Van Gaal has players’ backing – Rooney

His team were abject for long spells and the last time they went so long without a victory goes back to an eight-match sequence from December 1989 to January 1990, in the days when a banner appeared at Old Trafford calling time on the pre-knighted Alex Ferguson. However, it will be on the pitch where he can really showcase a response.

Van Gaal was rooted to his dug-out seat throughout the 90 minutes and looked a shell-shocked figure as he walked away at the final whistle, pausing briefly to wave to the travelling supporters. Are you happy with progress? Their game seems a lot more possession-based than it has been in the past.

“In the second half we played better but the problem is we don’t dare to play and that’s my analysis”. How does he compare to Tony Pulis? When it’s not going right it’s hard to take and frustrating. “We have to focus on that match and we have to win that match”. Hughes has built upon that and it’s working well but could he have done the same? That was my message; not that I’m hurt – because I am used to that’.

Incredible. Given time he could definitely get into any team. The Everton youth product is capable of providing a spark to the side as club captain, but will need to work harder in training with his teammates to gain a better understanding with them.

United was spared further misery before the interval when Arnautovic ran onto Krkic’s throughball but missed the target with his shot.

Actually no, we’re perfectly consistent. They attacked with great flair during the first half, sensing their opponents were there for the taking, and when they were put under sustained pressure we saw the old doggedness after the break, defending with great determination while still looking unsafe on the counterattack. The fans would love him there, but the hope at United is still that Ryan Giggs will take over.

“Not winning the last six games for a club like us is disappointing”, Young told MUTV.

“As a group of players we know we can do better and we’re all working together to try to come up with the best solution to help us win football matches. Hopefully we won’t allow that at the weekend”.

“We regularly have meetings with the players”. “We are not playing well enough”.

Stoke is always a tough place to visit, and after a bad start to the season they have risen up the table to 11th place, just one point behind Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.

James: I would say uninspiring best describes it. It’s pragmatic. A few losses and he’s getting sacked.

“What do you think that happens with my wife or with my kids?” He’s self-assured and self-confident so I don’t think it fazes him too much. I can’t honestly see who else would replace LvG and be an improvement mid-season. “We have lost the fourth game, so you have to wait and see”. However we can never assume that something’s in the bag.

“Of course I can imagine that you can write about that subject [our bad results] but you have to stick to the facts”.