Louis van Gaal

We haven't been playing with wingers though. We've packed numbers into midfield and those midfielders needs space created for them, the only way to do that is to force the other team to defend deeper.

How can you expect quick passing when there are so many players in such a confined area of the pitch? You'd need Barcelona-at-their-best moves just to get to the final third.

Where did I put all of the blame on him? The blame lies within the system we're trying to play him in in the main, but you still expect a lot lot more from him than we're currently getting.

We have plenty of players who are able to pass and move the ball well in midfield, but even Xavi and Iniesta would struggle in there when there is nobody creating the space. We can't keep blaming poor service when we're talking about the likes of Rooney, Di Maria and Mata, these three players are amongst the top players in the world when it comes to the assist charts.

But they need something to hit and the space to do it in, both of these things are created by your attackers, and Falcao simply isn't doing enough. He'd be better in a flat 4-4-2 when the wingers can help create space but seeing as we're not using that until we're a goal down then there is simply no point to Falcao.

I'm becoming a broken record here.

I really do wonder how much of that talent is good as deemed.

And I really like to know how many of that talent is good enough on the ball, in decision making and overall sporting intelligence.

The list please.

Next season apart Ed but does it look like to you that the players are up for playing for VG? Do they look proud pulling on the shirt or are they just going through the motions? Does VG look like a tactical genius sitting on the sidelines looking like someone with constipation game after game? Do we have any sort of structure in our play? I'm not really buying into get results whatever the cost. Yes we are still a few players short but with the players VG has at his disposal now we should at least look like we know how to play football instead of at times (too many) looking like a sunday league team. He's said recently he still doesn't know our best formation or his best 11. WTF??? He's been with us long enough to know to know what doesn't work but he persists anyway. Most of the time we don't even get the basics right. We don't defend as a team, we don't attack as a team, we have a problem with basic passing, our movement is all wrong, team selection is usually questionable, formation/ tactics is usually questionable and as for Jones taking corners
I admire your faith in the man but sorry, at this present time I just can't share it.

Results speak for themselves, as does the method of play and the reasons for it. That current United side could do exactly what people want "We have plenty of players who are able to pass and move the ball well in midfield" - but if they did, they would just as easily end up being beat 5-0 every game. VG has said as much and him and his team have decided to look for the best balanced side and a method of play that doesn't lose and can achieve top four.

It's not difficult for him to go 442 and "entertain" the masses with that current side - but you'd never keep a clean sheet with what we've got in defence and a midfield that can't dictate play when physically pressed.

I agree with Ed in every word of the last post but I also feel Mark's fears.

Speaking of pace up front, is it really that much of a fuss? I know what van Gaal has said and done to get some pace there, but look at the other areas:

Fullbacks: Rafael, Valencia, Shaw, Young, (Rojo) - all possess a great pace, maybe even the best in the league

Central Midfield: Rooney? di Maria? Herrera? - different tasks being given or not even played there to put it as a question. The rest of them, none of very little pace

Wings: Januzaj, di Maria, Valencia and Young again - plenty of pace

Strikers: Wilson only, Rooney doesn't count as of late

We have pace but not so much in the most important area. What we don't have at all is composure, chemistry and a good cover for a defence who's an accident waiting to happen. van Gaal builds from the back - he's unable to do that with the current players so the pace is irrelevant until you got the balance to unleash that pace!

We also have an overhyped players who are yet to prove themselves and just maybe aren't that good as deemed about.

What else we do have? The pressure on them and the manager to deliver after that inept little fecker ruined already unbalanced squad and players who lost the faith in themselves. One thing is for sure, van Gaal is a great psychologist when he has managed to resurrect Ashley Young of Aston Villa and make big Fella look as one of the best and basically a savior (alongside de Gea).

We simply don't have the players/calmness/intelligence (take it as it suits you)in the most important positions to play under pressure and build our attacks in the way van Gaal wants. When we set up 4-3-3 and flying around, then I'll know that he plays like he really wants to play.

He had pace from wide areas, we aren't playing with wingers.