Louis Van Gaal and Angel Di Maria Slammed for Manchester United Slump

Louis van Gaal and Angel Di Maria have come under fire after Manchester United's 2-1 loss to Swansea, a result that leaves the Red Devils hanging onto fourth place by just one point.

Pundit Mark Lawrenson labelled United's play "very pedestrian" during an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live. He also suggested Van Gaal's history of success is keeping him in the job, saying, "It goes back to the manager and if that had been David Moyes he'd have gone weeks ago, nay months."

Lawrenson suggests one of the biggest on-pitch culprits is Di Maria. Despite the Argentinian grabbing his eighth assist in 18 matches, per WhoScored.com, Lawrenson believes Van Gaal's decision to consistently alter his position is stopping the former Real Madrid star from hitting his stride.

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"I think it's the coach and the way that he wants to play," said Lawrenson. "Di Maria came in, and the first few games you thought 'wow, what a player.' He keeps changing his position. Everybody keeps changing in this search for a particular way."

Van Gaal has certainly tried to force his principals on United this season, best highlighted by his ill-fated spell with a 3-5-2 formation. Things have marginally improved with four at the back, and despite a string of poor performances, United have lost just two in 20 matches across all competitions, per WhoScored. Even so, matches are crammed with mistakes and a lack of creative ideas.

Squawka pinpointed consistent problems with United's defence, which switched off for both Swansea goals:

Daily Mail columnist Jamie Redknapp believes Di Maria is currently "weak and sluggish." He also suggested Van Gaal is behind the player's inconsistent form, writing, "It doesn't help when your manager over-complicates things, but Di Maria has been nowhere near good enough for a player who cost so much."

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Redknapp suggests "United fans deserve better" from the £59.7 million man, who has scored three goals this season. Interestingly, Di Maria was in a creative mood against the Swans, per Squawka:

Even so, the player's overall output continues to disappoint.

Van Gaal has deployed Di Maria in six different positions this season, according to WhoScored, with his best showings coming from the centre of midfield. However, his 78.6 percent pass accuracy is an indicator of a player who loses his concentration in important moments. This analysis can be applied to much of the team.

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As noted by Riath Al-Samarrai of the Daily Mail, Van Gaal's suggestion that United should have beaten Swansea highlights a boss who is "either desperate to spare his team from public criticism or blind to their glaring shortcomings." Van Gaal appears so bothered by installing a regimented way of playing—maintaining possession and creating chances—that his players are afraid to express themselves.

This is something we're seeing with Di Maria, who is being shackled by a system that forces him to maintain possession with a short pass rather than burst into a forward run. The lacklustre play of Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao—the latter of whom was dropped against the Swans—emphasises a squad that fails to excel in any area of the pitch.

Van Gaal needs to sort this immediately. With fixtures against Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Everton and Arsenal on the horizon, United cannot afford any more slip-ups. Failure to find free-flowing, confident football could spell the end of the side's Champions League hopes.

As hinted by Lawrenson, it may even see Van Gaal eliminated through incompetence.