PHILOSOPHY FAILURE: Mr Van Gaal It's Time To Leave

The Dutchman's days at Old Trafford
must surely be running out after another humiliating
defeat to Norwich in the Premier League on Saturday
Having gone five games without a win, exited the
Champions League, and seen Jose Mourinho and Pep
Guardiola both emerge on the job market this week,
the last thing Louis van Gaal needed on Saturday was
another defeat.

Yet Manchester United have slumped to fifth in the
Premier League table after their 2-1 defeat to
Norwich City at Old Trafford and the Dutchman might
well find himself having to answer for United's
abysmal form before Christmas Day rolls around. His
three-year contract might not live to see its halfway
point.
As if defeats at Wolfsburg and Bournemouth were
not enough, a first home reverse of the season to a
Norwich side who started the day in the bottom three
can only intensify the calls within increasing pockets
of the fan base for Van Gaal to be removed from the
hot seat. At Manchester United you are expected to
get results or entertain, if not both. Right now they
are doing neither.
It was notable that Ryan Giggs was seen patrolling
the technical area for much of the dying stages as
United struggled to find holes in Norwich's back line.
Van Gaal has been steadfast in his refusal to be a
shouter or cajoler. He always remains sat in his seat
throughout wins, draws and losses alike.
But the Welsh number two took it upon himself to
provide a presence on the touchline as his side
looked for inspiration. And in doing so he was not
just getting closer to the players, he was also putting
distance between himself and Van Gaal. However
deliberate it was, it was also telling.
A United side looking for energy from somewhere
have had little from anywhere in recent times. When
Ashley Young swung in a low cross which escaped
the Norwich back line, Wayne Rooney was caught on
the back foot and the chance went begging. It said
much about both Rooney's and United's fortunes this
season. Too often the captain has been a yard off the
pace, and far too familiar is the sight of a United
attack falling down at the final hurdle.