Stoke 2 - 0 Manchester United: Three things we learnt

Manchester United slumped to another defeat at the Britannia, their fourth in a roll, and one that left them without a win in their last seven games.

Prior to the match, manager Van Gaal declared the match a must win for United, but on the boxing day, United refused to throw enough punches.

He had earlier worked out if his pre-match press conference, demanding an apology from the media, but after the team's shambolic performance against the potters, the United board will have to evaluate his position as United manager.

Here are three talking points from the game.

1. Unpardonable selection errors from the manager:

Van Gaal's starting eleven raised as much questions as the performance of his players. He once again showed that he may not have an indepth  understanding of his team.

Benching your underperforming captain may be pardonable, but two unpardonable errors are the omission of Schneiderlin from the starting XI and playing Fellaini as your number 10, while Herrera played as a defensive midfielder.

Schneiderlin is no doubt one the the best defensive midfielders in the league, benching him in a physical must win game proved costly. The United back four lacked effective cover, a hustler and someone who can break play.

2. Players lacking confidence or needing a change:

Three defeats in a roll, no victory in their last six, immense criticism of their manager, uncertainty about the manager's future plus his seemingly non effective philosophy is enough to make the players emotionally down.

Psychologically those players need a break or a change. The performance of  Mata, Depay, Herrera, Blind and co. shows that something needs to change in the United set up. Rooney and Perreria came on as substitutes,  the later was booked while Rooney looked angry and could also have been booked.

The ineffective playing methods, and many other negatives surrounding the team needs a change in methods or manager. The players don't look free or happy.

3. The fans deserve  apologies:

When Van Gaal walked out of his press conference on Wednesday, fans must have felt a change in performance and results was inevitable.

The gaffer had to get it right. You don't walk out of your press conference and next, your team produce a performance like that.

It is now crystal clear who deserve an apology.

THE FANS.