Under fire… Louis van Gaal is facing calls to quit his post as United manager after a string of inept performances from his team.
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Amidst all the rumours, Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has denied any reports of him offering to resign as he thanked executive vice chairman Ed Woodward for his support on Thursday.
The Dutchman labeled the stories suggesting he had to be persuaded to stay as “awful” and “horrible” and further reiterated his desire to continue at Old Trafford.
The Derby manager Paul Clement said that United “deserved” to win the game.
Invited to divulge how we would celebrate progressing in the FA Cup, he replied: “I come back and my wife is at home, because she was in the Netherlands”.
Van Gaal insisted that he can not afford a defeat at the iPro Stadium, adding that it would be the fourth time he would be sacked. I don’t think I have to do it. I don’t think the press conference is the moment to talk for that.
“You make your own stories and I am concerned that people believe what you write”.
Van Gaal still believes it is possible to salvage United’s season and achieve the club’s minimum target, but he says his players must rediscover their self-belief if that is to happen.
“But that gives more pressure to you, because you must fulfil the expectations they have of you”. United’s style of football under Van Gaal is boring and risk-averse, and the supporters appear to have had enough.
They beat Hartlepool United 2-1 in the third round but know that the path to the next round has become a lot trickier with United visiting. A packed schedule on Saturday will also feature three all-Premier League ties, Aston Villa vs Manchester City, Crystal Palace vs Stoke City and Liverpool vs West Ham United.
“It worked well for them, and I’m not sure it’s about responsibility. They are an outstanding side and we will have to be at our very, very best on Friday”.
“I don’t think we were unlucky”, the Rams boss said.
Understandably, many punters will fancy a bet on Derby given United’s inconsistent form.
Derby County head coach Paul Clement on Louis van Gaal: “He’s one of many coaches who has spent his career at all the big clubs”.
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Derby, meanwhile, must wait for their next opportunity to end a wait for an FA Cup victory over United that stretches back to February 1897.
