Stoke leave Van Gaal on Man United brink

The club captain also noted that following their trip to Stoke, Manchester United host Chelsea at Old Trafford on Monday, in what is another big game for the Red Devils.

Ferguson would look to field a blend of youth, experience and players in their mid-twenties, allied with pace and adventure, but the team under Van Gaal appears to be an untidy combination of the opposites. “Tara Fergie”, it read.

A win, however, would send out the message that Van Gaal remains capable of inspiring his players, despite their increasing concerns over his unswerving approach and obsession with possession.

“It’s not nice when you’re being criticised every week, every game”, he said.

“I’m always very faithful and I see also how they have trained, so they want to perform well.”

Memphis then forced Butland into a low save with a 30-yard free-kick but the game would have been beyond United had Arnautovic not curled wide when one-on-one with De Gea, having been put through by Bojan.

The Van Gaal era is sliding quickly into the mire, and only a vastly-improved second-half showing can keep the wolves from the door as his future comes under ever-greater scrutiny.

We get hurt because we’re proud people and proud to play for Manchester United. On the contrary, if you came here looking for signs that they are as puzzled by Van Gaal as everyone else, there were plenty of them.

Mark Hughes’ men have as many victories on home turf as they do on their travels – three – and will be hopeful that they can secure a surprise result this afternoon.

Van Gaal admitted it was a “difficult decision” to drop Rooney, but one the striker took as well as he could have. Wayne Rooney might not be the player he was but, for all his flaws, he does not lack heart or the appetite to get on the ball.

This would reinforce claims regarding Van Gaal’s confidence and demeanour made by Guillem Balague recently. Blind had awful problems trying to subdue Shaqiri.

The pressure is mounting on the United manager but Carrick says the entire squad must take responsibility for their dismal form.

Depay, a £25million player who scored 22 league goals for PSV Eindhoven a year ago, tried – and failed – to head a simple ball back to David de Gea, Glen Johnson stole in and squared to Bojan, who tapped in.