Manchester United knocked out of Champions League

Louis van Gaal’s odds on being the next Premier League manager to leave his position have tumbled dramatically following a nightmare week for Manchester United.

Manchester United have suffered a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League this evening.

And Cherries striker Josh King, who used to play for United, then gave Eddie Howe’s team all three points after the visitors were once again caught out from a corner nine minutes after half-time, much to Van Gaal’s frustration.

Those difficulties – and the criticism that has followed in their wake – have not been enough to dent Van Gaal’s self-confidence.

United have now gone five Barclays Premier League games without a victory, their worst run in a single season since 1998/99 – where Sir Alex Ferguson ended up leading them to the “Treble” of league title, FA Cup and Champions League crown.

“Next year, all the clubs in the Premier League have a bigger budget than most in Europe”.

“After Manchester United’s embarrassment in the Champions League, let’s spell out the only road to redemption for Louis van Gaal – if he does not win the title this season, he might as well pack his bags”, Savage wrote.

They are fourth in the standings, three points behind leaders Manchester City.

“They should take the Europa League seriously; it is a good tournament to win. It is a trophy and all fans love trophies”.

“Bournemouth benefit a lot in the corners and free-kicks and we have seen that, but still they scored twice”.

“Within two days we have to beat Bournemouth”. But nobody hears that – they don’t want to hear me. Or do you think Manchester will get back to winning?

“I had the feeling we could win here but the second set-play they scored again and then it is very hard to equalise because Bournemouth is fighting together and pressing always so it is hard to create chances”.

‘Of course I am concerned because this is not usual for United.

“In the first half we dominated, in the second we didn’t any more”. “When I see that my players want to do everything that we ask, that is the most important thing, the cohesion between the manager the staff and the players”.

And the loss of forward Jesse Lingard midway through the first half only added to the manager’s concerns. I don’t think it is because of (injuries) that we lost.

“He showed real strength to keep his emotions in check, and I’ve got to say his team-mates rallied around him really well. Now we have a week to recover – we have played too many games with 13 or 14 players”.