Manchester United fans have got that Monday feeling more than most here in the Football Transfer Tavern, having seen their side suffer a damaging defeat in their hopes for a top four finish this season.
Louis van Gaal’s side have been coming in for criticism for some below par performances of late – but at least the Dutchman could usually point to the fact his side had managed to grind out a result.
That was not the case at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday however, after goals from Ki and Bafetimbi Gomis saw Swansea come from a goal down to create club history by doing the league double over Manchester United.
Victories for Liverpool and Arsenal rubbed further salt in the wounds, with van Gaal’s side now just a point clear of fifth placed Southampton in what is developing into a fascinating battle for Champions League football.
And it has to be said, at the moment it looks as though United are the most vulnerable to missing out – unless there is a quick turnaround in form.
Here we have identified five reasons why United are in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification this season.
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Click on Louis van Gaal to reveal 5 reasons Man United won’t get top 4 this season
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Their rivals have all the momentum
Whilst Manchester United have been struggling to put together a run of consistent performances, Liverpool and Arsenal are two of the most in-form teams in the country at present.
Arsenal have moved up into third place with the defeat at Tottenham their only blip since new years day, whilst Liverpool are the only Premier League side not to lose in 2015.
Southampton and Tottenham have also shown more consistency of late than van Gaal’s side, with Harry Kane still scoring for fun, and Ronald Koeman’s side boasting the best defensive record in the Premier League.
Too many square pegs in round holes
Having spent £200million in little over 18 months, Louis van Gaal has had trouble fitting his best players into a formation that works.
It is fair to say the Dutchman has no idea of his strongest team, or strongest formation, with 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, and 3-5-2 all having been tested at various points in the season.
Wayne Rooney has recently been used as a midfielder, which in itself speaks volumes about the problems van Gaal has enountered in fitting everyone in.
The United captain is the best striker on the clubs books, yet he has often been played out of position in an attempt to balance what often looks a makeshift and confused starting XI.
There are plenty of tough fixtures to come
The early season fixtures were kind to United, with three of the promoted clubs in quick succession. That may come back to haunt them later on in the season however, as van Gaal still has to take his side to Stamford Bridge and Anfield – whilst Manchester City and Arsenal are still yet to make the trip to Old Trafford.
Manchester United are a side that often raises their game against the big opponents, and that may well have to be the case once more during the final 12 matches of the season if they are to make the top four.
But on current form, it would be difficult to label them as favourites for any of these upcoming matches.
Major signings are still to settle
Whilst you could argue that Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham all appear to be getting stronger as the season progresses, the same can not be said for Manchester United.
There has been no obvious sign of improvement since van Gaal’s arrival, whilst major signings the likes of Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria appear to be fading further into the background as the season reaches it’s climax.
Falcao has managed just four goals all season, whilst Di Maria went six matches without a goal or an assist – simply not good enough for a £59.6million player.
Whilst Liverpool have players the likes of Emre Can, Lazar Markovic and Jordon Ibe coming to the fore, Arsenal have goalscoring talents the likes of Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez, and Tottenham’s Harry Kane goes from strength to strength – Manchester United have nobody currently at the peak of their powers.
They remain vulnerable defensively
It remains a mystery as to why Manchester United failed to strengthen their defensive options in the summer, and you can’t help but feel they will get punished for it sooner or later.
Had it not been for the excellent form of David De Gea this season, United would surely be sat outside the top four.
Too often there have been defensive lapses from the likes of Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones, whilst the team as a whole do not look at ease with the 3-5-2 formation.
United currently have one of the most unbalanced squads in European football, and that may well be what ends up costing them Champions League football come May – especially when they have to face the top sides.
