Louis van Gaal has admitted it is imperative Manchester United win at Stoke on Boxing Day as he looks for a result that will shore up his position as manager.
The 64-year-old has declared he has had the backing of United’s powerbrokers, in the shape of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, former chief executive David Gill and Sir Alex Ferguson, after a disastrous run of results which has led to suggestions one more defeat could be his last game.
United, who have lost their last three matches and have not won in six games in all competitions, visit the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.
Van Gaal, who stormed out of his news conference on Wednesday in protest against media reports about his future, believes it is imperative they halt their slide but is wary of a Stoke side who have already beaten both Chelsea and Manchester City at home this season.
“Yes, I think so [it is a must-win game] because, when you have lost three times in a row, then you need a victory,” he told MUTV.
“We have focused ourselves to do that but it is not easy. Stoke City have won against Manchester City, for example, and it’s a special ground. It is not easy with a lot of circumstances that are not suitable always to playing good football.”
After only letting in two goals in nine games, United have conceded seven goals in their last three matches and Van Gaal has said it is a priority to keep clean sheets again.
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