Another test for underfire LVG
MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal (right) remains in office after the most testing fortnight of his 18-month tenure, but he is not secure in his job just yet.
Van Gaal appeared to be in serious danger of being sacked following a run of four successive defeats, culminating in a feeble performance as his team were beaten 2-0 at Stoke City on Boxing Day. However, there was greater encouragement two days later, even though a 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea extended United’s run without a victory to eight matches in all competitions ahead of Saturday’s visit of Swansea City.
Van Gaal’s side produced a much livelier attacking display against Chelsea than has been the norm this season, creating several chances and seeing both Juan Mata and Anthony Martial strike the frame of the goal.
UNDER THREAT
Van Gaal has acknowledged during his team’s poor recent run that his position has been under threat, but he says that pressure is simply part of the job for manager and players alike.
“You have to show it for 90 minutes against the resistance of the opponent and also under the pressure of the environment and the pressure you put yourself under,” said Van Gaal, who has lost all three of his previous games against Swansea by the same 2-1 scoreline. “And you have to cope with that.”
Van Gaal has rediscovered some of his famous bullishness, but United need to start finding victories quickly, having slipped nine points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal with half of the season played.
Against Chelsea, United survived a couple of scares to regain the defensive solidity that has served them so well at Old Trafford this season. Van Gaal’s side have conceded only three league goals at home so far and no other team in the division can boast a better record than that.
The Dutchman has been helped in that respect by the fact that he is once again able to field a reasonably strong defence following a
raft of injury problems, with full back Matteo Darmian returning to the team against Chelsea on Monday after almost three weeks out with a hamstring injury.
Luke Shaw remains a long term absentee with a broken leg, though, and fellow full back Antonio Valencia is still recovering from an ankle injury although there are hopes that Marcos Rojo’s dislocated shoul der will not keep him out for too much longer.