[devo22]

great piece by Paul Parker. I agree 100 percent.

United's boss is a proven winner in the past, but he seems to believe that the key to that was a team structure which crushes the life out of player after player. They have structure, but no style. Angel Di Maria has been completely curbed, looking nothing like the player he was a few months ago. Talented, clever players like Juan Mata and Ander Herrera have been sidelined - and worse, seen the midfield spot they should be making their own handed to Wayne Rooney instead.

Rooney needs to be in the front line for United, not bludgeoning his way through the midfield - and that's what he's doing. It's all brute strength, as far away from the guile and finesse that Herrera or Mata could provide as it's possible to imagine.

That really says a lot about Van Gaal. He's made United a team that are tough to beat, sure. But that's it. That's your lot. There's no fear factor, no excitement. When even Preston are confident to go all-out at United, you realise how far they've fallen.

There was a time when opponents were terrorised by United. Even if they went ahead, they'd know what to expect: constant attacking, constant harrying, a fast, creative unit coming at them in high-tempo waves. The Red Devils were like a herd of elephants stampeding through trees until not a single one was left standing.

And now, they're nothing but a brutish, organised side who are difficult to break down. A team whose player of the season is David De Gea. The goalkeeper! For United's player of the season not to be a striker or a midfielder is almost shameful - clubs who stave off relegation are the ones whose heroes are keepers and centre-backs, not clubs making a run on the Champions League.

I'm not the only one thinking this way. Fans have been grumbling about the playing style, and even Tommy Docherty chipped in this week to question it. It makes me think back to the days of Dave Sexton, who got fired in 1981 despite United flying high in the league - simply because the board at the time couldn't accept the way the team played under him.

Van Gaal won't share Sexton's fate - and as long as United finish in the top four, he'll have at least until Christmas to continue trying to make things work.

I think the way their season has gone United will finish in the top four - they're riding their luck, and they've still got one or two exceptional players who can get them out of trouble. But it's beginning to feel like it'll happen despite Van Gaal, not because of him.

https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs...105409408.html