MU players know how to say goodbye to Van Gaal

20 months ago, Manchester United players knew David Moyes was going to be sacked before they lost 0-2 to Everton. Will it be a repeat tonight?

Eight years ago (2007), Chelsea sacked Jose Mourinho and in their first game under new manager - Avram Grant - they faced Manchester United. At Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson's side had no trouble beating the Blues, after goals from Carlos Tevez and Louis Saha. The result added to a great season for the Manchester team, with a double of Premier League and Champions League titles.

No light for Van Gaal

What awaits Chelsea this time, with Mourinho having just left the club? There is a huge gulf between then and now. Despite United’s current wealth and spending spree, they have slipped to sixth place – level on points with newly promoted Watford – and the decline is far from over. There are no winning streaks or unbeaten runs here either. They have just repeated their worst run since 1961, losing four games in a row.

Van Gaal is completely hopeless to save the situation.

Van Gaal has said he will leave if he gets another bad result against Chelsea. So the question now is, can the Dutchman turn things around in 48 hours?

He is no Sir Alex. Even Fergie, in his last three games against the West Londoners, failed to win. David Moyes and Van Gaal followed suit, each drawing and losing.

If Mourinho had remained in charge, United would have had a glimmer of hope of capitalising on the Blues’ disarray, which many believed was being sabotaged from within. However, with Mourinho gone, the West Londoners have settled down. When Diego Costa scored twice and Ivanovic scored again, everyone knew they were playing football. Worryingly, United’s players have not. No one has seen any fighting spirit from Rooney, Martial, Mata, or the likes of Blind, Young or Depay.

MU players no longer have the desire to fight.

When a manager leaves the press conference as a way to escape the pressure, it is not the end of the world. But if he starts pointing the finger at his players, he is in serious trouble. Like Mourinho, Van Gaal is finding himself with a huge void behind him. The players – the ones who decide the outcome – are no longer playing for the manager.

MU's big night

A tactical breakthrough to influence the outcome is unlikely. Despite changes in personnel and form, everything is still based on a strategy that stifles creativity. As seen, MU made a few changes against Stoke, but they were confusing and ineffective. The players were stuck in it and had no way out. Fellaini was given the role of “number 10” and Herrera was the organizing midfielder, Rooney was on the bench then recalled and when Pereira came on, it was clear that Van Gaal was really out of ideas.

He was stunned, devastated and, of course, received no help from Giggs. They did not speak to each other and were like two strangers forced to sit on the same bench on a train. Everything was against Van Gaal and it felt like if he disappeared immediately, the Christmas atmosphere would be fully felt at United.

The enigmatic smiles in defeat to Stoke.

Everyone was waiting for Van Gaal to resign, but Ed Woodward and the Glazers had their own ideas. Just like 20 months ago, the MU players knew that David Moyes would be sacked before the trip to Goodison Park. The 0-2 loss to Everton only added to the Board's confidence.

It is likely that tonight, Rooney and his teammates also know about the big event that is about to happen. Their minds are of course no longer on the 90 minutes against Chelsea at Old Trafford, but on speculating about who will lead them in the future. Just like last time, they may "do something" to end the manager's efforts.

According to Zing