Manchester United: Louis van Gaal has one last game to turn fortunes around at Old Trafford

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is treading a tight rope at Old Trafford, having seen his counterpart Jose Mourinho being given the sack after he failed to lead Chelsea to the top half of the Premier League table after 16 games. The Dutchman has gone six games without a win in all competitions, drawing three and losing the rest, which has led to fans losing faith in the manager.

The Mirror reports that the manager will be given one more game to prove his credentials — against Stoke City at the Britannia on Boxing Day — where a loss will make his position untenable at the club. Losses to newly promoted sides Bournemouth and Norwich City in consecutive games have put a massive question mark over his future at the club, especially with Mourinho available for appointment on an immediate basis.

Van Gaal himself has raised concerns about his future, stating that no manager in world football is secure in England given the level of competition and the expectations from fans. Their latest loss has allowed Tottenham to pip United to a top four spot, with the Red Devils currently nine points adrift of league leaders Leicester City.

United are already out of the Champions League, having failed to navigate out of the group stages and the report states that the players have lost faith in the manager to take them forward. An injury crisis and the form of United's attacking players, has put Van Gaal's job that much more difficult, after he spent an inordinate amount of money in the past two transfer windows.

The Red Devils have two important games against Stoke City and Chelsea to manoeuvre before the end of the year and Van Gaal has to delve into his deep experience to turn their fortunes around. United have been drawn against Midtjylland in the round of 32 tie of the Europa League in a bid to progress through the second rung in Europe.