LONDON (AP) – After discussions between Manchester United’s senior players and manager Louis van Gaal about how to halt its decline in form, the squad heads to Stoke under intensifying pressure to ease the scrutiny surrounding the Dutchman.
United has not won in six games, a run that stretches back to Nov. 21, with defeats in its last three matches. It has dropped to fifth in the Premier League and has been eliminated from the Champions League.
Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney said talks have been held with Van Gaal about how to improve results, as well as team morale.
“I think it’s normal that confidence would be a bit lower,” Rooney said to Sky on Thursday. “As a group of players, we know we can do better. We regularly have meetings, myself and the other senior players in the squad and the manager as well. We are working together and trying to come up with the best solution.
“We are fighting for the manager to try and get results and turn the season around.”