Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal reveals he could quit following Stoke defeat
- Manchester United fell to a third successive league defeat against Stoke
- Louis van Gaal's position at Manchester United is under threat
- The Dutchman has admitted he could resign rather than be sacked
- See the latest Manchester United news, scores and analysis
The downcast United manager is fighting for his job after another dreadful 2-0 defeat against Stoke and said if he is unable to get a response at Old Trafford, he will jump before he is pushed.
That is provided the club don’t take their own unilateral action in the next 24 hours and throw Ryan Giggs in to take temporary charge.
A wave goodbye? Louis van Gaal has revealed he could quit his managerial role at Manchester United
Van Gaal stayed glued to his seat in United's dugout despite his side failing to impress against Stoke
United fell to sixth after their defeat by Stoke
‘It is not always the club that has to sack me,’ said Van Gaal. ‘Sometimes I do it by myself. I am the one who wants to speak first.’
The Dutchman’s gamble of dropping captain Wayne Rooney backfired as Stoke hit two early goals through Bojan and Marko Arnautovic to complete United’s worst run since 1961.
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward wasn’t at Stoke — and Van Gaal, 64, expects to be given one final chance against Chelsea, on the understanding that he will walk if he fails again.
It is getting more difficult because I am also part of the four defeats we have, so people are looking at me and I have to deal with that,’ he said.
‘For me, it is much more important what people are saying to me in private than public, but I don’t say what [he’s been told] because it is not any of your business.
‘I can also quit by myself but that is something I speak with Ed Woodward and not with you. That is also something I don’t have to say.’
Van Gaal walked out of his press conference on Wednesday, calling for an apology from those who said he would be replaced by Jose Mourinho.
Wayne Rooney was dropped to the bench but did come on at half-time to replace Memphis Depay
Depay was hauled off at the half-time interval after a sloppy mistake gifted Bojan the opening goal
He also briefly talked about rallying the players at a Christmas lunch, but on Boxing Day he had nowhere to go after another inept performance. Asked if he would be in charge against Chelsea, he said: ‘We will have to wait and see, but I think so.’
The decision may be taken out of his hands in the next 24 hours, with midfielder Michael Carrick admitting: ‘It is a horrible run, a horrible feeling. It hurts a lot. We aren’t playing well enough as a team. It is Manchester United were are playing for and it is a privilege.’
Van Gaal said the pressure was getting to his players. ‘We didn’t dare to play football,’ he said.
‘I’ve tried to do everything but the pressure shall be every match higher and higher and we have to solve that problem.’
Bojan slides home through a desperate United defence to put Stoke in front after 19 minutes
Spanish forward Bojan peels away in celebration after his opener in Stoke's 2-0 win over Manchester United
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