The word 'philosophy' is synonymous with the word 'failure' at Manchester United. This has been the case after 32 games this season. The club have 53 points, four points adrift of 4th place Manchester City and are in danger of missing out on Champions league football again. Our last Premier league game (3-0 loss against Tottenham Hotspurs) represented the story of our season. There were moments when the players had no clear plan to execute(just pass the ball backwards), no urgency (with Van Gaal comfortably seated), weird substitutions and players playing out of positions. In fact, against Spurs, all our 4 attacking players were out of position with Ashley Young playing as a striker. Yes you read right! Ashley Young! It showed an extent to how much the Dutch gaffer has lost it.
After 32 games we look like a pale shadow of our former attacking sides. Thirty-nine goals in 32 goals is the worst total in the Premier league for any Manchester United side. In fact, in terms of goals scored this season we are ranked 11th behind the likes of Southampton(44) and Bournemouth(40). When we break the number of total goals scored into home goals and away goals scored, the result is even more shocking. We are ranked 12th in terms of goals scored at home(20) and this total is behind the likes of relegation battlers Norwich and Newcastle who have scores both scored 22 goals at home. In terms of goals scored away, we are ranked 10th.
Manchester United are ranked 16th out of 20 teams in the area of total shots (350 shots) hit in those 32 games. We are behind the likes of Crystal Palace (396), Swansea(386) and Sunderland (371) and Stoke(361). In terms of shot accuracy, we are ranked 14th. Most worrying is the chances churning department of the team, We have created just 254 chances in 32 matches and lie 17th behind Norwich (265), Newcastle (270) and Sunderland (277). I know you find it weird that a big club like Manchester United have statistics that look like a mid-table club or relegating threatened.
The defence which used to make sure we didn't lose points because of the lackluster attack has regressed compared to the first 15 games of the season. There are now more errors which seem to be hurting the team. In fact, 11 errors with 3 leading to a goal have been committed by the defenders. De Gea has had to produce an average 2.6 crucial saves every game to help the team keep its top 4 aspirations alive.
It seems this season can be said to be a failed one. I will end by saying even the beleaguered David Moyes had 54 points after 32 games in the 2013/2014 season.
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