Lack of Premier League Experience Is Hurting Manchester United Hopes of Success

There was a moment at the King Power Stadium on Sunday afternoon, just after Ander Herrera had backheeled Manchester United into a 3-1 lead, when it looked like Leicester City might end up getting thumped.

After showing more attacking ambition in an hour than QPR had done in 90 minutes a week earlier, it would have been harsh on Nigel Pearson's side. But with Angel Di Maria, Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao swarming forward, it looked like it was on the cards.

Then, referee Mark Clattenburg took it upon himself to award Leicester a soft penalty. David Nugent scored, but it wasn't the end of the world for Louis van Gaal. United would surely just shut up shop. They would keep the ball for the last half-hour and head back up the M6 with three points.

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After all, United had been in similar situations plenty of times before, and they would know what to do. But then again, they hadn't. And they didn't.

The experience you associate with United isn't there anymore. The characters they turned to again and again have gone.

Six of United's starting XI on Sunday—Tyler Blackett, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, Herrera, Di Maria and Falcao—have just 16 Premier League starts between them. 

It's arrogant to suggest that World Cups and Champions League finals haven't prepared Rojo, Blind, Di Maria and Falcao for the intensity of a trip to Leicester. But for the majority of United's team, it was a new experience. And having 30,000 fans on top of you urging their side forward can be intimidating.

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Wayne Rooney might have been shouting and screaming, but when Van Gaal needed a calm hand on the rudder as the game threatened to descend into chaos, there were very few candidates.

Instead of weathering the storm, United collapsed. A game they should have won comfortably quickly turned into an embarrassing defeat.

It led Gary Neville to tell Sky Sports that United had been "bullied" by the home side:

"

In the first half, every ball that got played forward from distance a Leicester player won it, whether it was the first ball or the second ball. 

In the second half, a decision goes against them but make no mistake about it they’re soft-centred.

There’s no doubt Manchester United are soft-centred. They’re not tough enough. I thought the midfield three for United and the back four got bullied.

"

Van Gaal and his players are learning on the job this season. 

He is fond of saying it will take time for his philosophy to sink in, but the players aren't just getting to know a new manager; they are getting to know each other, too, as well as a new league.

It was evident at the King Power Stadium that there is very little of the old United left. And it's taking a little longer than expected to build a new one.