A United fan makes his point
However, Smalling, one of the few senior United players whose reputation has so far remained unscathed this season, insists that the notion of players trying anything less than their utmost for van Gaal are wide of the mark.
“No, that's silly,” said Smalling. “If anything we are all playing for our own futures as well, so there's not a case of no one not playing for the manager. And every week we want to go out there and show everyone what a good team we are and on our day we can beat anyone.
• Paul Hayward: United's decline is painful to behold
“I think no matter what, whether it is good or bad, this club is always in thespotlight, and we've rolled our sleeves up, worked hard on the training fieldand had to make sure that we regrouped, especially after that loss against Stoke.”
Modest as the improvements shown against Chelsea may have been, the overall performancewas undoubtedly superior to United’s previous outing, the Boxing Day reverse at Stoke that represented a new low for the team under van Gaal this season.
The manager’s reaction to that defeat prompted suggestion he was considering his position but Smalling insists the Dutchman’s demeanour has remained unchanged.
United's football this season has been ponderous
“No, he has been himself from day one that we met him to how he is now,” said the defender when asked if players had detected a change in their manager’s manner.
“He is not going to change and that is why he has had a a lot of success throughout the years. I can't ever see him changing because he's got a track record.
“I think obviously after the game it was difficult for much to be said and then yesterday was literally a case of turning our attentions straight to Chelsea. I think we were quite lucky we had another game straight after and that we could put it right.
“We need that win because we want to stick at the top end of the table and when you dominate games like these, you need to win them, but we will take the positives from this and really make sure that next week we get the win.”
If United believed that Monday’s draw represented an improvement on recent form, it was not a viewed necessarily shared by their opponents whose sensed uncertainty in the approach of Van Gaal’s side.
“I think sometimes you could see in the game that they had chances to attack, but were a little bit sceptical, or hesitant,” said John Obi Mikel, the Chelsea midfielder.
“Maybe they were a little bit scared. I don’t think they were really scared, but just a bit cautious.
“They were playing not to lose as well. Because of the fast players we have up front who can break they were cautious, and approached the game not to lose. Both teams are not in the right place right now to attack, attack, attack, attack. Sometimes you have to be smart and settle for a point.”
Old Trafford used to lift Manchester on matchday - but now?
A point at Old Trafford represented a second draw in as many games for new Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink and Mikel admits the mood has changed at Stamford Bridge.
“We’ve moved on from and the atmosphere has improved since the change of manager,” said the midfielder.
“It’s fine now, we’ve just not been getting results. Jose is a fantastic manager and will always be a fantastic guy. But sometimes football is a cruel game and you have to move on. He came back to the club a second time and won two trophies, but now he’s gone and we have to move on. Is it the right decision? Who knows? We’ll only see in the future.
Daley Blind takes a corner against Chelsea
“Training has changed a bit and we’re doing things differently. He (Hiddink) hasn’t changed much yet, but he was here before and he knows the place and all the staff.
“We’re down there in the table for a reason so he can’t come in and perform miracles, but we want to get out of there and climb the table. We’ve had three games nowwithout losing so are making the right steps.”
Van Gaal leaves United
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