5 strategic mistakes that are hurting Manchester United at the moment

Instead of moving to the top of the EPL table, Manchester United fell to third after a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal.There was much expectation that Manchester United could beat Arsenal and reclaim their spot at the top of the Premier League table. But that was not the case.Not only were the Red Devils beaten, they were outplayed in such a convincing a manner that things became embarrassing for the United players and fans. For the first 20 minutes, Arsenal's hunger and firepower seemed to be unmatchable as they threatened to tear United to shreds.However, many pundits and critics have refused to be amazed by United's performance. They had instead sworn that they had seen it coming for some time now. Some of the bizarre strategies employed by Louis van Gaal have surprised many and raised questions in the past.The time has come to critically evaluate some of the loopholes in the strategic decision-making that seem to be responsible for United's bad performances. Here are five strategic mistakes that are hurting Manchester United at the moment.

#5 Lack of squad rotation

Despite the £258.7 million spent by Louis van Gaal, he continues to strongly assert that Manchester United remain a squad in transition. The Manchester United manager believes that his team is still work in progress and he is building a team for the future. The main reason why United are struggling to compete at the top level despite spending so much is because the squad remains hopelessly unbalanced.

United's transfer strategy under Van Gaal has been questionable and devoid of rationality. They failed to strength its defence and attack in the summer transfer window after missing out on quite a few high-profile targets. But the most difficult thing to explain was Van Gaal's obsessive trimming down of the squad with so many players being released or sold.

Jonny Evans, Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez – to name a few – were all allowed to leave even when suitable defensive or attacking reinforcements failed to arrive. Wayne Rooney, who has looked rather out of sorts this season, has been starting most of the matches with Anthony Martial.

The bench strength when it comes to centre-forwards or defenders is shuddering to think of from United's perspective. Not a single player was rested for a midweek League Cup tie. After the match against Wolfsburg, most of the United players were left tired which could have had a telling impact at Emirates last weekend.

The intensity of the Premier League makes squad rotation mandatory but United, unfortunately, do not have the squad depth to rotate. Compare that with City who spent on strengthening positions across the field and now have an enviable squad depth.

#4 Not signing any centre backs

Daley Blind is Manchester United’s weakest link

Manchester United went into the transfer market with the centre-back position being one of the areas they absolutely needed to strengthen. The United squad have been crying out for a centre back ever since Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic left. And only Chris Smalling has evolved miraculously and shouldered the responsibility of leading the backline very well.

With Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo injured and Jonny Evans sold, Daley Blind has fitted in at the centre-back role but remains the obvious weak link. Because of his stature and physique, Blind has often been bullied by strong centre forwards who fancy their chances every time they hold up the ball or run at him.

Too often, has Blind been drawn out of position while trying to stop counter-attacks and United have ended up conceding goals. Blind's defensive marking during set pieces has also been very poor and he has given away crucial headers at times.

Blind's passing acumen makes him more suited to a midfield role but he seems to be currently filling in a centre-back only as a stop gap measure. In big games, United's defensive weakness is bound to get exposed more and more in the coming days.

United badly needed to sign a centre-back who could command the backline and assist in defensive organisation. The Sergio Ramos transfer saga went on for an eternity this summer but United ultimately failed to land him. Nicolas Otamendi, the other centre-back United had been linked with, ended up joining rivals Manchester City.

#3 Playing players out of position

Ashley Young (R) struggled when deployed as a full-back against Arsenal

With Antonio Valencia at right back, Daley Blind at centre back and Ashley Young at left back, United ended the match against Arsenal with three midfield players filling in for positions in the back four. Louis van Gaal, a fan of the Dutch total football philosophy, loves to have players who can play at multiple positions.

Under him, Wayne Rooney has played as a holding midfielder, an attacking midfielder and a striker. And only this season so far, Ashley Young has played at left back, right back, on the left wing and the right wing.

What Van Gaal has struggled to understand is that not every player can boast of that kind of versatility and some of them are just good at playing their well-defined roles. Angel Di Maria was the worst sufferer and biggest causality of Louis van Gaal's strange tactics.

Rooney's elongated spell in the midfield last season did not do him any favours. The experiment to start with Marouane Fellaini up front has also misfired. And a makeshift backline with midfielders filling in is already beginning to hurt United this season.

#2 The sale of Angel Di Maria

One of the huge talking points this summer has been the sale of Angel Di Maria, who was signed for a record British transfer fee of £59.7 m pounds last season. After an explosive start in the Premier League, Di Maria had been quite poor towards the end of last season. He would run into players and concede possession time and again and many away fans would sing “What a waste of money!”

But the way Di Maria was handled had raised obvious questions and left the player unsatisfied. The Argentine winger seemed to be playing well on the left of the midfield diamond where he was running at and terrifying defenders. Since then he was made to start on the wide left, wide right and even as a second striker – roles in which Di Maria struggled to make an impact on the game.

When Di Maria lost possession or attempted the over-ambitious lob, he was chastised by Van Gaal for being too adventurous. The Dutchman, whose philosophy is built on rigorous possession and passing, had no place for a creative player like Di Maria. He was asked not to run with the ball which is ironically Di Maria's greatest strength.

The manager and the player fell out at the end of the season leading to Di Maria being sold to PSG. Some of the wonderful lobs and through balls that he has played at PSG this season re-emphasize what United are missing this season.

#1 Passing without any tempo

Arsenal pressed United’s midfield and back-line to force errors and concede possession

There has been much discussion about how Louis van Gaal's much vaunted philosophy that stems from the creativity of players. Van Gaal is a big fan of rigorous organisation, pinpoint passing and building from the back.

But his obsession with mathematical precision has robbed the team off any pace and spurt of creativity. United's passing looks too pedestrian at times with only back-and-forth and sideways movement without any intention to go forward. Passing at a slow tempo makes every movement seem too predictable at times. On too many occasions, United have enjoyed the lion's share of possession but have struggled to break down attacks.

It is an established fact in modern football that a little bit of unpredictability and pace need to be introduced in your passing game in order to break down opposition defences. The ability to attack on the counter is a precious asset in the Premier League.

It is ironical that United, which has a strong legacy of marauding wingers and fast paced counter-attacks, have totally abandoned that philosophy. With Juan Mata and Memphis Depay on the wings and Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger in midfield, United do not have the right players to hit opponents on the counter.

United's slow passing and build-up play often compel the team to press high up the pitch. Thus, every time they concede possession, United in turn become vulnerable to being hit on the counter. Slow midfielders and a makeshift backline make it even more difficult to track back to stop those attacks – something that cost United dear against Arsenal.

United's slow, predictable passing is thus making the team vulnerable in more ways than one. Not only is it exceptionally boring to watch, but it is also proving to be ineffective.