MX23RW : Wednesday, May 15 14:12:57| >> :60:2039:2039:

Paul Parker critical of "incredibly stubborn" Louis van Gaal

Ex-Manchester United full-back Paul Parker provides a damning assessment of the way that Louis van Gaal is currently managing the team.

Paul Parker has become the latest former Manchester United player to aim criticism in the direction of manager Louis van Gaal.

The Red Devils are currently third in the Premier League and just one point adrift of leaders Manchester City, but their style of play in an attacking sense has been heavily scrutinised in recent weeks.

The likes of Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Michael Owen have all expressed concerns in their respective punditry roles, while ex-captain Roy Keane has questioned the continual inclusion of skipper Wayne Rooney.

Parker, who made over 100 appearances for the club during a five-year period, has now joined the growing list of doubters, having branded Van Gaal "incredibly stubborn" and accused him of putting "the fear of God into players".

"When Louis van Gaal arrived at United, I thought he too would be flexible. But we now have a situation where there are a lot of discontented players and we have to question why they are playing badly," he wrote in his Eurosport column.

"Van Gaal puts the fear of God into players. It has to be his way. He selfishly manages the team. No-one enjoys it. He may be a successful manager, but he must learn – even at his age – to become a good man-manager.

"At the moment we have to say he's not man-managing that team. All those players he's got are not bad players, and they've not played negative football all their lives. He's being incredibly stubborn."

Ahead of their home encounter against West Ham United at the weekend, Van Gaal's men have drawn five of their last eight games in all competitions.

ID:260175: cacheID:260175:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3100:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Louis van Gaal Manager of Manchester United looks on prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and West Bromwich Albion at Old Trafford on November 7, 2015 in Manchester, England.
Read Next:
Meulensteen: 'Man Utd are rigid under Van Gaal'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City37277393336088
2Arsenal37275589286186
3Liverpool372310484414379
4Aston Villa37208976562068
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs371961271611063
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle361761379572257
7Chelsea361691173611257
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd36166145256-454
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton361212125458-448
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!