Louis van Gaal may find himself out of a job this evening following Manchester United's 2-0 defeat away at Stoke City this afternoon, if recent reports are to be believed.
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Winless in their last six outings in all competitions ahead of their trip to the Britannia Stadium, first-half goals from Bojan and Marko Arnautovic were enough to defeat United and heap pressure on the Dutchman, with Jose Mourinho said to be waiting in the wings.
Having taken the decision to drop captain Wayne Rooney, Van Gaal saw his side struggle to make much of an impact on proceedings during the opening exchanges in the Potteries.
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There were no such problems for the home side, though, as they broke the deadlock in the 19th minute. United winger Memphis Depay - a £25m summer signing from PSV Eindhoven - failed to get the necessary power on a header that was intended for goalkeeper David de Gea. Stoke full-back Glen Johnson pounced and when he pulled the ball back for Bojan, the Spanish playmaker fired a low shot beyond two defenders on the line.
The goal put Mark Hughes's team in the ascendancy and it was little surprise when they doubled their lead seven minutes later. Bojan's set piece struck the United wall, but after the ball dropped for Arnautovic 20 yards from goal, the Austrian lashed a swerving shot beyond the reach of De Gea.
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Arnautovic had another chance to add a third goal shortly before the break after he had been released by Bojan, only to shoot wide of De Gea's goal on that occasion.
Rooney was introduced during the break at the expense of Depay, but United's No.10 was unable to inspire any sort of comeback. He did create his team's best opening in the 64th minute with a low cross from the right, but Marouane Fellaini shot straight at Jack Butland in the home goal.
Anthony Martial and Juan Mata both tested Butland as the final whistle approached and the Spaniard's effort was to be United's last assault on goal as they fell a to third Premier League defeat in a row, during which time they have scored just twice and conceded six goals.
As for eighth-placed Stoke, the three points have ended a run of two straight defeats.
Liam Apicella
