Robbie Savage Criticises Louis van Gaal Press Conference, Manchester United Form

Football pundit Robbie Savage has slammed Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal for his style of play and suggested the Dutchman should apologise to supporters for his "dreary football."

In his column for the Mirror, the former United youth-team player questioned LvG for asking the media for an apology about recent rumours of his future at Old Trafford and turned the tables on the Dutch boss: "Instead of asking for an apology from the media over rumours—which started on Twitter, not in the papers—that you had been sacked on Tuesday, how about apologising for your dreary football, Louis?"

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Savage highlighted United's current predicament after Van Gaal cut short his pre-match press conference for the Premier League clash with Stoke City on Boxing Day, walking out on journalists as they prepared to question him:

"

It's all very well pointing out that United were top of the Premier League four weeks ago.

But today they are nine points off the pace in the title race.

Four weeks ago, they were still in the Champions League , too - but in 2016 they will be playing on Thursday nights in Europe.

It is unfortunate that Van Gaal found himself batting away false rumours about his sacking and fielding anxious calls from his wife, children and friends.

When you are Manchester United manager, speculation goes with the territory, especially when results and performances are so poor.

But thanks for the mince pies and glass of wine, anyway. I know colleagues in the media appreciated such a festive gesture.

"

Ivan Sekretarev/Associated Press

United have gone six matches without a win in all competitions, facilitating failure in Europe and a dramatic slide in the Premier League.

Neil Custis of the Sun noted executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward reported for a meeting at the club's London headquarters on Tuesday as speculation on LvG's future grows, also claiming United have already been in contact with Jose Mourinho about managing the Red Devils "through an intermediary."

Former United winger Andrei Kanchelskis has also recently stepped forward to criticise Van Gaal in the wake of poor results and weak performances. 

BBC Sport quoted the Russian as saying the manager has struggled to get to grips with the stylistic qualities of the English game:

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I just don't think that Van Gaal understands English football. A team needs to have leaders, like Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, Peter Schmeichel, who can give the right things at the necessary moment and can show their leadership qualities.

The coach does not want this and this is the reason for such disastrous results.

"

Jon Super/Associated Press

The next three matches will be vital for Van Gaal, as his team faces tough games against Stoke, Chelsea and Swansea City in the league.

It is possible that failure across the Christmas period will see the manager lose his position because United will have fallen from title contenders to also-rans in a matter of weeks.

Van Gaal had a reputation of flair football coupled with high organisation in his previous incarnations as the coach of Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

However, he has not pushed his favoured formation of 4-3-3 at United, opting for a conservative approach that has disappointed United fans across the world, leading to unprecedented booing of the team at Old Trafford.