Once the kings of Europe. Once the most feared team in England. Once had a fortress for a stadium. Once the most explosive offense in the world. Once the top team in the land. But now, they can’t even make it out of the group stage of the Champions League. They’ve lost their fear factor. Their stadium is seemingly just another venue. They are no longer the top team in the land. What happened to the good old days? What happened to Manchester United?

The simple reason one may say is that they’re coping with the loss of a loved one. They’ve lost someone dear to them, but not to death, but to retirement. Three years ago, a living legend retired from his position of manager of Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson left United on top, winning the English Premier League and riding off into the sunset as possibly the greatest manager in the history of the game, even getting a stand in the stadium, Old Trafford, named after him. After winning countless trophies for United, he left with a legacy, leaving a heavy burden for his replacement to take up. Manchester United would go onto hire former Everton manager David Moyes, who would be fired before the end of his first season, which saw United take a mediocre seventh place.

So, United needed a new man to lead the charge, and they turned to none other than Netherlands national team manager Louis van Gaal, who lead them to an impressive third place finish at the 2014 World Cup. At first, it seemed like a match made in Heaven. United made many high caliber signings and qualified for the Champions League again with a fourth place finish.

Now, fast forward to this season. United supporters are calling for van Gaal’s head on a platter. Why is this? United has lost many matches to low quality opponents, including Midtjylland, Sunderland, Southampton, Stoke City, Norwich, Bournemouth and many others. They are currently sitting at a very unimpressive fifth place, six points out of fourth place holder Manchester City. The poor form isn’t the only thing that fans are calling for van Gaal’s job, it comes to much more than that, and the fans are right, it’s time for Manchester United to part ways with the Dutchman.

It’s boring to watch. The Manchester United of old is no more. No more flare to the former giant. The worst part about it is the fact that van Gaal isn’t bothered by the boring play. In fact, it’s his philosophy. It is said that Sir Alex would grow furious with the players if they were boring him. It’s just not the same under Louis van Gaal.

Also, van Gaal himself has admitted that the fear factor of playing against Manchester United has vanished into thin air. How can a team that has won 20 Premier League titles, 11 Football Association Cups, three Champions Leagues and a FIFA Club World Cup lose their fear factor? The answer is simple: poor management and poor coaching. The team that was once one of the most feared teams on the planet is now just another team, just like Tottenham or Southampton.

Also, one of the most feared, treasured venues in all of the world, Old Trafford, has gone from a fortress where it almost impossible to beat or even tie Manchester United to just another venue where any team feels that they can steal a win or a draw. This season, United has lost three times at home in all competitions and have drawn five times in what used to a fortress that United rarely even tied. This is not only at the fault of van Gaal, but also to David Moyes, who also dropped matches on the homefront.

For a team that used to be renowned as world class, this should be unacceptable. For a team that used to be feared, this should be appalling. For a team that used to be the best, this should be sickening. The fact that Louis van Gaal is still with Manchester United is not only a shock, but it is absolutely unacceptable if United ever want to be back on top.