Louis van Gaal has been sacked as Manchester United manager. But where did it all go wrong for the Dutchman? From transfers to tactics, we examine the key issues that led to his tenure as Manchester United boss being cut short… Van Gaal sacked by United Louis van Gaal has been sacked as manager of Man Utd Transfers Angel di Maria lasted barely a year under Louis van Gaal United ploughed staggering sums into recruitment after Van Gaals appointment, with more than a dozen major signings arriving at a combined cost of over £250m.Such huge investment demanded a reassessment of expectations at Old Trafford after a woeful 2013/14 under David Moyes, but Van Gaal was unable to fit the expensively-assembled parts together.Indeed, of the 13 players acquired under Van Gaal, only Luke Shaw (when fit) and Anthony Martial became guaranteed starters, with the likes of Ander Herrera, Morgan Schneiderlin, Marcos Rojo and Memphis Depay all in and out of the team despite their hefty fees. Did Man Utd progress under LVG? How much of an improvement did Louis van Gaal make at Man Utd after taking over from David Moyes? Van Gaals failure to get the best out of record signing Angel Di Maria was particularly damning. United made a £15.4m loss on the Argentinian when he joined Paris Saint-Germain just a year after his £59.7m arrival from Real Madrid, and he is not the only departed star who is now shining away from Old Trafford.Uniteds struggles in attack have been compounded by Javier Hernandezs remarkable success at Bayer Leverkusen, where he has scored 26 goals in 40 appearances, while the departures of Darren Fletcher, Jonny Evans, Patrice Evra, Rafael, Danny Welbeck, James Wilson and Nani have also led to a lack of depth in key areas.Use of Rooney Wayne Rooney had his worst scoring season with Man Utd in 2015/16 Wayne Rooney scored in his final Premier League game under Louis van Gaal, but the Manchester United captains worst-ever goal return for the club in 2015/16 was a significant factor in the teams struggles.Despite Rooney scoring just two league goals before the turn of the year, Van Gaal continued to pick his leader as a striker and used big-money summer signing Anthony Martial out wide.They wanted a guy who scored goals, said Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry. They wanted a guy to run in behind fast. [Martial] came in and did that. Suddenly now he finds himself out there, almost not touching the ball.If I had a player like that, he would be my No 9 and the rest are around him.With Rooney so obviously struggling, Henry was not alone in that opinion. Van Gaals reign in quotes We look back at Louis van Gaals time with Man Utd in his own quotes Injuries to Rooney and Martial eventually led to 18-year-old Marcus Rashford seizing his first-team chance.While his promotion from the youth team again pushed Martial wide when he returned to fitness, the academy graduate gave United the cutting edge they had lacked, scoring eight goals in 18 appearances. Still keen to accommodate Rooney in his starting XI, Van Gaal moved the 30-year-old into midfield, where he has shone.United went on to take 10 points from 15 available with Rooney in that position, as well as winning the FA Cup. Van Gaal may regret not altering Rooneys role earlier.Team selection Ashley Young was used in a variety of positions by Van Gaal Van Gaals persistence with Rooney was one of many contentious decisions when it came to team selection. His line-ups were maddeningly inconsistent and it was often difficult to see the logic behind Van Gaals choices.The Dutchman appeared to be unsure of his strongest team right up until the end. Juan Mata and Martial were routinely played out of position, while others, such as Herrera and Schneiderlin, were left on the bench or frozen out entirely. Man Utds 33 players Man Utd used 33 different players in the Premier League in 2015/16 - only Liverpool (34) used more. In their vital Champions League clash with Wolfsburg, rookie teenager Cameron Borthwick-Jackson was thrown on at left-back ahead of Ashley Young, one of Van Gaals best players last season. And with his inexperienced side chasing goals that night, his answer was to introduce Nick Powell - who had not featured at all since August last year.Young himself was used as a left-back, left winger, right-back, right winger and striker in 2015/16.Van Gaals treatment of Adnan Januzaj was another oddity. Despite starting four consecutive games for United in August, the 20-year-old was allowed to leave the club on a season-long loan to Borussia Dortmund just before the closure of the transfer window. Following his early return in January, was limited to just a handful of brief substitute appearances.Style of play Manchester United recorded their lowest Premier League goal haul at Old Trafford in 2015/16 Uniteds turgid playing style under Van Gaal was a major issue for supporters, who made their frustration clear with frequent chants of attack, attack, attack at Old Trafford.The Dutchmans devotion to control means they have averaged the most possession in the Premier League, but United have set a new club record for the fewest goals scored in a Premier League season after netting just 49 times in 2015/16. Only Watford, Aston Villa and West Brom created fewer chances. Man Utds lack of goals Manchester United scored just 49 times in the Premier League this season - their lowest ever total in the competition. The home form has been particularly poor, with United scoring fewer Premier League goals than ever before. Their goalless draw against City in October was the first time since 2003/04 that they hadnt had a shot on target in the first half of a Premier League game and, at West Ham in May - in a game they realistically had to win to finish in the top four - United managed just two shots on target in 90 minutes.The unimaginative, static performances are tough to take for supporters who became used to the verve and attacking adventure that defined Sir Alex Fergusons tenure.Having spent over a quarter of a billion pounds on new players, the least they could have expected from Van Gaal was entertainment. Manchester United fans give their views on Louis van Gaals claims that their expectations are too high Talk of transitionVan Gaal did not help the situation with some of his comments in press conferences and interviews, particularly when he referred to Uniteds glory days being behind them. They say a club like Manchester United has to win. Thats the past, he said in December.After the final game of the Premier League season confirmed their fifth-place finish, Van Gaal had a message for the United fans who had booed him: They are expecting a lot but I think these expectations are much too high, and we are a team in transition. Danny Higginbotham says Manchester United had no choice but to sack Louis van Gaal After the shock of Fergusons retirement led to Uniteds worst Premier League season, Van Gaal stated when he arrived that it would be a slow rebuilding process. But, two years on, after winning just two more points than Moyes and Ryan Giggs did in 2012/13, the patience of supporters was wearing thin.After so much expenditure in the transfer market, United should have been performing better - and their manager should have been aiming higher. Look back at Van Gaals best quotes and most bizarre moments Sky Sports Audio Listen to the latest Man Utd news, reaction and big-name opinion, with Sky Sports Audio Also See: Jose will be rock and roll Van Gaals reign in quotes Redknapp: Right time for change Rooney: Weve underperformed Jack Butland Jersey . Ouellette, from Montreal, already has three Olympic gold medals since joining the team in 1999. Nick Pope Jersey . The next step is a better finish. Bae played bogey-free Friday on another gorgeous day at Riviera for a 5-under 66, giving him a one-shot lead over Aaron Baddeley and Robert Garrigus going into the weekend. http://www.englandsoccerpro.com/Jordan-Pickford-England-Jersey/ . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. Gary Cahill England Jersey . After a replay, the winner will meet Sunderland in the quarterfinals. Sagbo did well to control Sone Alukos right cross and fire past Brighton goalkeeper Peter Brezovan. Aluko was making his first start in four months after recovering from an Achilles injury. Custom England Soccer Jerseys . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. Pressure is mounting on Columbus Crew SC and a 1-1 tie on Wednesday against Toronto FC added to the urgency.Columbus (3-7-8) is at the bottom of the league standings and five points from the Eastern Conference playoffs after reaching the MLS Cup last season. The Crew are 0-3-3 in the past six games and have one win in 11 games.Its next chance for a turnaround is Saturday when D.C. United comes to Mapfre Stadium in the middle of a three-game homestand. The match and the July 23 game against Orlando FC are vital because Crew SC finishes with eight of 14 on the road, where it is winless in nine games.We think were a better team than where we are right now, but the table doesnt lie, Crew SC coach Gregg Berhalter said. It really doesnt.D.C. (5-7-6) is one point out of the playoffs and fortified its injurry-depleted offense when it acquired midfielder Lloyd Sam on July 7 from the New York Red Bulls.dddddddddddd He has 20 goals and 22 assists in 106 games and could make his United debut against the Crew.Hes another attacking piece, another guy who understands when to go, attack, D.C. coach Ben Olsen said. Hes got a final ball, everything we want in that position.D.C. last played in a 3-0 loss to Philadelphia on July 9 to end a three-game unbeaten streak and so it will be the fresher team.Without a midweek game, maybe they come out and press us a little bit, but normally they get compact, make it difficult, and play on the counterattack, Crew captain Michael Parkhurst said. ' ' '