Dear Louis Van Gaal,
When I saw your first press conference as
Manchester United manager, I was convinced
United would finish in a Champions League spot
this season without the team even having kicked
a ball. Reason being that, I thought you brought
that one sentiment to our squad, which Moyes
took and threw out of the window; frankness.
I was absolutely bowled over by your fantastic
personality, your arrogant yet straightforward
attitude and your ability to say what you had in
your mind without being too diplomatic.
Suddenly, I just couldn't wait for the first match
of the campaign to kick-off.
And when it did, it absolutely shattered my heart.
However, somehow, I pacified myself by thinking
that, 'this is just one game'. However, that self-
satisfactory mode was becoming increasingly
difficult to handle, because of your persistence
to stick with three men at the back.
It was destroying us, game by game and almost
everybody realised that except you. When you
eventually did decide to revert to a back four,
the result couldn't have been more spectacular:
a 4-0 drubbing of Harry Redknapp’s QPR.
However, over the Christmas period, you've again
shown a peculiar interest in the 3-5-2, and that
has resulted in us being able to rack up a paltry
6 points from 15, which were on disposal.
Yesterday, Southampton, who had never won a
game at Old Trafford in 27 years, came over and
conquered us.
I wouldn't say that United were very bad or were
completely outplayed. Although, there is always
that sense of nervousness, whenever the
opoosition are on the ball and are thinking of
bombarding our backline.
Having done a decent job through the course of
the game, our back three couldn't step up and
assume responsibility when it mattered the most
and as a consequence, Southampton went ahead
and grabbed the all-important winner.
This is not a thing, which occurred in yesterday's
match for the first time. It has been showing up
in almost every match United have played in and
it's blatantly evident that the three men at the
back concept is not there to stay.
I understand that with the number of injuries the
squad has, there have been instances when you
didn't really have any choice other than
incorporating a back three.
However, yesterday, with Shaw back and fit,
Valencia could have very well be used as a
make-shift right-back which would have allowed
United to deploy an extra midfielder in the middle
of the park and therefore provide the much-
needed solidity. Quite evidently, that's not what
you had in mind.
This club is not accustomed to playing with a
three man defense and by the look of it, it
appears that it will never be. For all the progress
and philosophy you've been talking about, a
startling reality check could be provided by this
stat; United had the same number of points at
this stage of the campaign last season with the
same amount of games played.
It looks like your stubbornness has overtaken the
basic sense of logic, which says that United
should start with a defense consisting of four
defenders. The simple reason behind that is the
player's are more accustomed to it and have a
sense of assuredness coupled with confidence
that goes with it.
Having said that, I still believe that your are the
ideal candidate to lead the club and bring back
the good old days of cheer back to Old Trafford.
I would, therefore request you to assess the
situation and use a four-man-defense in contrast
to the three which is being used now. Our
players haven't got used to it and may never get
to terms with it. Another season without
Champions League football would be diabolical
to say the least. Better late than never.
Yours sincerely,
A Red Devil.