Louis van Gaal Tells Manchester United to Stop Using David de Gea

Louis van Gaal has publicly condemned his outfield players' use of David de Gea, calling for his Manchester United players to stop passing back to the goalkeeper with such high frequency.

David Anderson of the Mirror reported on Van Gaal's comments about the matter, with the Red Devils making more backpasses than any other club in the Premier League:

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I agree with the fans that we don’t have to use so much the goalkeeper because I have seen also moments that we can play in a higher tempo without interfering with the goalkeeper.

...

You can always say that [the players are nervous], but every player is at a different height of pressure. And every player has to manage that pressure. You cannot, in general, say it is a nervous team because maybe six or seven players are always playing arrogantly and they need to play arrogantly to be good.

And the other players need to be tense to play good. You can say about individual players that they are nervous. Then, OK, we have to talk about individual players, but I don’t want to talk about individual players.

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Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Latest statistics show United have made 442 backpasses to De Gea this season, per Anderson, which is by far the most in the Premier League, since Van Gaal arrived as coach.

In comparison, Arsenal have made just 261, with Manchester City making only 208 to Joe Hart, demonstrating United's overtly cautious style since the change in management. 

The Old Trafford faithful let their feelings be known against Sunderland on Saturday, with the ball returning to De Gea's feet on a far too regular basis.

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

The crowd chanted "attack, attack, attack," as Jonny Evans found the goalkeeper after United had been in the final third, forcing anger from watching supporters, per Jamie Jackson of The Guardian. But Van Gaal defended this course of defensive action, and urged fans to understand:

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That, at that moment is the solution for the player. Sometimes, in spite of there being another solution, the player has not seen that solution. You have to give credit of your doubt to your player and you have to support him. When you make a mistake in defence it is more or less always a goal against us. You have to see that also, the fans have to see that.

"

Jon Super/Associated Press

United currently sit in the Champions League places, but it is certain they are playing the worst style of football of all of the top teams.

Van Gaal has failed to find a balance in his mandate to bring winning football back to Old Trafford, but while results remain steady it is difficult to criticise the Dutchman.

United have not been a huge embarrassment in defence this season, but the team have relied heavily on the brilliance of De Gea to save them in key moments during matches.

But with the transfer window shut, forcing Van Gaal to stick with the players he has, it is likely the ball will be returning to the feet of the able Spanish goalkeeper with clockwork precision until the end of the campaign.