While I agree the buck stops with the manager, the players are much to blame for this pathetic performance.
While the manager sets a team to play in a certain way the players are not supposed to be rigged. They supposed to show some creativity and individual brilliance. This game lacked all that, there was no one to unlock the Southampton defence since nobody was willing to do so. It's true Manchester United is missing some players but the others need to stand out for the fans if not for the manager.
Watching them struggling on the pitch is too disheartening to the supporters.
Southampton were not there for the taking but the DNA of Manchester United is to fight to the end, not to look like headless chicken in front of their own fans. What happened to the scary atmosphere at Old Trafford? Why do the players seem to fear the fans? The fans keep encouraging them to attack but they seems so timid such that they can't beat a man.
The midfield was just non existant, Schneiderlin and Fellaini in the first and then with Herrera in the second didn't do justice to the red Jersey.
Jesse Lingard game today was worse, crossing the ball seamed a new experience to him.
Van Gaal part in this defeat is his substitutions, why did he not remove Lingard early? Where was Depay, he has been our saviour in recent matches?
Why does he insist on starting with Fellaini instead of Juan Mata?
He has been under pressure from most man united fans and the English media but from the start of January he has been given a lifeline. Guess the player who has come up to his rescue?
All of Rooney's goals against Liverpool
None other than the much maligned Wayne Rooney. When Manchester United were going through that rough patch, from November to the whole of December, the player who had the most wrath from fans was Rooney.
His form had nose dived and he looked a pale shadow of his former self. Then suddenly he has burst back to form. Four goals in as many games has been impressive. There is a smile back on his face and also on Van Gaal’s.
The win against Liverpool does not mean they played good football. In fact they had only two shots on target and the first shot resulted in the goal.
highlights of Rooney against Liverpool
The most impressive thing about the performance was the ability of the team to control possession and limit Liverpool attacking threat.
Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp have been very fast from the blocks as they did against Arsenal a week ago. In that game they scored early but poor defending let them down.
Liverpool a work in progress
The most successful British team in the Champions League has been so disappointing for the past few seasons. They last won the English league in 1990, that's almost 26 years ago. Their last champions league triumph was that memorable night in Istanbul in 2005. From that time they have promised but ended up deceiving us. They ran Man United close for the league title in 2009 but failed to win it. In 2013 led by Luis Suarez they seemed unstoppable only for Gerrard to fall during that crucial loss against Chelsea therefore handing the title to Manchester City.
Jurgen Klopp seems to be getting his team working together and from their last two performance, against Man United and Arsenal, they are a work in progress.
They are good at attacking, with Roberto Firmino standing out. If they had Philipe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge then they could have got better results in those two games.
The two teams I do not expect them to challenge for the title this time but next season they could be unstoppable. The only question is whether Van Gaal will survive upto 2017..
The biggest game on the English calendar although some fans will disagree considering the fortunes of the two teams.
Manchester United have gone two seasons trophyless after the retirement of their coaching wizard Sir Alex Ferguson while Liverpool after the sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona have become more of a mid table side.
Today's game lacks the significance of yester years. The times Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane Cristiano Ronaldo seams along time ago.
Jurgen Klopp is introducing his style of play at Anfield. So far it's been entertaining except for the results which have been mixed. They attacked well against Arsenal in midweek but their defending let them down.
I expect them to continue with the same mode of play against United. For United they have been strong in defence but weak in attack. They seemed to have changed their mode of play on Tuesday against Newcastle but their defence crumpled.
Van Gaal must find a balance between attack and defence but for now with most first team Midfielders injured he will have to be cautious.
Maroune Fellaini was visible early against Newcastle but then faded. He didn't help in tracking back the Newcastle players which ended up costing United a victory they deserved.
Expect the game to be cagey with few openings as United will try to control possession waiting for any openings. Liverpool on their part will be pressing high up the pitch the Klopp’s way.
A draw may be a good result for both teams but this is a derby and fans will be wanting blood.
Is fireworks still in this game? Dubbed the El Classico of English football the clash has lost a lot of its significance in recent seasons but not to the fans of the teams.
The above video one of the classic moments between the two teams in 2009. Liverpool were unplayable in this game hammering Man United 4-1 at Old Trafford.
What about this one in 2008 with Javier Mascherano receiving his marching orders
Liverpool had there on moments in Moyes Error walloping United home and away
A young man came from Monaco and what way to make his debut this season. Take a bow Anthony Martial
While the teams no longer fight for the title this game still remains important to the fans. Voices will rise with emotions for perceived injustices, songs will be sang and alcohol will be drunk. Who will take the bragging rights between the two most succesful teams n English Football? Sit and enjoy.
This is a tricky fixture for Man United considering there recent lack of form.
There style of play has been lethargic and it's as if nobody is willing to take the initiative.
We can blame Van Gaal for everything including the style of play, the formations but in the end the bulk stops with the players.
Manchester 4 Newcastle 3 Highlights
They are not robots so as to follow Van Gaal's tactics to the later.
There should be moments of inspiration from the players, they know the results have been bad.
The spot has been on their manager and the entire squad. (300x250)" >
Memphis Depay provided one moment on Saturday against Sheffield, he knew how badly the team needed the win. Instead of passing sideways he tried to beat his man and he was rewarded.
As I had said the fixture is tricky for both teams. Newcastle are fighting relegation and Van Gaal is fighting for his job. A while ago you would have expected Man United to bag the three points but now the question is whether they will avoid defeat and will they manage a shot on target (they had two against Sheffield at Old Trafford).
Rooney against Sheffield
Man United have lost their last two away games that is at Bournemouth and at Stoke. If you consider the Champions League game against Wolfsburg then they have lost their last three games.
They have not lost against Newcastle since 2012 January when a Demba Ba inspired Newcastle hit them 3-0.
Head to Head Manchester United have lost just two of their previous 26 league clashes with the Magpies (W18, D6).
Morgan Schneiderlin and Michael Carrick are available for this fixture although Bastian Schweinsteiger is unavailable after picking an injury against Sheffield United.
This is what Paul Scholes had to say about United performance against Sheffield……
Manchester United's players and manager Louis van Gaal "look bored" and are "going through the motions",.
Which completely defines United players at this time of the season.
A draw for Man United will be a good result. A win and there fans will be over the moon.
Wayne Rooney Celebrates his goal against Sheffield United
There are those teams you expect to roll over when they see a team like Manchester United but Sheffield had there own game plan. Frustrate Manchester United and get a replay which would be of more help due to the financial reward. They nearly did pull it off but credit should go to Memphis, he was more positive when he came on and knew how to beat his man.
Manchester United continue to struggle in front of goal only managing two shots on target against league one side Sheffield United. The first shot on target came in the 66 minute while the second one was in the 90+4 minute, a penalty after Memphis Depay had been fouled. Memphis went down theatrically taking advantage of a poor Hammond tackle. To me the penalty was soft and it shouldn’t have been given.
United continue to dominate the opposition with possession football but that cutting age or key pass to the forwards is lacking. The players desire to beat the next man is lacking therefore they would prefer a safe side way or back pass than move the ball forward.
All cannot be taken from Sheffield United and would feel hard done after the effort they had put in. They deserved more from the game as there game plan had worked until that Hammond error late in the game.
For now Van Gaal will celebrate they have qualified for the fourth round but deep inside he knows his team is underperforming. The type of game Manchester United are playing is not what the fans were used to. The fans want to see the team taking risks by attacking at will.
Fellaini in the midfield didn’t add any attacking threat to the team and in fact it is as if he was playing more defensively. To play two defensive Midfielders against league one opposition at Old Trafford shows Van Gaal doesn’t believe in his team ability to see off games.
Away games against Newcastle and Liverpool follow and if the team set up continue this way I see Van Gaal not lasting long. Mourinho and Guardiola are available and the one year remaining on Van Gaal contract may be terminated.
On paper it looks like a mismatch, Manchester United being expected to roll over the blades, but this is the Fa cup where chances for a ‘cupset’ are very high. Manchester United form this season has been erratic, so this game may not be straightforward as you would think.
Sheffield United have an excellent recent cup record against higher-ranked opponents, winning five of their last six ties losing one.
Since losing to Leeds United in the third round in 2010 Manchester United have not lost against minor leagues teams although last season they required a replay against Cambridge United so as to progress to the fifth round where they lost to the eventual champions Arsenal.
For Manchester United Jesse Lingard is back after being sidelined by an injury. Phil Jones is unavailable and Adnan Januzaj lacks match fitness after his loan stint at Borussia Dortmund.
Head to Head
According to 11vs11.com the blades have a decent record against Manchester United winning 34 games and losing only 43 games. 15 games have been drawn.
Although that record seams decent, they have lost the last six games against Manchester United the latest being a Michael Carrick inspired 2-0 win in 2007.
Carrick, Alan Smith and Darren Fletcher celebrate against Sheffield United in 2007
Sheffield most recent win was in February 1993 that is 22 years ago. It was a 2-1 win in the FA cup.
I expect Sheffield to give there all but Van Gaal has a point to prove so United will win this one.
