the two strikers, also having tried playing him on the right of the midfield and in the center of the park. In the game against Burnley, Rooney played as a holding midfielder after Daley Blind was forced off due to a head injury and the scare being that in the entire game, Rooney didn’t touch the ball in Burnley’s box. Although Rooney’s future does lie in midfield, Van Gaal must play him in his preferred center forward role in order to get the best out him.
Another player that has been playing in a number of positions is Di Maria. Signed for a record fee by Van Gaal because United needed an attacking winger, Di Maria only played his first few games in the said role after which Van Gaal said that Di Maria’s pace is the reason why he was constantly been played as a striker or behind the two strikers. Ever since the player was moved out of his preferred role i.e. on the wings, his performances have dropped considerably. Di Maria still is United’s biggest attacking threat as the Argentine is the most creative on the ball and is never afraid to take a risk and put the ball forward which, although, hasn’t worked out too well for him over the last couple of games.
Other players that have been shuffled around the park by Van Gaal include Juan Mata, Adnan Januzaj and the adaptable Daley Blind.
#2 Van Persie and Falcao out of form:
Make no mistake as these are two of the best strikers in world football but a mix of only a few chances being created for them, injuries and poor form mean either Van Persie or Falcao should be dropped and forced to fight for their place on the team. The two players have only scored 14 goals in total so a few starts for young James Wilson and some time on the sidelines would do good for the team.
Falcao is still not back to his best after the cruciate knee ligament injury that forced him to miss the World Cup with the striker only scoring 4 goals since his deadline day move from AS Monaco. It looks almost certain that unless Falcao shows a massive improvement in form, he will not be extending his stay with United. Van Persie as well doesn't look like the player who was the driving force behind the team that won the title under Sir Alex.
#3 Have Manchester United missed Ashley Young?
Ashley Young is a player who has come under a lot of criticism due to his string of poor performances, coupled with injuries, has been revelatory under Van Gaal in the wing back role. Young’s ability to cross and his ability to cut in and shoot makes him a great option at the full back role especially with Antonio Valencia’s performances dropping over the last few years and the Ecuadorian becoming one of the most predictable players in the Premier League .
Young’s final ball has improved considerably along with his decision making on the ball and his defensive work. He had been outstanding this season but an injury sidelined him from the team and his absence from has coincided with United’s drop in form. Left back Luke Shaw has been in and out of the United team this season and young winger Adnan Januzaj cannot cope with the defensive demands of the full back role. Considering all the aspects, this makes Young the ideal player for the wing back role from United’s current crop of players.
#4 Absence of their Plan B
Marouane Fellaini is a player that was made the scapegoat of the David Moyes era due to the former manager paying 4 million more for the player than what his buy-out clause demanded and the player also having a mix of injuries and poor form during the Scots short reign at the club.
Fellaini’s absence however during the festive period and much of January left Manchester United without a “Plan B”. Just like against West Ham when Van Gaal’s philosophy wasn’t working, the big Belgian was brought on to head down long balls in order to unsettle opposition defenses. A tactic that was used by Belgium in the World Cup and one that has helped United on more than one occasion. The midfielder has scored 3 crucial goals in the Premier League for United this season and like Young is one of the players that has thrived under Van Gaal’s new regime.
#5 Van Gaal\'s inability to stick to one formation:
Van Gaal has repeatedly switched between a 3-5-2 and a diamond formation.The three at the back formation has provided some of United's most disappointing performances of the season. Although a lot of the United team is comfortable with a 4 at the back system, constant changing of the formations can never be good for any team, especially in a defensive standpoint as changing the center back pairings leads to chaos on the field.
The manager has also repeatedly changed the midfield with Daley Blind sometimes playing alone in the middle of the park or being joined by either Fellaini, Di Maria or Rooney. Such change in midfield and defence causes chaos on the field with United’s defence in shambles on quite a few occasions and the midfield not clicking enough to create the right amount of chances for the forwards. United’s midfield has kept an ample amount of possession this season but Van Gaal’s philosophy is that of to not take too many chances on the ball and that is one of the main reason’s why United’s performances have dropped.
