Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has reasons enough to be annoyed. The Dutchman is under pressure as he has not really given the Red Devils that lightning of a start this season which we had expected. On top of that, reports in the media as well as parodies over social media have rubbed salt on his wounds.
No wonder Van Gaal looked utterly disappointed, as he left the Boxing Day pre-match press-conference abruptly on Wednesday. Manchester United take on Stoke City on Boxing Day (26 December) at the Britannia Stadium.
The United manager answered just three questions before walking out, when asked about his future at the Theatre of Dreams. The entire pressser lasted for just about four minutes and 58 seconds.
The Red Devils may be fifth in the Premier League at the moment, but they are without a win in their last four EPL games; their last two fixtures turning out to be defeats (against Bournemouth and Norwich). There is pressure on Van Gaal no doubt, and the persistent pressure put forward by the media has made him lose his cool completely.
Van Gaal, who became the Manchester United manager in the summer of 2014, has won 36 times and lost with the Red Devils on 16 occasions from his overall 71 games in charge. He said that continuous reports and rumours of his sacking has affected both him and his family. "I think I was already sacked, I have read... I have been sacked. My colleague [replacement] was here already," the Dutchman made a sarcastic jibe at the media.
"What do you think that happens with my wife or with my kids or with my grandchildren or with the fans of Manchester United or my friends? What do you think? They have called me a lot of times and also Arsene Wenger is saying something about that [the Arsenal manager said that the speculation over Van Gaal's career is disrespectful]."
The entire media interaction lasted for just a few more minutes, and then Van Gaal blurted: "I wish you a merry Christmas and maybe also a happy new year when I see you. Enjoy the wine and a mince pie. Goodbye."
Catch the entire press conference below:
The recent reports of Jose Mourinho being tipped as Van Gaal's successor and the ex-Netherlands boss facing the sack if he does not win his next two fixtures this calendar year (against Stoke and Chelsea) have been a hot topic at the moment on social media. This is how twitter has reacted to the entire development:
"I love LVG! Wines, mince pies goodbye!!" - Jamie Carragher, Liverpool legend.
"LVG very aggressive - Very passionate - Pity his players aren't the same..." - Rodney Marsh, QPR legend.
"Rather than demand apologies from the media, I suggest Louis van Gaal says sorry to United fans for the way he's making their team play." - Piers Morgan, TV personality.
