Manchester United vs Chelsea FC - Louis van Gaal acknowledges increased pressure

Posted Sunday, December 27, 2015 by PA

Louis van Gaal insists he can deal with the scrutiny he will come under following his latest defeat as Manchester United manager.

Van Gaal is under mounting pressure after United lost four games in a row for the first time in a single season since 1961.

Their latest reverse came at the Britannia Stadium, where Stoke eased to a 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Bojan Krkic and Marko Arnautovic.

Speculation swirled around Old Trafford earlier this week that Van Gaal was about to be sacked and replaced by Jose Mourinho.

More rumour and debate about Van Gaal's position will come in the next couple of days, particularly if United lose to Chelsea on Monday, but the embattled Dutchman has his iron shield up and is ready for what comes his way.

"The scrutiny is all right for me, I am used to that," the United manager said.

Van Gaal concedes it will be tough lifting his players for Monday's game against champions Chelsea.

"That is now the big issue," Van Gaal added.

"I try to do everything but every match the pressure shall be higher and higher and we have to solve that problem."

Van Gaal dropped captain Wayne Rooney for the clash against Stoke so he could be in-line for a recall while midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger returns from suspension and defender Matteo Darmian has a chance of making his return from a hamstring injury.

Jesse Lingard (hamstring), Marcos Rojo (shoulder), Antonio Valencia (foot) and Luke Shaw (leg) are all out.

Memphis Depay set the ball rolling for Stoke when he failed to execute the simplest of headed backpasses in the 19th minute, allowing Glen Johnson to square the ball to Bojan for the opener.

United spent B£31million to recruit the talented forward from PSV Eindhoven in the summer when he was already a member of Guus Hiddink's Holland national team - but like so many in a United shirt this season he has struggled to make an impression.

Hiddink, who has since begun his second reign as Chelsea's interim manager, may not even see Depay play on Monday.

Depay was substituted at half-time on Boxing Day - but Hiddink has defended the forward's "talent", and says the solution to improving his form comes in patience and with the assistance of United's more senior players.

"He's a very young guy," said Hiddink, who oversaw a 2-2 draw with Watford in his first game back at Stamford Bridge. "When he was in Holland he was one of the star players, at a very young age.

"There is a lack of star players in Holland who are playing already many years in their league so at a young age he was bombarded as one of the big talents.

"He has this talent but he's also now having a confrontation with the demands of the Premier League, which are much higher in intensity of the game during 90 minutes.

"That's a period all players, not just him, have to overcome, and I think they need time for that.

"He has this talent, but he's also giving interviews saying 'hey, I have to get used to another way of playing, the intensity of the games every three days, plus the intensity of the game'. Those guys, they need a bit the cover of experienced players."

An improved performance and two goals from the previously-disappointing Diego Costa against Watford will have encouraged Hiddink - but the striker collected a fifth yellow card which means he will be suspended from Monday's fixture, likely presenting a rare opportunity for Loic Remy.

"It's a setback because (Costa's) now increasing his performance," Hiddink said. "I can complain a lot...but that's not my nature, we have to go on and find a solution as soon as possible, but it's a setback.

"This league is a very intense league. The teams who are, even in December, competing for being in the first four, like Leicester, Crystal Palace, and Watford, it's not just by surprise, because they're well-organised, they have skilful players - and then you can be beaten also by them.

"United were first, second, and they're now in a difficult period - but they have to react for themselves.

"We go there and it will be difficult, but we go with hope. I hope this team will show in every game the ambition they showed (against Watford) in going for a win anywhere."