When many thought this would be their revival season, after a sorry last, which saw them end the 2013-2014 campaign outside qualification for European competitions, United have so far only flattered to deceive.
They have dropped some crucial points – losing where the odds were in their favour and drawing matches they should have easily won. They now lie in an unfamiliar eighth position on the log with 13 points out of a possible 24. That tally leaves them 10 points behind leaders Chelsea, whose only dent thus far has been two draws – the last coming against United on Sunday.
United fans have lost hope for this season, but Manager Louis van Gaal believes his team are capable of improvement in big matches. He drew inspiration from the Chelsea game, where Robin van Persie snatched a dramatic point for them when he reminded fans of the United of old when he levelled deep into stoppage time. United matched Jose Mourinho’s unbeaten Chelsea for long periods but Van Gaal pointed to a lack of communication among his players when Didier Drogba headed home Cesc Fabregas’ 53rd-minute corner to open the scoring.
“My boys ran, they fought to the end and in the end we scored. I thought it was deserved,” said Van Gaal “I said to the boys it was not our best performance and that’s a pity because at this moment you have to show yourself against the better teams. But despite that, we have created a lot of chances, much more than Chelsea.
“Chelsea has created one chance in the first half and before the goal they had the chance that De Gea stopped fantastically. From the corner kick there was a lack of communication and that’s why they scored. That is always the difference in such games. After that we lost our head for 10 or 15 minutes and they could have scored a second goal.”
Van Gaal was still pleased to see United’s battling qualities in evidence once more as they scored a late equaliser for the second time in a week following Monday’s 2-2 draw at West Bromwich Albion, but he called for his team to be more clinical to avert the need for more last-gasp heroics.
The Red Devils head off next to an away fixture with cross-town rivals, Manchester City this weekend, hoping to inflict a second loss in as many games to Manuel Pellegrini’s men, following their shock 1-2 loss away to West Ham last weekend. Should they win against City, and away, that could cement their revival under the Dutchman.
Fixtures: Saturday: Newcastle vs Liverpool; Chelsea vs Queens Park Rangers; Arsenal Vs Burnley; Everton vs Swansea City; Stoke City vs West Ham United; Leicester City vs West Bromwich Albion; Hull City vs Southampton
Sunday: Manchester City vs Manchester United; Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
Monday: Crystal Palace vs Sunderland
Post published in: Football