According to certain well known sources from the Manchester United camp, it is to be believed that Louis Van Gaal had the matches against Stoke City and Chelsea to save his job. However, for LVG, the first opportunity to prove his critics wrong was a disaster.
There is something about Stoke City that makes them raise their levels against the Premier League elite. Victories against Chelsea and Manchester City proved that a visit to the Britannia Stadium is definitely one of the most difficult fixtures for any Premier League team. However, in the game between United and Stoke, in the first half it felt like there was only team out there to win the game.
The Stoke City players, with Arnautovic and Bojan in particular, looked more lively and threatening than any other United player. The first goal arrived through a moment of sloppiness from Depay, which allowed Johnson to provide an assist for the in form Bojan. The second one was a one to remember with a brilliant strike from Arnautovic, putting the ball past the hapless De Gea. Stoke City, in fact, could have scored more in the first half with Arnautovic getting behind the defence on a couple of occasions.
In the second half, LVG brought in Rooney for the ineffective Depay to add bit more bite to the United attack. United did look more threatening in the early part of that second half and it begged the question of why didn't they show this urgency in the first. Rooney looked slightly sharper but it would not be an exaggeration to state that he was more of a pain to referee Kevin Friend than the Stoke defence.
The Red Devils, however, faded away towards the end of the second half with the only good chance coming Fellaini's way. Rooney did well to put the ball in the box but the Belgian's strike was well saved by Stoke's in form goalkeeper Jack Butland. It turned out to be a comfortable win for the Potters in the end.
The United attack looked blunt and predictable. LVG certainly looked disappointed at the end of the game and the United manager did not sound confident when asked about his future. Their next game is against Chelsea, who are struggling themselves, and a defeat against the champions at Old Trafford would be unfathomable even for the otherwise patient United management.
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| Louis van Gaal hints he may quit after Manchester United's loss to Stoke City |
The Stoke City players, with Arnautovic and Bojan in particular, looked more lively and threatening than any other United player. The first goal arrived through a moment of sloppiness from Depay, which allowed Johnson to provide an assist for the in form Bojan. The second one was a one to remember with a brilliant strike from Arnautovic, putting the ball past the hapless De Gea. Stoke City, in fact, could have scored more in the first half with Arnautovic getting behind the defence on a couple of occasions.
In the second half, LVG brought in Rooney for the ineffective Depay to add bit more bite to the United attack. United did look more threatening in the early part of that second half and it begged the question of why didn't they show this urgency in the first. Rooney looked slightly sharper but it would not be an exaggeration to state that he was more of a pain to referee Kevin Friend than the Stoke defence.
The Red Devils, however, faded away towards the end of the second half with the only good chance coming Fellaini's way. Rooney did well to put the ball in the box but the Belgian's strike was well saved by Stoke's in form goalkeeper Jack Butland. It turned out to be a comfortable win for the Potters in the end.
The United attack looked blunt and predictable. LVG certainly looked disappointed at the end of the game and the United manager did not sound confident when asked about his future. Their next game is against Chelsea, who are struggling themselves, and a defeat against the champions at Old Trafford would be unfathomable even for the otherwise patient United management.
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