Stoke’s Marko Arnautovic celebrates after scoring Stoke’s second goal against Manchester United during the English Premier League soccer match between Stoke City and Manchester United at the Britannia Stadium, Stoke on Trent, England, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015.
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In a Sky Sports interview, Van Gaal was asked if he still thought he was the man to turn around United’s season.
“It’s hard because I am part of the four matches that we lost so people are looking at me”.
“My message [in the media conference] was that the media are writing things that does not conform with what is happening with Manchester United”.
The Dutchman told the BBC: “I have received it [backing of club] all the time, but we have lost today so there is a new situation”. They were leapfrogged in the Premier League table by Crystal Palace this weekend.
Van Gaal said his players had not performed in the first half.
But if United slip to another defeat, van Gaal is expected to leave of his own accord, after becoming disillusioned with his own players, and the pressure and criticism from the British press. The team is led by the former Manchester United forward Mark Hughes.
“We were better in the second half but then we didn’t have anything to lose”. “Sometimes I do that by myself”, the Dutch head coach said after Saturday’s loss.
According to the sun, United might soon get to the point that they have to relieve Van Gaal of his duties as Jose Mourinho has agreed to replace him at the club (Manchester United).
But in the time in between, you have to recover because the players have given everything and then you have to manage that you are very confident to start the game, and that you dare to play our football – our football!
He also dropped captain Wayne Rooney – a big call despite the striker’s loss of form – but brought him on at half-time with his team 2-0 down for the woeful Memphis Depay.
Van Gaal said after the match that his players were too scared of playing their best football, which is a startling admission given that this was hardly a Champions League final against Barcelona.
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“You always worry when you miss chances to make it 3-0, but we were reasonably comfortable”.
