Yesterday’s 2-0 loss to Stoke City was a seventh game without victory for the Red Devils, and increased the pressure on the Dutchman amid rumours that he could be sacked, as The Mirror reports.
Advertisement
Arsène Wenger denies that pressure of going top was behind Arsenal defeat
Ronald Koeman’s side returned to winning ways on Boxing Day when they destroyed title challengers Arsenal 4-0 at St. Arsene Wenger: “We are in a job where you have to respond”.
United’s 2-0 defeat at Stoke City on Saturday was their fourth loss in succession – the club’s worst run within a season since 1961 – and reduced Van Gaal to a dead man walking in the eyes of the British media.
‘Star Wars’-Themed Disneyland Expansion Begins
He noted that attendance increased during an expansion of Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom in Florida from 2011 to 2014. On Saturday, The Los Angeles Times reported that Disneyland will shutter 10 attractions and restaurants in January.
Having made a promising start to the season, United are now out of the Champions League and have dropped to sixth in the Premier League, nine points behind leaders Leicester.
Ramadi: Iraqi forces surround Islamic State stronghold
After Ramadi , the army plans to move to retake the northern city of Mosul, the biggest population centre under IS control in Iraq and Syria.
On whether he has doubts over his capability in leading United out of the fall, the Dutchman said: “That is now the big issue, I have tried to do everything but the pressure shall be higher and higher with every match. I am the one who wants to speak first with the board of Manchester United and my staff and players and not with you”.
On the possibility of Manchester United sacking him, Van Gaal told the BBC: “That is something I discuss with [executive vice-chairman] Ed Woodward not you”.
“I have received that (support) all the time but we have lost today so there is a new situation”, he said.
“We have to start after our bus trip [home], and we have to prepare also for the game”.
“Of course, Stoke played really well, but I think we have to look at ourselves and make sure we do better”.
Van Gaal stormed out of his pre-match press conference in Manchester on Wednesday due to the speculation about his position, but he dismissed the suggestion that the pressure was getting to him. “That is what I have analysed”, said Van Gaal, whose side’s next game is at home to Chelsea on Monday. Stoke did their damage in the first half scoring two goals in the first 26 minutes of the match. “Against the elite teams in the league you have to be courageous and go toe-to-toe and we showed that once again”.
“But when Wayne Rooney doesn’t play for Manchester United, it’s a surprise”.
“My worry for United is that whoever comes in they’ve got a squad lacking athleticism”, said the former Liverpool and Fulham midfielder.
Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola are being strongly linked with the job, but Match of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy threw their weight behind Giggs replacing van Gaal. “I’m sure there will be many meetings going on”.
The United vice-captain added: “We haven’t won games and it is fair enough if people criticise things that have gone wrong on the pitch”.
Advertisement
“It’s very hard, just straight away refocus and lift”, he said.
