Reuters
London, Dec 26: Louis van Gaal’s position in the Old Trafford hot seat looked even more precarious as Stoke City swept Manchester United aside in a comfortable 2-0 victory to kick-start a busy day of Premier League holiday action Saturday.
Goals from Stoke forwards Bojan Krkic and Marko Arnautovic punished United for a dreadful start at a blustery Britannia Stadium and although the visitors improved in the second half they could not repair the damage.
Dutchman Van Gaal has overseen a seven-match winless run in which United have been eliminated from the Champions League and fallen out of the Premier League’s top four.
Having stormed angrily out of his pre-match news conference Wednesday, Van Gaal will now face further questions about his future in charge of England’s record 20-times league champions.
United, who slipped down to sixth in the table, face Chelsea at home Monday which definitely will be a test of Van Gaal’s character.
Stoke’s opener after 19 minutes was an embarrassing moment for Dutch winger Memphis Depay, one of numerous expensive signings made by Van Gaal.
Attempting to knock the ball back to his goalkeeper David de Gea with a diving header, Memphis only succeeded in gifting the ball to Glen Johnson who crossed for Bojan to stab home.
United were stunned six minutes later when Bojan’s free-kick was blocked and Arnautovic thundered a shot past De Gea off the rebound.
England striker Wayne Rooney, left on the bench by Van Gaal in the first half, spiced up United’s attack after the break but Marouane Fellaini wasted their best chance when he shot straight at Stoke keeper Jack Butland from close range.
Depay, in the 85th minute had another look at the opposition goal, but failed to keep the ball on target. Overall, Stoke were the much better team in the middle third. They were quick to tackle and never allowed the Manchester United players to roam around in open spaces.
“We improved in the second half,” was the lame excuse that Van Gaal had to offer after the end of the game. “However, we still haven’t been able to find the pattern that I am wanting.”
The Dutchman was however, pragmatic enough to admit that his job is on the line. “Everybody wants results, which we haven’t been able to provide. Like the players, I will have to also take responsibility for that,” said Van Gaal. “But I am not thinking of going at this moment. I still feel that this team has the ability to get up from the floor and contest for the title.”