Fear factor wanted as Van Gaal searches for X-factor
LOUIS VAN GAAL has stressed the need for Manchester United to regain their fear factor.
The Red Devils’ troubled campaign has taken further turns for the worse in their last two outings, with them being beaten 2-1 at Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League then losing their Europa League last-32 first leg at FC Midtjylland by the same score.
The latter game in particular highlighted how United – for so long seen domestically and abroad as among the most daunting opponents a club could face – no longer seem to be perceived by anyone as an intimidating prospect.
Van Gaal’s men travel to Shrewsbury tonight for an FA Cup fifth-round game marking the start of a week that looks potentially vital for their season – as well as for the increasingly under-scrutiny Dutchman’s future.
And when asked ahead of the contest if teams do not fear United anymore, Van Gaal said: “When you see the last two games it is maybe like that. But then we have to make them fear again. It is a question of winning matches in a row.”
After the match at Shrewsbury, United host Midtjylland on Thursday in leg two of the European tie, then have a Premier League home clash against Arsenal three days later.
Winning all three fixtures – with the Europa League result sufficient to send them through – would be a major boost, some momentum having been built up again and the club remaining in the hunt for two trophies as well as a top-four finish.
But with talk having surged once more over the past few days of his tenure nearing an end and Jose Mourinho being set to replace him, a bad week results-wise will surely leave Van Gaal’s position looking precarious.
And the performance in Denmark on Thursday is likely to have only increased Shrewsbury’s belief they can make it a miserable night for United this evening.
Van Gaal says he would welcome the League One side thinking, on the evidence of Thursday, that the task ahead may be easier for them than they had previously suspected. “I hope so because then it’s a benefit for us,” he said.
The 64-year-old, who has a lengthy list of players unavailable for the tie, has emphasised the importance of his side being mentally prepared to raise their performance level significantly after the poor showing at Midtjylland.
He said: “You cannot continue with losing and the question is how we are lifting ourselves for this game because Shrewsbury shall also fight.”