With Manchester United crashing out of Champions League this week, the realization that the Louis van Gaal regime seems to mostly be a failure is truly driven home. If you didn’t hold that belief already, then today’s disaster probably placed you in this group. Even with all the injuries, losing 2-1 to Bournemouth is never acceptable. Ever.
Van Gaal has been handed £285 million in the transfer market during his 18-month reign. Yet, here they are, relegated to the Europa League and producing boring goalless draws at an irritating rate.
According to The Telegraph, United’s hierarchy firmly believes that success in the Premier League is far more important than an extended run in the Champions League, a fact that adds extra pressure on Van Gaal as he returns to domestic duty at Bournemouth on Saturday.
That pressure is generated by all the cash that’s been handed to LVG. MUFC took in £395 million last fiscal year, and they’re expected to rake in more than £500 million this upcoming year. Yet the Dutchman claims he doesn’t have that much of a financial advantage.
“Next year, all the clubs in the Premier League will have a bigger budget than most of the clubs in Europe,” he said.
“That makes a big difference. Every club can also buy a player. The difference to buy players is not so big. You think Manchester United has a lot of money. That is true. But other clubs are asking for much more [when United bid] than to Bournemouth.”
United are not in dire straits, not by any means. It’s just that they’re just not producing anywhere in line with their price tag. The Red Devils are still within striking distance of the top of the table, this in spite of scoring just 21 times in 16 games.
According to the Daily Mail, United’s players have canceled their Christmas party in the wake of the club’s humiliating Champions League debacle. Indeed the Champions League exit was an early piece of coal being stuffed in United’s Christmas stocking.
If the failing to take all three points in matches, and/or those horribly tedious goalless draws, continue then Van Gaal will become as lovable as the Grinch this Christmas season.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. The website is also featured on News Now.
Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye. He also appears regularly on numerous talk shows all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 The Zone.
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