The Manchester United squad have had a post match warm down session after every weekend of Premier League action. But reports are coming in that, after the loss to Southampton, the Carrington training in Manchester was empty the day after a match for the first time under Louis van Gaal.
Van Gaal, being the strict disciplinarian that he is, has always ensured that the Manchester United squad reported to the training grounds on the day after a match. The warm down session involves some light cardio and a 45-90 minute run together. He was even adamant that this routine be followed after travelling back from exhausting European matches.
But, according to a report by goal.com, for the first time in the Dutchman’s time at Old Trafford, the post match routine was not followed after the defeat to Southampton this weekend. The Carrington training ground was empty as squad members were requested to not come in for training, which is very unusual.
This coupled with the fact that Van Gaal is heading back to Netherlands after the demoralizing loss, ostensibly to be there for his daughters birthday, has lead to speculation that this could be curtains for Van Gaal’s career at Manchester United.
Unimpressive
The recent performance against Southampton FC provoked jeers and boos from the Manchester United fans as the club registered just a single shot on target for the second game in a row. The fans have been growing more and more frustrated with the manager, who has been criticized by pundits and ex-players as well. In fact, the atmosphere at Old Trafford regarding the 64-year-old manager has been tense for quite some time now.
Van Gaal now has the lowest win percentage in the Premier League history of Manchester United, worse than his predecessor David Moyes, who didn’t get as much time at the helm. The uncharacteristic happenings at Manchester on Sunday may not mean that the manager is getting sacked, but the writings on the wall are starting to grow increasingly visible.
