Stoke vs. Manchester United: Key Takeaways from Louis Van Gaal's Presser

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal stormed out of his press conference less than five minutes after it began when he addressed the media ahead of the Red Devils' Boxing Day trip to Stoke City.

The Guardian's Daniel Taylor summarised the remarkable proceedings:

Per the Mirror's David McDonnell, he reacted angrily to the speculation over his future. He said:

"

Has anybody in this room not a feeling to apologise to me? That’s what I am wondering.

I think I was already sacked I have read. Or have been sacked. Or that my colleague [Jose Mourinho] was here already.

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 with my friends? What do you think?

They have called me, a lot of times, and also Arsene Wenger is saying something about that.

"

The Dutchman admitted he did not wish to be at the conference, per football writer Chris Winterburn:

He also added that he felt support from within the club but not from the media, per McDonnell:

"

I have tried to lift the confidence of my players. I have done everything this week.

I have held meetings, evaluation meetings with the players, with members of staff, I have held a Christmas lunch, I gave a speech and I feel the warmth and the the support of everybody at Carrington, this AON Training Complex.

But I didn’t feel that [warmth] in the media. I can imagine that you can write about that subject.

"

He remains adamant the club are still in the title race and reiterated he had also been supported by executive vice chairman of United Ed Woodward, former boss Sir Alex Ferguson and former chief executive David Gill:

"

We are not in a good position but four weeks ago we were in first place and in about four weeks we can again be in that position again.

You have to stick by the facts and when I get calls from Ed Woodward, Sir Alex Ferguson and David Gill, because you are creating something that is not good, that is not being the facts, and now I have to answer questions. I don’t think I want to do it.

"

The 64-year-old then promptly wrapped up his press conference, per Winterburn:

Winterburn and the Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst gave insight into Van Gaal's emotional state during the conference:

The Red Devils are currently fifth in the Premier League table, nine points behind league-leaders Leicester City, and Van Gaal has come under fire in recent months for United's poor attacking play, which has produced just 22 goals in 17 games.

With United having lost their last two games—to Bournemouth and Norwich City, no less—and with Jose Mourinho now available after being fired from Chelsea, the Dutchman has been under added scrutiny.  

The conference has divided opinion, with ESPN FC's Alex Shaw believing Van Gaal has succumbed to the pressures of the job:

Winterburn and the Associated Press' Rob Harris noted the possible implications on his future:

Meanwhile the MEN's Stuart Mathieson believed Van Gaal's words were justified, while football writer Elko Born simply saw the conference as being more typical of his usual addresses to the media in his career than those he's given of late:

The conference will probably only serve to increase the speculation surrounding his future.

If United fail to claim three points away at Stoke on Boxing Day—which could well happen given their struggles and the Potters' strength at the back—the pressure and speculation will increase once again.

With both a Champions League place and, indeed, the title still well within reach, United aren't likely to dismiss him until at least the end of the season—his predecessor, David Moyes, was kept on until the top four was no longer mathematically possible.

However, it's conceivable that if he's unable to improve their current situation, he might eventually be tempted to take matters into his own hands and resign from his position.