Louis Van Gaal has sucked all the fun out of watching Manchester United. Here are the 5 Biggest Complaints Manchester United Fans Have About Louis Van Gaal:
1. Ignoring the giant hole in the center.
When starved of options in midfield, defenders are forced to pass sideways until one of them panics and hoofs it. The problem is United strikers aren’t suited for long balls. Even if they were, resorting to “thump it forward and see” tactics isn’t the Man United way. If Big Sam is capable of changing his style, why isn’t Van Gaal?
So what is the right balance? Having an extra midfielder instead of two strikers gives defenders a simple nearby outlet, allowing them to focus on short forward passes to drive the ball out of danger.
Lining up with two strikers doesn’t help without quality service. Center midfielders such as Ander Herrera provide a more effective linkup between defense and attack while holding the ball higher up the pitch – quality possession that breaks teams down.
2. Is the fear factor gone?
With Van Gaal’s 3-5-2 system, half the team is set up to defend with most of the play in United’s half of the pitch. It invites opponents to apply high pressure leading to turn over of possession, individual mistakes and goal scoring opportunities.
The slow build up out of the back gives a false impression that they’ve lost the “fear factor.” It’s why even lower division teams smell blood and are having a go at United with some success.
How do you get past a high-pressure style without resorting to long balls? By recycling the ball quickly. Daley Blind has been excellent at driving the team forward because he doesn’t dwell on the ball in deep positions. He makes decisions to relieve pressure quickly and effectively with one or two-touch football in tight spaces.
Why did Louis Van Gaal leave Herrera and Mata out of United’s uninspired draw against West Ham?
3. Favoritism.
LVG claims it doesn’t matter if the player costs £30 million or £1 million. If he’s performing, he’ll play. Yet he continues shoehorning two out-of-form superstar strikers, Robin van Persie and Falcao, at the expense of Ander Herrera. You can even say it’s three strikers if you count Wayne Rooney.
There were glimpses of an attractive style and a chemistry forming between Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Angel Di Maria early in the season. Smart quick passing and positive possession.
Will LVG persist with two strikers, or will he turn to a modern 4-5-1? Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea stands twelve points ahead of United while playing an attractive brand of football. His preferred formation, the 4-5-1 (4-2-3-1), features two center midfielders in Matic and Fabregas to protect the traditional back four while providing the linkup between defense and attack. Midfielders Hazard, Oscar and Willian drive at defenses and create goal scoring chances behind the one main striker, Diego Costa.
How would a proper 4-5-1 Manchester United Look?
Daley Blind and Ander Herrera, two center midfielders to shield the back four at least until an experienced central defender and right back arrives. The creativity and chemistry between Mata, Herrera and Di Maria to drive at defenses. No more players out of position. Let your midfielders do some actual midfielding (verb) with Rooney at his best just behind the main striker, Falcao.
4. Wayne Rooney is not Paul Scholes.
When pundits such as Phil Neville compare Rooney to Scholes it makes me question their judgment. Paul Scholes’ most underrated skill was his ability to make quick one-twos in small triangles to escape pressure. Be it with Carrick or Fletcher, Scholes could move the ball up the pitch quickly and effortlessly with any teammate. Man United is in desperate need of a center mid who can command the game in the most crucial part of the pitch. Someone who understands the flow of the game. 
As a center midfielder, Rooney is too slow, his touch too heavy. He rarely looks to the forwards first, often checking to the ball with his back to goal, taking three awkward touches before pinging it wide to Valencia. He is incapable of making quick interchanges in tight spaces and has been guilty of losing the ball in dangerous areas.
Rooney has yet to record a single shot on target in the Premier League in 2015 despite playing every minute of every match. Rooney’s strength is driving at defenses and putting the ball in the back of the net. When played as a striker, he prefers to drop a little deeper than the typical center forward. So why not play him just behind the main striker?
5. Negative approach will cost United a Champions League spot.
What will happen if Louis Van Gaal continues with his negative approach, sacrificing top talent like Ander Herrera for Jonny Evans and shoehorning two star strikers with no service from midfield?
First, he will lose the fans.
In a recent Premier League match against QPR, United’s away fans were heard shouting “4-4-2” at halftime. Within minutes of changing the formation, United scored and went on to win 2-0. When they faced Leicester City at home, United were cruising to a 3-0 win when LVG switched the 4-4-2 to 3-5-2. Instead of going for it, he invited pressure which led to a Leicester goal and a nervy end to what should’ve been a convincing home win for the fans.
Next, he will lose the players.
Fernando Torres at Atletico Madrid, Nani at Sporting. Without confidence, even good players struggle. Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao cannot be enjoying themselves and it’s not for lack of effort. Who will they point their finger to and blame?
Lastly, he will lose the board.
Van Gaal’s stubbornness and uninspired methods will cost Man United a top four spot and access to the lucrative Champions League. Having failed to reach the objective of a top four finish, sponsors Adidas and Chevrolet will point at the terms of their agreement and the board will be forced to act.
Van Gaal claimed it would take approximately three months for the players to adapt to his philosophy. But heading into March, Manchester United is being played off the park by West Ham. Van Gaal is the type of manager who will live or die by his sword. Can he change his methods or will his ego get in the way?
These are the five biggest complaints Manchester United fans have about Louis Van Gaal. Disagree? Have your say and leave a comment below.
