Van Gaal reverted to type in the Midlands- with predictably negative results (2/2)

Matteo Darmian's crossing was so bad he must have been practising with Antonio Valencia.
Varela has bombed on from full-back and claimed two assists of late, and typifies the 'too open' 'too risky' football that LVG despises so much.

Blunting United at full-back encouraged Albion to play more adventurously and Rondon's winner came via the surging run of Sebastien Pocognoli at left-back.

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial's positioning was a dilemma after they switched roles against Watford but relegating the in-form Memphis back to the bench was another example of Van Gaal killing a player's confidence.

The winger completed one pass in 20 minutes- United's forwards have so often struggled to flourish under LVG because he needlessly changes their roles so often.

Van Gaal tried to justify Memphis exclusion for Jesse Lingard at the Hawthorns due to the latter's suspension at Anfield on Thursday- a remarkably short-sighted decision when City are three points clear with a game in hand.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah provides a pacy presence on the flank, presumably the reason behind his introduction- only he did not have a target man to aim at.

Marouane Fellaini's aerial prowess and long balls would have been acceptable given the circumstances and would have posed an unpredictable problem for the home side's organised and well-drilled two banks of four. 

Van Gaal preaches the importance of rotation and recovery even though he began the season with a slender squad.

If United had started the players integral to the recent run, we would have had a better chance of winning the game early, which would then have allowed the boss to withdraw the tired players.

Common sense is too common for Van Gaal: his thought process is too muddled for his own good.

Poor tactics, baffling selections and confusing decisions: it was a familiar tale of woe for Van Gaal, whom will now surely begin to feel the pressure again which had been allayed- if not totally evaporated- during the recent run. 

The television cameras honed in on Sir Alex at full-time, who is possibly more vexed about the renewed clamour for Jose Mourinho than he is at United's troubles since his retirement.

It's hard to imagine United's current fluctuating fortunes extending under the stewardship of the enigmatic Portuguese.