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Can an FA Cup triumph save Manchester United’s season?
As things currently stand, it’s fair to say that things are not looking up at Manchester United. Sitting in 5th place in the Premier League and having already been knocked out of the Champions League, The FA Cup is a great opportunity to gain some silverware. Facing Derby County in the 4th round, the biggest domestic competition in English football could save Louis Van Gaal’s season, and possibly his career at Old Trafford. But how much would it mean to The Red Devils if they could win the competition for the first time in 12 years?
The 2004 final saw United defeat Millwall 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium to win their 11th FA Cup. Despite featuring in finals since, they have fallen short of the standard. The last two seasons have seen United suffer home exits against Swansea and Arsenal respectively and with little to play for currently, Louis Van Gaal must seize the moment this time round. In recent years, winning the competition has saved Arsenal’s season, giving them added confidence to strive towards more success in terms of the Premier League and European competitions.
Although it’s difficult for United fans to admit, but accepting that this squad is not on par with ones that have dominated English football for the past 20 years will give some greatly needed realism around Old Trafford. Taking a step back and understanding what needs to be done to give hope for the foreseeable future is a must, and progressing in The FA Cup will be a step in the right direction. The last piece of silverware at Old Trafford was in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final year at the club, securing the 2012/13 Premier League title. For a team like Manchester United, this is obviously not good enough. Manchester United is not just a club; it’s a brand, and an FA Cup success with help fuel this. However, Louis Van Gaal’s playing style has come under scrutiny this season, with the team lacking penetration and goals as a result.
Many pundits have been critical over Van Gaal’s ‘philosophy’, most notably Paul Scholes. He has been critical of the United boss this season, especially after the dismal third round tie against Sheffield United, where an injury time goal got The Red Devils over the line at Old Trafford. The home side took 69 minutes to register a shot on target, and Scholes has not held back to voice his opinion. He said: “The players are bored, fans are bored, everyone’s bored. You look across at the bench and Van Gaal looks bored as well.”
This distinctly lateral style of football gives little benefit to forwards who want to run in behind opposing defences and also full-backs who want to get forward and overlap. This cannot be done with the football currently being played at Old Trafford, mainly because the lack of frequent penetration increases the chance of possession being lost in vulnerable areas. During the latter stages of matches, the style rarely changes, with players being forced to play long balls up to their striker, rather than getting the ball down and playing football that is appreciated by a wider audience.
Recent lack-lustre performances have raised questions over whether certain individuals are truly playing for Louis Van Gaal. Not only does it seem like the camp in Manchester is far from a positive one, but the way the manager conducts himself when talking to the press doesn’t help steady the ship. But football can change very quickly, and fans soon forget what’s been and gone if the Dutchman can bring success to the club. We shall see if that success will arrive this season in the form of The FA Cup.
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