Louis van Gaal has been in charge
of Man United for two league games so far, only collecting a point out of the
possible – and expected—six. Under Moyes
this would have been nothing shocking as United fans were on the verge of
getting used to losses and draws under the Scott. However, this time around
United fans have their hopes sky high coming into the league under new Dutch
manager Louis van Gaal. Even before
their wonderful pre-season – winning all six of their friendlies – United fans
were looking at their team with high hopes, knowing that they had a new
manager, whom of which had just took an average Netherlands team into third
place at the World Cup.
After coming back from the World
Cup, Van Gaal took no holiday and headed straight to the US for United’s
pre-season. After winning all six games in pre-season, including games against
Real Madrid and Liverpool, United fans were thrilled with belief. Belief that
the United, they once knew and loved were back. Back to winning ways. They
believed that they actually had a chance of
winning the title back from city rivals Manchester City. Winning the
league after coming 7th the previous season would seem a bit out of reach, but
United fans could not contain themselves. It is what football can do to a fan.
However, watching United’s last
two performances was heartbreaking for any United fan. The performance the team
put was unbelievably ordinary. Nowhere near what you would expect from any United
team. The midfielders looked as uncomfortable with the ball as Prabowo’s and
Jokowi’s handshake. The defenders, who were new to Van Gaal's defensive system, had no idea what to do, or even how to pretend to know what to do. Watching the match, it would be understandable if one asked
whether Moyes was still in charge. United fans being fed with hope during the
World Cup and pre-season, now devastated with reality.
This is nothing more than a wake-up call for Van Gaal. Hopefully he now knows what he is dealing with. The
English premier league is arguably the best league in the world, with teams at
the bottom of the league being able to beat the top four. Being outplayed by
Swansea and Sunderland has surely given him a little perspective on how tough
the league really is. Having managed in the Bundesliga, the Eredivisie and the
La Liga, Van Gaal has experienced coming into a new league and adapting with
the differences. He now has to prove himself that he can compete in the best league
in the world or else United fans won’t be hesitant to bring out their “Van Gaal
Out” banners.
United fans too ought to wake up from their deluded dreams. They have to realize that although Louis van Gaal is a top manager, he is no magician. Judging from these previous performances, it would seem difficult for the Dutch to take a team full of mediocrity and turn them into champions. The fans now no longer have an inexperienced under-achiever as their manager. They now have to face the fact that the squad they have is not good enough to compete with the top four.
United fans too ought to wake up from their deluded dreams. They have to realize that although Louis van Gaal is a top manager, he is no magician. Judging from these previous performances, it would seem difficult for the Dutch to take a team full of mediocrity and turn them into champions. The fans now no longer have an inexperienced under-achiever as their manager. They now have to face the fact that the squad they have is not good enough to compete with the top four.
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