Does Louis Van Gaal have a future at Manchester United?

Following Manchester United’s 1-0 win over struggling Norwich City, the Red Devils are only a mere point behind Manchester City heading into the final two games.

With City drawing against Arsenal there is a strong possibility that United may control their own top-four destiny. With the Champions League in sight, the question arises: does Louis Van Gaal deserve another year at the helm?

Since Van Gaal’s appointment two seasons ago, the Dutch manager has been on the hot seat. Regarded as the real successor to Sir Alex Ferguson, Van Gaal has been uninspiring throughout his tenure.

Attack
After countless seasons of relying on seasoned veterans and experience, Van Gaal turned the club’s attention towards a youth movement. His first transfer market resulted in the signings of Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Angel Di Maria.

Outside of Di Maria, who inevitably left United after a single season, Van Gaal sought out players that were youthful and versatile. All signings were under 25 at the time and, although most of them had played international football, they lacked big-league experience. Ander Herrera was the only exception, having led his Athletic Bilbao team to a Champions League qualifying spot before arriving at Old Trafford.

The youth movement did not pay dividends as United struggled to create any attacking flair. Under Van Gaal, they dominated possession. Their slow, pass-heavy style did not correlate to convincing victories. Through the 38 games, United averaged a measly 1.63 goals per match while taking a total of 369 shots.

In comparison, during the sole season David Moyes managed United, the team still accumulated 396 shots. It is without doubt that Van Gaal has stymied the once potent United attack. The poor attack resulted in a fourth place finish.

With heat mounting on Van Gaal to improve his attack, his second season saw a larger youth influence. Anthony Martial and Memphis Depay headlined the transfer purchases. Both extremely pacey and lethal in front of goal, the signings seemed an attempt to revitalise their possession-heavy style into a counterattacking team.

Van Gaal remained stubborn. Instead of adapting his style to match his new personnel, he kept the slow build-up style. Inevitably this prevented the development of these two. Depay, in particular, has struggled to maintain form and has been repeatedly dropped for attitude and work ethic problems.

His inability to conform to Van Gaal’s style was evident against Norwich. Multiple times Depay would take on one or two defenders instead of using the overlapping Cameron Borthwick-Jackson.

Martial, on the other hand, has fared better. Moving between the left wing and striker positions, Martial has been potent in attack while showing signs of development. His strength and confidence on the ball has improved exponentially.

Defense
Van Gaal’s greatest success with United has come on the defensive end. His defensive scheme involves his team sitting deep in front of goals with the two central defensive midfielders playing as stoppers, with one of the two centre backs sweeping in behind the defensive line. The other centre back (usually the taller of the two) marks the centre forward.

Van Gaal has relied heavily on speedy wing backs and an elite aerial threat accompanied by a robust playmaking centre back. United have also leant heavily on shot stopper David De Gea. The United keeper has established himself as a top-tier keeper, amassing 101 and 88 saves in the past two years.

United’s penalty box defence improved out of sight this season. In Van Gaal’s first year in charge, United conceded 62 per cent of their goals from inside the box. Just 48 per cent of their goals have come from inside the box through this season.

Van Gaal clearly has been able to create an elite defensive scheme. Considering the personnel as well, Van Gaal must be complemented for his efforts.

Injuries
Manchester United’s season has been marred by missing players. United suffered a record 55 injuries, resulting in the use of 37 differed players. The Red Devils have been forced to rely heavily on youngsters like Marcus Rashford, Borthwick-Jackson, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Jesse Lingard, Guillermo Varela, Patrick McNair and Andreas Pereira.

These seven players have a combined 81 starting caps under their belt over the past two seasons, 85 per cent of which coming this season. To Van Gaal’s credit, he has brought the best out of these players. Rashford has emerged as a future United striker, Lingard has gained and kept his starting spot after continuous development and, most significantly, Andreas Pereira has provided moments of brilliance as he looks well in truly ready to be the next Number 10 for the side.

So does he get another shot?
Taking into account all the factors of Manchester United’s season, I would consider this a failed year. In a season where Leicester and Tottenham finished in the top two, this season was one that could have been won by a club that endured many injuries.

Van Gaal was unable to move with the times and create a style that suits the personnel he brought in. He failed to protect his players, often calling out the youngsters, much to the disappointment of the fans.

Most significantly, the product he was producing was discouraging. Although he may argue style doesn’t matter, for the fans of United it is an injustice to provide them with lacklustre, uninspiring performances.

As a result, Louis Van Gaal does not deserve another season at the helm of Manchester United. There are many candidates who could fill his role competently and it is clear he is not the future of Manchester United FC.