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Published 11:39 10 Feb 2015 GMT
Updated 10:11 11 Feb 2015 GMT
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Van Gaal's preferred formation appears to be 3-5-2, but maybe a return to the 4-3-3 he deployed throughout his career would be the best bet for United.
The Dutchman only switched to a three man central defence around this time last year, after he lost Kevin Strootman to injury, forcing him to change the Netherlands formation in the World Cup.
It served him and the team well in the tournament, as they finished third, but the Netherlands in the World Cup and Manchester United in the Premier League are completely different entities.
Whereas the Dutch national team were afforded the luxury of being able to counter-attack, United will generally face teams who will cede them possession.
Perhaps, as with the Netherlands last summer, Van Gaal feels he currently doesn't have the necessary personal to play 4-3-3, but he's seemingly tried almost every formation so he may as well try it, even without a player like Strootman in midfield.
Daley Blind was the only midfielder playing in his natural position against West Ham.
Wayne Rooney may possess a wonderful passing range, and likes to be on the ball as much as possible, but against well drilled opposition, the United captain has struggled in midfield. Rooney hasn't been helped by being shunted from position to position either by Van Gaal.
Angel di Maria and Adnan Januzaj are also being restrained. Di Maria was among the best players in the world last year, whether playing wide or part of Real Madrid's fluid midfield. At United, the Argentine has been used as a forward and on Sunday as part of a midfield diamond, but rarely wide.
Januzaj was possibly the only positive aspect of David Moyes reign. The 20-year-old looked like having the potential to be world class and is held in such esteem at Old Trafford the club gave him Ryan Giggs' old number.
Under Van Gaal, when used, Januzaj looks like a lost soul. His attacking instincts are curbed and it is hard to fathom what use he is featuring in such a narrow midfield diamond.
'United have got big problems at that end of the pitch' Carragher said.
'When United were in the wide areas, Falcao was ball-watching and that made him easy to mark. He should have been running down the channels. There is not enough movement from the front two, there’s no sprint, spark or energy and that was in complete contrast to West Ham'.
The contrast with the Hammer's strikeforce was possibly the most damning aspect of United's forwards' performance.
Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho would be regarded as relative footballing pygmy's in comparison to Van Persie and Falcao's profile, wage packet and potential transfer fees. Yet, on Sunday, the West Ham duo were easily more effective.
United's frontline needs an overhaul, but, for the remaining Premier League games this season, a reshuffling will have to do. Whether van Gaal does so remains to be seen.
Van Gaal's not at fault for all of United's issues, and despite the plight Moyes faced now being seen in a more sympathetic light with each passing week, the Dutchman is on course to meet his season objective and, seemingly, has the full support of the players. Could the same ever be said of Moyes?
Johan Cruyff has a quote that currently seems appropriate for his great footballing adversary Van Gaal. 'If I wanted you to understand, I would've explained it better,' the Dutch master told a journalist.
Van Gaal and Cruyff may have differing views on the game, but the United manager would share this sentiment. At times he gives the impression of being like a mad scientist, working on an experiment that will wow everyone, but, in it's embryonic state, is difficult to fathom.
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