Former United midfield Paul Scholes, has issued a damning assessment of Manchester United’s tactics under Louis van Gaal and said his player recruitment was flawed. The Ducth manager has come under fire this season as United have struggled for consistency, with his playing style being branded dull and uninspiring. United are facing a battle to finish in the top four and secure Champions League qualification, and face a treacherous run-in of fixtures, starting with a meeting with rivals Tottenham on Sunday. Scholes has added his voice to the critics circling Van Gaal, accusing the Dutchman of concocting a playing style that does not fit United’s squad. He said: “I know what Louis van Gaal is trying to do with this team. I just question whether he has the players to do it. He has tried what I would describe as a more Barcelona-style approach to games. His centre-backs push wide, the fullbacks push on and the team pass the ball. But against the stronger sides, starting with Spurs, you have to wonder whether it will be found out. What I find hard to understand is how, in March, United are playing another new style with no evidence that they have the personnel to do it. Managers live and die by their recruitment. You buy the right players for the system that you believe will be successful. I don’t believe that the club have achieved that balance.”
A top sports betting expert asks just how bad are Manchester United as they have been playing terribly and winning was one thing, but playing terribly and losing is quite another. Their FA Cup defeat to Arsenal set alarm bells ringing and fears are growing that Louis van Gaal’s team won’t qualify for the Champions League. This Sunday brings a home match against Tottenham Hotspur, and a battle against one of United’s top-four rivals. A win would calm down the hysteria around the club, but a loss or even a draw would put Van Gaal’s team in serious danger of not making the top four, with Liverpool just behind them and in great form. The match against Spurs is also the start of a daunting run of fixtures, with matches against Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton all coming up in United’s next six games.
While we are at it the best betting picks are also questioning weather Chelsea bounce back from Champions League elimination? The blues are proud of their status as the most hated team in England, and possibly Europe, which they certainly cemented in midweek against PSG. Chelsea now return to Premier League action on Sunday against Southampton and even if Jose Mourinho’s side have a comfortable lead at the top of the table, they know that if any team is capable of a ludicrous late season comeback, it’s Manchester City but will they be bothered? A top football tipster says yes! What’s more, Chelsea will have to worry about Southampton who manager Ronald Koeman, sensing his side were falling away, took the unorthodox step of organising a mid-season trip to the Swiss Alps to rejuvenate his players. The best sports predictions suggest that if Southampton do suddenly look a new team and manage a shock against Chelsea, then mid-season ski trips will become the norm, and that be fun for everyone?