Wayne Rooney: Man Utd striker could return against Norwich

Van Gaal is conscious that, while he retains the backing of the club’s executives, all managers live or die by results.

“I think Norwich are a hard team to play against, like every team in the Premier League”.

“We’ve not got as many points as we’d like, but you can climb a few positions in the table by putting a run together”.

Meanwhile, Van Gaal has expressed his surprise at Jose Mourinho being sacked by Chelsea. “A fantastic manager with a record that nobody has but it is still possible”.

David Moyes was eventually selected to succeed Ferguson, but lasted just nine months, as the United hierarchy was said to be concerned that Mourinho is too hard to control. The main thing is always the results.

With the lack of success as of late, I expect Van Gaal to be in favor of experience in his lineup whenever given the opportunity.

“It’s odd with Van Gaal, with his credentials and what he’s done in the past”. “It’s like that, managers know in advance, it’s this world”. Also Jose knows that.

Despite his side’s uneven form, van Gaal maintained team spirit is strong. “I think [protecting] my honour is much more of a pressure for me than the pressure of the media and the fans”.

Since Norwich City is also in a bad series (their last win came on 7 November against Swansea) they might be just the right opponent for struggling Manchester United who is yet to be beaten in their seven home league matches.

If United are to win against Norwich, skipper Wayne Rooney could be key. Plus, Wayne Rooney, who has missed three games with an ankle injury, is expected to return to Man U’s lineup, which will be a big help.

And in an interview with MUTV that appeared on United’s website later in the day, De Gea said: “When you’re going through tough times, that’s when you become a very close unit and that is what we are”.

Van Gaal is clear of the need of a win over Norwich.

“No, the pressure when I started as a manager was much higher”, he said.

But he also stressed on Friday that points are more important than performances in the current situation.

“There’s a very positive atmosphere despite the result, because everyone wants to give everything”.

He appears confident he will not follow the Portuguese’s lead, but accepts that United must get back to winning ways.

Had United bought Schweinsteiger prior to Euro 2012, for example, then maybe we’d be talking about a world class player, but instead we’re talking about a player whose legs don’t match his brain.