Manchester United fans in the Football Transfer Tavern will be able to enjoy this Christmas more than the last.

Louis van Gaal is slowly starting to turn things around at Old Trafford, so much so that United are considered outsiders for a crack at the Premier League title this term – progress when you consider they were struggling in midtable under David Moyes just 12 months ago.

Their run of six consecutive Premier League victories came to an end at the weekend when Aston Villa managed a point despite ending the game with 10 men.

But United fans will be happy enough with third place – especially after their 3-0 win over Liverpool the previous week put them 10 points clear of their great rivals.

You could argue that with £200 million spent in 12 months, it would be the minimum you would expect and the situation could have perhaps been even better had it not been for the slow start to life under van Gaal.

Here we have identified five players who may have let down the new boss and the supporters over the course of the 2014/15 campaign so far.
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Click on Louis van Gaal to reveal 5 Man United stars who’ve LET DOWN Red Devils fans in 2014/15.

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 Ander Herrera 

So much was expected of the Spaniard after United had attempted to sign him from Athletic Bilbao the previous summer. It has not been the worst start to Herrera’s United career but he has hardly set down a marker either. He looks to be struggling to adapt to the physical demands of the Premier League and he has been in and out of the starting line-up under van Gaal.

Some reports have even suggested he could leave this January, with his signing completed before van Gaal took charge at Old Trafford. He is very much a player with plenty to prove in the second half of the season.

Juan Mata 

It is almost a year since Juan Mata completed his £36 million move from Chelsea to Old Trafford and in that time he has done little to suggest he was worth such a massive fee.

United fans all seem to agree that Mata is a quality player but he simply doesn’t fit at United. It has been a struggle to find his best position, whilst he has drifted in and out of the side and failed to impose himself in big matches.

Mata thrived at Chelsea when in that number 10 position, almost with the side built around him. The same thing is not going to happen at United with so many world class players in the squad and reports have consistently linked him with a move away this winter.

Chris Smalling 

Performances from Smalling have improved of late but he makes the list after his ‘stupid’ red card in the Manchester derby. United were well and truly in the game at the Etihad Stadium in early November until Smalling’s moment of madness ended up costing them the points.

A different result that day could well have seen United regarded as serious title contenders. Smalling is still relatively young but should have progressed more than he has done during his time at Old Trafford.

His form has picked up lately but he has to prove to Louis van Gaal he has a long-term future at the club over the second half of the season.

Jonny Evans 

Jonny Evans is now considered United’s most experienced defender following the exits of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in the summer. Rather than relish that role however, Evans has looked intimidated all season.

He has been part of the sides that have suffered horror defeats at MK Dons (4-0) and Leicester City (5-3), whilst David De Gea bailed him out of conceding a nightmare goal against Liverpool the other week, when his short back pass found Raheem Sterling.

Evans is another defender who has plenty to do if he is to convince van Gaal he has a long-term future at the club.

Radamel Falcao 

Falcao may have resuced a point against Aston Villa at the weekend with a superb header but you would have to say his Manchester United career so far has been a disappointment.

Two goals by Christmas was not what most supporters had predicted when he completed his deadline day move and whilst a lot of that has been down to injury, the Colombian international has looked a yard off the pace when he has been selected.

For the massive wages he is on, and for the price of close to £40 million being quoted if United are to make the deal permanent, Falcao must show a big improvement – and a lot more goals and a run of fitness – during the second half of the season if he is to stick around at Old Trafford beyond the 2014/15 season.