Louis van Gaal admits he is facing 'the end of the world' at Manchester United

Louis van Gaal accepts pressure is mounting on him

 

UNDER-FIRE Louis Van Gaal admits it could be “the end of the world” for him if Manchester United’s fortunes do not improve.

 

Van Gaal says Jose Mourinho’s departure from Chelsea serves as a reminder that no manager is safe if results are poor.

And the Dutchman accepts the pressure is mounting on him after a worrying run when United have been knocked out of the Capital One Cup, the Champions League and dropped six points behind leaders Leicester in the Premier League.

Asked if he felt secure he said: “What can I answer about that. I can’t. Is no-one’s safe? It’s like that but we know that in advance. It’s this [football] world.

 

“I have the full confidence of my board and my players, I feel, and it’s like that.

“But we have to get results, we have to win, we know that – the players know it, I know it and my staff know it. We have to win because when you lose too much it’s the end of the world for me also.”

As for Mourinho, who was his right hand man in his first spell as Barcelona boss, he added:  “It was a big surprise for me, I didn’t expect that that. A fantastic manager with a record that nobody has in this football world but it is still possible.

“What I’ve said last week, the main thing is always of course the results and, second, the chemistry between the players and manager and his staff.

 



Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho embrace during last seasons match between Man Utd and Chelsea



 

“I cannot judge what was happening in Chelsea, but I was very surprised."

Mourinho “lost” the Chelsea dressing room but Van Gaal denied suggestions that the chemistry between him and his players is wrong and is the cause of United’s poor performances.

“Yes it’s [the chemistry] fine,” he said. “But I’ve said already more than once, I have seen articles that it’s not like that. It’s a bit crazy I think , but that is this world.”

Van Gaal is well aware however some supporters are losing faith in him after United’s poor autumn.

 

“It’s always like that when you lose - fans have to prove their belief again. When you lose that [belief] is less at that moment.

“The board of directors can see what you can do as a manger in practice but the fans cannot see that so when you lose you need the belief of the fans, and that is a question for the fans, not the manager to answer.”

Van Gaal has been boosted by the return of three players for tomorrow’s vital home game against Norwich – Wayne Rooney, Chris Smalling and Ander Herrera - plus Phil Jones and Morgan Schneiderlin who were on the bench at Bournemouth last Saturday.

And he hopes Rooney – who has missed three games with an ankle injury - will mark his 500th appearance for the club with a much-needed goal.

 

Wayne Rooney is set to return for United against Norwich

 

“I hope he scores a goal because it is a big day for him - it’s his 500th game,” he added. “Not too many players have reached that record. We hope to give the result that everybody is expecting.”

Bastian Schweinsteiger will serve the second match of his three-game ban while Matteo Darmian, Jesse Lingard remain on the side lines along with Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw.

Van Gaal says recalling James Wilson from his season-long loan spell at Brighton remains an option – if United fail to ease their goals shortage and decide they need him.

“When we are in trouble we can recall him and that’s why we have done it [inserted the recall clause], he said. “That’s a decision when it comes – maybe and maybe not.

“We have sent him to Brighton because he needs match rhythm and he has to show his qualities. We have extended his contract because of his qualities because we believe in him. He has shown his qualities but that is at a lower level.”