Van Gaal: We have to get results

Despite the admission, LvG reaffirmed he has the full backing of the United board and his squad, per McDonnell and Mewis.

“We have to get results, we have to win and we know that, the players know that, my staff know that”, he said.

Following Jose Mourinho’s shock departure at Chelsea, Van Gaal fears he could be the next big name to go if he fails to spark an immediate improvement in Manchester United’s results.

It seems their former boss will return to the Premier League swiftly, with The Independent reporting that Jose Mourinho is the bookies favourite to take over at Manchester United. “It was a big surprise to me, I didn’t expect that”, he said.

Van Gaal doesn’t like to rush players back too quickly without “match rhythm”, preferring to ease them into action off the bench after injury. “It’s like that, managers know in advance, it’s this world”.

The team started strongly but conceded twice on rare chances from the away side and couldn’t come up with a response, forcing van Gaal to admit his frustration after the match.

Bastian Schweinsteiger will face his second of the three match suspension, leaving Van Gaal with Michael Carrick and Morgan Schneiderlin, along with Herrera and Marouane Fellaini as the options in the midfield position. “Yes, it’s fine”, he said. “I think so because we are playing like we have played this year – nevertheless he has scored the most goals. I’ve seen articles that it’s not like that, so it’s a bit insane”, he said when asked about the dressing-room morale during a press-conference.

Rooney’s next appearance will be his 500th as a United player.

The coach said both players have trained for a full week at Carrington, but he would not say if they will make the starting XI.

Still, the 64-year-old Van Gaal does not believe this is the most pressure he has been under in his managerial career and feels his stock in the game will be enough for United to stick with him.

“What is the same is the preparation, we always prepare very good according to the qualities of our opponents and our game plan”.

“Goals are the most important thing”.

But Netherlands worldwide Blind, who has been a mainstay of Louis van Gaal’s injury-ravaged back four this season, warned the Red Devils that Norwich will be hard to break down in Saturday’s Premier League meeting.

But with United winless in five, Van Gaal wants a result at Old Trafford against the Canaries. We have never lost this season at home and we are in a bad period and you can see what (a lack of) confidence is doing to my players.