Manchester United's 1-0 derby defeat by Manchester City left new manager Louis van Gaal presiding over the club's worst start to a season since 1986-87. That sequence resulted in the end of Ron Atkinson's reign and ushered in the Sir Alex Ferguson era. The season ended with United in 11th place; they currently stand ninth, 13 points adrift of leaders Chelsea, having won just three times in the league.
Van Gaal admits it was 'stupid' to ask observers to assess him after three months, but the formidable coach who led the Netherlands to the World Cup semi-final will be given time to put his stamp on Old Trafford. Despite a stuttering start, Van Gaal is convinced United are 'close - but not close enough' to Chelsea and Manchester City after a 1-1 draw with Jose Mourinho's side and a narrow defeat at the reigning champions.
Van Gaal's £150m investment in phase one of his rebuilding programme has been badly hampered by injuries to key players. The sight of £16m defender Marcos Rojo being taken off on a stretcher was another body blow, adding to injuries to Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Radamel Falcao, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans. Michael Carrick has only just returned.
United's squad remains heavily front-loaded, packed with attacking intent but short on defensive solidity. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, once seen as the defensive duo of the future, have regressed. Smalling's red card against City drew unflattering comments from Van Gaal, who called it 'stupid' and 'not so smart'.
Van Gaal's attempt to introduce a 3-5-2 system looked ill-fitting early on, with the 4-0 Capital One Cup defeat at MK Dons a particularly bad advertisement. The Dutchman praised his side's 'incredible willpower' for mounting a late threat with ten men against City, but an uncertain start has done nothing to dent his iron-clad self-belief.
