Beating Arsenal could be the turning point

It has been a strange season for Manchester United. There have been many questions asked on what has happened to their form. Van Gaal still does not know what his best team or formation is and the fans are starting to lose their patience.

Worryingly it feels like United are going backwards since those six wins in a row before Christmas. Despite not being at their best, United have still picked up plenty of points and are crucially still in the top four. I strongly believe Arsenal at home in the FA Cup will make or break United’s season.

(It has been too long since United last won the FA Cup.)

This game is huge. Defeating Arsenal would give United a much needed confidence boost and send them to Wembley, with a big opportunity to win the FA Cup. This will surely inspire them to a strong finish in the Premier League. I thought United played well in the first half against Newcastle. Smalling was late with his tackle and Newcastle were unlucky not to receive a penalty. At the other end, United created plenty and could have scored at least three.  

Van Gaal still does not know his best team but he showed ruthlessness in getting rid of the deadwood last summer. The key here is that he may not know his best team, but he most likely knows who is not good enough. I expect to see the same again this summer with more additions being added to the squad. 

(Van Gaal's record proves that he should be trusted to get it right.)

A lot are surprised about the omission of Mata recently, and why van Gaal was reluctant to play Herrera for a while. It made sense to me if you look at it with a defensive mind. In the number ten position Fellaini can defend set pieces well and Rooney gets back to defend a lot with his high work rate. Mata does not offer much defensively, and he can be a bit lightweight on the ball. I felt the same with Herrera for a while but I must admit, going forward he is fantastic which is why we must keep playing him, as long as we have someone to cover when he goes forward. 

United are not miles away, a few more wins and they would be near the top. So how can the football be that bad? I think the team is lacking in confidence, but with time that will come back and beating Arsenal will do no harm in helping bring back the confidence. It was very frustrating at times towards the end of the game in Newcastle because there was no urgency. Furthermore all the other teams in and around us are in top form, so I am not surprised the players are feeling the heat. Although our remaining fixtures are tough, we tend to play better against these sides because they actually want to come out and play football. 

(United will be fired up for the big games this month.)

 Van Gaal took Holland further in the World Cup than anyone predicted. He is an excellent manager and I am confident he is taking United back to the top. Give him the time he needs, give him the players he wants and he will build a great team, whatever his philosophy may be. United will be champions again and we will be playing in big games in Europe soon. It is not normal for van Gaal to be out of Europe. The good times are coming back, have faith and get behind the team.