Five things learned from Manchester United’s Champions League exit

Manchester United’s Champions League exit last night after their 3-2 defeat in their must-win game away to German club Wolfsburg proved the club are a shadow of their former selves under Louis van Gaal.

It is now the Europa League on Thursday nights for the Red Devils, but is there a chance LVG will not be around when the knockout stages begin? Fans and United legends are slowly turning against the Dutchman and his negative, sometimes boring tactics.

With this in mind, here are Five Things learned from the painful night in Germany:

5. United Need Experience Up Top

With Wayne Rooney not looking the player he once was, there is a lot of pressure on young Anthony Martial, with the amount the club spent on him, to lead the forward line at Old Trafford.

Unfortunately, despite him showing promise, he can’t do it all on his own. Some of the team need to take more responsibility in providing chances and goals. Either that, or the board need to spend the cash in January. However, who is available?

4. Have The Players Given Up?

There seemed a distinct lack of hunger or desire last night when things started going wrong. In the days under Sir Alex Ferguson, there was no such thing as a lost cause. How many goals did United score right at the death when all seemed lost? How many times were they able to salvage something from what looked like certain defeat?

Sadly, under LVG, the fight just doesn’t seem to be there.

3. Why Didn’t United go for Julian Draxler?

Draxler tore United to pieces last night. He would have made a good addition to the fold at the club. Despite being linked with him often, the board never followed up their interest in him. And they were made to pay a heavy, heavy price, as Draxler was in fine form.

2. United’s Youth Are A Positive

One good thing that LVG has done is that he has not been reluctant to give youth a chance at the club.

We recently saw Andreas Pereira make a Premier League appearance, and last night we saw defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson for only the second time in a United shirt.

1. David De Gea Regrets?

De Gea continues to save United’s season, but he was at fault last night with a mad 25-yard burst off of his line which almost gifted Wolfsburg a goal. Might he be regretting not going to Real Madrid.

Is he already thinking ahead to Euro 2016? Is his mind elsewhere?

 

By Steve Osborne                      @BlizzardSteve75