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Rooney left out of crunch match for Van Gaal and United
Mark Hughes’ side move on to 26 points with the win, while United remain on 29 points and are in a monumental rut having now lost four games in a row in all competitions for the first time in a season since 1961. “No”, he said. “Because for me it’s much more important that people are saying that to me”.
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The biggest indictment of the malaise afflicting England’s biggest club was Van Gaal’s belief that his expensively-assembled team “did not dare to play football in the first half”.
But it was marginal, and by then United were already 2-0 down after Stoke had capitalised on mistakes from Memphis Depay and Ashley Young.
Asked whether he had the support of the board, Van Gaal snapped back: “What they have said I don’t have to say to you because it’s not any of your business”.
United have slipped to sixth in the Premier League after three consecutive defeats – the second such sequence under Van Gaal – and were knocked out of the Champions League after a 3-2 loss at Wolfsburg earlier this month.
“I have received [the club’s backing] all the time but we have lost so there is a new situation”. I have tried to do everything but the pressure shall be higher and higher with every match. “That was my message and not that I am hurt, because I am used to that”.
Wayne Rooney was forced to start a league game on the bench for the first time in two years and United only provided a greater threat with its captain on the field in the second half.
Fellaini denied by Butland Van Gaal was rooted to his dug-out seat throughout the 90 minutes and looked a shell-shocked figure as he walked away at the final whistle, pausing briefly to wave to the travelling supporters.
“We have lost a fourth game, so we have to wait and see”, he said.
Leicester topped the Christmas standings, a year after being rooted to the bottom, but they were not at their best against a Liverpool side who had gone four matches without a win. “The best way to come out of this period and improve is for us all to stick together”, he said. Stoke fans mocked Van Gaal – one wearing a Mourinho mask carried a mock “P45” banner indicating that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach would be fired in the morning.
They continued to look the more threatening going forward, with David de Gea making crucial saves to prevent both Arnautovic and Bojan getting on the scoresheet again.
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The pressure is mounting on the United manager but Carrick says the entire squad must take responsibility for their dismal form.