Manchester United's Attack Is in Desperate Need of Further Improvement

OLD TRAFFORD, Manchester — Another day, another 0-0 draw at Old Trafford for Louis van Gaal and Manchester United.

The absence of Wayne Rooney offered some hope that United's attack—which had been more dynamic in his absence against Watford on 21 November—would look livelier. Indeed, in the first 20 minutes and again in the last 10, United did look a little brighter than they have been.

Presentable chances were missed by Anthony Martial, Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini, although of course West Ham United hit the post in the first half. By the end of proceedings, United had 21 shots at the Hammers' net, though just one on target, per WhoScored.com.

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In spite of the somewhat increased vim of the Red Devils' forward line, the culture clash between Van Gaal and United's supporters continued, with the fans crying out for more urgency in attack and booing the team off the pitch at half-time and full-time.

In truth, placed in a run of better results, there was little boo-worthy about United's effort, but a fifth 0-0 draw in nine games has left fans frustrated by the Red Devils' bluntness in front of goal.

When asked by Bleacher Report about the frustration of fans in the post-match press conference, Van Gaal replied:

"I think when we have scored a goal they are very pleased, and they were supportive more than ever. I think so we have to score that goal and we did not do that. The fans are disappointed, I know that, but so am I and so are the players. They want to score every minute and you cannot.

"I don't understand that they shout "attack, attack" because we are the dominating team and not West Ham. When you have a lot of ball possession, you have a lot of ball possession to create chances, not to play the ball around and not score.

"When they don't like the style of play for Manchester United, everybody knows in advance that all the teams of LVG play like that. In Barcelona or Bayern Munich or AZ [Alkmaar] we have played like that. But when I meet fans on the streets, they are very happy with Manchester United and with me.

"But you have to score, and when you don't you lack points and we are now three points behind Leicester [City] because we don't score. Today the team that had to score was Manchester United and not West Ham United, but they also could have scored, we could have lost also, and this is the wonderful game of football."

Van Gaal suggested fans should have known what to expect from his side, although it is hard to square just how United's use of the ball matches up with some of the Dutchman's previous work.

There is a disconnect here, with Van Gaal not quite recognising what the fans are asking for. 

Fans should also perhaps have expected their team to struggle up front given how much attacking talent left the club in the summer. Their replacements generally are young and facing a new challenge in a new league.

It is reasonable to assume Van Gaal must wish for a truly definitive world star in his attack who could ensure the killer moment was seized upon more often.

Van Gaal was enigmatic when pressed on the need for a Luis Suarez or Sergio Aguero type at United, but it seems fairly clear one is needed. Thoughts will naturally turn to the January transfer window, but the quality of player needed to lift United to the next level seems unlikely to move midway through the season.

Perhaps a systemic change is required, a switch to a true 4-3-3, for example. Even in Rooney's absence, Van Gaal seemed reluctant to change the system. Though the result was frustrating, the number of chances United created somewhat bore out the manager's decision.

This was not a game in which United's forwards fed on scraps; it was just a game when it did not quite work.

However, context is everything, and for Van Gaal, the context is deeply unflattering. The much-needed click remains absent and thoughts will now turn to Tuesday's trip to Wolfsburg, where United simply have to win.

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Van Gaal can look back on a pivotal moment in his Bayern Munich career in December 2009, when his team travelled unfancied to Turin in need of a win and blew Juventus away. If United were to repeat that trick, it would be a genuine shock. A win on Tuesday would not be a shock, but anything convincing seems a long way off.

With the result in Germany crucial, and the Premier League title race to come seemingly wide open, United's attack will need to dramatically improve in order to bring about a successful season.

All quotations obtained firsthand.