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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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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


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