Reports emerge in various leading publications that van Gaal is set to stay at Old Trafford for the next season even when the fans of the Mancunian club are exasperated with his slow build up and much famed policy.
Van Gaal hasn’t done much wrong while at Manchester United considering results, a Champion’s League spot was what was asked of him and he delivered that without much trouble. This year expectations were raised to the title and so far he has been unable to transform his team to consistent winners. Every opportunity to sit on the top of the table has been wasted with this weekend being no different considering how Stoke rapped City on their knuckles. Joint second Leicester duly took advantage but Manchester United failed and ended up with a disappointing goalless draw against an injury stricken West Ham at home.
Another issue is the style of play. Van Gaal demands a high possession game with chances being created by the movement and intricate passing instead of direct crosses and long punts. The players at his disposal do not seem to be able to replicate that on the pitch with rampant sideways passing and generally boring football. A high possession goal has been achieved but a high penetration rate is yet to be seen. Players seem discontent and are ready for a change. In a typically British mentality, it was suggested that van Gaal should leave, blaming his tactics. A closer inspection suggests that if given the right players, he can do much much better, as seen with Martial. Mobile and full of clever movement, he has rescued United from many a perilous situations. The attacking depth is something United should be having a really long and hard look at during the transfer window.
Here’s van Gaal addressing the issue, “When I meet the fans on the street, they are very happy with Manchester United and me, but you have to score goals. My opinion about scoring goals is not only compulsion but also a lot of luck. I am not so worried, but we have to pass over this period because it is too long that we don’t score”
He also went out and claimed that his side were not good enough to win the Champions League, “I don’t think that we are able to win the Champions League now. Maybe next year when we strengthen our selection again”
“..you have to be realistic.” This sums it up considering the situation at United.
This train of thought has seemingly stuck with the bosses high up in the United hierarchy. They plan to stick with him and it is also to be noted that a future successor has already been mooted in the form of Giggs, a la Zidane at Real. In fact, the situation at United seems to be a microcosm of the situation at the Bernabeu. The fans not appreciating the managers’ style of play, disappointing results, discontent among the squad and the hierarchy sticking with the manager at least until now. If the reports are to be believed, the situation at United is not going to change for the foreseeable future.