Manchester United: van Gaal holds out hope
United manager believes his side can win the FA Cup
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal seems to have some sort of detachment from his current side, believing they can accomplish the improbable.
After consecutive defeats against the likes of Sunderland and Midtjylland, the Red Devils and supporters have been left wondering what has gone wrong. Losses against a relegation contender and a Danish league side formed less than two decades ago would be bad news for any team, but for Manchester United, it’s only the newest low.
United has been on a downward spiral for what seems like the past several years, despite small upticks in form here and there. The Dutch manager, however, has held onto the belief that his side can turn it around at any moment. Per ManUtd.com, van Gaal said in his post match presser after the Europa League match:
"“We have to make our opponents fear us again. We lost my first match in the Premier League, against Swansea City, but then we had a very good home record last season. We can do that again, it is just a question of winning matches in a row.”“On Monday we have to win and if we do then we are in the next round. I think that we are capable of winning the FA Cup.”"
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The Dutchman is correct in assessing that opponents no longer fear Manchester United. The stingy defense that was present early in the season has crumbled even against far inferior opposition, while the attack has improved but still offers only one or two goals a game. Moreover, the patented Manchester United counterattack that was critical with the team of the 2000s, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, etc., has fizzled out almost entirely.
Which leaves me wondering – does Louis van Gaal actually believe his side can win the FA Cup, or is he just billowing water out of a rapidly sinking ship? United cruised past Derby County 3-1 in the previous round of the competition, but much has changed since the victory.
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The team has a laundry list of injuries, namely Wayne Rooney and David de Gea, that will thrust youth and reserves into the starting XI against Shrewsbury. Sergio Romero will have to start in goal and, while he came up with several good saves against Midtjylland, he never inspires much confidence with his on the ball presence.
The defense will also likely feature young faces or players out of their natural positions. Cameron Borthwick-Jackson should make a return to the team if he recovers from illness, and Guillermo Varela could start on the opposite flank. Both have fared well in their appearances this season, but the defense might be in need of more experience considering the past few weeks.
Worse than the injuries, though, is that Manchester United just are not playing well. Even with all the starters out, one would expect even the reserves to be more than capable of handling the recent foes. But the mix of senior players with replacements sprinkled in has proven otherwise.
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Van Gaal thinks his side can rediscover their winning ways, but he had better hope they find it sooner rather than later. Bowing out of the FA Cup against a League One side and then being knocked out of the Europa League would certainly spell his immediate departure.