Van Gaal ‘Worried’ After Norwich Defeat

While an assistant manager issuing instructions from the touchline is hardly a revolutionary move, it is in stark contrast to Van Gaal’s preferred style of in-game management.

“But we have to get results, we have to win”. “It is possible to turn this (bad form) around because of the many matches we have coming up, but it is hard. 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”.

“I was at the academy with players like Danny Welbeck and Corey Evans and although a lot of players and staff have left, I still have friends there”, he said.

The last time they lost a trio of games previously was in 2001 at the end of a Premier League term in which they had already won the title and still finished 10 points clear despite the defeats.

United came close to leveling on a couple of occasions, as Juan Mata had a free-kick well saved by Declan Rudd and Chris Smalling also had a opportunity to score deep into stoppage time but he put the chance wide.

When asked if his board would continue to accept such a sequence of poor performances and results, Van Gaal responded: “It’s not up to me to say about that question, but we shall see”.

“Rooney has been out for more or less two weeks so it is possible that he will play but we have to wait and see”, Van Gaal said.

“Bad period” is putting it lightly.

You have to win every home game.

“We’ve got quality players going forward and we can cause problems”.

“[You get confidence back] by showing a professional attitude”.

Their next game is a tough-looking fixture at Stoke City on Boxing Day, before they host Chelsea two days later. I am not the same coach of 25 years ago and I always evaluate. I know that belief in a manager is very important.

“The pressure when I started as a manager was much higher”.

“Of course I am anxious about [Mourinho’s sacking] because belief in a manager is very important”.