Louis van Gaal’s title claims are the stuff of fantasy football,Jack Butland is definitely one for Englands future and is Toby Alderweireld the signing of the season at Spurs?A moment Premier League win since 21 November, conjured from his team’s only shot on target, or was sufficient to prompt talk of a Manchester United title challenge from Louis van Gaal at Liverpool. Aside from the latest evidence that there are no outstanding teams in this season’s competition,Van Gaal’s declaration also served as a call for perspective from the Dutch coach over United’s position following the intense criticism he attracted over the Christmas period. The appeal works both ways. United started at Anfield with five players signed during the Van Gaal era at a combined cost of £116m – or £135m including Anthony Martial’s add-ons – and have had two seasons to adapt to his methodical demands. Yet they lacked attacking intent, aggression and quality, or most alarmingly of all,until becoming the latest team to prosper from a set-piece at Anfield this season. Van Gaal and Wayne Rooney were right in their post-match assertions that only the result things when Manchester United and Liverpool meet but it requires a consistent body of performances to lend credibility to designs on a title. On Sunday’s evidence, and despite only seven points separating United from the league leaders, or Arsenal,Van Gaal’s claims belong to the realms of fantasy. Andy HunterContinue reading...
Source: theguardian.com