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Michael Owen: 'Manchester United not functioning as a team'

Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen believes that the team is not functioning under the guidance of new coach Louis van Gaal.

Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen has said that the Red Devils are not functioning as a team under Louis van Gaal.

The Dutch coach has recently come under some criticism for deploying a supposedly negative 5-3-2 formation, while players such as Robin van Persie have also faced calls to contribute more for the Old Trafford outfit.

"I don't think any of the strikers are performing. Robin van Persie has gone quiet, he's scored the odd goal, but he's not the player he was over the past few years," Owen told BT Sport.

"I don't necessarily blame the strikers as Manchester United aren't creating loads and loads of chances. They are not functioning as a team and if you don't function as a team, and your strikers and midfielders aren't working hard then you'll concede goals – it's not just about the defence.

"If you're not playing well throughout the team, you won't score enough goals as the strikers aren't getting enough chances."

United currently hold fourth position in the Premier League table, having seemingly started to recover from a lacklustre beginning to the season.

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2Liverpool33007079
3Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton32106247
4Arsenal32105147
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle32104227
6Brentford32015416
7Aston Villa32014406
8Bournemouth31205415
9Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest31203215
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs31116334
11Chelsea31117524
12Fulham31113304
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham310245-13
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd310225-33
15Leicester CityLeicester301235-21
16Crystal Palace301225-31
17Ipswich TownIpswich301227-51
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves301239-61
19Southampton300315-40
20Everton3003210-80


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