United approach to relieving pressure on their manager

LONDON — 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. It has suffered 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."

Van Gaal walked out of a news conference after 4 minutes, 58 seconds on Wednesday, after becoming frustrated at reports Jose Mourinho could replace him as manager at Old Trafford.

But the best way for Van Gaal to silence the rumours is by winning matches and Stoke will provide stern opponents for United, having already beaten Chelsea and Manchester City at home this season.

Here is a look at other talking points ahead of this weekend's Premier League schedule:

ARSENAL ON RISE

Arsenal travels to Southampton with growing belief of mounting a serious Premier League title challenge.

It trails leader Leicester by two points and produced a commanding display to beat third-place Manchester City 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Monday.

Manager Arsene Wenger said in the aftermath of the victory that the win will increase Arsenal's belief, but has since played down title talk.

"At the moment, it's miles too early to say who will win the Premier League," Wenger said Wednesday. "It's down to being pragmatic, putting the effort in to win your next game and worrying about your performance."

Arsenal is the overwhelming favourite to take three points on Saturday against a Southampton side which has drawn one and lost four of its last five league matches.

But when Ronald Koeman's side hosted Arsenal on New Year's Day last season, it defeated the Gunners 2-0 with a counterattacking performance.

BOURNEMOUTH SANCTION

Bournemouth is in "positive dialogue" with the Football League as it waits to discover the severity of a fine for breaking Financial Fair Play last season.

Bournemouth won the English second tier and was promoted to the Premier League for the first time in its history but exceeded the maximum adjusted loss rule of £6 million ($9 million US), which was set in 2012.

"Bournemouth is fully aware of the Football League's proposed financial sanction relating to Financial Fair Play and is currently engaged in positive dialogue with the Football League to reach a satisfactory outcome," the club said Thursday.

Bournemouth has won its last three league games, which includes victories against Chelsea and Manchester United, and is 14th in the standings.

It is away to Crystal Palace this weekend.

CAPTAIN KOMPANY BACK

Manchester City has captain and central defender Vincent Kompany back to face Sunderland, as well as right-back Pablo Zabaleta.

Kompany has been absent for six weeks with a calf strain which kept him out for eight matches.

"You are always missing good players," City manager Manuel Pellegrini said. "He's the captain here and if he doesn't play it's an important player we don't have in our squad."

Midfielder Fernandinho is anticipating another hard encounter against Sunderland.

"They always seem to play well when they are up against us," Fernandinho said. "We need to prepare well, concentrate throughout and give our fans the kind of performance they deserve."

ELSEWHERE

Leicester travels to Anfield to take on Liverpool, where a win would keep it first in the Premier League table. Guus Hiddink's first game back as Chelsea manager is at Stamford Bridge against Watford.

Fourth-place Tottenham hosts Norwich, Everton travels to Newcastle and Swansea is at home against West Brom. Aston Villa, last in the Premier League, is at home to West Ham.

The Associated Press .

Stoke 2-0 Manchester United: Van Gaal's Schneiderlin mistake and more talking points

Man Utd suffered their fourth successive defeat at Stoke and Louis van Gaal has plenty to ponder ahead of Chelsea's visit.

Schneiderlin was missed

Louis van Gaal has dropped Morgan Schneiderlin for three significant away games this season at PSV Eindhoven, Arsenal and Stoke and Manchester United have lost all of them.

At Stoke, Schneiderlin's discipline was sorely missed in midfield. With three years of Premier League experience, he should be a first-teamer at United but is often treated as a newbie to English football.

Van Gaal kowtowed to United supporters by bringing Ander Herrera into the side when Schneiderlin was just as essential against Stoke's fleet-footed forwards. Michael Carrick, 35 in May, was not sufficient cover for Chris Smalling and Phil Jones and United were looser in midfield.

Herrera was played in the wrong role

The most competitive aspect about United's performance was who could perform the worst. Phil Jones was forlorn, Daley Blind seemed confounded, Ashley Young defended like a novice and Marouane Fellaini spent more time arguing than playing.

Herrera had the nightmare after Christmas. His passing was wretched throughout and he seemed uncertain whether to defend or attack. The busy Basque showed some aggression but United needed incision.

Van Gaal was culpable. Herrera has been United's most productive player in the No.10 role and, as he proved in Bruges, is wasted in defensive midfield.

Herrera endured possibly his worst United display

Walking through the mixed zone afterwards, Herrera looked mortified and ashen-faced. He could not hide how badly it had gone.

Van Gaal passes the buck successfully

Van Gaal's Wednesday walkout deflected the blame not only to the media but the players. The sympathy he gained from his pantomime act heaped pressure on those in the shirts and some performed with the sluggishness of diners full from their Christmas dinner.

The lethargy and timidity about United was reminiscent of David Moyes' final days. Too many have performed as though it was just Van Gaal's United career that was on the line but the brutal reality is, whoever replaces the Dutchman, a number of playing careers are in jeopardy.

Van Gaal's United career is not the only on on the line

Young should not play at right-back again

Luck has had little to do with United's worst run in 26 years, but Van Gaal can be forgiven for lamenting his right-back misfortune. Young, reasonably accomplished at left-back, was utterly unreliable against the elegant, but languid, Marko Arnautovic and he has played in defence often enough to be more vigilant.

Young's hesitancy allowed Jamie Vardy to score past David de Gea last month and he was also obliging against Norwich striker Cameron Jerome. He is costing United goals and, if he is to start, it should not be at right-back again.

Time to drop Mata

The alternatives are not overwhelming - and that is Van Gaal's fault - however Juan Mata's rotten spell continued on the right flank at Stoke. Almost every one of the men in black were brittle and timid, but Mata should be influencing games and he has hardly done that this season.

Mata is not influencing games anymore

He is too often detached from United's attack and the counter-productive 4-2-3-1 formation can not legislate for the Spaniard's blunt performances. At inhospitable grounds like Stoke's, he is fodder for the hosts and Adnan Januzaj must glance smugly at United's right flank situation, despite his own malaise at Dortmund.

Watch England stars Harry Kane and Chris Smalling take on kids at board games in aid of UNICEF

The Three Lions pair joined some of the New Zealand Rugby World Cup team to face off against some children at classic games.

They're used to dominating on the pitch - but England stars Harry Kane and Chris Smalling were put to the test by children during the international break - at board games.

The kids took on their heroes at classics such as Operation - in order to raise awareness of the work UNICEF do.

Tottenham striker Kane and Man United defender Smalling were joined by members of the New Zealand Rugby World Cup team, and were given a a stern test by the children.

“It was a lot of fun to get together with Harry and challenge the children to some board games," Smalling said. "Of course, we took it as seriously as we take every game and wanted to win!

“The children gave us a good run for our money and we were definitely put to the test. We’re really proud to support UNICEF and to highlight their work in keeping-children across the world safe from harm.”

Uh oh: Kane and Smalling react to their failure at Operation

All Blacks star Dan Carter added: “I’ve got some good experience of playing these games thanks to my own children so I felt pretty confident.

"The children certainly didn’t give us an easy time but we battled on!

“It was important to come together in this film and highlight just how important UNICEF’s work is.”

See how the sporting heroes got on against the youngsters in the video above.

Manchester United: How Chris Smalling has gone from zero to hero in 12 months

It's almost a year since Louis van Gaal branded Chris Smalling 'stupid' but he's turned things around to become a fixture in the team.

Chris Smalling taking stupidity to new heights with that red card.... If Smalling doesn’t have stitches in his eyebrow the next time I see him, I’ll be disappointed..... That should be Chris Smalling’s United career over.

It’s almost a year since tweets like those flooded the internet.

Smalling had just been sent off against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in a manner that even Louis van Gaal, who doesn’t like criticising individuals in public, couldn’t defend.

“In the derby you have to be careful,” said the Dutchman.

“The second yellow card was stupid. You cannot do what he has done with the second yellow card. That is not very smart. What can I say?”

It was the word ‘stupid’ that inevitably made the headlines.

It also served to emphasise a common view that while Smalling had the right physical attributes he perhaps lacked the intelligence of a top-class centre-back.

But fast-forward 12 months and things are so different that this week Smalling was talked about as a possible England captain in Wayne Rooney’s absence.

Chris Smalling's derby red card in pictures

Not so long ago that kind of talk would have had most football fans doubled up with laughter. Instead, that was reserved for the player who will wear the armband against Estonia at Wembley, Gary Cahill.

The Chelsea defender’s questionable form this season has only highlighted how well Smalling has played.

Into his sixth season at Old Trafford he has finally won over the majority of fans.

When Roy Keane said he ‘wasn’t convinced’ by the 25-year-old earlier this season many supporters jumped to his defence.

Chris Smalling's season in numbers

13

Appearances

13

Games started

79

Tackles won (%)

56

Clearances

87

Pass completion (%)

11

Fouls conceded

Rio Ferdinand, who has seen his transition from Bambi on ice to rampaging bull up close, is more positive.

“This is a massive season for him," he said. "He just wants to defend, take players out the way, pushing players out of the way.

“It seems like he’s got it between his teeth, ‘I want to be the number one centre half at this club’. “The form he’s started this season in it seems like he’s gone about it in the right way.”

Smalling scored in the 2-1 win over Wolfsburg

Last November wasn’t the first time that some fans were ready to call time on Smalling’s United career.

But his rehabilitation shows what is possible when young players are given time to develop.

Van Gaal said he first noticed it towards the end of last season when he named Smalling captain for United’s draw with Arsenal in May.

He captained United against Arsenal in May and against PSV Eindhoven this season.

“I have watched and observed Chris Smalling,” said the Dutchman.

“I shall name a captain as a human being, not only a player who passes from A to B but how you deal with your players. I believe he has been a leader of our defence.”

It’s also no coincidence that he has found his best form during his longest run in the first team.

He has started each of United’s 13 games at centre-back this season – both his longest run in the team and his longest run in his preferred position.

It might have been different had Phil Jones not been injured during pre-season.

Smalling handled Kane expertly on the opening day of the season

After being overlooked for each of United’s pre-season tour games in the United States, Smalling was thrown into the starting XI against Tottenham.

After an accomplished performance during which he kept Harry Kane in his back pocket, he hasn’t looked back.

His challenge now is to stay fit and hope that any one of the 20 different injuries his had since signing from Fulham in 2010 don’t resurface.

“The red card was disappointing but I rarely get yellows so hopefully it will never happen again,” said Smalling in the aftermath of last season’s derby defeat.

“It was very out of character for me and I just have to move on.” He has moved onwards and upwards.

Everton’s John Stones vs Manchester United’s Chris Smalling; who comes out on top?

The two defenders are vying to be part of England's first-choice defensive pairing, but who has been better this season?

When Everton host Manchester United this weekend, the focus will likely be on some of the English talent on show in both defences.

Blues youngster John Stones has firmly established himself as one of the brightest talents in the Premier League over the last two seasons, with many now expecting him to be a starter for England in Euro 2016.

Similarly, Chris Smalling has enjoyed marked improvement under Louis van Gaal in the last year to become another of England’s first-choice centre backs, with the duo competing to be Roy Hodgson’s preferred pairing next summer.

But who has performed better this season? We decided to take a look at their stats to find out.

	Season	Tackle Success	Clearance Success	Head Clearance Success	Duel Success	Aerial Duel Success	Interception Success
Chris Smalling	2015-2016	78%	78%	94%	59%	62%	100%
John Stones	2015-2016	84%	88%	94%	64%	60%	100%

Starting with tackling, Stones comes out on top in that area, with 84% of his efforts proving successful compared to Smalling’s score of 78%.

He comes out on top when it comes to effective clearances as well, with a score of 88% beating Smalling’s of 78%. However, the duo are level when it comes to effective headed clearances with a score of 94%.

They are also level when it comes to successful interceptions, with both defenders enjoying an impressive score of 100% in that area.

When it comes to duels, the players are split. Stones edges things when it comes to successful battles on the deck, 64% to 59%, but Smalling comes out on top in terms of successful aerial tussles, 62% to 60%.

A win for Stones in this particular battle then, with him coming out on top in three key areas, but whether he comes up trumps on Saturday remains to be seen.

Highlights: Chris Smalling, Everton 0-3 Manchester United

Chris Smalling put in another imperious performance for Manchester United in the 3-0 win over Everton this weekend.

Up against Romelu Lukaku, a striker many felt would cause Smalling lots of problems because of how physical he is, Smalling was so dominant and richly deserved a clean sheet at the end of the game.

Everything that has been thrown at Smalling so far this year has bounced off him and right now there aren’t many centre-backs who are in better form than him. For the first time since their exit, United look to have replaced some of defensive leadership which left when Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand departed.

Everton were frustrated and thwarted by Smalling so many times at Goodison Park and he’s done that to so many teams already this year. He’s become the reliable, consistent and top class defender which at one stage never looked like happening and it’s fantastic to see.

Last season, Smalling’s red card against Manchester City was the low point of his career but heading into the Manchester derby this weekend, he’s at the highest point of his United career in terms of form. Here’s hoping that form will continue against City.

Chris Smalling and Phil Jones Offer Manchester United Defensive Stability

Before the season began, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones seemed the obvious central defensive partnership among Manchester United's ranks.

However, Saturday's trip to Goodison Park saw the England pair start together for the first time this season. I have previously suggested that the partnership of Daley Blind and Chris Smalling should be United's first choice, but with their performance against Everton, Jones and Smalling did a good job of stating their case to be United's defence. 

Jones and Smalling on international duty

In his post-match press conference, Louis van Gaal spoke of his “total human being principle” when it comes to player selection. Perhaps his decision to sideline Blind and his fellow countryman Memphis Depaywas influenced by the Netherlands' failure to qualify for Euro 2016 during the international break.

Coming so swiftly on the back of the defeat to Arsenal, both players have had to deal with a lot of disappointment in a short space of time. Memphis' form certainly warranted a break from first-team action and up against Romelu Lukaku, Van Gaal's decision to play Jones ahead of Blind made good sense.

The decision was amply rewarded. As always, defensive statistics are unable to tell anything like the full story of a performance, but Jones and Smalling both put up good numbers. Between them, they made 13 clearances, nine of which came from inside United's box.

They were dominant in the air—five of those clearances were headers, and Jones won five of his six aerial duels. Smalling contributed four interceptions, crucial in breaking up Everton's attacking rhythm.

However, statistics do a poor job of conveying the intangible sense of presence both men provided. Smalling's solid defensive performances no longer come as a surprise, but Jones' apparent calm under pressure was perhaps a little less expected.

United appeared to catch Everton on an off day, admittedly. Roberto Martinez expressed his hope that it was not a response to Howard Kendall's passing, but Goodison Park did feel flat, with little noise coming from the home fans and little goal threat coming from their attack.

Lukaku and Ross Barkley took plenty of shots—nine between them—but were only able to get three on target.

However, even short of their best, Everton had plenty of players in their lineup who required defensive attention. Jones and Smalling were ably supported by Marcos Rojo and Matteo Darmian from full-back, and were able to call upon the lightning-quick reflexes of David DeGea. His feet-first save from Lukaku was a particular highlight.

All of this leaves Van Gaal with a decision. In theory, losing Blind from centre-half affects United's ball retention, and Blind's eye for a key pass has been vital on occasion so far this campaign.

Jones did a fine job of ensuring United retained possession, completing92 per cent of his passes. Smalling's distribution was much more wayward—unusually so for him during the Van Gaal era. He gave the ball away with 24 per cent of his passes. However, he was able to contribute to United's attacking play, providing the assist for Morgan Schneiderlin's opening goal with a neat chest pass.

For Van Gaal, of course, this comes under that classic football management heading of good problem to have. Jones, Smalling and Blind will all be required as the season progresses and injuries take their toll.

Against CSKA Moscow in midweek and Manchester City on 25 October, though, it should be Smalling and Jones who take the pitch. They passed their combined audition with flying colours againstEverton. Ander Herrera may have deservedly attracted his manager's post-match praise, but he will surely have been delighted with his centre-backs too.

October's tough tests have yielded distinctly mixed results so far, but the victory at Goodison should influence the makeup of United's defence for the near-term future.