Manchester United: Should the Red Devils Stick or Twist with Louis Van Gaal?

Manchester United should retain the services of Louis van Gaal almost regardless of what happens for the rest of the season.

There can be no doubt that the Dutchman's first term in charge has been a disappointment. While United's league position may be just about par, the manner of their performances has warranted much—though not all—of the criticism it has got.

The assertion that United have become a long-ball side may be mostly unfounded, in terms of United's overall playing style. However, it is certainly the case that, for a fan, watching Van Gaal's version of the Red Devils has often been something to endure rather than enjoy.

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There have been exceptions, but even many of United's good results have been a difficult watch. Wednesday night's win over Newcastle United was a fine example of this. The elation of Ashley Young's late winner came after a second half of fairly insipid, uninspiring football.

Home defeats to Swansea City and Southampton stung. United's away form has been lacklustre all season long. Indeed, between the fact that the first-half display was decent and United taking all three points, the win over Newcastle is among United's better displays on the road.

And yet, unless there is a total collapse between now and May, Van Gaal should keep his job.

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The context of this discussion, of course, is that United sacked David Moyes for his horrendous first season in charge. The club whose previous manager's career had been the standout example of the potential benefits of executive patience in football had displayed the exact opposite.

At the time, I argued that was the right thing to do, and a year later, I feel the same way about the Scot.

Moyes' appointment was an act of faith on the part of Sir Alex Ferguson. Presumably believing he had recognised a man who shared similar qualities, Sir Alex recommended Moyes to United's board in spite of the latter's complete lack of elite-level management experience. 

Thus, when Moyes took a team who had won the previous season's Premier League and left them in seventh place, out of Champions League contention, calling an early end to the experiment was wise.

Van Gaal's appointment, though, is less of an experiment. He is a manager of proven calibre, with a track record not only of success, but of turning around difficult starts—witness his tenure at AZ Alkmaar in particular.

Track record alone is not enough, but in this case, it is not only his track record which suggests he should remain in charge. If it is broadly accepted that Champions League qualification is the baseline for Van Gaal's first season in charge, then he is currently on track to achieve his target.

The fixture list gets tougher from here on out, but United have already beaten Liverpool and Arsenal this season, gave Chelsea a decent challenge on the way to a draw, and ran Manchester City close in the 1-0 loss at the Etihad.

Back in January, I argued the season up to that point had already demonstrated United were better off under Van Gaal than they had been under Moyes. After 28 games, that seems even clearer. United are five points better off, have a plus-six better goal difference, and are three league places higher in the table than they were at the equivalent point last season. 

They are also still in the FA Cup, although Monday night's game at Old Trafford against Arsenal will be a tough test.

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But more than any of that, my personal sense of Van Gaal's season so far is that he is clearly building towards something. The style of play has changed throughout the season, but it seems clear now that he is building towards a possession-based approach.

United's execution of that approach is improving. Ball retention is starting to look natural, in a way it did not earlier in the season—witness Ander Herrera and Daley Blind's incredible passing performances against Sunderland, when they completed more passes than the entire Sunderland side put together, per Squawka.com.

The cutting edge is sorely lacking, but it may yet come. After all, Van Gaal's defence was heavily criticised earlier in the season and has improved dramatically, in terms of goals conceded. The attack seems likely to follow once he achieves a better balance.

Van Gaal's CV certainly earns him a second season. There is enough promise in United's current league position to earn him a second season. Another period of transition would also seem to be the last thing this side need. Manchester United should stick with Louis van Gaal. It has generally proved to be an effective move for those sides who have done it.