United haven’t progressed since the opening day
On the opening day of the season United lost 2-1 to Swansea. On Saturday, the 26th round of the Premier League, United again lost 2-1 to Swansea. Except this time they did so with more long balls and better footballers. Swansea were on the back foot for pretty much the entire second half, but United's inability to find a knockout punch, with the eyewatering resources at their disposal, was close to criminal. As it was, they always left themselves potentially exposed to a sucker punch of their own, and Swansea duly obliged. Van Gaal excused the first result back in the summer by saying he didn’t have his best players available. What’s his excuse now?
It's time to think about replacing Robin van Persie
Van Persie has been a remarkable servant for United but something has changed this season. It isn’t just his lack of pace that will worry supporters; it’s also the speed of his thought. None of United’s best moves involved Van Persie, he wasn’t on the same wavelength as his team-mates and that will be a concern for Van Gaal.
Fellaini has no place in any self-respecting team's front line
The Belgian's first-half contributions consisted of a portfolio of fouls, a booking and a demonstration of how not to lead the line. Fellaini is a decent player, but he's not a Manchester United forward. At one point, laughably, Rooney played the ball in behind Swansea's defence and Fellaini was forced to try and beat Williams and Fernandez for pace. It was, unsurprisingly, a short-lived attack.
Louis van Gaal’s faith in Radamel Falcao seems to have been exhausted
How far has Falcao fallen? With time running out and a physical midfielder playing at centre-forward, the Colombian still can’t get on the pitch - having been hauled off with just an hour gone against Preston in the FA Cup last Monday. It’s almost impossible to see a future for him at the club now, and you wonder about the identity of the "great clubs" Monaco claim are interested in him will actually make a move for him in the summer. He looks a shadow of the player who terrorised defences across Europe a couple of years ago.
United can play good football when they want to
It may seem like it at times, but Manchester United have not forgotten how to play decent football. The move for Ander Herrera's goal was exceptional and highlighted what this team can achieve when their brightest attacking talents combine. Herrera, Rooney, Shaw and Di Maria in particular share an understanding that will win Louis van Gaal games.
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