United may head to Arsenal on Sunday proudly sat at the summit, but Van Gaal has yet to win the friends and plaudits which would normally be considered commensurate with such a feat. Seven games in, United are leading the way in England, but the Dutchman’s own style of leadership is still causing a number of worries amongst players, fans and superiors alike.
Van Gaal’s side have a number of question marks hanging over them despite the run of form in September, which saw them charge past neighbours City to the top of the table. Three straight wins in the league have added to recent cup wins over Ipswich and Wolfsburg to cover up what really has been an unconvincing start to United’s season.
Their opening day win over Tottenham set the tone, with a first-half own goal giving them something to hold onto amid a Spurs barrage late on. Further victories over the likes of Aston Villa, Club Brugge, Liverpool, Southampton, Wolfsburg and even Sunderland have been gained despite similarly slow starts, with stealth rather than style being the order of the day.
The success of Van Gaal’s tactics so far have belied much of the feeling around the club. Yet at the same time the far more drilled approach of United’s football has been very much in keeping with the man at the helm.
Van Gaal admitted earlier this season that captain Wayne Rooney and his understudy Michael Carrick had approached him with concerns from the rest of the squad. While the particulars of their conversation were not divulged, some players are known to be occasionally left feeling uncomfortable by his sergeant major style on the training ground which can include him coming almost nose-to-nose with stars when delivering instruction. He is also a stickler for training routines, constantly repeating the same small number of drills rather than mixing up his schedules to keep things fresh.
The 64-year-old has made it known regularly throughout his United career that he will do things his own way, living or dying by the sword as a result. As recently as Wednesday, after watching his side come from behind to beat Wolfsburg, he was busy underlining his position of power when asked by journalists to explain Juan Mata’s promotion in the pecking-order for penalties.
“I take all the decisions, believe me. I am responsible. Of course, I communicate always with my players, but I make the decisions and everybody knows that except you,” he blasted, and it is not just the media that he has treated with such rigid values.
He also asks that all club staff dine together and do not leave until everyone is finished. It doesn’t matter what your role; as long as you are on site, you are expected to partake. Treating multi-millionaire footballers like schoolchildren is one thing, but significant professional staff members being asked to follow suit is another.
It is the trait of a man who demands complete control. While his desire to have Desso GrassMaster pitches laid at the training ground to match the one used at Old Trafford is completely understandable, and other top-notch facilities have been requested on the playing side, his attempts to have a say in areas of the club that have nothing to do with the football department have left many frustrated.
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward admitted over the summer that he sees himself as Van Gaal’s right-hand man rather than his boss, revealing that he told the Dutchman when he arrived at the club: “Technically you report to me, but I work for you.”
That was borne out in the transfer market, where Woodward went about making all the changes Van Gaal asked of him. And whenever something came off, the Dutchman was quick to thank Woodward personally. It came across a little like somebody giving a youngster a pat on the head for good behaviour, and that vibe of superiority is unsettling many behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
His match-up with Arsene Wenger this weekend is a fascinating one and comes at a key time in his Manchester United reign. The Frenchman has earned the right to have a say in multiple areas of the club, with the Arsenal structure considered by many to be an example for the rest to follow. Van Gaal, on the other hand, has demanded rather than won the right. And all this at a club that leads the way in so many aspects off the field.
One thing is for sure: Van Gaal is not going to change. This is how he manages, and he refuses to consider doing it any other way. Conviction in his beliefs will be considered an admirable quality if he continues to lead United forward. A victory at the Emirates would give him further tangible evidence that his approach is completely justified. Yet win, lose or draw, the leader is not for turning.
from goal.com
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