Louis van Gaal is well underway into his second season in the Manchester United dugout, and it seems the club have rarely got going.

Despite an improvement on David Moyes’ tenure, and a brief spell towards the end of last year where both Liverpool and Man City were trounced – the van Gaal era has been somewhat stop-start.

Much has been made about the system the Dutchman wants to put in place. Varying from a 3-5-2 that had been deployed upon his arrival, to a 4-3-3 and now a 4-3-2-1. Clearly, he is not scared of mixing up his tactics, but how can his players really get used to it?

The direction of the club doesn’t seem to be defined. They’ve been dragged back into the top four, which had to have been the main objective.

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However, with no particular playing style they are relying on own goals like the result against Tottenham, or a deflection of the sort we saw against Aston Villa.

Perhaps the new players will click but until they do, more frustrating results like the stalemate against Newcastle will come. Wayne Rooney is struggling, and Memphis Depay has been equally as frustrating for fans as he has been frustrated himself.

With Morgan Schneiderlin pairing Bastian Schweinsteiger in the holding roles, there is not much penetration. Both players are wonderful additions and fantastic in possession, but the likes of Ander Herrera should be the ones to provide the creative spark that was so far been absent.

With Herrera sat on the bench, van Gaal seems to rely on brining on the previously outcast Javier Hernandez in order to nick a goal, or pumping a ball up to Marouane Felliani.

So, where are United heading? When the 64-year old arrived at Bayern Munich, his style helped set the foundations for the side we see today at the Allianz. While in charge at the Camp Nou, it was he who gave the likes of Andres Iniesta the chance to break the first team.

He has a bucket load of experience in managing top class clubs and creating his own style. It just hasn’t yet seem to have arrived in Manchester, it’s only ever been tantalisingly close. The ides of the Dutchman may just be too much to reach during a three year project.

There, of course, is still time for the players to click and the Red Devils to march to their first league title post Sir Alex Ferguson. Ashley Young, Luke Shaw and Christ Smalling have all significantly improved since van Gaal took over, and if that theme can continue – they have quite a squad on their hands.

Huge signings are also being linked with the club, despite the £240m spent over the past two seasons. There is still a chance.

A definitive way of playing must soon emerge at Old Trafford, or van Gaal will see plenty more frustrating results like the one against Newcastle. He has just over a year and a half for it to click.

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