Manchester United and Van Gaal Need a Big Win at Arsenal on Saturday

A surprising patience and tolerance has taken hold at Old Trafford. 

After only 11 games, Manchester United are already 13 points behind the Premier League leaders Chelsea and effectively out of the title race.

To be in this position in the middle of November at any time under Sir Alex Ferguson in the Premier League era would have been seen as a major crisis.

But expectations and attitudes have quickly changed at Old Trafford.

After the damage caused by David Moyes’ ill-fated reign last season, there is now an understanding Louis van Gaal will need time to revive United.

For all the bold talk, and the arrival of six new players at a cost of £150 million, the truth is Van Gaal has made little impact so far. 

Only four wins from his first 11 Premier League games is a real cause for concern.

Even more so because Van Gaal’s wins have been mostly unimpressive, narrow and nervy affairs against West Ham, Everton and Crystal Palace, and all at home.

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Only in their win against QPR have United played with any real confidence and flair.

And of course Van Gaal is yet to secure an away win after five attempts.

The Dutchman needs a big result to show what his United side is capable of, to act as a symbol of hope, and prove that better times are not too far away.

Against Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon would be a good place to start.

Manchester United managers will always be judged on how their teams perform against Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, rather than QPR.

The recent games against Chelsea and Manchester City provided Van Gaal with this opportunity, and while there were some grounds for optimism, his side won one point from a possible six, which can only be seen as failure.

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United started well against Chelsea, but they came within seconds of losing at home, and they don’t want to get into the habit of being relieved at rescuing a point, while their promising start against City at the Etihad stadium would end in a 1-0 defeat after Chris Smalling’s had stupidly got himself sent off.

And so Van Gaal gets another chance against one of the bigger sides when United travel to the Emirates at the weekend.

Narrow defeats, good performances and last-minute equalisers will only sustain United fans for so long; they now want wins and to feel good about their club.

This could be a good time to play Arsenal, for they have also been disappointing this season, picking up just 17 points and currently sitting in sixth position.

It is time for Van Gaal to finally deliver a signature performance and a meaningful win.