5 Positives To Try And Keep Manchester United Fans Happy

It’s been an awful week for Manchester United fans. Two defeats against Wolfsburg and Bournemouth sent United down into the Europa League and saw them lose ground in the title race.

Because of these defeats the pressure on Louis Van Gaal has increased significantly, with more and more Manchester United fans feeling disillusioned with him as manager and are pleading for him to be sacked.

With Manchester United still in Europe and just four points off the top of the Premier League that might seem a tad excessive, but the languid playing style of Van Gaal’s team is seen as proof that he’s just not right for the position.

But it’s not all bad. In fact, if United fans think hard enough there are still some reasons why they can be positive, just a little. Here are 5 of them.

Best Defence In The League

Sure, shipping five goals against Wolfsburg and Bournemouth brought United’s sterling recent defensive record to a screeching halt. But since their defence had been savaged by injuries, leaving them with only one of their starting back four against Bournemouth, it’s clear to see the reason why they’d lost their sturdiness.

Before then United had only conceded 3 goals in 11 games, and they still currently have the sternest defence in the league, having shipped just 12 all season.

It’s undeniable that under Louis Van Gaal United have lost their attacking spark, but his well-drilled and rigid approach to defence has turned United into the hardest team to beat in England. It’s just a shame that it makes for terrible viewing.

Chris Smalling

One of the main reasons for Manchester United’s defensive improvement has undeniable been the emergence of Chris Smalling as the world class defender that he’s threatened to be for years.

Alongside his fellow centre-back Daley Blind, Smalling has developed a new confidence and understanding that has seen several pundits and professionals label him as the best in the league.

It’s still a little early to know if Smalling is the real-deal, he’ll need to do this consistently over the next few months for that to be the case, but Smalling’s development is proof that Van Gaal’s methods can get the best out of some people.

Still In Europe

OK, I’m clutching at straws with this one. But some European football is better than none … right? United will face the Danish side Midtylland in the last 32 of the Europa League, and Louis Van Gaal will know that another embarrassing, early exit from this competition simply won’t do.

He’ll also be well aware just how important Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1991 European Cup Winner’s Cup triumph in Rotterdam against Barcelona was to both the fans and club alike, as it helped to put the Red Devils back on the global stage.

United fans have an affinity with European competitions of all shapes and sizes, and if they get a merry jaunt to Basel in May then it will go a long way to healing the current rift between them and Van Gaal.

Not That Far Away … Probably

Despite the lack of goals, loss of form for key players, cavalcade of injuries and general disharmony at the club, Manchester United are still only four points off the top of the table.

Sure, that’s mostly down to the sides around them faltering almost as badly, but we are really only 2 or 3 carefully selected players away from matching the starting 11s of our Premier League rivals. Just imagine if a speedy winger, proven goalscorer, and match winner was added to the side. Basically what I’m saying is if United land Gareth Bale then they’ll be formidable.

Add a defensive foil for Smalling as well as an out and out striker and United will be a very impressive outfit. The problem is, after the way he’s spent the last ¼ of a billion, can we really trust Van Gaal to spend it wisely?

We’re Not Chelsea

It’s not kosher to make fun of people worse off than you, but with United currently stuttering and stalling like a solar powered car in an eclipse, it’s good to see Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea in an even feebler position.

Meanwhile, Liverpool and Tottenham continue to do what Liverpool and Tottenham have done so well in recent years by threatening to eclipse United but never actually doing so.

A top four berth is still well under United’s control. The problem for Van Gaal is that’s still not good enough. Especially since United fans are very much aware that if a certain canny knighted Scot was still in charge then the title would probably be sewn up by February.

[Image via Getty/Steve Bardens & Getty/Martin Rose & Getty/Michael Steele & Getty/Martin Rose & Getty/Clive Brunskill & Getty/Laurence Griffiths]