'Manchester United play disgusting football' - former winger Kanchelskis slams Louis van Gaal

Don't look now: United's style of play has once more been criticised
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James Benge3 November 2015

Manchester United are playing “disgusting” football under Louis van Gaal, according to the club’s former winger Andrei Kanchelskis.

United have drawn heavy criticism in recent weeks for a style of play that has left them without a goal in their last three matches. Van Gaal’s side have had more possession than any other team in the top flight but have averaged a goal per game fewer than rivals Manchester City.

Kanchelskis watched United in their 1-1 draw against CSKA Moscow last month, when an Anthony Martial header saved a point for the visitors, and was not impressed by what he saw, and in particular by the performance of one United star.

“I was at the stadium and I was surprised how disgustingly United played in the first half,” he told Sport Express. “A lot of ball control but no sharpness at all.

“In the second half it got better because of the substitution of Bastian Schweinsteiger, who was slowing the game down. I guess, Manchester United is not his team.

“It’s in the history and tradition of Man United to play wide and be sharp at the flanks but there is nothing like this now.”

The 46-year-old, who won two Premier League titles and an FA Cup under Sir Alex Ferguson between 1991 and 1995, believes the insipid style at Old Trafford is the responsibility of the current manager, who has failed to follow the brand of football of his predecessors.

Player Ratings: CSKA vs Manchester United

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“Van Gaal is too pragmatic, his footballers play like robots.

“They are kept within a strict framework, they are not allowed to improvise, contrary to what Ferguson allowed us to do.

"Bastian Schweinsteiger... was slowing the game down. I guess, Manchester United is not his team."

&#13; <p>Andrei Kanchelskis</p>&#13;

“Van Gaal, of course, is a good coach but, in my opinion, he is not for Manchester United. I’m looking at his game for the second season now. There is an impression that he doesn’t know what he wants. No creative players, no wingers. Nobody could serve Wayne Rooney.”

United tonight welcome CSKA Moscow to Manchester for the fourth match of their Group B campaign. Both sides are locked on four points halfway through the campaign, trailing Wolfsburg by two.

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