CHELSEA interim boss Guus Hiddink yesterday said Louis van Gaal must accept scrutiny as manager of a Manchester United side vying for the Premier League title.
Hiddink was asked about United’s troubles in a campaign which has seen Van Gaal’s position come under sharp focus amid fan frustration over tactics and results, with Jose Mourinho apparently waiting in the wings to succeed him.
Van Gaal has bristled at suggestions he could lose his job, with United fifth, 10 points behind leaders Leicester.
And a win at Stamford Bridge tomorrow could reignite the Red Devils’ hopes of succeeding Chelsea as Premier League champions.
“He has to perform, this is normal,” Hiddink said.
“There is pressure. There was and still is big ambition. They have to cope with that.
“The pressure is on. It’s on everyone. But if you have the possibility to go into first position, then pressure is on.”
Hiddink replaced Mourinho at Chelsea in December and declined the opportunity to fully appraise United’s season, suggesting the Blues had enough concerns of their own.
They remain in the bottom half of the table entering this weekend’s fixtures.
“I am not going into the ‘problems’ from other clubs,” Hiddink added.
“Every club during a season has some periods where they might worry a bit.
“We had that as well. I don’t like to go in too much in other people’s kitchen.”
Chelsea are 16 points adrift of Arsenal in the final Champions League place.
Hiddink has overseen two wins and five draws in his unbeaten Premier League run and the priorities are now the FA Cup and Champions League, where Manchester City and Paris St Germain, respectively, lie in wait.
“To get fourth position you need to win, win, win. That’s very, very difficult,” he added.
“The other two legs are FA Cup and Champions League. That’s where we’re aiming.”
