Monday, May 23, 2016

Louis van Gaal's 10 worst matches in his time as Manchester United manager

Louis van Gaal has lost his job as manager of Manchester United after failing to take the club into the Champions League.
It ends a two-year spell in charge at Old Trafford that was filled with more humiliating results than many managers of the side have suffered.
Sportsmail has had a look back at Van Gaal's 10 worst matches during his time with United... 
Louis van Gaal has his head in his hands, a sight Manchester United fans would become familiar with
Louis van Gaal has his head in his hands, a sight Manchester United fans would become familiar with
United's players walk off the pitch after their 3-0 humiliation against Tottenham in the Premier League
United's players walk off the pitch after their 3-0 humiliation against Tottenham in the Premier League

LOUIS VAN GAAL'S RECORD 

Games - 103
Wins - 54
Draws - 25
Losses - 24
Win per cent - 52.43 
Manchester United 1-2 Swansea City (Premier League, August 16, 2014)
First impressions always count. Van Gaal had benefitted from a summer in which the majority of the Old Trafford faithful had welcomed his arrival for one reason and one alone - he was not David Moyes.
Unfortunately for Van Gaal the image was almost immediately shattered after he failed to beat Swansea in his first competitive game as Manchester United manager. Even Moyes had managed a win in his first game, against the same opposition but away from home.
Gylfi Sigurdsson got the winner for Swansea in the 73rd minute to start Van Gaal's reign in the worst way possible.
Man Utd: De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Blackett; Lingard (Januzaj 24), Fletcher, Mata, Herrera (Fellaini 67), Young; Hernandez (Nani 45), Rooney.
Van Gaal looks on in confusion as United lose his first game as manager against Swansea at Old Trafford
Van Gaal looks on in confusion as United lose his first game as manager against Swansea at Old Trafford
Swansea midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson scored the winner for the Welsh club in the final 20 minutes of the tie
Swansea midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson scored the winner for the Welsh club in the final 20 minutes of the tie
 
MK Dons 4-0 Manchester United (Capital One Cup, August 26, 2014)
Will Grigg has become an internet sensation over the last month after firing Wigan to the Championship but he was already making headlines in 2014 after condemning Van Gaal to an embarrassing loss in his first introduction to English cup competitions.
Admittedly the Dutch manager chose to name an incredibly inexperienced side but he still would have expected a victory against the League One side. He would never have anticipated such a damaging defeat.
Grigg got the humiliation underway with a double before then-Arsenal loanee Benik Afobe added two of his own to knock Man Utd out of the League Cup in the second round.
Man Utd: De Gea; Vermijl, James, Oliveira, Evans; Keane, Janko (Pereira 45), Kagawa (Januzaj 20); Hernandez, Welbeck, Powell (Wilson 57).
Van Gaal can barely watch as his team lose 4-0 to League One side MK Dons in the Capital One Cup
Van Gaal can barely watch as his team lose 4-0 to League One side MK Dons in the Capital One Cup
An inexperienced side had been selected by Van Gaal but it still did not forgive the nature of the humiliation
An inexperienced side had been selected by Van Gaal but it still did not forgive the nature of the humiliation





Arsenal 3-0 Manchester United (Premier League, October 4, 2015)
The Gunners have often been regarded as weak when it comes to facing the top teams in the Premier League, but they put that aside in stunning fashion in October 2015.
Arsenal simply blitzed Man Utd, scoring three goals in the opening 20 minutes to put the game beyond the Old Trafford side before it had really got going.
Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil scored a goal apiece in just 74 first-half seconds before Sanchez added a third to give Arsenal only a second win in 14 league games against Man Utd.
Man Utd: De Gea; Darmian (Valencia 45), Smalling, Blind, Young; Carrick, Schweinsteiger, Mata (Wilson 82); Depay (Fellaini 45), Rooney, Martial.
Alexis Sanchez scored a third goal for Arsenal in the opening 20 minutes to condemn Van Gaal to defeat
Alexis Sanchez scored a third goal for Arsenal in the opening 20 minutes to condemn Van Gaal to defeat
 
Manchester United 0-0 PSV Eindhoven (Champions League, November 25, 2015)
A draw may not seem like an obvious game to include in a litany of failure, but the context of the game is incredibly important.
Victory against PSV would have ensured that Man Utd would have been involved in the knockout stages of the Champions League this campaign.
However, in typical Van Gaal fashion they could not fashion up a goal at home and therefore had to go to Wolfsburg and get a result to guarantee progress.
Man Utd: De Gea; Darmian (Mata 85), Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger (Fellaini 58), Lingard; Depay (Young 59), Rooney, Martial.
A victory against PSV Eindhoven would have guaranteed progress to the knock out stages for Van Gaal
A victory against PSV Eindhoven would have guaranteed progress to the knock out stages for Van Gaal
However, his players could not even muster a goal at home in a Champions League group stage game
However, his players could not even muster a goal at home 
 
Wolfsburg 3-2 Manchester United (Champions League, December 8, 2015)
They could not get that result. Everything seemed fine for Van Gaal with 10 minutes played after Anthony Martial put his side ahead, but only two minutes later Wolfsburg responded through Naldo.
Vieirinha dealt Man Utd a hammerblow in the 29th minute as he sent the Wolves ahead and Man Utd struggled to respond. In the 82nd minute they were given a lifeline as Josuha Guilavogui turned the ball into his own net. Another goal would have met progress.
It was not to be. The behemoth Naldo rose to head home and condemn Van Gaal to an early exit.
Man Utd: De Gea; Varela, Smalling, Blind, Darmian (Borthwick-Jackson 43); Schweinsteiger (Carrick 69), Fellaini, Mata (Powell 69); Lingard, Depay, Martial.
The draw with PSV meant United went to Wolfsburg needing a win to guarantee progression to the next round
The draw with PSV meant United went to Wolfsburg needing a win to guarantee progression to the next round
They could not get that victory, with Naldo popping up in the last 10 minutes to condemn Man Utd to a loss
They could not get that victory, with Naldo popping up in the last 10 minutes to condemn Man Utd to a loss
 
Manchester United 1 Norwich 2 (Premier League, December 19, 2015)
This defeat felt like a nadir for Van Gaal. Norwich came to Old Trafford with Man Utd on a five game losing run. They left having condemned them to defeat number six.
United were booed off the pitch to increase the brewing pressure on Van Gaal. Cameron Jerome got the game off to a bad start for the Dutch manager with a strike in the 38th minute.
It got worse with a 54th minute goal from Alex Tettey after a clever assist by Jerome, and although Martial reduced arrears it did not temper the poisonous atmosphere inside the ground.
Man Utd: De Gea; Young, Jones, Smalling, Blind; Carrick, Fellaini, Mata; Depay, Rooney, Martial.
Van Gaal watches on as United fall two goals behind in the game against Norwich, who went on to be relegated
Van Gaal watches on as United fall two goals behind in the game against Norwich, who went on to be relegated
Cameron Jerome scored the first goal of the game before setting up Alex Tettey to score Norwich's second
Cameron Jerome scored the first goal of the game before setting up Alex Tettey to score Norwich's second
 
Manchester United 0 Southampton 1 (Premier League, January 23, 2016)
This was a dour game. That was obvious throughout. Manchester United only mustered up a single shot on target in a home game, which was an indication of how reasonable a lot of the criticism of Van Gaal's playing style had been.
Unfortunately it was not just a lack of goals on the home side's part that horrified the fans on this day. Charlie Austin popped up in the 87th minute to score after being brought on from the bench, making it all seem worse.
Van Gaal claimed he had gone for victory: 'I wanted to win this game and that's why I changed Cameron Borthwick-Jackson for Adnan Januzaj. That is a risk you take, it was a poor game and we didn't create so much and neither did our opponent.'
Man Utd: De Gea; Darmian (McNair 60), Smalling, Blind, Borthwick-Jackson (Januzaj 86); Schneiderlin, Fellaini (Mata 45), Herrera; Lingard, Rooney, Martial.
There had been increasing criticism of Van Gaal's playing style, which was not helped by the Southampton tie
There had been increasing criticism of Van Gaal's playing style, which was not helped by the Southampton tie
Charlie Austin headed home after coming on as a substitute to give Ronald Koeman's team an away win
Charlie Austin headed home after coming on as a substitute to give Ronald Koeman's team an away win
 
Midtjylland 2 Manchester United 1 (Europa League, February 18, 2016)
It's fair to say that no one took Midtjylland particularly seriously when they were pulled out of the hat to face Man Utd in the Europa League. There were discussions of their sabermetrics tactics and focus on set pieces, but everyone still assumed United would come through fine.
While they eventually qualified over the two legs, they did not come through the away tie fine - far from it. David De Gea suffered an injury during the warm-up. Memphis Depay put them into the lead but after a series of clever substitutions it was essentially one-way traffic, with Van Gaal unable to respond.
Pione Sisto scored the equaliser for the Danish champions before Paul Onuachu struck a winner from the edge of the area to humiliate the giants.
Man Utd: Romero; Love, McNair, Smalling, Blind; Carrick, Herrera (Schneiderlin 72), Mata (Pereira 78); Lingard, Depay, Martial.
All seemed well for Van Gaal in the opening exchanges after Memphis Depay scored but that would all change
All seemed well for Van Gaal in the opening exchanges after Memphis Depay scored but that would all change
Pione Sisto scored the opening goal for Midtjylland before Paul Onuachu's winning goal embarrassed United
Pione Sisto scored the opening goal for Midtjylland before Paul Onuachu's winning goal embarrassed United
 
Tottenham 3 Manchester United 0 (Premier League, April 10, 2016)
If there was ever a game to symbolise Man Utd's relative fall under Van Gaal then this was it. Prior to taking the job at Old Trafford he considered an approach from Spurs but chose to head north. Mauricio Pochettino became the head coach in his place.
Spurs got attractive exciting football played by homegrown players while, by the time this game rolled around, Man Utd's football was stodgy and looked unlikely to lead to anything of note by the end of the campaign.
The goals came in one 10 minutes blitz. Dele Alli got it underway, Toby Alderweireld doubled the lead four minutes later, and by the time Erik Lamela slotted the ball past De Gea the humiliation was complete.
Man Utd: De Gea; Fosu-Mensah (Darmian 68), Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Schneiderlin, Carrick, Mata (Depay 76); Lingard, Rashford (Young 45), Martial.
Van Gaal turned down of Tottenham and that would have been little solace when he saw his team lose 3-0
Van Gaal turned down of Tottenham and that would have been little solace when he saw his team lose 3-0
Dele Alli scored the first for Spurs before a further two goals in 10 minutes put the game beyond doubt
Dele Alli scored the first for Spurs before a further two goals in 10 minutes put the game beyond doubt
 
West Ham United 3 Manchester United 2 (Premier League, May 10, 2016)
Man Utd's failings had been covered up by Manchester City's own issues in the Premier League, and a draw against Arsenal for Manuel Pellegrini's club meant United had their Champions League destiny in their own hands.
Win both of their remaining games and they would qualify. It sounds simple enough, and when Anthony Martial struck twice to turnaround this game and put Man Utd into a lead in the 72nd minute, things seemed to be going swimmingly.
Not quite. Michail Antonio equalised before Winston Reid secured a win for the Hammers that made it unlikely that Van Gaal would qualify for the Champions League again, and therefore keep his job.
Man Utd: De Gea; Valencia (Januzaj 87), Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Schneiderlin (Carrick 45), Mata, Herrera (Lingard 83); Rooney, Rashford, Martial.
David de Gea cannot keep out Winston Reid's header, hindering United's hopes of the Champions League
David de Gea cannot keep out Winston Reid's header, hindering United's hopes of the Champions League

Mourinho's wish list: Incoming boss looking at Ibrahimovic, Stones and Matic ahead of Manchester United squad revamp

Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United transfer list: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, John Stones and
Jose Mourinho wants to strengthen the spine of the Manchester United squad and has already been discussing potential targets as he looks to add a central defender, midfielder and a striker. The Portuguese manager is set to take over at Old Trafford following Louis van Gaal's sacking on Monday morning.

What can Mourinho expect when he arrives at United? From tracking Zlatan to finally linking with Rooney

Louis van Gaal has been sacked as Manchester United manager - with Jose Mourinho finally landing the job after months of talks.
Mourinho's primary target next season will be to qualify for the Champions League and bring back some excitement to Old Trafford.
Here, Sportsmail discusses some of the issues which could arise when Mourinho arrives.
Jose Mourinho is on the verge of being named as Manchester United's new manager for next season
Jose Mourinho is on the verge of being named as Manchester United's new manager for next season
The Red Devils sacked Louis van Gaal on Monday just two days after he won the FA Cup at Wembley
The Red Devils sacked Louis van Gaal on Monday just two days after he won the FA Cup at Wembley
 
What does he usually do when he gets settled in a job?
Ruffle some feathers, and he needs to this time. United have fallen behind the majority of others who strive for Champions League football and this set of players need a lift before next season.
Expect a few nod and winks towards the turgid season they have endured in his early press conferences as he looks for any psychological advantages possible.
Mourinho likes to add new faces to squads quickly, and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward will give him a sizeable amount of spend this summer.
Mourinho is known for his outspoken personality and won't be scared to put his foot down at Old Trafford
Mourinho is known for his outspoken personality and won't be scared to put his foot down at Old Trafford
Where does it leave United's stars?
Mourinho has always been a keen admirer of Wayne Rooney, whose role is set to change for good at United, with the captain seeing his future in midfield. David de Gea is likely to stay at Old Trafford under the new manager.
It will be interesting to see where it leaves Juan Mata, who struggled for game time and was eventually sold by Mourinho at Chelsea. Attacking options will be a priority - with Zlatan Ibrahimovic one United want to land on a free transfer - and that poses its own questions on Marcus Rashford.
The Portuguese has always liked Wayne Rooney (centre), who looks to be moving into a midfield role
The Portuguese has always liked Wayne Rooney (centre), who looks to be moving into a midfield role
PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will leave the French club in the summer and Mourinho is a keen admirer 
PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will leave the French club in the summer and Mourinho is a keen admirer 
What about the youngsters, then?
Rashford was thrown in when Van Gaal had nowhere else to turn, but his performances mean Mourinho cannot ignore him next season.
It is unlikely the 18-year-old will be used from the start quite so often, given United will spend money, but the notion that he won't get a look in is difficult to comprehend.
Things may well be different for some of the others, however. Timothy Fosu-Mensah, for example, could find it difficult to earn consistent games, although that is dependant on where the club strengthen.
Marcus Rashford (right) has burst onto the scene this season and became a key player for United
Marcus Rashford (right) has burst onto the scene this season and became a key player for United
What sort of squad is he inheriting?
A frustrated one. They have been stifled by Van Gaal for two years, with one member of the team even telling the manager he would not follow instructions and continue to play his natural game.
They should be like caged animals come August, ready to show this wretched year was not purely down to them.
There is definite quality in there, too. Rooney looks as if he could flourish in a deeper role, Anthony Martial is exceptionally dangerous and some of the others - including Jesse Lingard, who scored Saturday's winner - are beginning to pitch in.
France international Anthony Martial has been a revelation since joining the club from Monaco in the summer
France international Anthony Martial has been a revelation since joining the club from Monaco in the summer
Who will be among the first players to leave?
There are real questions marks over Michael Carrick's future, with the midfielder unsure whether he will remain at the club or not. He is yet to be informed as to whether they are offering him a new deal.
It is unlikely many will depart, with United expected to boast a large squad next season, boiling down to many of their under-performers still being under contract.
Memphis Depay has struggled since last year's move from PSV but should be afforded another campaign under the new boss to prove his worth, while Bastian Schweinsteiger - injured for much of the last five months - could find he is no longer required, with United hopeful of signing a powerful central midfielder.
Experienced midfielder Michael Carrick is still unsure of his future at the club with no new contract on the table
Experienced midfielder Michael Carrick is still unsure of his future at the club with no new contract on the table
Any coming in?
Ibrahimovic is the obvious target, but potential signings like Sporting Lisbon's Joao Mario could prove handier with £200million ready to spend.
The Portugal international has attracted interest from across Europe this season and his demeanour would energise Van Gaal's passive midfield.
Mourinho was desperate to land John Stones when Chelsea boss and will have another look, although Manchester City are also interested. It was reported on Monday morning that Juventus striker Alvaro Morata is being watched.
Sporting Lisbon's exciting midfielder Joao Mario (right) is thought to be high on Mourinho's wishlist
Sporting Lisbon's exciting midfielder Joao Mario (right) is thought to be high on Mourinho's wishlist
John Stones (left) nearly joined Mourinho at Chelsea last season and could be targeted during the summer
John Stones (left) nearly joined Mourinho at Chelsea last season and could be targeted during the summer
Who will form his backroom staff?
His trusty assistant, Rui Faria, will link-up with Mourinho again, having been at Porto, Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid too.
Goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek was sacked alongside Van Gaal, which opens the door for Silvino Louro to take care of De Gea and his understudies.
Rui Faria has followed the Portuguese to clubs such as Porto, Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid
Rui Faria has followed the Portuguese to clubs such as Porto, Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid
So where does that leave Ryan Giggs?
Mourinho wants Van Gaal's No 2 to stay, so the decision whether he does or not is entirely down to Giggs. He does want to become a manager in his own right, and thus his future is up in the air.
But the 42-year-old could look at Mourinho's record of sticking around for two or three years and think he could be in pole position for the top job then,
The players like and respect him and there is a hope at United that Giggs will stay, but we will find that out in the aftermath of Van Gaal's sacking.
Ryan Giggs' future remains in the balance but many at the club want the assistant manager to stay
Ryan Giggs' future remains in the balance but many at the club want the assistant manager to stay
What do the fans make of Mourinho?
Some are torn, deriving from the perception of a negative style of play. But, as Alan Smith told Sky Sports News on Monday, things will be more exciting under the new man. 'It couldn't be less dull than under Van Gaal,' he said.
There is a concern about the way in which he treats younger players as well, Ruben Loftus-Cheek being a primary example. But there is an element of pragmatism too, with the knowledge that Mourinho delivers trophies - and they need some short-term success.
Some fans are torn over the 53-year-old's forthcoming appointment but Mourinho knows how to win
Some fans are torn over the 53-year-old's forthcoming appointment but Mourinho knows how to win
JOSE MOURINHO MANAGERIAL CAREER CV 
YearClub
2000-Benfica
2001-2002Uniao de Leiria
2002-2004Porto
2004-2007Chelsea
2008-2010Inter Milan
2010-2013Real Madrid
2013-2015Chelsea
What style of football will he try to instil?
Chelsea under Mourinho on winning the Premier League title were exciting to watch. Cesc Fabregas pulled the strings in midfield, Diego Costa could not miss - particularly earlier in that season. The Blues played good football with wide men and a strong base.
That certainly was not dull - only Manchester City scored more goals than them. It will not be the completely relentless attacking brand United fans were used to under Sir Alex Ferguson, but they will not buckle away from home quite so much as under Van Gaal either.
Chelsea were formidable during the first half of the season back in 2014-15, where they won the title
Chelsea were formidable during the first half of the season back in 2014-15, where they won the title
How are those on the board with this move?
The 'football board' - comprising of David Gill, Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton - are said to have been kept in the dark over the pursuit of Mourinho. They are thought to have preferred Giggs, with Charlton having been particularly outspoken about the Portuguese.
'A United manager wouldn't do that,' Charlton said after Mourinho poked the late Tito Vilanova in the eye during the 2011 Super Cup tie against Barcelona. 'Mourinho is a really good coach but that's as far as I would go really. He pontificates too much for my liking. He's a good manager, though.'
Sir Alex Ferguson (centre) and Sir Bobby Charlton are thought to be unsure over Mourinho's appointment
Sir Alex Ferguson (centre) and Sir Bobby Charlton are thought to be unsure over Mourinho's appointment
How long has Mourinho wanted the job?
That is very much up for debate. It was widely felt Mourinho fancied it when Ferguson's sway paved the way for David Moyes to take over in 2013 and has always retained a public display of respect for United.
But in a BBC documentary last year, he was categoric in wanting a move back to Stamford Bridge on leaving Real Madrid.
Talking about Ferguson, Mourinho said: 'Every manager in the world looks at Man United as a huge club but I wanted to come to Chelsea and we didn't bring that to the table because we were so open and he knows so much about myself.
'He knew that for almost a season I want to leave Real Madrid and I want to come to Chelsea.'
The United job is one that Mourinho has wanted for some time and fancied it when Moyes was appointed
The United job is one that Mourinho has wanted for some time and fancied it when Moyes was appointed
What can we expect from him?
Mourinho began far less outspoken during his last spell in the capital, but still courted plenty of controversy, notably with the unseemly circumstances surrounding Eva Carneiro's departure.
United's hierarchy will not want to see that but it is fairly unavoidable for someone who speaks his mind - and he refused to sign a 'behavioural clause' in his contract. As Smith said, this will not be dull.
Mourinho is someone who likes to speak his mind and refused to sign a 'behavioural clause' in his contract
Mourinho is someone who likes to speak his mind and refused to sign a 'behavioural clause' in his contract
Does he believe United have an obligation to play attractive football?
Probably not - it’s all about winning trophies for Mourinho and if he delivers that then he’s fulfilled responsibilities. His teams are never quite as dour as suggested, but the new man certainly won’t be swayed by ideology.
Van Gaal, of course, would not be moved on his philosophy either, but it is far easier to stick with when you’re winning games.
The 53-year-old is a born-winner and has all the attributes to bring trophies back to Old Trafford
The 53-year-old is a born-winner and has all the attributes to bring trophies back to Old Trafford
Anything to prove after Chelsea?
His man-management came under serious question towards the end at Stamford Bridge and the root of the problems seems to have been to afford players more time off last summer. His reputation was tarnished to a certain degree in the last months of that reign and this appointment is not met with the universal approval it might have been a few years ago.
Mourinho will want to prove to himself that he can still dominate the Premier League and is always acutely aware of what is being said about him. 

Retired Arteta wasting no time as he gets stuck straight into coaching at Welsh FA


Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta continues coaching badges as he leads a session at the

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has continued his journey into coaching after leading a session on passing at the FA Wales Coaches Conference. The 34-year-old Spaniard, who only featured 14 times for the Gunners last season, has gone about laying the foundations for life after he has hung up his boots. Arteta is set to be a free agent on July 1 after Arsene Wenger decided not to renew his playing contract ahead of next season, but has received offers to join Arsenal's coaching set-up as well as Manchester City's from his good friend Pep Guardiola.