Next for the chop? Unrest pushes Louis van Gaal to the brink at Manchester United
Victory at Stoke City on Saturday or at home to Chelsea next Monday crucial to the Dutchman’s survival
Just days after Jose Mourinho’s abrupt departure from Chelsea, Louis van Gaal is teetering on the brink of becoming the next high-profile victim of the Premier League sack race.
The pressure is mounting on the embattled Manchester United manager, who was hunkered down at United’s Carrington training base on Monday amid speculation he will be axed if his side lose either of their next two matches at Stoke City on Saturday or at home against Chelsea next Monday.
The 64-year-old cut a forlorn figure in the aftermath of Saturday’s shock 2-1 defeat against Norwich City and his downbeat mood was instructive given the reports of dressing room unrest and boardroom doubts that have emerged since.
We all feel frustrated, same as last week, and we need to win a game as quickly as possible because it will change our mood and give us confidence
Elimination from the Champions League group stage foreshadowed a chilling December for Van Gaal and subsequent losses against strugglers Bournemouth and Norwich, which knocked United out of the Premier League’s top four and left them nine points behind leaders Leicester City, were even more damaging.
Until now, Van Gaal has haughtily dismissed any criticism from fans and the media, but United’s tame capitulation against Norwich left them without a win in their last six matches in all competitions and even the aloof Dutchman couldn’t hide signs of strain as he talked in hushed tones about his predicament.
Being lambasted by a host of United greats and jeered by disgruntled supporters, a section of whom chanted for Mourinho to replace Van Gaal at the weekend, has worn him down.
And while publicly United’s players have insisted Van Gaal retains their support, as with Mourinho’s sacking last week, the truth is somewhat different.
