United loses at home to Norwich for first time since 1989

And the fans are really starting to turn on Louis van Gaal.

Manchester United suffered further embarrassment in the Premier League on Saturday, succumbing to a 2-1 victory at home to relegation strugglers Norwich City.

Pressure has been mounting on Van Gaal in recent weeks after five straight games in all competitions without a win.

Van Gaal admits that they should be beating Norwich at home and insisted that they stick together as a squad during these trying times. “But still, after the second goal, the fans were supporting us and they give a good example that we have to stick together to come out of this period because that’s our objective now”.

“It’s very disappointing if you have most of the possession but Norwich countered us well”. Ander Herrera is also likely to be fit, and he may end up replacing Bastian Schweinsteiger in midfield; the German serves the first of a three-game ban. “We can not accept that”.

Rumours of Jose Mourinho taking the Manchester United job have got incumbent Louis van Gaal anxious over his position after another loss. This is why I am, or maybe I now have to say was, a very successful manager.

Van Gaal addressed the issue of dealing with tough periods in a collective manner: “What you have seen today is what a lack of confidence can do”. Anthony Martial did pull one back but it wasn’t enough to stop a shock win for the visitors. Even MUTV, United’s in-house TV station that can usually be relied up to offer sympathy and support in tough times, was scathing in its post-match appraisal of Van Gaal’s latest defeat.

Asked about that disgruntlement and whether he felt the supporters were still with him, Van Gaal said: “It’s always like that when you lose”. We know that, the players know that, I know that and the members of staff know that.

Van Gaal said three or four players who have been out injured could be set for a return and he is hopeful striker Wayne Rooney will be fit after a full week’s training. I just think it’s sad that it’s come to this, fans on the manager’s back, and I think it’s a problem that could have been avoided. United’s “false nine” says that the players “are aware we have to get better and with the right attitude and each of us giving the maximum we will get out of this situation”.

Elsewhere, Leicester City stay at the top of the league after another impressive win. On two occasions, once in the first half from a Blind corner and then again in the second half from a Young delivery, the Reds let the ball go untouched as it fizzed across the Norwich goal.