Van Gaal: Manchester United Upturn Imminent

But when the top man at Adidas speaks of the football being “not exactly what we want to see”, those charged with selling the brand to would-be sponsors are suddenly faced with a new problem. Although, as it stands United are too slow on the build-up which gives the opposition time to readjust and anticipate any openings.

United had the better of a 0-0 draw with Chelsea last Monday and then ended a run of eight games without a win by defeating Swansea 2-1 on Saturday.

But how can Wayne Rooney win over the critics who have insisted that the England captain is past it and should be dropped by Louis Van Gaal? World class strikers are in short demand at the moment and considering the majority will be unavailable especial mid-way through a season United will need to look elsewhere.

Next up for United is a FA Cup encounter against League One side Sheffield United. Levy has sold twice to United before, selling them Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov but both at a premium.

Yet it seems as if the negativity over the dour football United have served up this season has not gone unnoticed by Adidas chiefs. An easier option for United would be to recall James Wilson from his loan spell with Brighton. In fact, it was his first goal since October 17.

Manchester United’s manager Louis van Gaal, left, and his assistant Ryan Giggs.

United have banked just 24 goals from 20 Premier League games, a vastly inferior haul to local rivals Manchester City (39), league leaders Arsenal (34) and even mid-table strugglers Chelsea (26).

Andre Ayew headed against a post before Sigurdsson glanced in the equaliser and with the final touch of the game, goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was only inches wide with a header from a corner that would have taken United nearly back to square one and earned a point that would have further helped caretaker-manager Alan Curtis in his efforts to keep Swansea away from the relegation zone.

Following Van Gaal’s departure, Netherlands failed to secure a place at Euro 2016. Especially since the recently unemployed Jose Mourinho was waiting in the wings.

“I am very happy for the players because they had to play under big pressure and now we have won”, he told reporters.