SAF was a big factor, but not in the way you suggest. LVG is a forceful personaity too so the explanation that refs fear one, but not the other, doesn't hold water.
SAF played a system which was tried and tested and was familar to the players. His last team, whilst not vintage did include Evra, Vidic, Carrick & RVP, when all were fit and firing - he even had Scholes and Giggs still contributing. They are some of the best players to grace to the PL in the last 10 years. LVG has lost experienced players, has nine injuries in the squad, has had to play very inexperienced young players and has tried to introduce a system of play which is completely to all but RVP. Initially, in pre-season, it looked as if the players would adapt quickly to 3-5-2, but in competitive games it is proving much harder to grasp. But nobody would abandon any plan after two weeks of the season unless they were very unsure of themselves - which LVG clearly isn't. If a regular first XI is de Gea - Evans, Jones, Rojo - Valencia/Rafael, di Maria, Carrick, Herrera, Shaw - Rooney, RVP with Mata, Januzaj, Smalling, Fletcher, Welbeck, Hernandez, Young and others in reserve, then there should be enough quality to come good. This team may not be good enough to win the title at present, as City and Chelsea are clearly stronger, but that applies to Everton too, for example, yet they are perceived to be doing fine.
