United suffered their sixth defeat of the season but it was an all-too-familiar story as the players laboured in attack, intensifying the pressure on the Dutchman's tactics

The reaction to Southampton’s winning goal said it all. Fans flooded out of Old Trafford, with most around the press box shouting vociferously at the need for the media to express just how bad Manchester United had played. 

In a season of horrific, turgid performances, the 1-0 defeat on Saturday was undoubtedly the worst yet.

Louis van Gaal has admitted previously that even he has been bored at times by his side’s play this term, and there can be no disguising how stunted, lifeless and downright awful United’s performance was against a Saints team who did what so many have done at Old Trafford by keeping things tight and exploiting the home side at the back.

The Dutchman’s walk to the tunnel at full-time was greeted with waves goodbye and the thumbs-down signal typical of olden-day Roman arenas. There was nothing gladiatorial about United’s performance today, and the fact that it has become typical cannot be overlooked.