Louis van Gaal: Odds slashed on Manchester United sacking manager after Stoke defeat

One bookie even paid out on the Dutchman being the next Premier League manager sacked

(Getty Images)

Odds on Louis van Gaal being the next Premier League manager to be sacked have been slashed by various bookies - with one even deciding to pay out.

Manchester United suffered a terrible defeat at Stoke City and are now without a win in their last seven matches, their worst run of form since December 1989.

Van Gaal, who has been heavily criticised in recent weeks for the side's awful form and boring style of play, is the heavy favourite to be out of a job soon.

With Jose Mourinho also lurking after being sacked by Chelsea, the future is looking bleak for the Dutchman. Odds shortened on the Portuguese taking over from his former mentor, and is as short as 8/13.

Loved @DavidJonesSky's reaction almost as much as LVG's stare. pic.twitter.com/hMmdXHHQl7

— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) December 26, 2015

United are now sixth in the table, nine points behind Leicester City having played a game more. The Red Devils face Chelsea at Old Trafford on Bank Holiday Monday.

Van Gaal is a short as 1/25 with SkyBet, 1/16 with Betfair and 1/12 with Ladbrokes - Paddy Power decided they would pay out after the defeat.

United lost after an awful mistake by Memphis Depay, his diving header way short, Glen Johnson latched onto and found Bojan for the opening goal.

Depay was also partially to blame for the second, seemingly jumping out of the way as Mark Arnautovic hammered a strike past David De Gea.

Wayne Rooney, benched for the start of the game, came on at half-time but barely made an impact as United were ineffective in chasing the game.

Stoke moved up to eighth after the win.

Van Gaal reacts in the dugout at the Britannia Stadium (Getty Images)

Van Gaal said his players had not performed in the first half.

"My thoughts are that we don't dare to play football in first half," he told Sky Sports in an interview that ended with a deathly stare. "We gave a very bad goal away and then they score out of a free-kick indirect.

"At half-time we have spoken with each other and I have to say the second half was much better but still we have created one or two chances and then you have to score and then maybe the belief is coming back. In the second half we played better but the problem is we don't dare to play and that's my analysis.

"I'm always very faithful and I see also how (the players) have trained so they want to perform well but the circumstances are difficult, not only the wind but also with the pressure and that's why, in my opinion, we don't dare to play football. Second half we were in a losing position and we can give everything more easily and that we have done but then you have to score the first chance."

When asked if he was the man to help United rediscover their form, he said: "It's more difficult because I'm also a part of the four matches that we have lost. People are looking at me and I have to deal with that, but much more important is that the players have to deal with that because they have to perform."

And on his future he added: "It's another situation. We have lost the fourth game so you have to wait and see."