The words philosophy and process have become common now in Manchester. At Manchester United, just winning isn’t good enough, it’s the way the team performs. Van Gaal himself says that he loves the way his team performs more than winning. Yet, United look laboured game after game. His team dominates possession game after game, but they don’t do anything constructive with it. His formula of three at the back doesn’t work as well with United because none of the centre-backs are particularly good with the ball at their feet like Danny Blind was for him at Ajax.

The one defender who is good with the ball at his feet, Daley Blind, isn’t a defender at all. He says he likes technical players and those with individual ability, yet the United players don’t seem to be able to play with freedom.

Here are three players who would fit well into his philosophy:

Thomas Muller

A very versatile player, Muller was handed his Bayern Munich debut by Van Gaal. He can play as an attacking mid-fielder, out on the right or even up top. At United, the squad put out is imbalanced most games with Mata playing out right and Fellaini playing defensive midfield. Muller also understands what Van Gaal wants and is one of the brightest young players in the world at the moment. He would definitely be a good fit for the type of football Van Gaal is trying to get his players to play.