Paul Parker Slams Louis Van Gaal's Treatment of Anthony Martial, Juan Mata, More

Former Manchester United defender Paul Parker has slammed Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal for instilling a "robotic" style of play at Old Trafford and accused the Dutchman of hamstringing Anthony Martial and Juan Mata.

He has also criticised Van Gaal's treatment of summer addition Memphis Depay, and suggested that United do not deserve to reach the last 16 of the Champions League.

Parker, who played under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford in the 1990s, believes that United have the quality in their squad to be a "fearsome" side, but he has criticised Van Gaal for how the Dutchman has used various players, per Eurosport:

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Take Anthony Martial, so brilliant when he burst onto the scene, who now seems to have had all the verve and life coached out of him. You have to wonder what he is actually being asked to do.

Then there's Juan Mata, played out of position, seemingly for spending too much time trying to get creative. And who is his preferred number 10 role filled by? Marouane Fellaini, a player who made his name as a big defensive midfielder, a man who takes an age to get to the ball, then far too much time on the ball, simply because it takes him a while to get his huge frame into position.

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The 51-year-old also blamed Van Gaal for Memphis failing to live up to his potential since joining the Red Devils from PSV Eindhoven.

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United are going to need their best players to perform on Tuesday night as they go in search of the victory they need away at Wolfsburg to guarantee them a place in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Bleacher Report's Dean Jones is not backing them to make it out of the group stages:

And Parker does not believe they deserve to advance:

"Frankly, the answer is no [they don't deserve it]. Van Gaal has been miserably, relentlessly negative in his approach. He's set up his team to play robotic football, with no improvisation, no pace—I think this is the slowest United side I've ever seen in my life—and no continuity."

The former England full-back is far from the only person frustrated with United's performances of late.

Five of their last nine games have resulted in goalless draws and the style of play is a world away from the swashbuckling football fans became so used to seeing in the Ferguson era.

Van Gaal has put a premium on possession and has been rewarded to an extent, but United's lack of incision when they have the ball has made them predictable and easy to defend against, per Sky Sports MNF:

United's own defence has been impressive this season—they have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League—and Wolfsburg will struggle to get past them at the Volkswagen Arena.

But United have to score against the Bundesliga side to ensure their advancement, and so poor have they been in attack of late, it is difficult to see where the goals will come from.

Any victory against Wolfsburg on Tuesday will ease the pressure on Van Gaal—although Parker claims "it won't change a thing."

However, the former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Ajax manager is testing the patience of the United faithful with his plodding football, and elimination from the Champions League will put his future at Old Trafford in jeopardy.