‘Manchester United can still win the premier league’, says Morgan Schneiderlin

Wayne Rooney can help ease the pressure on beleaguered Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal and move closer to Bobby Charlton’s club scoring record if he maintains his hot streak against Stoke City in the Premier League on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old winger headed home at the back post to convert Cameron Borthwick-Jackson’s cross before Anthony Martial made it 2-0 shortly after with a sensational curling effort.

Henry, who often has his say on matters relating to the Premier League, has urged United chief Ed Woodward to get rid of Van Gaal so that the club can return to greatness.

Odemwingie said: “There was a lot more quality there, they had real leaders on the team, they expected more qualitywise”.

His team won 3-1 at second-tier Derby County on Friday to reach the FA Cup fifth round, but Van Gaal conceded afterwards that it may not have been enough to mollify supporters frustrated by recent performances.

Charlie Adam is sidelined for Stoke, while captain Ryan Shawcross is also likely to miss this one.

United are 2-0 up heading into half-time.

Meanwhile, Stoke City have been very impressive so far and are just four points behind Manchester United.

His absence was felt by the back-line, who were being opened up by the Foxes nearly at will. Phillip Wollscheid and Marc Muniesa would have worked on their defensive organisation on the training ground, and it is absolutely imperative that the duo communicate at the back to foil any Manchester United attacks.

“It’s not just about Jack Butland in goal, we have to set up well defensively as well and also create problems for them because there are weaknesses in their back four”.

New signing Giannelli Imbula wasn’t registered in time to play today.

But, now, with the knowledge Guardiola would be working at United’s great rivals – and in the same city! – the money-men at Old Trafford must surely know what this could entail.

“Many teams go through that”. “It’s not going to be a fairytale ending”, the 35-year-old said.

Despite the poor personal record former United favourite Hughes remains optimistic, claiming that his side is on course to replicate Leicester City’s success this season.

“It is important that the fans continue to support the players against Stoke as the players have the most hard task – they have to get a result at that hour, against Stoke’s resistance and there are no excuses”.